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Denise Nancy Rini
About Denise
Biography
I am retired, though happy to refer to other attorneys. Most importantly, if you write a review, have the decency to sign your name. Cowards write anonymously, especially if the review isn't true!
I was elected in November 2012 and was seated on January 1, 2013 as a Judge in Juvenile Court. My term ended on December 31, 2018.
I am a lifelong resident of the Cuyahoga County area, growing up in Maple Heights until the age of 12, and moved to Lyndhurst. I attended public school, graduating from Brush High School in 1975. I have a daughter and understand the difficulty of raising a child as a single parent. After Michelle graduated from college, I pursued a degree at Baldwin Wallace University and earned a degree in Human Services while working as a private investigator and a freelance designer in advertising. Previously, I was an Advertising Director at a financial institution for 12 years, and at the age of 40, began law school with the intention of practicing juvenile and family law.
I served on the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association’s Guardian ad Litem Advisory Board from 2004 to 2016 and was a member of the Steering Committee
forming a CASA program, both of which merged to form the Child and Family Advocates of Cuyahoga County. This organization protects the needs of children in
foster care, whose numbers are at an all-time high due to the drug epidemic. Most recently, I was nominated as a Board Member of the Ohio Association of
Juvenile Court Judges.
Since taking the bench, I have worked to implement various initiatives focusing on the needs of the community, strengthening families, and providing
services to the children of Cuyahoga County, such as Warrant Recall Fridays and CASA of Cuyahoga County.
Moreover, I have taken on additional duties as the jurist for the Teen Drug Court, Safe Harbor Docket and supervises the Magistrate for Reentry Court.
I have spent my entire legal career focusing on Family issues advocating for children and families of Cuyahoga County.
Practice Areas
7
Practice Areas
Child Custody
20%
23 years
Child Support
20%
23 years
Divorce and Separation
20%
23 years
Criminal Defense
10%
23 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
$ 300-375 per hour
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Ohio for 22 years
State: Ohio
Acquired: 2003
No misconduct found
Location
Denise Nancy Rini
Mayfield Road, Cleveland, OH, 44124
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Denise Nancy Rini's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
3 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Posted by anonymous | February 10, 2026 | Divorce & Separation
Not good at divorces
Unprofessional and biased. Didn't know what she was doing in divorce case. Used the wrong wording in briefs judge had to walk her through how to file a divorce.
Denise Rini
Replied last February 11, 2026Anonymous reviews are written by cowards. I am retired and the review is not accurate, nor real. Hence, screw you for being a douche:) Apparently, I cannot use the language I want.
Posted by Russell | September 04, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody
Outstanding Juvenile Court Attorney
When I first spoke with Attorney Rini my wife and I were in a tough place. We did not understand what had just happened with our case and thought it was going to be possible to lose custody of a child we had raised for over 3 years. Attorney Rini helped us understand the law as it applied to our ...
Posted by Rory | March 27, 2011 | Family
The best in the business
I recommend this attorney. Denise is proficient in all areas of family and juvenile law, and she works hard to get the best results for all of her clients. I work directly under her on a daily basis, and I see the hard work she puts in to her work. Denise understands all types of problems, and wor...
Denise Nancy Rini's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Denise is a hard-working attorney both in the legal community and for her clients. She's well respected by the Court and fellow attorneys, and for these reasons I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Rini is an outstanding attonrney with a wonderful reputation. She is a strong and zealous advocate for her clients and a credit to the legal profession. I highly endorse her."
"I endorse Denise because she spends countless hours in her office meeting with clients, planning out case strategy, and helping other attorneys on their cases; but yet, despite her long work days, she always appears to be in a good mood. Denise is a woman who loves her job and loves people, and no matter how busy she may be, she will always find time for you. She puts me in a good mood whenever I am around her."
"I endorse this lawyer. Denise pays attention to the needs of her clients, and helps them navigate their way through the troubled waters of a divroce, dissolution and child custody matters. Her work is superb, and I find it refreshing to work with somebody who genuinely cares about her clients and her profession."
"I endorse this lawyer. Denise is amazing at talking to clients that do not understand the process of divorce. Whether clients are hysterical, crying, or angry, Denise can calm them, educate them and focus their anger so the client can conquer their emotions. She is the best thing to happen to me."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have worked with Denise on cases and I have been on the opposite side as well. She works day and night for her clients and knows the case inside/out. She fights hard and she is smart. She gets my unqualified endorsement."
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Experience
Honors
2016
Judicial Award for Human Trafficking, Renee Jones Empowerment Center
2016
Unwavering Commitment, Buddy Krenzler Award
Work Experience
2019 - Present
Partner, Denise Rini LPA
2012 - 2018
Jurist, Juvenile Court
2005 - 2011
Partner, Bartos & Rini LPA
2002 - 2005
Solo Practioner, Denise Rini
1999 - 2004
Investigator, MVFS
1987 - 1999
Advertising Director, Ohio Savings Bank
Associations
2017 - 2018
Ohio Association of Juvenile Court Judges (OAJCJ)Executive Committee
2016 - 2018
CFACCC Child and Family Advocates of Cuyahoga CountyAdvisory Member
2016 - 2017
Supreme Court of OhioWeighted Case Load Committee Member
2014 - 2018
Ohio Supreme CourtRules and Procedure Committee
2013 - 2018
Ohio Association of Juvenile & Family Court JudgesJuvenile & Procedure Committee
2012 - 2018
National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ)Committee Member
2007 - 2016
Guardian ad Litem ProjectAdvisory Board Member
1999 - 2002
Providence HouseBoard Member
Sample of Legal Cases
From objections to final appeal
Client prevailed
Education
2002
Cleveland State University - Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
2002
Cleveland State University - Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
Externship Appellate Court
1998
Baldwin-Wallace College
Human Services
1995
Ohio Supreme Court
Certified Mediator
Speaking Engagements
2017
Mandatory & Discretionary Transfer
Transfer of Jurisdiction
2016
Judicial Training
Serious Youthful Offender (SY0)
2014
Supreme Court of Ohio
New Judges Training
2010
Training New GALs
Guardian ad Litem
2009
Mediation Training for GALs
Investigations
2008
GAL Training
Investigations in Abuse, Neglect Cases
Publications
2018
CMBA
Cleveland Metro Baar
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
Can I make my wife pay all court/legal cost for the divorce?
23 Jul 2019
Q&A
Is it common for Ohio judges to liquidate or lower arrears of back child support?
24 Jul 2019
Q&A
What will happen if I don't go to drug classes?
24 Jul 2019