Our Team

Caryn Markowitz Groedel

Caryn Markowitz Groedel received her Bachelor of Arts degree from George Washington University and her Juris Doctor degree from George Mason University. She is a certified specialist in employment and labor law.

Her professional recognition includes being named by Cleveland Magazine in 2009 as one of Cleveland’s Top 50 Lawyers and Top 25 Women Lawyers. Ohio Super Lawyers magazine recognized her as a Super Lawyer from 2006 through 2011, and Corporate Counsel magazine recognized her as one of Ohio’s top employment lawyers in February 2008.

Her reported accomplishments include a $2.1 million verdict in a gender and pregnancy discrimination and sexual harassment case, a $1.3 million verdict in an age discrimination and retaliation case, and an $800,000 verdict in a reverse sexual harassment case.

She is a founding member of the Cleveland Employment Lawyers Inns of Court and a longtime member of the National Employment Lawyers Association, Ohio Employment Lawyers Association, and Cleveland Employment Lawyers Association. She has appeared in local and national media, frequently speaks about employment-related issues, and is licensed to practice law in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., and Maryland.

Chastity L. Christy

Chastity L. Christy received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences from Clarion University of Pennsylvania in 2000 and her Juris Doctor degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in 2003. She was admitted to practice in Ohio in 2003 and before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio in 2004.

She has represented employees in employment discrimination matters before federal and state courts, appellate courts, arbitrations, mediations, and the State Personnel Board of Review. She has also obtained favorable decisions in appellate matters.

She is a member of the Ohio Employment Lawyers Association and Cleveland Employment Lawyers Association. Her volunteer activities include supporting animal rescue organizations and organizations assisting sick and underprivileged children.

Matthew M. Ries

Matthew M. Ries received his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Miami University in May 2005 and his Juris Doctor degree from Capital Law School in May 2008. In spring 2007, he received an Excellence in Advocacy Award for his performance at the Ruby R. Vale Corporate Moot Court Competition. He was admitted to practice law in Ohio in November 2008.

He represents employees in matters involving employment discrimination, Ohio wage-law violations, and employment-related contractual disputes in state and appellate courts.

Jennifer L. Speck

Jennifer “Jen” L. Speck received Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees from Miami University of Ohio and earned Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration degrees from the University of Akron. She was admitted to practice in Ohio and before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio in 2005.

At the time of the source page, she had represented individuals in employment-related matters and forums for five years. Her experience included a successful, televised age-discrimination argument before the Ohio Supreme Court in 2008. She had also served as an arbitrator for the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas.

She is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association and volunteers annually with an election-protection organization that protects the rights of Ohio voters.