Atty. James Bart Leonardi
Bart spent the first part of his career as an insurance advisor and securities analyst. He later became a lawyer and developed his skills as a litigator and trust attorney.
Profile Summary
About James Bart Leonardi at a glance
James Bart Leonardi is a trusts attorney based in Westlake, Ohio, practicing at James Bart Leonardi LLC. They have 18+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 2008. Admitted to practice in Kentucky, Kentucky Supreme Court (2008) and Ohio, Ohio Supreme Court (2009). Educated at Ave Maria School of Law (J.D., 2006) and John Carroll University (B.S.B.A. - Finance, 1994). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Trusts and Estates (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Trusts and Estates (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Awards: (2026). Serands clients in Westlake, OH and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
Bart spent the first part of his career as an insurance advisor and securities analyst. He later became a lawyer and developed his skills as a litigator and trust attorney. This wide range of experience enables him to give his clients a comprehensive view of financial planning not often found in estate planning attorneys.
Bart Leonardi is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by the Ohio State Bar Association. His practice is concentrated in the areas of estate planning, trust administration/litigation and probate administration/litigation.
Bart counsels married couples, individuals, professionals and business owners regarding estate planning, asset protection and wealth transfer. This includes helping clients with everything from a simple Will, Power of Attorney or Revocable Trust, to complex Trust Planning, designed to achieve specific goals such as:
- Wealth transfer
- Business succession
- Asset protection
- Charitable giving
- Minimizing estate tax liability.
Bart also represents executors and administrators in probate courts in Cuyahoga, Lorain, Lake and Geauga counties and throughout the Greater Cleveland area. In addition to counseling executors and administrators, he serves as estate administrator. His probate litigation practice includes representing the interests of individual beneficiaries, heirs and other interested parties when they have concerns about the way an estate is being administered. This includes will contest actions, fiduciary removal, creditor claims, wrongful death settlements, trust litigation and other litigation matters.
Practice Areas Explained
James Bart Leonardi's Areas of Practice
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James Bart Leonardi is one of 104,172 trusts attorneys indexed nationally. Browse trusts attorneys in Ohio →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Ohio
Practicing law in Ohio. Legal matters in Ohio are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Westlake are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Ohio state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Ohio brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Ohio courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Ohio attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Westlake or all attorneys in Ohio.
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