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Susan Cheryl Stone

Education Attorney at Cleveland, OH

4.4   7 reviews
  • Licensed for 28 years
    State OH
    Acquired 1995
    Status
    Active No misconduct found

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

About Susan

Learn Susan’s areas of practice.

2
Practice areas

Susan Stone is co-chair, along with Kristina Supler, of KJK’s Student & Athlete Defense/Title IX Practice Group. She and Kristina also co-chair the firm’s Criminal, Cyber & White-Collar Practice Group.

Susan’s life work is to help students in crisis and to meet their legal needs. Recognizing the need for legal services dedicated to protecting students, professors and individuals with disabilities, Susan handles matter ranging from special education issues, student disciplinary matters and Title IX investigations. Susan has the knowledge and experience required to navigate due process complaints and shaping of 504 Plans and Individualized Education Programs. She also handles student matters involving hazing, bullying and social media.

Susan has gained a national reputation for representing student and professors in Title IX cases. She is routinely hired as a student advisor for the campus investigation and hearing phase of proceedings and is also retained to handle subsequent university level appeals. Susan has also guided students through informal resolution, including mediation and restorative justice. Her talent as a student advisor has led to her representing Greek organizations and athletes, as well as other professionals accused of sexual harassment and misconduct. When cases do not resolve at the university level, she has experience fighting in state and federal courts around the country to obtain favorable outcomes for her clients.

Susan’s background in public relations and crisis communication led to her co-creation of the Reputation Management Practice. This practice assists clients in the rebuilding of their reputation on various social media platforms. Susan has also instituted defamation actions when necessary to stop her client’s professional and academic futures from being harmed by libelous postings on the internet.

Susan has a deep understanding of mental health and neurological disorders. She is particularly experienced working with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (“ASD”), which allows her to formulate creative defenses for those individuals with ASD and other co-morbidities facing discipline at school or being investigated by law enforcement. Susan is sensitive to the multiple challenges facing this growing population.

Given her experience representing individuals with mental health issues and the rise in students facing parallel criminal charges, Susan’s skills are frequently called upon in the criminal justice system. Susan partners with Kristina to represent adults and juveniles charged with crimes in the state and federal systems. Their clients have faced a variety of charges ranging from misdemeanors to high-level felonies.

Susan is a nationally published author, and blogger, on topics related to education law. She has lectured on subjects that vary from Twice Exceptional Students, FERPA and the handling of educational records, and how to determine when behavioral issues arise of disabilities of students. She has also spoken throughout the country at conferences on Title IX. In addition, Susan proudly co-hosts the podcast Real Talk with Susan and Kristina to discuss with outside guests cutting edge issues affecting students. Susan is regularly called upon by families and outside therapists to consult on legal matters affecting children.

Photos and videos

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Contact Susan

Kohrman Jackson & Krantz P.L.L.
1375 E. 9th Street
29th Floor
Cleveland, OH, 44114

Reviews

4.4 / 5.0
  7 customer reviews
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Posted by anonymous | May 19, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Title lX issues
We hired Susan Stone (and Kristina Supler, her associate) for defense of our son who was falsely accused of sexual misconduct after a breakup with a former girlfriend. The young woman retaliated by filing a claim with Title lX at the university they attended. With good evidence to support his case, we thought there would be no problem during the school’s hearing. Wrong! He was found “responsible” and expelled for four years from the university. Upon connecting with KJK’s Susan Stone, we were put at ease as they went to work gathering data and discovering how poorly the school had handled our son’s case with basically no due process. In a matter of a few months, his case was resolved and he was back in school. Susan and Kristina, along with their associates, literally changed the trajectory of our son’s life. We are forever grateful for their diligent, conscientious, and compassionate representation for our son during what seemed to be a hopeless time in his life.
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Posted by R | July 22, 2015
My Savior
I was embroiled in an educational dispute that was going to result in dismissal from a graduate program without due process. I contacted Susan and explained my situation. She was incredibly understanding and listened to my story. She was interested in the facts and was completely non-judgmental. I could not have asked for a better person to review my case. She went above and beyond and was always available to talk and listen to my concerns. She absolutely put everything she had into resolving my dispute and guaranteeing me due process. I have no doubt that I would have been dismissed without recourse were it not for her help, encouragement, guidance and support. In short, she's amazing. And I'm back in school.
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Posted by anonymous | July 21, 2015
My Savior
She is incredibly helpful and very good at what she does. She is definitely to the point but don't mistake her no nonsense attitude for lack of empathy. She cares. She truly does.
Posted by M | June 23, 2015
Susan gets it done
Susan worked with me on an employment case in which I had been fired in retaliation for filing a complaint against another employee. Even though my situation was not a high stakes case in terms of dollars, Susan treated me like a priority and I felt that she truly wanted the best possible outcome for me. She was incredibly efficient and we wrapped up the settlement in just a couple of weeks. I was very impressed with Susan's responsiveness if I needed to contact her. Even though she is going 100 miles per hour every day she was never too busy to answer my emails or calls within the hour. She took time to make sure I understood what I could and could not do or ask for, and the legal reasoning behind any decisions. She frequently asked for my input on the outcome I wanted, and advocated for me tirelessly until we succeeded in obtaining it. Susan recognized the dramatic and emotional nature of the problem and provided a much needed sense of perspective on the situation. She helped keep emotion out of the discussion and steered the course of the negotiation in a logical manner, which was critical to achieving a successful resolution. She is the model of efficiency and you can trust her to get it done. Thank you Susan!
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Posted by anonymous | January 28, 2015
a success story
Susan Stone represented me in an educational legal dispute. I had been (very wrongly) dismissed just weeks before graduating from my doctorate program after having spent quite literally a decade of my life working on finally finishing it up. She listened to me so well. What do you want from the school, the degree or money (if we sue them)? Where do you want to practice? What's your dream job? She wanted to know me for me, and wanted to know my dreams, so that she can make them come true. As of today, they have come true. She truly genuinely cares from the bottom of her heart and will quite literally do everything and anything she can to fight for your cause no matter what it is and no matter how difficult it is (and will talk to you about it no matter what time it is). I will never be able to thank her enough for her kindness, patience, and just such an amazing personality. Susan, you're an angel.
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Posted by Kelly | September 19, 2014
Educational law success story!
Susan Stone represented me in an educational legal dispute. She provided her honest legal advice as to how she would proceed if it were here in the same situation. Not only did she listen, she was patient, detail-oriented and determined. That determination to support me as her client created successful re-admittance into my college and masters program from which I was discharged without having to incur large costs and a court battle. She listened to my dreams and worked diligently to make those dreams happen. I now have the opportunity to earn my Masters degree again, having only six months left. I believe that without Susan's help, I would still be left without a degree and a large sum of student loans. She offers her clients hope and will work for success. I highly recommend Susan Stone and thank her wholeheartedly.
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Posted by anonymous | July 23, 2019
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Rude and difficult to work with
I hired Susan for a wrongful termination case for which she insisted she had a lot of experience with, but it later became apparent that she had not dealt with my type of case before. She put her junior attorney on the case "to save me money", but it ultimately cost me much more as the junior attorney worked slowly and Susan charged a hefty price for all of her supervision hours. She did a poor job of communicating with me. When I followed up multiple times after deadlines were missed and there was no follow up from Susan or her colleague I got a rude phone call from Susan telling me I was calling too frequently and making their job difficult. The finished appeal speech that she and her junior colleague wrote for me was quite poor, with a strong focus on irrelevant details, while completely leaving out important facts. I ended up writing and using my own speech and when I won the appeal Susan made sure to call me and let me know how thankful I should be to her because I would not have won the appeal without her expert assistance.
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Response from Susan Stone July 31, 2019
Our firm strives for excellent client service. Given the amount of time and dedication we spent on your case, we are disappointed that you had a negative experience with us. While we take seriously your criticisms, we disagree with many of your statements. Please feel free to contact me directly to discuss your specific concerns.
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Cost

Rates
  • Free Consultation 30 minutes
Payment methods
Cash, Check, Credit Card

Resume

AVVO RATING 9.4 (Superb)

Work Experience

  • Partner
  • Kohrman Jackson & Krantz P.L.L.
  • 2018 - Present
  • Principal
  • McCarthy, Lebit, Crystal & Liffman, Co. Lpa
  • 2016 - 2018
  • Of Counsel
  • McCarthy, Lebit, Crystal & Liffman Co Lpa
  • 2011 - 2016

Education

  • Case Western Reserve University
  • JD - Juris Doctor
  • N/A
  • Miami University
  • BA - Bachelor of Arts
  • N/A

Legal Cases

  • Reversal of Student Scholarship Revoke
  • Wrongful Imprisonment Settlement

Associations

  • Families Advocating for Campus Equality
  • Member
  • 2016 - Present
  • Stop Abusive & Violent Environment
  • Member
  • 2016 - Present
  • Foundation for Individual Rights in Education
  • Member
  • 2016 - Present
  • Cleveland Academy of Trial Attorneys
  • Member
  • 2012 - Present
  • Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, Inc.
  • Member
  • 2012 - Present
  • Ohio State Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2011 - Present
View all associations

Languages Spoken

  • English

Honors and Awards

  • Certificate of Completion in Restorative Justice Training
  • Skidmore College
  • 2017

Publications

  • McCarthy Lebit Education Law Blog
  • Campus Sexual Misconduct Investigations: Procedural Quicksand for Students
  • 2016
  • McCarthy Lebit Education Law Blog
  • How Social Media Can Ruin Your College Career Before It Even Begins
  • 2016
  • McCarthy Lebit Education Law Blog
  • When Yes Does Not Mean Yes
  • 2016
  • McCarthy Lebit Education Law Blog
  • SEEING THE BIG PICTURE: Create a binder of your child’s records for the ultimate collaboration tool
  • 2016
  • McCarthy Lebit Education Law Blog
  • What are the Differences Between an IEP and a 504 Plan?
  • 2016
  • McCarthy Lebit Education Law Blog
  • The Summit Highlights the Effectiveness of Women in Leadership
  • 2016
  • Cleveland Jewish News
  • Drinking in college can lead to Title IX charges
  • 2016
  • Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal
  • Swimming in Different Ponds Navigating the Criminal and Civil Aspects of Campus Sexual Misconduct Proceedings
  • 2016
  • McCarthy Lebit Education Law Blog
  • Is your student with disabilities in the right school?
  • 2016
  • McCarthy Lebit Education Law Blog
  • When Medical Residents Claim Sex Discrimination: Which Law Applies, Title VII or Title IX?
  • 2016
  • McCarthy Lebit Education Law Blog,
  • Words Matter When It Comes to Learning Issues
  • 2016
  • McCarthy Lebit Education Law Blog
  • Revenge Porn: Redefining the Meaning of Consent
  • 2016
  • Cleveland Jewish News
  • Drinking in college can lead to Title IX Charges
  • 2016
  • McCarthy Lebit Education Law Blog
  • IEP Plan B: Revoking consent of your child’s special education services
  • 2015
  • Law You Can Use, Ohio State Bar Association
  • Title IX: Addressing Sexual Discrimination and Violence in Schools
  • 2015
  • McCarthy Lebit Education Law Blog
  • Sexual Assault on Campus: Guiding Students Through the Legal Minefield
  • 2015
  • Northeast Ohio Parent LiveSpecial Resource Guide
  • Understanding Alphabet Soup: A Guide to the Special Education Process
  • 2015
  • Student Rights Attorney Blog
  • You Give Love a Bad Name – The Dual Nature of Dating Violence and Title IX
  • 2015
  • Student Rights Attorney Blog
  • What Happens if my Disabled Child is Charged with a Crime at School?
  • 2015
  • Student Rights Attorney Blog
  • A University Can Withhold a Degree if the Student is Not Professional
  • 2015
  • Student Rights Attorney Blog
  • To Tweet or Not to Tweet
  • 2015
  • Student Rights Attorney Blog
  • Importance of an Independent Educational Evaluation
  • 2015
  • McCarthy Lebit Education Law Blog
  • Sexual Assault on Campus: Guiding Students Through the Legal Minefield
  • 2015
  • Student Rights Attorney Blog
  • What is the Difference Between Bullying and Hazing?
  • 2014
  • Student Rights Attorney Blog
  • Is your student ready to go back to school?
  • 2014
View all publications

Speaking Engagements

  • The 2020 Virtual International Conference on ADHD
  • Healthy Sex Lives in College: How to Deal with Impulsivity
  • 2020
  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • Title IX: What Due Process Looks Like Now
  • 2020
  • Indiana University
  • Consent: When the Bee Stings
  • 2020
  • COPAA National Conference
  • College Concerns: Helping Students with Disabilities Transition to College and Navigate Campus Disciplinary Proceedings
  • 2020
  • Fraternal Law Conference
  • Don't Rush In: The New Conversation Around Sex and Consent on Camus
  • 2019
  • KJK College Kick-Off
  • Changing the Conversation Around Sex & Consent
  • 2019
  • National Business Institute
  • 504 Plan Eligibility and Accommodation Best Practices
  • 2019
  • 2019 Milestones National Autism Conference
  • College Concerns: Helping Students with ASD Navigate Campus Discipline Issues
  • 2019
  • LACDL Jazz Fest
  • Defending Students in Title IX Proceedings
  • 2019
  • National Business Institute
  • Cyberbullying and Threats: School Authority and Liability
  • 2019
  • Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer American Inn of Court
  • Title IX and Affirmative Action
  • 2018
  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • Parallel Proceedings in Sexual Assault Cases: Finding Evidence and Avoiding Incrimination
  • 2018
  • The National Coalition for Men Carolinas
  • Forum on Higher Education: Crisis on Campus
  • 2018
  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • Title IX for Criminal Defense Lawyers - Common Mistakes and Creative Strategies
  • 2018
  • Fourth Annual Symposium on Representing Students Accused of Sexual Misconduct
  • Handling the School Investigative Process
  • 2018
  • Special Education Law: the Ultimate Guide
  • Manifestation Determination Review
  • 2018
  • National Business Institute
  • School Law: Social Media and Apps, Cyberbullying, Privacy and Other Technology Issues
  • 2018
  • National Business Institute
  • Student Records: Legal Requirements You Need to Know (FERPA)
  • 2017
  • Title IX ExecuSummit
  • Restorative Justice - a better alternative to the Title IX Hearing Process
  • 2017
  • International Dyslexia Association of Northern Ohio
  • A School of Options: How an attorney and advocate can open doors to new services for your child
  • 2016
  • Cleveland Jewish News
  • Women in Leadership
  • 2016
  • Title IX ExecuSummit
  • How to Prevent a Title IX Lawsuit
  • 2016
  • International Dyslexia Association of Northern Ohio
  • A School of Options: How an attorney and advocate can open doors to new services for your child
  • 2016
  • Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities
  • Top 10 Tips for Parents
  • 2014
  • Protecting Your Special Needs Child
  • IEP Process - Protecting Your Child’s Rights in School
  • 2012
View all speaking engagements

Attorney endorsements

Received (3)
Given (1)
Endorse Susan
Education Attorney | Nov 12
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I highly endorse Susan for her education practice and any type of litigation matter. Susan has the perfect combination of substantive knowledge and negotiation/litigation skills. Susan represents her clients zealously and she possesses the courtroom skills to take matters to a conclusion."
Education Attorney | Nov 10
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Susan is an amazing advocate with a sharp legal mind. She works effectively and efficiently to solve her clients' real world problems. I highly recommend Susan for any legal matter, though she shines in the area of education and discrimination law."
Education Attorney | Nov 10
Relationship: Co-worker
"Susan is a skilled education lawyer, handing all aspects of school law including primary, secondary and special education issues, all the way through grad school. She is highly respected by her adversaries and loved by her clients."
Divorce and separation
Cleveland Education Lawyer Susan Cheryl Stone
Susan Cheryl Stone
Education Attorney
Cleveland, OH
Licensed for 28 years
Free Consultation