BEDFORD - Key Persons
Aaron A. Schwartz is a dedicated and experienced criminal defense trial attorney. He graduated from Miami University in 1999 with a degree in Political Science and then attended the Case Western Reserve University School of Law earning his JD in 2002. Aaron began his career representing the accused in 2003 when he accepted a position at the Lake County Public Defender's Office. Since 2003 Aaron has represented clients charged with crimes ranging from minor misdemeanors to first degree felonies. These offenses would include Domestic Violence, OVI, Drug Charges, Sex Offenses, Theft Offenses, Murder and others. Aaron has also been certified to handle death penalty cases in the state of Ohio.
Prior to joining Patituce & Associates in 2019 Aaron continued his legal career as both a solo practitioner and an associate attorney with Reitz, Paul & Shorr in Portage County. During that time he gained a wealth of experience in Domestic Relations, Juvenile Law, Probate and Civil Litigation.
Aaron is a lifelong resident of Northeast Ohio and resides on the East Side of Cleveland with his wife and two daughters.
Education
J.D. Case Western University School of Law - Graduate School 2002
B.A. in Political Science Miami University - Undergraduate School 1999
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner at Patituce & Associates
Attorney Catherine R. Meehan is a partner at Patituce & Associates after joining the firm in August 2012. Not only does she handle many pretrial proceedings on behalf of our clients, but she also has experience taking cases to trial.
When she isn't in the courtroom, Catherine is tirelessly working behind the scenes to gather and analyze the evidence against our clients in order to build an effective and tailored legal defense to properly challenge such evidence. Since we are available 24 hours a day and seven days a week for our clients, she is quick to respond to any calls and listen to their needs and concerns about their case.
After graduating from Notre Dame College, Catherine earned her Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2011. She is a member of the Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Education
B.A. Notre Dame College - Undergraduate School
J.D. The Thomas M. Cooley Law School - Graduate School
Job Titles:
- Founder of Patituce & Associates
- Managing Partner / Former Prosecutor
Attorney Joseph C. Patituce is the founder of Patituce & Associates. He has an extensive reputation and successful record as a trial lawyer who has a comprehensive understanding of the criminal process, from the pretrial stages to the appellate process.
Job Titles:
- Partner at Patituce & Associates
Attorney Megan Patituce is a partner at Patituce & Associates. She received her bachelor's degree from The Ohio State University in Physics before attending Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. Megan is licensed to practice in the State of Ohio, the United States Supreme Court, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, the United States District Courts for both the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio, and the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Prosecutor: Each municipality in the jurisdiction supplies a prosecutor for cases originating there.
Job Titles:
- Chief Deputy Clerk / Probation
Attorney Erin Branham's career of law and service began while working as a legal runner with a criminal defense firm in Winter Park, Florida while obtaining her undergraduate degree. After earning her bachelor's degree from the University of Central Florida, Erin volunteered with AmeriCorps, working as a member in Newark, New Jersey.
While enrolled at the University of Cincinnati College of Law, Erin worked as a fellow with the Ohio Innocence Project. While there, she combed through records and interviewed witnesses while investigating the post-conviction innocence of claims of multiple individuals. Erin also worked with the Ohio Justice & Policy Center, assisting survivors of human trafficking to seal their criminal records. She contributed to the preparation of judicial release motions and participated in record-sealing clinics. Erin also had the privilege of serving as a judicial extern for the Honorable Magistrate Judge Stephanie K. Bowman in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.
Erin joined Patituce & Associates as an associate attorney in the Post-Conviction practice group in 2021. She is licensed to practice throughout the State of Ohio and focuses her work on post-conviction investigation and litigation. She advocates before the Ohio Parole Board and participates in litigation throughout Ohio in the trial and appellate courts on issues related to judicial release, constitutionally-based claims, and claims related to newly discovered evidence.
Lauren Wazevich began her career at Patituce & Associates in her first year of law school, working as a law clerk. As a student, Lauren helped to secure a victory in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals which reversed the denial of a habeas corpus petition. After successfully passing the Ohio bar exam, Lauren joined the firm as an Associate Attorney focusing on appellate and post-conviction litigation.
Lauren handles a variety of matters arising after conviction, including, but not limited to, direct appeals, judicial releases, federal habeas corpus petitions, parole hearings, and other post-conviction remedies. Recently, with the enactment of new juvenile sentencing provisions, Lauren has focused on juvenile issues arising under SB 256, which includes advocacy before the Ohio Parole Board and sentencing hearings.
Lauren received her bachelor's degree from Kent State University in Psychology, which included an internship at the Public Defenders Service of Washington D.C. After graduation, Lauren earned her Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. She is licensed to practice throughout the State of Ohio and in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.
Lina is the newest addition as a legal assistant at Patituce & Associates. She is a valuable resource and initial contact for our clients.
If you need to contact one of our attorneys or have questions on your case, reach out to our firm and Lina can assist you.
Attorney Madison Karn has a long-standing passion for advocacy which began more than a decade ago. In that time, she has worked with a non-profit organization to support substance abuse recovery services throughout Northeast Ohio. She volunteers to assist with access to recovery resources and support groups to help facilitate safe environments for all within the community.
This dedication to the recovery community was the backbone of her education, which saw her earn a bachelor's degree from Cleveland State University in Sociology and Criminology, with a minor in Psychology. Madison then enrolled at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, where she honed not only her own skills, but also those of her fellow students. She worked as a legal tutor, teaching first-year law students legal writing and research skills. Madison also worked with the Cuyahoga County Public Defender's Office through a Pretrial Justice Clinic where she assisted Cuyahoga County's Public Defenders to defend the accused through their initial stages of criminal proceedings.
Madison joined Patituce & Associates as a law clerk during her first year of law school. During that time, she contributed to a wide array of matters including cases in the municipal, state, and federal court systems. Madison also participated in the research and drafting for state and federal appellate matters.
In 2021, Madison joined Patituce & Associates as an associate attorney with the Criminal Defense Practice Group and is licensed to practice throughout Ohio. She brings an unmatched passion for justice and criminal defense to the team. Her unique perspectives and dedication benefit her clients, her colleagues, and the criminal justice system itself.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate
- Patituce & Associates As an Associate
Attorney Mallorie Thomas began her career while still a law student at the University of Cincinnati College of Law working as a fellow with the Ohio Innocence Project. After graduation and successful passage of the Ohio bar exam, Mallorie continued her work with the Ohio Innocence Project as an attorney. During her time as both a student and lawyer there, she represented clients on various post-conviction litigation issues, including post-conviction DNA testing, in both trial and appellate courts. In 2018, Mallorie successfully overturned the wrongful conviction of Charles Jackson, who spent 27 years in prison for a crime he did not commit.
Mallorie joined Patituce & Associates as an associate attorney in September 2020. Her focus continues to include all post-conviction remedies including appellate litigation, constitutional challenges, federal litigation, challenges based on newly discovered evidence, including that related to DNA, as well as some select active-stage criminal cases. She is dedicated to the continued advocacy and defense of those individuals who have been wrongfully convicted.
Mallorie graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and subsequently attended the University of Cincinnati College of Law. She is licensed to practice law throughout the State of Ohio, the United States Supreme Court, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States District Courts for both the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio.
Job Titles:
- Partner / Former Prosecutor
Job Titles:
- Paralegal
- Patituce & Associates As a Paralegal
Michelle Witchey joined Patituce & Associates as a paralegal after her service as a military police officer (MP). Not only does she provide valuable assistance to our clients in their legal matters, she is also known to give back to the community.
Michelle is married and has three children. She teaches classes to individuals recovering from alcohol, drugs, and various other addictions. Michelle is also a licensed yoga instructor.
If you are interested in experienced and skilled legal services or have any questions or concerns about your case, reach out to our firm and Michelle can help you.
Job Titles:
- Office Manager / Paralegal
- Paralegal at Patituce & Associates
Suzanne "Sue" McCort has been a paralegal at Patituce & Associates since 2012. Because she is considered one of our most valuable staff members, she is also our office manager.