Overview

Franklin is a Member in the Litigation Department at McDonald Hopkins and serves as Chair of the Trust and Estate Litigation Practice Group. His practice focuses on disputes and problem solving involving family wealth transfer, wills, trusts, guardianship, conservatorship, powers of attorney, and living wills. Additionally, Franklin has experience in professional liability defense litigation focused on lawyer negligence.

After obtaining his undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University, Franklin earned his J.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Law.

Representative Cases & Matters

  • Campbell v. Marcinkevicius, U.S District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, 2020, Case No. 1:20-cv-473
  • Hammon v. Huntington Natl. Bank, 2018-Ohio-87
  • Kinchen v. Mays, Trustee, 8th Dist. No. 100672, 2014-Ohio-3325
  • Whitacre v. Crowe, 9th Dist. No. 11CA0019-M, 2012 Ohio 2981
  • Grzely v. Singer, 11th Dist. No. 2011-L-106, 2012 Ohio 2440
  • Steingass v. Steingass, 8th Dist. No. 97515, 2012 Ohio 1647
  • In re Guardianship of Hards, 11th Dist. NO. 2010-L-088, 2011 Ohio 5101
  • In re Estate of Ryan, 11th Dist. No. 2010-L-075, 2011 Ohio 3891
  • Mastro v. Glavan, 11th Dist. No. 2010-A-0044, 2011 Ohio 3628
  • Dudek v. Thomas & Thomas Attys. & Counselors at Law, LLC, 702 F.Supp.2d 826 (N.D. Ohio 2010)
  • Cosgrove v. Rose, 8th Dist. No. 90771, 2009 Ohio 342
  • In re Hards, 11th Dist. Nos. 2006-L-158, 2007-L-012, 2008 Ohio 63
  • Nat. City Bank v. Noble, 8th Dist. No. 85696, 2005 Ohio 6484

Honors & Recognition

Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC)

Listed in Best Lawyers in America for "Lawyer of The Year in Cleveland" in 2021, 2023, and 2025 for Litigation - Trusts and Estates

Listed in Best Lawyers in America for Trusts and Estates, Litigation - Trusts and Estates

Listed in Best Lawyers in America for Commercial Litigation

Selected for inclusion in Ohio Rising Stars (2009, 2011-2012)

Selected for inclusion in Ohio Super Lawyers (2016-2025)

  • Top 100: Ohio Super Lawyers (2023-2025)
  • Top 50: Cleveland Super Lawyers (2023-2025)

Credentials

Education

Case Western Reserve University School of Law

The Ohio State University

Admissions – Court

  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio

Admissions – State

  • Ohio

Professional & Civic

Professional Activities

Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association (CMBA); Chair, Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Law Section (2016-2017)

Vice-Chair, CMBA’s Hot Topics for Estate Planners Seminar (2016 – 2017)

Ohio State Bar Foundation

Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation

Community Involvement

Jewish Community Federation, Professional Advisory Council steering committee

Medworks Annual Fundraiser – Steering/Host Committee Member

News & Insights

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