Staff

Sandra Watkins Cleaver J.D., CELA, NELF

Ohio Super Lawyers has designated Sandra as one of eight Super Lawyers in the area of Elder Law for 2011.

Sandra received her B.A., Magna Cum Laude, in psychology, from the University of Akron, and her Juris Doctorate Degree from the University of Akron School of Law. She is also a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and has passed the examination for certification as an elder law attorney (CELA).

Sandra serves on the Probate and Elder Law Committees of the Stark County Bar Association, and has previously served on Memorial, Judiciary, Executive and Professional Continuity Committees.  She is a member of  the Probate, Trust and Elder Law Sections of Ohio and Florida Bar Association.  She is founder and former chairperson of Stark County Bar Association Elder Law Committee.

Sandra is also the Founder and Senior Advisor of Guardian Support Services, Inc.  Guardian Support Services is a 501C3 organization that identifies and trains volunteer guardians for the elderly, incompetent and disabled of Stark County. volunteerguardians@gmail.com

Community

Sandra has been active in various civic and charitable organizations including serving on the Legal Advisory Committee of the Area Agency on Aging. She serves as a member of Women’s Initiative (WIN), and Canton Kiwanis.  She is the chairperson of the William Friedman Canton Kiwanis Memorial Trust Fund and also chairs several scholarship and charitable foundations.  She is a member of Westbrook Park United Methodist Church.

Faith & Family

In abiding by the tenets of her faith, Sandra is committed to her oath of professionalism. She finds strength in her deep devotion to her husband, Ken and four grown children, eight grandchildren.  Sandra also enjoys being welcomed home each day by her German Shepherd, Sage and a rescued cat, Basil, affectionately known as Mr. Kitty.

Sandra can especially share compassion with the families of her clients as they go through the process of making decisions and arranging care for their aging parents.  Sandra’s mother died in 2012 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She continues to provide encouragement and help to her father who recently moved in with them.

 

Sue A. Sokolowski, J.D., M. Tax

Sue received her B.A., in history from Wheeling Jesuit University, her Juris Doctorate, Magna Cum Laude from the University of Akron School of Law, and her Master of Taxation degree from the University of Akron, College of Business Administration.

Sue is a member of the Stark County, Ohio, Florida, and American Bar Associations, serving on the Probate and Elder Law Committees of the Stark County Bar Association, and on the Probate and Trust Law Sections of the Ohio, Florida, and American Bar Associations. She is very active with the Stark County Bar Association Elder Law Committee, has served as the chairperson of the committee’s annual Elder Law seminar and as a speaker at the Stark County Bar Association Elder Law Committee’s Healthcare Decision Week Presentations. She is currently the Co-Chair of the Elder Law Committee. Sue is also a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.  Sue is also certified as a specialist in the areas of Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by the Ohio State Bar Association.

Community

Sue has been active with The Junior League of Stark County for many years and is currently a Sustainer.

Sue serves as a Board Member of the Women’s Initiative (WIN), and is a past Treasurer of the Northwest Primary PTO.

Sue resides in Clinton, Ohio with her husband, Kevin, son, Colin, and mother, Virginia. Also residing in the Sokolowski home are cats, Morgan and Tom, bunny, Charlotte, Gecko, Cuddle Claws, and an ever changing array of insects, currently including several praying mantises.

Ohio Super Lawyers has designated Sue Sokolowski as one of the Ohio Rising Stars in the area of Elder Law for 2011.

Samantha P. Baum, J.D.

Samantha received her B.A., in psychology, from Notre Dame College and her Juris Doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

Samantha is a member of the Stark County, Ohio and American Bar Associations.

Community

Samantha serves as a Member of the Women’s Initiative (WIN).

Samantha was born and raised in Amherst, Ohio. She now resides with her husband, Robert, her Newfoundland, Holly, and her rescue dog, Bubba, in Massillon, Ohio.

Samantha has an incredible depth of knowledge in the area of Medicaid and has assisted many families through this difficult process.

 

Pictured from left to right: Samantha, Kathy, Sue, Sandra, Stephanie, Ashley, Nancy

Support Staff

Stephanie | Probate Legal Assistant

Stephanie is a proud resident of Perry Township, and has been with Cleaver & Sokolowski, LLC for 20 years. Stephanie is the mother of Nichole, Maddison, and Michael, and one beloved granddaughter, Audrina. Stephanie enjoys going to flea markets, quiet relaxing weekends, and spending time with her family. Stephanie enjoys meeting and working with families. She truly cares about the many unique issues facing our clients and their families throughout their lives.

Nancy |  Administrative Assistant

Nancy has been a resident of Canton, Ohio for 14 years and has been in the insurance and legal field for over 25 years. She graduated from St. John’s School of Business, West Springfield, Massachusetts. She has been with Cleaver & Sokolowski, LLC for over 13 years. Nancy enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and her Boxer, Bella. In her administrative duties, Nancy enjoys greeting and working with clients to make them feel at ease as they go through the process of completing estate planning or losing a friend or relative.

Ashley | Paralegal

Ashley is a lifelong resident of Tuscarawas County, and graduated from Kent State University in May 2006 with an Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies. Ashley has been an estate paralegal for 5-1/2 years, 1-1/2 years with Cleaver & Sokolowski, LLC. Ashley was recently married in May 2014, and welcomed baby Ella in December 2014. Ashley has a 3 year old boxer named Roxy. Ashley enjoys taking beach vacations, boating, swimming and walking/hiking with her dog. Ashley enjoys assisting our clients through the difficult time of losing a loved one by making the experience as pleasant and comforting as possible. She prides herself on being efficient and compassionate.

Of Counsel Attorneys

 

Kathy Mahalik

Kathy grew up in a small farming community called Greene, in northeastern Ohio. Kent State University was the site of her undergraduate study in Medical Technology. Kathy spent three years working in a hospital laboratory where she also met her husband, Michael, of 33 years. Michael works as a science teacher in Hartville, Ohio.

During Kathy’s marriage and while raising her son, Kathy spent nine years as a pharmaceutical representative for Merck, and has twice gone back to school for additional degrees. In 1983, Kathy graduated from Akron University with an MBA concentrating in Finance. Lastly, in 2001, Kathy graduated from Akron University with a J.D. in law and was admitted to the Ohio Bar that same year. In addition, Kathy passed the Florida Bar and became licensed to practice law in Florida. Kathy’s practice focuses on estate planning, probate and elder law issues.

Kathy became a member of the Stark County Bar Association Elder Law Committee and volunteer speaker for Health Care Directives Week. Kathy is also a member of WIN (Women’s Initiative Network) as well as The Junior League of Stark County.