Cheryl F. Wolff

About Cheryl

Cherie’s practice involves representation of public and private sector management in all types of employment matters, as well as representation of public school districts in all aspects of education law.

Cherie defends employers in employment discrimination charges and lawsuits, unemployment compensation claims and grievance arbitrations, and before the National Labor Relations Board and State Employment Relations Board. She also handles matters involving public records and sunshine laws, student discipline, and labor contract negotiations.

Representative Matters

Extensive experience securing dismissals of discrimination charges filed against employers with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, as well as dismissals of complaints issued by the Ohio Civil Rights Commission
Successful defense of numerous employment discrimination lawsuits in federal district court
Advice to employers regarding compliance with federal and state laws such as the Fair Labor Standards Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, and Family and Medical Leave Act, and regarding employee discipline and discharge

Affiliations

Toledo Bar Association

Education

Miami University (B.S. 1974, cum laude)
The Ohio State University (J.D.1979, with honors)

Bar Admissions

All Ohio Courts
U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio

Practice Areas

Collective Bargaining

Our attorneys provide at-the-table negotiations, as well as advice regarding negotiation strategy and drafting contract language. We also handle bargaining-related matters such as mediation, public sector conciliation, and fact-finding. We further assist clients in matters related to unfair labor practices charges before the Ohio State Employment Relations Board and the National Labor Relations Board, and when necessary, strike preparation, and securing legal restrictions on picketing and relief for strike misconduct.

Employee Discipline

Our experienced employment attorneys often counsel employers on whether proposed employee discipline or discharge is likely to withstand challenge in any number of forums available to employees. We have secured for employers the dismissals of hundreds of claims regarding employee discipline, in court, in grievance arbitrations, and before agencies such as the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Ohio State Employment Relations Board and the National Labor Relations Board.

Employee Handbooks

Employee handbooks are excellent tools for outlining consistent employer practices, and for preserving employer flexibility and management rights such as employment at will. Our attorneys frequently review employee handbooks for compliance with federal and state employment laws, and recommend language and policies to protect employers and their businesses.

Employment Claims

In addition to representing employers in unemployment and workers’ compensation claims, our attorneys advise employers on compliance with local, state, and federal laws affecting employment, including the American with Disabilities Act, Title VII, Ohio’s civil rights law, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and applicable wage and hour laws. We also advise employers on terminations and represent employers against claims brought by terminated employees.

Employment Discrimination Defense

Our attorneys frequently defend employers facing charges or lawsuits alleging employment discrimination. Although the law is well-intended to protect employees from workplace discrimination, it is unfortunately common for employers to have to defend against unfounded claims of employment discrimination. Our lawyers have secured the dismissals of hundreds of employment discrimination claims before the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and in state and federal courts.

FMLA

Our attorneys have counseled both public and private employers on compliance with the Family and Medical Leave Act since it became effective in 1994. Our experience with the FMLA includes such matters as eligibility and coverage issues, employee notices, medical certifications, insurance continuation, intermittent leave, concurrent leave, and FMLA abuses.

Grievance Arbitration

Our attorneys have handled hundreds of grievance arbitrations involving employee discharges, employee discipline, and labor contract interpretation disputes. We can assist a client from the preparation of management witnesses through the drafting of post-hearing briefs. We also recognize the occasional appropriateness of resolving disputes before arbitration and through mediation.

Local Government Counseling

The firm has a long history of representing local, political subdivisions on a wide range of practice areas such as public meetings and public records issues, zoning and land-use planning, financing, drafting legislation, water and sewer construction and regulation, annexation, employment/labor issues, tax levies and administration, economic development initiatives, airport and seaport operations and police and fire department contracts.

Public and Administrative Law

Our attorneys enjoy a rich history representing public clients in Northwest Ohio, including school boards, port authorities, park districts, municipalities, counties, townships, airport authorities, and more. Our firm has been home to two former City of Toledo Law Directors, a former counsel to the Ohio Department of Commerce, and a former State Senator. We know the legal problems confronting local public bodies both as lawyers and as participants in the political process.

Public Records and Open Meetings

Spengler Nathanson’s extensive representation of school boards and other local and state governmental bodies has given us a wide range of experience dealing with Ohio’s public records and open meetings laws.

School Law

Our decades-long representation of area school boards has given Spengler Nathanson the opportunity to deal with most legal issues faced by schools. We deal regularly with teacher and administrator contracts, student discipline, special education, competitive bidding, public records and open meetings, religious expression, FERPA, attendance and tuition, and a host of other school concerns.

Title IX Compliance (No Gender-Based Discrimination)

Our attorneys regularly assist clients with questions about Title IX and preparation of and updates to Title IX and related policies. We also serve as counsel for boards of education, colleges, and universities in litigation arising under Title IX and related statutes.

Unemployment Compensation

Spengler Nathanson’s attorneys frequently advise employers regarding responses to former employees’ claims for unemployment compensation, and represent employers before the Unemployment Compensation Review Commission.

Wage-Hour Law

Spengler Nathanson’s labor attorneys regularly advise both public and private sector clients regarding compliance with federal minimum wage and overtime laws, and the Ohio minimum wage law. We have dealt extensively with such matters as the classification of exempt and non-exempt employees, calculation of regular rate for overtime purposes, pay for training and travel time, and exempt employees salary basis of pay.

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