216.696.8700
Susan L. Friedman
Partner
216.736.7272
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Susan L. Friedman

Partner
216.736.7272
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OVERVIEW & EXPERIENCE

A seasoned estate planner and trusted advisor, Susan (Susie) Friedman has spent more than two decades helping individuals and families strategize to protect and preserve their wealth through estate planning, tax and gift strategies, and the creation of various trusts. She additionally provides comprehensive counsel in business succession planning, probate trust and estate administration, charitable giving, special needs planning, and guardianships, ensuring her clients’ assets are safeguarded in the most effective and least restrictive manner.

Susie’s extensive experience in trust administration and estate planning includes advising families on structuring and managing family offices, guiding them through intricate estate, trust, and tax planning considerations, including real estate holdings. Known for her thoughtful and pragmatic approach, she works closely with clients to develop tailored solutions that align with their long-term goals while minimizing tax burdens and preserving generational wealth.

Susie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Washington University in St. Louis and earned her Juris Doctor from Case Western Reserve University School of Law. Further complementing her practice, she also holds a Master’s degree in Social Work, equipping her with a unique ability to navigate both the legal and emotional complexities of estate planning.

Deeply committed to giving back, Susie is an active and engaged member of her community. She has served on the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s Donor Advised Fund Committee since 2016 and is a member of its Professional Advisors Council. Additionally, she lends her experience to The Cleveland Museum of Art Gift Planning Committee and the University Hospitals of Cleveland Diamond Advisor Group, where she plays a key role in advancing philanthropic and legacy planning efforts.

Outside of her practice, Susie enjoys walking in the Metroparks near her home in Solon, spending time with her two daughters and her six-pound Yorkie, Louie, as well as playing tennis, skiing, and reading.

Representative Experience
AWARDS
  • Ohio Super Lawyers, 2025
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Trusts and Estates, 2025
  • JD Supra Readers’ Choice Awards, Top Author, Wealth Management, 2022 – 2025
BAR / COURT ADMISSIONS
  • Ohio
PROFESSIONAL & CIVIC INVOLVEMENT
  • Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
  • Cleveland Estate Planning Council
  • Membership Committee of the Estate Planning Council of Cleveland
  • Ohio Bar Association
  • Ohio ORT Jurisprudence Planning Committee
    • Member
  • American Heart Association
    • Advisor Network, Member
  • American Cancer Society
    • National Professional Advisor Network, Member
  • Cleveland Museum of Art
    • Gift Planning Network, Member
    • Gift Planning Advisory Committee, Member
  • Cleveland Hillel Foundation, 2018 – 2023
    • Board of Directors
  • Estate Planning Council of Cleveland
    • Membership Committee
  • Jewish Federation of Cleveland
    • Donor Advised Fund Committee
    • JFC Advisors
    • Professional Advisor Council
    • Steering Committee
  • University Hospitals of Cleveland
    • Diamond Advisory Group
  • Shaker Figure Skating Club, 2014 – 2016
    • Trustee
  • University Hospitals Digestive Health Leadership Council, 2024
    • Member
MEDIA MENTIONS
PRESENTATIONS & PUBLICATIONS
  • “Estate Planning 101,” Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, August 14, 2024
  • “Estate Planning Essentials for Individuals and Families,” MAI Capital Management LLC, August 17, 2023
  • “Estate Planning and Probate Essentials,” T-Squared Honors Academy High School, August 16, 2023
  • “Trusts in Ohio from A to Z,” National Business Institute, August 14, 2023
  • “Chasing the Sunset of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017,” 50th Charitable Tax Seminar, June 1, 2023
  • “Aging with a Plan: How a Little Thought Today Can Vastly Improve your Tomorrow,” Cleveland Jewish Book Festival, April 30, 2023
  • “Estate Planning Basics,” Baldwin Wallace Institute for Learning in Retirement; Cuyahoga County Community College Adult Education, 2019 – Present (quarterly presentations)
  • “Online Accounts and Cryptocurrency:  Estate Planning, Gifting, and Charitable Giving Considerations,”  Lake County Bar Association presented April 27, 2022

PRACTICE AREAS

EDUCATION

  • Case Western Reserve University School of Law, J.D., 1996
  • Case Western Reserve University Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, MSSA, 1996
  • Washington University in St. Louis, B.A., Political Science, 1991

RECENT KJK INSIGHTS

What Gene Hackman’s Estate Reveals About Proper Estate Planning

What Gene Hackman’s Estate Reveals About Proper Estate Planning

The recent death of legendary actor, Gene Hackman, age 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, age 65, has brought attention to the complexities surrounding their estate and illustrates the need for proper estate planning. At his death, Gene Hackman had an estate worth...

I enjoy helping and counseling individuals and families to plan for their futures and manage issues during difficult times. I like knowing that I have helped individuals and couples accomplish their planning goals so they do not need to worry about what will happen when they are gone.

Susan L. Friedman
Partner