Born and raised in Berea, Ohio, I am the youngest of three sons. When I was just two-and-a-half, my father passed away leaving sole child rearing to my mom.
My strong work ethic began in high school where various jobs funded college tuition and then law school.
I graduated from Berea High School and attended Denison University on virtually a full academic scholarship. Post graduation, the Berea School District hired me to teach.
After this short stint, I landed a teaching position within the Strongsville School District where I taught junior high and high school English. Before long, though, I pondered the direction of my own education and subsequently enrolled at Cleveland State University's night law school program.
With a strong desire to follow my passion, I resigned from teaching to accelerate what would become a promising legal career. Attending both night and day school, I completed my degree in three years.
During my third year at Cleveland State, I assumed law clerk duties. And upon passing the bar in 1980, I was promoted to associate attorney.
I have devoted nearly my entire legal career - 27 years to the same firm. I made partner in 1984. Focusing almost entirely on trial work, I have also appeared at administrative hearings including workers' compensation and unemployment cases.
For 10 years, coinciding with my law practice, I served as an Assistant Law Director for the City of Westlake. Nearly three of those years, I also assumed the responsibility of Westlake Prosecutor, with cases in the Rocky River Municipal Court system that included both bench trials and jury trials.
My private practice has afforded me the opportunity to conduct over 125 jury trials in numerous counties throughout Ohio. I have appeared before many of the Appellate District Courts in Ohio and the Ohio Supreme Court. My practice has included cases in the United States District Court for both the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio. I also appeared before the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.
My family is just as important as my career. And between my wife, Lynn, and me we have six wonderful children: Molly, Matthew, Sara, Andy, Kevin, and Craig each of whom are working toward their personal aspirations. On July 21, 2008 Lynn and I became proud grandparents to Molly's first baby, Maxwell William Molnar!
My family is incomplete without mention of the beloved companionship of our "best friend", Duffy, a short and energetic mixed breed who we found through an animal shelter.