Brad A. Sobolewski
Partner
An experienced and highly skilled litigator, Brad represents clients in complex matters in state and federal courts, arbitrations, and mediations across the country. He has wide-ranging experience defending companies in consumer class action, commercial, banking, insurance, securities, trade secret and non-compete, construction, product liability, and whistleblower litigation. In his banking and securities practices, Brad regularly defends broker-dealers and investment advisors in regulatory investigations and enforcement actions brought by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), state securities regulators, and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). He also conducts detailed internal investigations for corporate clients, providing careful review of allegations of wrongdoing and regulatory issues. Using his broad base of litigation experience, Brad helps clients successfully navigate complex business and commercial disputes to achieve their goals.
Education & Admissions
Education
- Georgetown University
(B.A., cum laude, 1997)
- University of Notre Dame Law School
(J.D., magna cum laude, 2000) Law Review
Admissions
- State of Ohio
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
Experience
REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE
- Obtained dismissal of a multidistrict claim that a large American brewing company deliberately overstated the alcohol content of its distilled beverages.
- Successfully represented a corporate director in obtaining a decision from the Ohio Supreme Court holding that the corporation was obligated to advance the director’s legal fees. Miller v. Miller, 132 Ohio St. 3d 424, 973 N.E.2d 228 (2012).
- Obtained dismissal of the amended complaint in a RICO action brought on behalf of a putative national class alleging conspiracy against a national bank in connection with telemarketing fraud and worked on the case’s appeal to the Sixth Circuit. Johnson v. U.S. Bank N.A., 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 2011; affirmed (6th Cir.).
- Obtained a successful result in a financial regulatory matter using a creative strategy to admit critical evidence from a foreign country.
- Obtained dismissal of a charge of discrimination filed in the Civil Rights Division of the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.
- Experience with whistleblower cases under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the Dodd-Frank Act in federal court and in OSHA/DOL proceedings.
- Counsels businesses on regulatory issues and conducts corporate internal investigations, including investigations of wrongdoing, insider trading, and regulatory problems.
- Prosecutes and defends against a wide variety of construction-related claims throughout the United States in litigation, mediation, and arbitration.
Publications & Presentations
Presentations
- “The Anatomy of a Whistleblower Action: Procedure, Practice Pointers, and Avoiding Pitfalls,” Ulmer, Hot Topics in Financial Services & Securities Litigation Webinar (December 2019)
- “Emerging Issues in Securities Arbitration,” Annual Ulmer Financial Services & Securities Litigation CLE Seminar (November 2016)
- “Professionalism in the 21st Century: The Ethics of eDiscovery,” Client In-House CLE Seminar (October 2016)
- “Balancing Act: Protecting the In-House Attorney-Client Privilege,” Client In-House CLE Presentation (December 2015)
- “Conducting an Effective Internal Investigation,” Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association Banking & Financial Services Section (December 2010)
Involvement
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- American Bar Association
- Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
- Ohio State Bar Association
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- St. Barnabas Athletic Association (Secretary, Board of Directors, 2022-present)
- United Way (Community Impact Volunteer Committee)
- Legal Aid (Volunteer)
- St. Malachi Center (Volunteer)
- Notre Dame Club of Cleveland (Member)
- Susan G. Komen for the Cure Northeast Ohio Affiliate (Public Policy Advocacy Committee; Committee Member and Ohio Lobby Day Chair)
- CYO Athletics (Youth Basketball and Cross Country Coach)
Honors
HONORS
- Named to the Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Stars list (2014)
- Named to The Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation (2024)