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Cara L. Santosuosso, Esq. focuses her practice on civil litigation and alternative dispute resolution, primarily in the areas of divorce, child custody, family advocacy, mediation, collaborative and/or cooperative divorce, grandparents' rights, adoption and other family law matters. Ms. Santosuosso is also a trained mediator, and often acts as a parenting coordinator in high conflict divorce and custody cases.
Previously, Ms. Santosuosso served as an associate with another Cleveland area firm, where she concentrated in civil and criminal litigation in the state and federal courts.
Ms. Santosuosso's past experience also includes serving for two years as a judicial attorney in the Ohio Eighth District Court of Appeals, where she worked on cases dealing with administrative law, torts, labor and employment, product liability, medical malpractice, criminal and a host of other matters.
She also served four years in the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office as an assistant prosecuting attorney in the children and family services unit. In this role, she litigated child abuse, neglect and dependency cases and managed the agency’s entire caseload of adoption litigation in probate court.
Ms. Santosuosso began her legal career in private practice following graduation in 1998 from Cleveland Marshall College of Law. She majored in English Literature at John Carroll University, where she graduated magna cum laude.
5
Practice Areas
27 years
27 years
27 years
Always
State: Ohio
Acquired: 1998
No misconduct found
Fax
1991 Crocker Road, Suite 600, Westlake, OH, 44145
www.clslawohio.com
Other places you can find Cara online.
15 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 5 reviews | Communication Style
Posted by anonymous | April 06, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
Professional, Supportive, and Knowledgeable of Domestic Violence Intricacies
Cara came highly recommended to me and I am so happy that I hired her to work on my divorce/custody case. Throughout this lengthy and difficult process, she always remained confident and professional. My case involved a long history of domestic violence and Cara guided me through this process in a ...
Posted by anonymous | March 04, 2015 | Child Custody
Excellent Choice for Family Law
I have been involved with Cara for many years as part of an ongoing custody battle. Cara has done a tremendous job representing me. She not only thinks about the specific matter at hand but about the long term implications of decisions coupled with the well being of my child and me. My case is a b...
Posted by anonymous | June 11, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody
Great at ruining a childs life for money.
Extremely disappointed and heartbroken by the way this situation was handled. Cara’s actions have had a devastating impact on my child’s life, and it’s disturbing that someone in her position would coach a mother on how to keep a parent out of their child's life. Her communication was cold, dismissiv...
This review was posted by a person that I did not represent. I cannot and will not discuss the specifics of any case, due to confidentiality requirements. My role as a family law attorney is to advocate for my clients, within the bounds of the law and professional ethics. This means presenting facts and legal arguments that support my client's position, which may naturally conflict with the interests of the opposing party. I understand that family law matters are deeply personal and emotionally charged, and that parties on all sides often experience significant stress and disappointment during these proceedings. Every case involves multiple perspectives, and opposing parties may view my advocacy efforts differently than my clients do. However, I am always bound by the Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct, which require me to represent my clients competently and diligently, while maintaining honesty and integrity in all proceedings. I am confident my representation in this case lived up to those standards.
Posted by anonymous | April 17, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody
Poor performance
Hired Cara, for her so called experience in child custody. I had a slam dunk case, for me to get full custody of both my children. Instead Cara, thought in her best interest, that I get my son, and my ex gets my daughter. Who in their rite mind would do such a hainass act. Also Cara, has a huge ego....
This former client came to me with a complex, multi-state divorce matter already in progress. I am sorry to now hear that he was disappointed by the negotiated settlement to which he agreed. We certainly treated him, as we do all our clients, with the expertise, care and attention his legal matter deserved. I will reach out to him directly, and hope to hear back from him soon.
Posted by anonymous | May 06, 2016 | Divorce & Separation
Poor performance
Hired for divorce which later domestic situation occured. She rarely returned calls in a timely fashion. She was not a person of her word as if when she said she would call back at a certain day or time she did not follow through. She was lackluster in court at best and the sentencing showed this for...
This review was posted by a relative of a former client, who was not privy to the facts of the case or privileged communications.
"I endorse this lawyer. Cara's knowledge of the law and sense of justice makes her an incredibly strong advocate. I enjoy working with her and the challenge of being opposing counsel."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. Ms. Santosuosso is extreamly knowledgeable in the area of family law. She is a strong advocate for her clients. I have had a number of cases with her and she always impresses me with her ability to manage the case for the benefit of her client."
"Cara is an outstanding lawyer! She is smart, tough and knows the legal community well. I would recommend her to anyone requiring legal representation."
Employment and labor lawyer
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
SuperLawyer, "SuperLawyers®"
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2022
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2021
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2020
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2019
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2013
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2012
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2011
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2020 - Present
Attorney, Law Offices of Cara L. Santosuosso, LLC
2008 - 2020
Partner, Laubacher & Co.
2005 - 2008
Associate, Rotatori, Bender, Gragel, Stoper & Alexander Co., LPA
2003 - 2005
Judicial Attorney, Eighth District, Ohio Court Of Appeals
1999 - 2003
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office
2024 - Present
Center for Principal Family AdvocacyPresident
Decision affirmed.
Judgment Affirmed.
1998
JD - Juris Doctor
1995
BA - Bachelor of Arts
1991
2020
Legal Ethics: Candor in Evidence, Briefs and Trial Arguments
2018
Legal Ethics: Smartphone, Social Media and Email Evidence
2017
Recent Developments in the Rights of Same Sex and Unmarried Couples: Practical Implications
2014
Featured Speaker
2012
Non-Tradiional Family Structures And Paternity Disputes
2011
Domestic Violence and Civil Protection Orders
2022
2019
English
Legal Answers
Do I have any additional rights as the residential parent but 50/50 custody when it comes to isolating during the Pandemic?
16 Apr 2020
Visitation 'at the discretion of' custodial parent
18 Feb 2015
Is a temporary mediation agreement enforceable?
19 Jan 2012