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When dedication and experience matter . . .
with an obsession to get it right.
Testimonials
- “I have known Mr. Starke for over 30 years. He has become not only our go to legal counsel for both personal and business issues, but a friend and confidant. He has a quick grasp of the facts and is right on with his observations and strategy. His many years in legal practice as a Cleveland native have given him a great range of associations that he can pool as required to serve any specific scenario. I would highly recommend him as your legal counsel in most any situation.”- Dave Comiono, Co-Founder EMH, Inc.
- Mr. Starke went above and beyond, helping me with my legal issue. I would recommend him to anyone.- Robert Buttler, Retired NASA
- Mr. Starke was incredibly kind and helpful. He takes the time to truly listen and makes you feel heard. His guidance is thoughtful, informed, and clearly rooted in deep knowledge. I wholeheartedly recommend working with him!- Sarah Kazsmer
- Mr. Starke has consistently given me very good advice and guidance over the past decade. I am a nurse and he takes the time to listen.He has taken care of my many concerns and put my mind at ease over several issues. I would highly recommend his counsel!- Jean Klima, Nurse
- I thank God I was referred to Sheldon he is amazing! very helpful and professional. He truly cares for his clients bc he is honest, and I appreciate honesty. He checks up on his clients and I am thankful he is someone I can count on and trust. Sheldon thank you for being who you are we need more attorneys like you. Thank you I appreciate your help. Always- Yamira Veras
- This is one of the most beautiful people I have had the pleasure of meeting on this crazy planet. Sheldon has inspired my life in a legal, and personal way that I will tell my great grandchildren about much love to you Sheldon and may everything in your life be as fulfilling as the love and knowledge u shared with me.- Craig Robinson
- “I was the CEO of the American Embassy Association when I hired Sheldon for a complicated international case that took several years to resolve. I found Sheldon to be very strategic and detail oriented. Sheldon worked tirelessly to resolve the issue without going to litigation which was extremely beneficial to all parties concerned. Sheldon is very analytical and plans for the unexpected. I would highly recommend Sheldon for any case that he desires to take on.”- Kathy Downs, Recruiting Manager, Robert Half
- “Sheldon Starke, a Lawyer for Life.”- Rev. & Mrs. Nathaniel Brown, Sr.
- “I have been in the entertainment business all my life and have been fortunate enough to be nominated for one Grammy award and winning another. You can imagine how many lawyers I was forced to deal with, and whenever I thought there was any problems contractually or money wise with any particular contract, I always went to Sheldon to double check my suspicions. Sheldon has been my attorney for thirty-years and there is no other attorney I would ever dream about working with. He’ll make sure the entertainment goniffs won’t fleece you with there lies and deception!"- Joseph Porrello, Grammy Award Winner
- “Mr. Starke with his half-century expertise. Helped me immensely in my time of need. Real, rough and tough guy. Not for the light-hearted. I could give him a million stars for this review and it wouldn’t be enough to thank this man for his help. Thank you Mr. Starke!"- Anthony Yatsko
- "Enter-Tel, Inc. has used the services of Sheldon P Starke for legal services and counsel... And we have found his legal service and counsel to be excellent. In particular, he has assisted us through difficult negotiation. In major deals and, in fact, has helped significantly in the closing process. Anyone using his services in the entertainment field should feel comfortable about his knowledge and ability to represent their interests."- James M. McNamara
- Sheldon is a wonderful and caring lawyer who wants the best for his clients. His preparation is thorough and so by the time we went into mediation I felt confident and I fully understood the proceedings. What a blessing to work with such a wonderful man!- Elisha S.
- Good listener. Brilliant mind. Fearless. Does not take crap from anyone!!- Joshua Ungier
- Sheldon was the lawyer I needed when I had a very challenging situation. He created a solution when other lawyers could not help.- Valarie Gray, Nurse Practitioner
- Sheldon is a wonderful lawyer with a wide range of knowledge and experience. He gives 100%. I recommend him to anyone that would need a lawyers services.- Beny Elmekies
- It is an amazing oppurtunuty to have Sheldon Starke look into my case, He came in strong, doing everything a lawyer could have done and more the first day to make sure that my company is protected.I feel really blessed and happy to him at my corner. Please people, check him out.His service is awesome.- Richard Ibironke
- Very detailed and made sure to get enough facts to have a solid case before moving forward. Would absolutely use again.- Gloria Wolfe, Nurse
Trusted and Experienced Attorney at Law in Ohio and Florida
Delivering reliable legal services tailored to the unique needs of each client is our goal. With extensive experience across multiple areas of practice, Mr. Starke focuses on Entertainment Law throughout the United States (Copyright, Trademark, Intellectual Property).
In Ohio and Florida, Mr. Starke focuses on, Employment Law, Serious Accidents and Professional Licensing Board Laws.
A Law Firm You Can Trust
As a respected law firm, we emphasize clear communication, preparation, and unwavering advocacy. You can expect personal attention, honest guidance, and legal representation that are both professional and results-driven.
Getting Through the Nuts and Bolts of the problem takes time, experience, energy, and an obsession to get it right. Everything takes time.
About Sheldon P. Starke
Sheldon P. Starke is a highly skilled attorney who has dedicated his career to advancing justice and advocating for his clients across a wide range of legal fields. He passed three separate bar exams to practice law: Ohio, Florida, and New York. In addition, he is licensed to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Military Court of Appeals, and multiple Federal Courts.
Early Career and Foundations
Before becoming an attorney, Sheldon interned with the City of Cleveland Law Department. He then became the first law intern in the United States to be trained in a Sheriff’s Office, serving with the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office in Greater Cleveland, Ohio.
After graduation, he served as Executive Assistant to the Sheriff of Cuyahoga County, working across all criminal and civil departments. He was especially trained by Maj. Louis Kulis, regarded as the “Sherlock Holmes” of his time. Sheldon also lectured at several Ohio Peace Officer Training Courses. At the request of the Mayor, he was appointed as a temporary prosecutor for Brookpark, Ohio. In the 1990s, Sheldon assisted British police and Scotland Yard in solving a series of mysterious crimes, which ceased after his involvement and action by the authorities.
After graduation, he served as Executive Assistant to the Sheriff of Cuyahoga County, working across all criminal and civil departments. He was especially trained by Maj. Louis Kulis, regarded as the “Sherlock Holmes” of his time. Sheldon also lectured at several Ohio Peace Officer Training Courses. At the request of the Mayor, he was appointed as a temporary prosecutor for Brookpark, Ohio. In the 1990s, Sheldon assisted British police and Scotland Yard in solving a series of mysterious crimes, which ceased after his involvement and action by the authorities.
Criminal and Civil Trial Work
Sheldon has handled substantial criminal and civil trial work throughout his career. His criminal cases include murder trials, such as the longest murder trial in Naples, Collier County, Florida. In State of Florida vs. Pahl, he laid the groundwork for abolishing Florida’s “Dead Man’s Statute.” In federal criminal law, he worked on conspiracy cases such as U.S. vs. Williams (6th Cir., 1973).
In civil matters, Sheldon has achieved groundbreaking results. He won a published opinion on trademarks and the Deceptive Trade Practice Act in Today’s Headlines vs. Abel, written by Judge James McMonagle—an uncommon recognition for Common Pleas Courts. He filed the first spoliation (destruction of evidence) case before it was officially recognized by the Ohio Supreme Court in Katz vs. Metro Traffic (CV 93 24699, Cuyahoga County). He also prevailed in a consumer protection case, Thomas vs. Schwartz Furs, which involved four separate claims and created new law in Ohio.
In civil matters, Sheldon has achieved groundbreaking results. He won a published opinion on trademarks and the Deceptive Trade Practice Act in Today’s Headlines vs. Abel, written by Judge James McMonagle—an uncommon recognition for Common Pleas Courts. He filed the first spoliation (destruction of evidence) case before it was officially recognized by the Ohio Supreme Court in Katz vs. Metro Traffic (CV 93 24699, Cuyahoga County). He also prevailed in a consumer protection case, Thomas vs. Schwartz Furs, which involved four separate claims and created new law in Ohio.
Federal Practice
Sheldon has represented federal employees in cases against multiple agencies. He represented all senior members of OSHA in the largest age discrimination class action of its kind against the U.S. government. He has also handled well over a hundred mediations at the EEOC and other venues, with a remarkable success rate of more than 95%.
Entertainment Law Expertise
Sheldon has built an extensive practice in entertainment, copyright, and trademark law. He has published more than 300 articles and scripts across television, radio, video, newspapers, and magazines. For more than five years, he hosted weekly Entertainment Law segments on major radio stations such as WWWE and WERE, and he has also appeared as a guest on stations including WNCX, WMMS, and many others. He was the General Counsel for Enter-Tel, Inc. the largest distributor of movies to television stations in the midwest.
Representative Clients
His past clients include:
- The Cleveland Playhouse
- The Hanna Theater
- The Colony Theater
- WOIO (Fox) TV
- PPI Industries (the second largest producer of children’s media, with licenses for more than 70% of Saturday morning television content)
- The SCENE Magazine
- The Chicago Music Magazine
- Numerous advertising agencies
- Enter-Tel, Inc. (then the largest distributor of movies in the Midwest US for Television)
- EMH, Inc. General Counsel
Industry Recognition and Contributions
Sheldon was officially recognized by Variety as a lawyer for theater owners. He was directly responsible for bringing the American Guild of Authors and Composers (AGAC) to Cleveland—the first major initiative to bring music education to the public in that city. His office even arranged for the Key to the City to be given to Guild President George David Weiss. The organization later became the Songwriters’ Guild of America (SGA), and Sheldon was instrumental in establishing its presence in Cleveland twice.
In 1989, Sheldon created and organized the Entertainment Business Expo, which became the most extensive event of its kind in the world. The Expo featured 118 courses over three days, with three to five sessions running simultaneously. The courses covered music, movies, TV, radio, video, and media, and attracted international leaders in the entertainment industry.
Sheldon has also licensed or negotiated rights for about one hundred films and videos. He has represented or negotiated for Movies of the Week, publishers, record companies, distributors, producers, and broadcasters worldwide.
In 1989, Sheldon created and organized the Entertainment Business Expo, which became the most extensive event of its kind in the world. The Expo featured 118 courses over three days, with three to five sessions running simultaneously. The courses covered music, movies, TV, radio, video, and media, and attracted international leaders in the entertainment industry.
Sheldon has also licensed or negotiated rights for about one hundred films and videos. He has represented or negotiated for Movies of the Week, publishers, record companies, distributors, producers, and broadcasters worldwide.
Teaching and Lectures
Sheldon has lectured extensively on entertainment law and other topics. His speaking engagements include the Ohio State Bar Association, Cleveland Law Library, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland State University, Baldwin Wallace University, Kent State University, Oberlin College, Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland Institute of Music, Cleveland Institute of Art, University of Akron, Lake County Community College, DJ Times, Mobile Beat, and several federal agencies. He also produced a television series on entertainment law.
Corporate and International Work
In 1983, Sheldon served as General Counsel for Enter-Tel, Inc., the largest distributor of films for television in the Midwest. He negotiated international contracts for movies, cartoons, and series, and played a role in producing The Quincy Jones Show and the award-winning series America’s Best.
Later, he was selected by the American Embassy Association as the U.S. Special Counsel to wrap up the Bonn Embassy property in Germany. Known as the “spy embassy” created after World War II, this case involved significant constitutional questions about the application of U.S. law to foreign embassy employees. Sheldon successfully defended the American Embassy Association in The American Embassy Association v. Tewelde (100-98-0368), with the EEOC complaint dismissed by the Acting Director of the EEOC.
Later, he was selected by the American Embassy Association as the U.S. Special Counsel to wrap up the Bonn Embassy property in Germany. Known as the “spy embassy” created after World War II, this case involved significant constitutional questions about the application of U.S. law to foreign embassy employees. Sheldon successfully defended the American Embassy Association in The American Embassy Association v. Tewelde (100-98-0368), with the EEOC complaint dismissed by the Acting Director of the EEOC.
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