James Bart Leonardi

About James

Bart spent the first part of his career as an insurance advisor and securities analyst. He later became a lawyer and developed his skills as a litigator and trust attorney. This wide range of experience enables him to give his clients a comprehensive view of financial planning not often found in estate planning attorneys. Bart Leonardi is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by the Ohio State Bar Association. His practice is concentrated in the areas of estate planning, trust administration/litigation and probate administration/litigation. Bart counsels married couples, individuals, professionals and business owners regarding estate planning, asset protection and wealth transfer. This includes helping clients with everything from a simple Will, Power of Attorney or Revocable Trust, to complex Trust Planning, designed to achieve specific goals such as: Wealth transfer Business succession Asset protection Charitable giving Minimizing estate tax liability. Bart also represents executors and administrators in probate courts in Cuyahoga, Lorain, Lake and Geauga counties and throughout the Greater Cleveland area. In addition to counseling executors and administrators, he serves as estate administrator. His probate litigation practice includes representing the interests of individual beneficiaries, heirs and other interested parties when they have concerns about the way an estate is being administered. This includes will contest actions, fiduciary removal, creditor claims, wrongful death settlements, trust litigation and other litigation matters.

Practice Areas

Education

• Ave Maria School of Law, J.D., graduated 2006
• John Carroll University, B.S.B.A. - Finance, graduated 1994

Bar Admissions

• Ohio, Ohio Supreme Court, 2009
• Kentucky, Kentucky Supreme Court, 2008

Languages