James Sandy Selected to Crain’s Cleveland Business 2026 Notable Leaders in Accounting, Consulting & Law

Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP is pleased to announce that James (Jim) Sandy, partner-in-charge of the firm’s Cleveland office, has been selected by Crain’s Cleveland Business as a 2026 Notable Leader in Accounting, Consulting & Law.

About the 2026 Notable Leaders in Law Award

The annual Crain’s Cleveland Business Notable Leaders in Accounting, Consulting & Law award recognizes senior-level leaders in accounting, consulting, and law who have demonstrated the ability to effect positive change within their organizations, serve as role models and mentors, and contribute in meaningful ways to their communities through leadership roles in professional and nonprofit service organizations. According to Crain’s, this year’s honorees are recognized for their ability to “guide clients through complex financial decisions, transformative business strategies, and high-stakes legal matters while helping their own firms innovate and grow.”

About Jim

Office Leadership

As co-partner-in-charge in Cleveland, Jim oversees the day-to-day operations of the office, manages a team of eight attorneys and professional staff, and helps lead the firm’s strategic growth in the region. He opened the firm’s Cleveland office in February, having previously worked at the McGlinchey Stafford law firm.

Legal Practice

An accomplished litigator, Jim has handled more than 100 appellate matters. He represents banks, mortgage servicers, fintech companies, debt collection agencies, and auto finance companies in trial courts, arbitration proceedings, and appeals.

He also defends clients in both individual and class-action matters and advises cannabis companies on regulatory compliance and litigation matters.

Among his recent notable successes, Jim secured a significant victory in a high-stakes financial services litigation matter by defeating class-action claims through innovative arguments involving enforceability and scope of delegation, mass arbitration, and class waiver provisions in arbitration agreements.

The decision compelled the claims into individual arbitration, shielding the client from substantial class action exposure and potential liabilities totaling millions of dollars.

Community Involvement

In addition to his firm leadership role and legal practice, Jim is actively involved in professional and community organizations. He serves on the Akron Bar Association Grievance Subcommittee, is vice chair of the American Bar Association Debt Collection and Bankruptcy Subcommittee, is editor of the ABA Business Law periodical, and is a Community Legal Aid volunteer. He also coaches youth athletic teams and serves on the West Akron Baseball League Board.