Professional Experience
Darrell is a partner of Walter & Haverfield, and chairs the firm's Antitrust and Unfair Competition and Bankruptcy and Creditors' Rights practice groups. His practice encompasses both complex civil and white collar criminal defense litigation in state and federal courts. Darrell also practices in the First Amendment field, representing traditional and emerging media concerns in defamation and libel actions, appearing before numerous courts to argue for media access, and conducting prepublication reviews. He has extensive knowledge in legal matters relating to the Internet, and regularly lectures to groups on these issues.
For a Cleveland affiliate of a major TV network, Darrell defended numerous defamation
and related claims and opposed subpoenas seeking outtakes and other privileged
materials.
Presentations
First Amendment and Media Defense Litigation
- On behalf of a well known celebrity blogger, obtained dismissal on jurisdictional grounds of an action alleging breach of contract, promissory estoppel, fraud, negligence, defamation, invasion of privacy, and other claims.
- For a Cleveland affiliate of a major TV network, defended numerous defamation and related claims and opposed subpoenas seeking outtakes and other privileged materials
- Argued for cameras in the courtroom in numerous cases including State ex rel. New World Communications of Ohio, Inc. v. Court of Common Pleas for Geauga County, Ohio, et al., 90 Ohio St.3d 79, 734 N.E.2d 1214 (2000) and State of Ohio v. Ronald Chom, Ashtabula County (Ohio) Court of Common Pleas, Case No. 97-CR-039.
- With W&H partner Michael McMenamin, Darrell is co-author of the Ohio chapter of
the annual Media Law Resource Center's 50-State Survey on Media Privacy and
Related Law.
Presentations
- "Ethics Review for In-House Counsel and Compliance Professionals," CMBA's Banking and Financial Services Section "Compliance 2010" CLE, December 14, 2010
- "2010 Walter & Haverfield LLP Labor and Employment Law Seminar," "Discovery Expectations," Presentation, Holiday Inn in Independence, September 30, 2010
- "Understanding Electronic Discovery for the Aviation Professional" for the Ohio Aviation Association
- "Find It Fast And Free On The Internet" for National Business Institute
- "The Law of the Internet in Ohio" for National Business Institute
- "Internet Basics for the Ohio Attorney" for National Business Institute
- "Advanced Issues in Legal Technology for the Ohio Paralegal" for National Business Institute
- "Effective Legal Writing for Paralegals in Ohio" for National Business Institute
- "Excuse Me, But Where Can I Get My License to Practice Law in Cyberspace?" for the American Bar Association
Professional & Community Associations
- Member, Ohio State Bar Association's Council of Delegates (two-year term commencing July 1, 2012)
- Graduate of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy's 2000 National Session
- Licensed soccer referee (youth through adult amateur), having refereed over 1000 games in his career
- Member, Board of Directors, Skypark, Inc., a privately-owned, public-use airport in Wadsworth, Ohio (2007-present)
- Secretary, Skypark Airport Condominium Association (2009-present)
- Secretary, Ohio Regional Business Aviation Association (2010-present)
- Vice President, Criminal Law Section, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association (2009-present)
- Member (2006-present) and Trial counsel (2000-2006), Certified Grievance Committee, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
- Fellow, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
- Vice President, Northern Ohio Collegiate Soccer Officials Association (2005-present)
- Secretary, Ohio North State Referee Committee, Inc. (2003-present)
- Volunteer Pilot, Angel Flight East, Central, and Mid-Atlantic (2005-present)
Education
Tulane University School of Law, J.D. (magna cum laude), 1994
University of South Florida, M.A., 1991; B.A., 1989
Licensed to Practice
- Ohio & Louisiana
- U.S. Third, Fifth, and Sixth Circuit Courts of Appeal
- U.S. District Court, Eastern, Middle & Western Districts of Louisiana
- U.S. District and Bankruptcy Courts, Eastern District of Michigan U.S. District and Bankruptcy Courts, Northern & Southern Districts of Ohio
Awards & RecognitionsMay 2010 - Named to the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association's Board of Trustees.2010-2012 - Selected for inclusion in Ohio Super Lawyers magazine. Areas of practice: Business Litigation: Criminal Defense: White Collar; Aviation Law. 2008 - present - Selected for inclusion in Inside Business magazine's listing of Northeast Ohio's "Leading Lawyers," an honor bestowed upon only one percent of the region's practicing attorneys - Antitrust January 2008 - Selected as a 2008 Fellow of the Ohio State Bar Foundation. |
Articles by Darrell A. ClayMay/June 2012 - "Collateral consequences of a criminal conviction," Ohio LawyerMarch 2011 - "Resuscitating a dying industry: The General Aviation Revitalization Act of 1994," Airplanista magazine February 2011 - "Can a Leaseback Work for You?," Airplanista magazine December 15, 2010 - "Is Your Facebook Status a Protected Activity Under Federal Labor Law?," TLNT.com April 27-May 3 2009 - Crain's Cleveland Business; Darrell commented on the prevalence of industrial espionage activities in Northeast Ohio in the article, "An Eye on Spying." September 2008 – "A Primer On Criminal Rule 17 (c) Subpoenas Seeking Pretrial Production", was published in the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal's quarterly feature on criminal law topics. November 2007 – The Cleveland Bar Journal published Darrell's article entitled "Mandatory Restitution in Federal Criminal Prosecutions" January 2007 – Client Alert on Business Litigation: Businesses Take Note: New Federal Court Electronic Discovery Rules Affect You Too August 2006 – Client Briefing on Employment Law: Employers may bring civil claims against former employees for computer fraud and abuse. May 2006 – Internet Basics for the Ohio Attorney January 2001 – Client Briefing: eTech Alert - Viewing Restricted Web Site Could Cost Employer $$$ Summer 1998 – PERSPECTIVE: On Employment Law: Supreme Court Sanctions Same-Sex Harassment Suits |
