Paul Fidler joined the firm in 1996 and became a Partner in 2003. He works with individuals, businesses, and foundations, and his practice emphasizes estate planning and administration; trust administration; income taxation of estates, trusts, and individuals; planning for charitable gifts and foundations; and business succession planning.
Paul is a frequent speaker and author on a wide range of estate planning topics. In particular, he has a strong expertise in qualified retirement plans and IRAs, which are often a client’s most valuable asset. In 2012, while he was Chair of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association (CMBA) Estate Planning, Probate & Trust Law Section, Paul had the opportunity to coordinate and host the “Hot Topics for Estate Planners” seminar. His presentation at the CMBA Estate Planning Institute—"Spendthrift Provisions: Wouldn’t You Like to be a Spendthrift Too?”—was also published in the Probate Law Journal of Ohio.
Paul is an active member of the Broadview Road Church of Christ, where he currently serves as Treasurer, a Trustee, and on various service-oriented committees. He enjoys playing in adult soccer leagues and lives in Olmsted Falls with his wife, Katie, and their two children.
Practice Areas
- Business Succession Planning
- Charitable Planning
- Estate Administration
- Estate Planning and Probate
- Family Foundations
- Probate Litigation
- Retirement Distribution Planning
- Taxation
- Trust Administration
- Wealth Transfer
Education
- Michael E. Moritz College of Law, 1996, J.D.
- Order of the Coif with Honors
- The Pennsylvania State University, 1993, B.S.
- With honors and high distinction
Admissions & Associations
- State of Ohio
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
- U.S. Tax Court
- Member, American Bar Association
- Member, Ohio State Bar Association
- Member, OSBA Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law Section Council
- Member, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
- Chairman, Estate Planning, Probate, and Trust Law Section of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, 2011-2012
- Member, Estate Planning Council of Cleveland
Awards & Honors
- Accredited Estate Planner®
- Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® since 2016 for Practice Areas:
- Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
- Litigation - Trusts and Estates
- Trusts & Estates
Community Activities
- Member, Treasurer and a Trustee, Broadview Road Church of Christ
- Board Member, President of the Board, West Haven Foundation (Supporting Organization of Welcome House)
- Advisory Board, Circle Health Service (Formerly The Free Medical Clinic of Greater Cleveland)
Articles & Presentations
- Enhancing American Retirement Now Act (SECURE 2.0)
- Who Cares About Being Secure? Estate Planning with Retirement Plan Assets in A Rapidly Changing Legal Environment, Probate Law Journal of Ohio, May/June 2020
- The Impact of the New SECURE Act, and Other IRA Ideas, Northern Ohio Charitable Gift Planners, February 2020
- Effectively Using Beneficiary Designations on Retirement Accounts, Probate Law Journal of Ohio, May/June 2019
- Guest Lecturer at Case Western Reserve University School of Law:
- There’s No Place Like Home…Ohio Becomes One of the Nation’s Top Destinations for Asset Protection Planning
- Spendthrift Provisions: Wouldn’t You Like to be a Spendthrift Too?
- Paul has spoken to various continuing legal education, professional, and consumer-oriented groups regarding estate planning, estate and trust administration, and tax topics:
- The Grapes of Roth: Conversion to a Roth IRA in 2010 and Beyond — Sweet Nectar or Sour Grapes
- Roth Conversion: Wealth Transfer, Taxes and Timing