Law Firm Overview

Norman Sandvoss:

I am a graduate of Ohio State University (1965) and Ohio Northern Law School (1968).

After graduation I joined the law firm of Loomis, Jones, Poland, Wilson & Griffith. During my tenure with the firm I did insurance defense work for a number of insurance companies. I became a junior partner in the firm after five years.

I left the firm in 1976 and started my own firm as a sole practitioner with an emphasis on personal injury litigation representing only injured people.

I have practiced law in the county seat of Ravenna, Ohio since 1968. During the last 10-15 years I also have had an active probate practice, both with handling estates, and estate litigation including will contests and contesting the validity of Pre-nuptial Agreements. I have served as a court appointed arbitrator.

The vast majority of my clients are from Portage County with about one half referrals from other attorneys.

I've been active in my Bar Association since 1968 as a current member and past President and past Secretary Treasurer. I'm a member of the Ohio State Bar Association and the Ohio Association for Justice where I also served on its board. I received the first Humanitarian Award given by the Portage County Bar Association in 2003.

I've also been active in my community as I've always felt that "giving back" is more than just a phrase.

I've served on the Boards of the Red Cross, Kent Social Services, Children's Advocacy Center, Public Defender Commission and Leadership Portage County.

My wife, Linda and I have been members of Faith Lutheran Church in Kent, Ohio since 1970 where I've served as President and Secretary and on various boards in the church. I received their Faithful Service Award in 1984.

I was honored to be the Ravenna Chamber of Commerce 2000 Citizen of the Year.

I have also been actively involved in local as well as statewide politics.

I served 13 years as Chairman of the local Republican Party (yes - a plaintiff's lawyer can be a Republican) only recently retired from that position. During my tenure I served two terms on the State Central Committee.

I currently am the President of the Portage County Board of Elections, nearing completion of my third term.

During my practice I would estimate I've been involved in approximately 100 jury trials and in my opinion have tried more jury cases than any other local Portage County lawyer.

My philosophy in practicing law is to treat clients honestly, diligently, charge fair and reasonable attorney fees, return phone calls promptly and aggressively seeking a settlement of their claim or taking their claim to a jury trial if necessary.

Norm Sandvoss, Attorney at Law, provides legal service to clients in Portage County and Summit County, including the cities of Ravenna, Kent, Aurora, Streetsboro, Akron, Brady Lake, Garrettsville, Hiram, Kent, Mantua, Sugar Bush Knolls, Windham, Barberton, Cuyahoga Falls, Fairlawn, Hudson, Lakemore, Macedonia, Mogadore, Northfield, Peninsula, Stow, Tallmadge and Twinsburg.

Areas of Practice

• Car Accidents and Auto Wrecks
• Truck Accidents
• Motorcycle Crashes
• Dog Bites
• Slip, Trip and Fall Cases
• Negligent Security Cases
• Estate Planning
• Trusts and Testamentary Trusts
• Living Wills
• Durable Powers of Attorney
• Healthcare Powers of Attorney and Healthcare Directives
• Joint Survivorship Agreements
• Probate Administration
• Managing the Estate
• Identifying and Documenting The Estate
• Estate Distribution
• Probate Litigation
• Failure to Meet all Required Formalities When Creating the Will
• Lack of Mental Capacity
• Undue Influence
• Lack of Validity of a Handwritten Will
• Poor Administration of Assets
• Libel, Slander and Character Defamation
• False Accusations of Employee Theft, Incompetency or Misconduct
• Retaliation Against Employees or Individuals Who File Sexual Harassment
• Discrimination Complaints
• Providing Bad Employment or Housing References
• Letters, Advertisements
• Other Print Media That Spreads Malicious Lies About other Individuals

Honors and Awards

• Humanitarian Award, Portage County Bar Association, 2003
• 2000 Citizen of the Year, Ravenna Chamber of Commerce

Pro Bono Activities

• Boards of the Red Cross
• Kent Social Services
• Children's Advocacy Center
• Public Defender Commission
• Leadership Portage County

West Practice Categories

Sexual Harassment, Discrimination, Estate Planning, Trusts, Wills, Family Law, Health & Health Care Law, Litigation & Appeals, Personal Injury -- Defense, Motor Vehicle Accidents -- Defense, Personal Injury -- Plaintiff, Probate & Estate Administration, Real Estate Law