James D. "Jim" Vail

James D. "Jim" Vail


Schneider Smeltz Spieth Bell LLP

Recognized since 2017

Cleveland, Ohio

Practice Areas

Commercial Litigation

Corporate Law

Health Care Law

Real Estate Law

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Jim Vail joined the firm in 1979 and has been a Partner since 1986. He served as the firm's Managing Partner from 1996 through 2019. Jim primarily counsels businesses, nonprofit and health care organizations in all aspects of their operations, including formations, mergers and organizations, joint ventures, contracting, and succession planning.

Jim argued a case before the United States Supreme Court where he obtained a unanimous favorable decision. Spectrum Sports, Inc. v. McQuillan, 506 U.S. 447 (1992). Jim has appeared before courts at all levels in Ohio, as well as various federal district courts, and the Sixth and Ninth Federal Circuit Courts of Appeal.

Jim currently serves on the board of directors of the Center for Community Solutions. He was previously a member of the Cleveland Heights Charter Review Commission, and has served on several boards of directors including Family Connections, Ingenuity Festival, Heights Parent Center, Cleveland Heights/University Heights Public Library, and Reaching Heights. Jim has lived in Cleveland Heights for more than 40 years and is active in several Cleveland Heights organizations.

Contact & Links
Location
  • One Cleveland Center, Suite 900
    1375 East Ninth Street
    Cleveland, OH 44114
Languages
  • English
Education
  • Case Western Reserve University, J.D., graduated 1979
  • Case Western Reserve University, B.A., graduated 1975
Bar Admissions
  • Ohio, Ohio State Bar Association
Affiliations
  • American Bar Association - Member
  • Ohio State Bar Association - Member
  • Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association - Member
  • American Health Lawyers Association - Member
  • Eighth District Judicial Conference - Life Member
Court Admissions
  • Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals
  • U.S. Supreme Court

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 for work in:
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Corporate Law
  • Health Care Law
  • Real Estate Law
Awards:
  • Matindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent®
  • Selected to Ohio Super Lawyers® list: 2023-present

Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
  • Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
  • Mergers and Acquisitions Law

Publications

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