BIOGRAPHY
I believe my professional, civic and life experience have prepared me well to serve as Mayor of Fairview Park.
I have been an attorney for 27 years – concentrating on working with business owners in helping them grow their businesses – dealing with personnel issues, financing, taxes, contracts, real estate matters. I am also a probate lawyer – assisting people with estate planning matters; administering estates; and handling guardianships. Over the years the Probate Court has entrusted me to serve as the fiduciary of estates and as a guardian.
For the last 6 years I have also been the Police Prosecutor/Assistant Law Director for the city of Garfield Heights. As Police Prosecutor it is my job to prosecute misdemeanor cases (i.e. assaults, OVIs, traffic offenses, building code violations); and to review investigations to see if charges will be filed, including felonies. I have also assisted the Law Department in personnel matters; reviewing contracts; and legislative issues.
I recently was the Vice Chairman of the Fairview Park Charter Review Commission and worked with 8 other residents to propose revisions to our Charter. I have served as the President of Welcome House, Inc. and the West Haven Foundation – two organizations dedicated to serving individuals with developmental disabilities. I was an officer for the Lawyers Guild of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland – a group that fosters spiritual growth and collegiality in the legal profession.
My wife, Sheila and I will be married 19 years this September and we have three children: Jimmy, Paddy and Maggie.
Below is some information on my professional and civic experience.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
September 2001 - Present
PRINCIPAL
Patrick J. Cooney Co., L.P.A.
Representation of closely held companies, non-profit organizations and individuals in general practice of business law, including operational issues, real estate transactions, and drafting and review of contracts.
Lead counsel in state and municipal courts handling commercial litigation, real estate and probate matters.
Assist clients with drafting wills and trusts and administration of the same.
Represent individuals appointed as fiduciary of an estate or as guardian of individuals; have also been appointed as fiduciary of estates and as guardian.
January 2013 - Present
POLICE PROSECUTOR/ASSISTANT LAW DIRECTOR
City of Garfield Heights
Evaluate and review investigations to determine nature and level of charges.
Prosecute misdemeanor criminal cases in the Garfield Heights Municipal Court.
Review requests for the return of personal property, assist with contract drafting and review, personnel issues and various other municipal law matters.
July 1992 - August 2001
ASSOCIATE/PARTNER
Morrison & Laino Co., L.P.A.
Primary responsibility for litigation in federal, state and municipal courts including commercial, criminal defense, ERISA and employment matters.
General corporate practice providing advice and assistance to clients in a variety of industries, including service, manufacturing, retail and professional.
Experience negotiating and drafting joint venture, license, purchase, supply and employment agreements, loan documents and leases.
November 1991 - June 1992
Law Office of Patrick J. Cooney
​General practice concentrating on criminal defense, civil litigation and probate.
PRINCIPAL
November 1991
BAR ADMISSIONS
State of Ohio - November 1991
United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio - July 1992
United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals - May 1993
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
September 2018 - March 2019
City of Fairview Park
2018-2019 Charter Review Commission
VICE CHAIRMAN
July 2005 - Present
MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Wesco Housing Corporation
A non-profit organization that owns residential facilities that provides housing to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
June 2001 - July 2008
MEMBER/SECRETARY OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Lawyers Guild of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland
An organization that fosters spiritual growth and fellowship in the legal community, encourages observance of high ethical standards, and calls attention to legal and societal issues that affect morality, justice, and faith.
January 2000 - December 2012
MEMBER/PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
West Haven Foundation
A charitable foundation committed to raising resources and community awareness for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
January 1995 - May 2003
MEMBER/PRESIDENT
Welcome House, Inc.
A non-profit organization that operates group homes and is a direct service provider of residential and community based programs that support intellectually and developmentally disabled adults.
EDUCATION
May 1991
Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Juris Doctorate
Cleveland, Ohio
August 1988
Miami University, Bachelor of Science, Management
Oxford, Ohio
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May 1984
Saint Ignatius High School
Cleveland, Ohio
