Cathleen Marie Bolek

PRO

Cathleen Marie Bolek

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 33 years

Discrimination Lawyer at Cleveland, OH
Practice Areas: Discrimination, Wrongful Termination, Employment & Labor ... +2 more

Monarch Centre, Suite 302, 5885 Landerbrook Drive, Cleveland, OH

Virtual Consultation Available

About Cathleen

Biography

For more than twenty years, Cathleen Bolek has been advocating for individuals in employment cases.{newline}{newline}A respected member of the legal community, Cathleen has been recognized as one of th...

Quality legal representation. Personal attention.

Representing victims of employment harassment, discrimination and wrongful discharge.

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Discrimination 30%

30%
Wrongful Termination 30%

30%
Employment and Labor 20%

20%
Ethics and Professional Responsibility 10%

10%
Sexual Harassment 10%

10%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 300-400 per hour

Contingency

33%-45%

Pro bono

15 %

Retainer

Sometimes


Payment Methods

  • Check

Awards

AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating

Licenses

Licensed in Ohio for 33 years

State: Ohio

Acquired: 1992

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Bolek Besser Glesius LLC

Monarch Centre, Suite 302, 5885 Landerbrook Drive, Cleveland, OH, 44124-4031

bbgohio.com

Online Presence

Other places you can find Cathleen online.

Cathleen Marie Bolek's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

5 Client Reviews

5 star (5)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (0)

Posted by Janice | January 14, 2015

A smart and savvy employment attorney

I called Cathleen Bolek to help me with a complicated employment case with a well known, global company. My case was already confusing because I had started with a different firm, and then wanted her to jump In and make sense of a bad situation. I had been in a very toxic work environment for over a ...year. I immediately felt better after talking with her, and she did exactly what she said she would do. She was always available to me, very responsive ( even when I just needed reassurance or to vent). She was tough and classy and was never intimidated by this global powerhouses big firm attorney. I would highly recommend her to anyone with any type of employment issue. She's smart, shrewd and has compassion and empathy.

Posted by dean | February 25, 2014

THE BEST LAWFIRM, IN THE BUSINESS.

BOLEK BESSER GLESIUS, IS DREAM TEAM LAWFIRM,ONE CAN EVER ASK FOR.UNMATCHED IN THE COMMITMENT FOR WHAT,S RIGHT, THEY RECENTLY REPRESENTED ME WITH FOUR OTHER GUYS, IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT, AND I CANNOT PAINT A WELL ENOUGH PICTURE OF HOW GREAT THIS LAWFIRM IS.IN MY OWN WORDS, NOT SCARED TO TAKE ON COM...PANIES ,BIG OR SMALL,NOT AFRAID OF JUDGES,STATE OR FEDERAL,LAW EXPERTS,IN MOTIONS,AND ABOVE ALL, ALWAYS PREPARED, TO GO ON THE OFFENSIVE,AT ANY HEARING ON SHORT NOTICE, THEY KEEP THE CLIENT,S ALWAYS POSTED.IN MY OPINION ,THEY ARE THE BEST IN BUSINESS. I WILL BET EVERYTHING I HAVE, ON THE LAWFIRM OF,-BOLEK/BESSER/GLESIUS,CLEVELAND,OHIO, A LAW FIRM YOU CAN COUNT ON ,WHEN YOU ARE WRONGED,THANK GOD FOR THESE GROUP,OF LAWYERS, BY GOD WE NEED THEM......

Posted by anonymous | December 14, 2009

Not a wimp, and trustworthy!

Cathleen is strong, knowledgeable, and.... trustworthy; a trait that I don't often see in lawyers. I believe she had my best interest at heart, for which I thank and appreciate her.

Posted by anonymous | December 7, 2009

Steel Fist in a Velvet Glove

A steel fist in a velvet glove??! While some may think of this metaphor as perhaps a bit hackneyed, it describes my experience of being represented by Cathleen Bolek. How can someone be so strong, yet so warm and wonderful to work with as is Cathleen? Her great intellect, incredible legal acumen, and... tremendous courage, juxtaposed by her kindness and compassion, make a winning, powerful, life-altering combination for any of us fortunate enough to be among her clients. She tirelessly advocated for me through an extremely difficult professional/personal situation with such strength and skill that the person/organization who perpetrated against me were literally beaten back into their proverbial corners, rendered harmless to me and others who were harassed, abused and victimized for years by terrible management and personal attacks, until Cathleen came onto the scene and put an end to such disgraceful abuses of power. She successfully preserved my job and reputation (not to mention my sanity) despite the efforts of very arrogant, powerful people to do otherwise. Her determination, wisdom and generosity among her many other fabulous, impressive personal and professional qualities too numerous to mention saved my career, if not my life. I will always be grateful and would highly recommend her services to anyone who has been wronged at work or otherwise.

Posted by anonymous | August 26, 2009

Superb Civil Lawyer

Would recommend this lawyer for she is very knowledgeable in employment and labor laws.

See All Client Reviews

Cathleen Marie Bolek's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Cathleen
Christopher Daniel Leroi headshot
Christopher Leroi

Employment and labor lawyer | Sep 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer.Extremely intelligent, caring and compassionate. Provides excellent answers to legal questions on Avvo. As an attorney who has been practicing for 24 years as a judge, prosecutor, magistrate, criminal defense attorney, and law professor, I would refer anyone and everyone to Ms. Bolek."

Todd Bruce Kotler headshot
Todd Kotler

Discrimination lawyer | Apr 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Attorney Bolek, is smart, savvy and skilled. She is professional among professionals and fights the good fight. When I grow up, I want to be this kind of attorney. One would do well to hire her!"

Jami Sue Oliver headshot
Jami Oliver

Employment and labor lawyer | Nov 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Cathleen and I have worked together on employment-related matters through the Ohio Association for Justice. I have had the pleasure of lecturing along beside her and can attest to her legal abilities and the passion she has for her clients and their rights. I would highly recommend Ms. Bolek for anyone seeking an employment or labor attorney in Ohio."

Cara Lynn Santosuosso headshot
Cara Santosuosso

Employment and labor lawyer | Dec 07

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Cathleen is a consummate professional, and great to work with. She is knowledgeable, and a tough litigator. I absolutely endorse her work."

View All Endorsements
Nancy Catherine Iler headshot
Nancy Iler

Nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer

Cara Lynn Santosuosso headshot
Cara Santosuosso

Litigation lawyer

Gregg Allan Peugeot headshot
Gregg Peugeot

Litigation lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2025

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2024

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2023

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2022

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2021

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2020

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2019

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2018

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2017

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2016

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2015

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2014

Listed, Best Lawyers in America

2014

Listed, Best Law Firms in America

2013

Listed, Best Lawyers in America

2013

Listed, Best Law Firms in America

2012

Listed, Best Law Firms in America

2012

Listed, Best Lawyers in America

2011

Superlawyers, Law & Politics Magazine

2011

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2010

Superlawyers, Law & Politics Magazine

2010

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2009

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2009

Superlawyers, Law & Politics Magazine

2006

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2006

Rising Star Superlawyers, Law & Politics Magazine

2005

AV Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

2005

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2005

Rising Star Superlawyers, Law & Politics Magazine

Associations

2014 - Present

Cleveland Academy of Trial Attorneys

Treasurer

2005 - Present

Cleveland Employment Inns of Court

Founding Member, Master of the Bench

2000 - Present

Cleveland Academy of Trial Attorneys

Board of Trustees

1995 - Present

National Employment Lawyers Association

Member

1995 - Present

Ohio Employment Lawyers Association

Member

1992 - Present

Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association

Member

1992 - Present

Ohio Association for Justice

Member

2013 - 2014

Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association

Board of Trustees, Executive Committee

2011 - 2014

Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association

Board of Trustees

2009 - 2014

Ohio Association for Justice

Board of Trustees

2009 - 2014

Ohio Association for Justice

Chair - Employment Law Section

Education

1992

Case Western Reserve University School of Law

1988

Syracuse University

Speaking Engagements

2013

Winter Convention

IOLTA Dos and Don’ts

2013

Northern Ohio Labor and Employment Law Conference

Discovery in Employment Cases: The Duty to Preserve and Collect Evidence, Determining What to Produce and Avoiding Sanctions

2013

Monthly Seminar

Employment Law for Personal Injury Lawyers

2012

Northern Ohio Labor and Employment Law Conference

Expanding Protected Classes

2012

Labor and Employment Law Seminar

Civility in Employment Litigation

2011

Ethics Seminar

IOLTA Nuts and Bolts

2011

Annual Convention

Employment Law Overview: Recognizing the Cause of Action and Protecting the Statute of Limitations

2010

Ethics Seminar

Ethics Issues in Employment Litigation

2009

Ohio Association for Justice Trial Tactics Seminar

Fighting Bifurcation and Trying the Bifurcated Case

2009

Cleveland Employment Lawyers Association Annual Seminar

Trial Tactics and Strategy

2009

Cleveland Employment Inns of Court monthly meeting

Prevarication and Spoliation: What’s a Lawyer to Do?

2008

Eastern Ohio Rehabilitation Association Continuing Education Seminar

Employment Rights of People with Disabilities.

2007

Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers Annual Convention

Fair Labor Standards Act and the Non-Public Employee.

2007

Cleveland Employment Inns of Court monthly meeting

Professionalism

2005

Cleveland Employment Lawyers Association Annual Seminar

Sanctions, Frivolous Conduct, and the Professional Lawyer.

2005

Cleveland Bar Association Practice & Procedure Clinic

Yin & Yang of Trying an Employment Case.

2004

Cleveland-Marshall Law Alumni Association Seminar

Employer Mandated Arbitration.

2004

Cleveland-Marshall Law Alumni Association Seminar

Sarbanes-Oxley Whistleblower Protection.

2002

Cleveland Employment Lawyers Association Annual Seminar

Discovery Hassles, Including Sexual Harassment Discovery Issues

2000

Cleveland Employment Lawyers Association Annual Seminar

What You Need to Know: Preparing for the Labor and Employment Specialty Certification Exam.

2000

Cleveland Bar Association Labor and Employment Seminar

Mock Sexual Harassment Trial.

Publications

2008

Ohio Trial “Fair Labor Standards Act and the Non-Public Employee,”

2004

Ohio Trial “State and Federal Law Prohibits Defense Counsel From Conducting Ex Parte Interviews of Treating Physicians,”

2003

Ohio Lawyers’ Weekly “The Sarbanes-Oxley Act, Too Much of a Good Thing?”

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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Avvo Rating Levels
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