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Tera N. Coleman

She | Her | Hers

Associate

Cleveland
T +1.216.861.7582
F +1.216.696.0740
tcoleman@bakerlaw.com
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Overview

Drawing from hands-on litigation experience, Tera Coleman represents clients in state and federal court, handling all aspects of litigation from inception to settlement and trial. She has considerable experience defending clients in tort and commercial litigations, as well as white collar investigations. She utilizes a strategic global approach to matters, understanding that clients' individual needs are unique in all situations.

Select Experience

  • First-chaired federal jury trial on behalf of a client plaintiff and handled entirety of litigation, including jury selection, opening statements, direct and cross examinations, and closing argument.
  • Obtained a defense verdict in a state jury trial for a client as second-chair attorney to the trial team. Handled all pretrial litigation matters and conducted direct and cross-examinations at trial.
  • Represented corporate client through its internal investigation and simultaneous FBI investigation of former employee’s fraudulent theft of company assets. Included witness interviews, management of internal audit into financial irregularities, identification and analysis of multi-decade fraudulent financial scheme, and handling of company’s fidelity proof of loss and insurance recovery. Resulted in maximum multimillion-dollar insurance recovery and representation of client before the United States Department of Justice in the resulting criminal prosecution.
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Experience

  • First-chaired federal jury trial on behalf of a client plaintiff and handled entirety of litigation, including jury selection, opening statements, direct and cross examinations, and closing argument.
  • Obtained a defense verdict in a state jury trial for a client as second-chair attorney to the trial team. Handled all pretrial litigation matters and conducted direct and cross-examinations at trial.
  • Represented corporate client through its internal investigation and simultaneous FBI investigation of former employee’s fraudulent theft of company assets. Included witness interviews, management of internal audit into financial irregularities, identification and analysis of multi-decade fraudulent financial scheme, and handling of company’s fidelity proof of loss and insurance recovery. Resulted in maximum multimillion-dollar insurance recovery and representation of client before the United States Department of Justice in the resulting criminal prosecution.
  • Represented regulated public agency in its investigation of prime contractor’s violation of federal laws and regulations governing federally-funded construction projects. Included representation of client through federal investigations conducted by the Departments of Labor, and Housing and Urban Development.
  • Represents major pharmaceutical company in a series of cases regarding allegations of fraudulent marketing including those combined in one of the largest multidistrict litigations in the country.
  • Represents a senior elected government official in a high-profile probe being conducted by a Special Prosecutor in Ohio.
  • Represents a prominent individual in a criminal investigation related to stock manipulation, advising on the investigative process, and defenses and strategies before the Department of Justice.
  • Represented the audit committee of a $10 billion publicly traded chemical company. Conducted a highly sensitive independent internal investigation regarding an executive.
  • Serves as counsel to a prominent university in relation to third-party criminal acts, assessing and advising the client on risks and potential exposure to liability.
  • Represents public and private companies in state and federal tribunals in various tort, contract and public law litigation matters.

Recognitions and Memberships

Recognitions

  • Crain's Cleveland Business "40 Under 40" (2021)
  • The National Black Lawyers: Top 40 Under 40 (2020)
  • Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch: Commercial Litigation (2021)
  • Ohio Super Lawyers "Rising Star" (2018, 2021)

Memberships

  • American Bar Association
  • Ohio State Bar Association 
  • Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association 
  • American Inns of Court: The William K. Thomas Inn of Court

News

News

Publications

Alerts

Articles

Community

  • Teach for America: Greater Cleveland Regional Board
  • Foundation for Appalachian Ohio: Board of Directors
  • University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital Associate Board: Member (2019 to Present)
  • Recovery Resources
    • Associate Board Member (2014 to Present)
    • Associate Board Secretary (2015 to 2016)
    • Bi-Annual Bronze Key Planning Committee (2016 to 2017)
    • Member of Circle of Strength and Hope (2018 to Present)
  • Link’s Incorporated: Member (2017 to Present)
  • Ohio State Bar Association Council of Delegates: 12th District Delegate (2017 to 2019)
  • Miss West Virginia International (2018)
  • Maple Heights High School Mock Trial Team: Legal Advisor (2014 to 2015)
  • Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
    • 3Rs Program: Volunteer (2011 to Present)
    • Racial Equity and the Law Group, Promoting and Growing White Allyship: Co-Chair (2021)
  • Warner Girls’ Leadership Academy: Keynote Speaker (2013)
  • The Ohio State University
    • Alumni Association Member (2010 to Present)
    • Homecoming Court (2009)
    • Annual African American Heritage Festival: Co-Chair (2009)
    • Central Ohio Buckeye Leadership Conference Planning Committee (2007 to 2010)

Pro Bono

  • Representing client in Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals regarding a 1983 Civil Rights Action for excessive force at the hands of two corrections officers.

Services

Prior Positions

  • Ohio House of Representatives: Intern to State Representative Barbara H. Boyd

Admissions

  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
  • Ohio

Education

  • J.D., The Ohio State University Michael E. Moritz College of Law, 2013; Ohio State Journal of Criminal Law, Managing Editor; Black Law Students Association, Secretary
  • B.A., The Ohio State University, 2010, cum laude

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