Representing your interests in the State and Federal Courts throughout Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan and Illinois and in the Federal Courts of Colorado, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia

Representing your interests in the State and Federal Courts throughout Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan and Illinois and in the Federal Courts of Colorado, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia

Representing your interests in the State and Federal Courts throughout Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan and Illinois and in the Federal Courts of Colorado, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia

Representing your interests in the State and Federal Courts throughout Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan and Illinois and in the Federal Courts of Colorado, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia

Practice Areas

State Court Collection Matters

The legal process for collecting money from a judgment defendant on behalf of a creditor.  Once a judgment is obtained there are multiple ways of recovering the money due including, but not limited to: garnishment of wages; attachment of a bank account; examination in person of the judgment defendant’s assets; creditor’s bill; and other remedies.

Real Estate Foreclosure

The legal process for collecting money from a judgment defendant on behalf of a creditor.  Once a judgment is obtained there are multiple ways of recovering the money due including, but not limited to: garnishment of wages; attachment of a bank account; examination in person of the judgment defendant’s assets; creditor’s bill; and other remedies.

Creditor-Side Bankruptcy Representaion

Representation of creditors in bankruptcy matters including filing for relief from the bankruptcy stay, preparing and filing proofs of claim, reviewing and filing objections to plans of reorganization, and much more.  This also includes representation of creditors in bankruptcy litigation, often referred to as an adversary proceeding.

Replevins

Lawsuits filed in state court which enable a person or business to get back (recover) personal property taken wrongfully or unlawfully – to include failing to pay a creditor for the personal property – pending a final determination by the court.  Replevins are widely used when a person fails to make a payment on a vehicle and the creditor seeks to recover the vehicle through this legal process.

Business Formation & Transactions

Review and determination of the best structure for a new or existing business.  After careful review, preparation of the necessary paperwork that gets filed with the Secretary of State and also preparation of the corporate paperwork for the operation of the business.  Additional documents that can be prepared are Annual Meeting Minutes, Special Meeting Minutes, Corporate Resolutions, Shareholder Certificates and more.  As a final piece of incorporating your business, we are able to obtain your Federal Tax Identification Number from the IRS.

Eviction Actions

Legal process for removal of a tenant from property by a landlord, mortgagee or note holder.  This may also involve the removal of persons from a property that was foreclosed.

Pre-Purchase Document Review

Thinking of purchasing a note or piece of property and would like an attorney to review that?  Our firm can assist with this and will work with you to acquire the necessary documentation to aid in your determination of whether or not to proceed with the purchase.

Real Estate Transations

Preparation and drafting of such real estate documents as a deed, mortgage, assignment, note, land contract and more.

Law Updates

Meet The Attorneys

Franco Barile

Franco was licensed as an attorney in 2006 after graduating from Thomas M. Cooley Law School with a Juris Doctorate and from John Carroll University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.  Upon graduating and passing the Ohio Bar, Franco began working for a large firm in the Northeast Ohio area.  Franco honed his skills as an attorney handling a variety of real estate foreclosure issues, collection matters, title issues and transactional work during the years since he was first licensed and eventually opened Sottile & Barile, Attorneys at Law in 2015.

Franco maintains state bar licenses in Ohio and Michigan and federal licenses in the Northern District of Ohio and the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan.  Franco is a member of both the Ohio and Michigan State Bar Associations.

Tony Sottile

Tony was licensed as an attorney in 2002 after graduating from Ohio Northern University, Pettit College of Law with a Juris Doctorate and from Transylvania University with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration.  Upon graduating and passing the Ohio Bar, Tony began working for a national firm representing consumer debtors and small businesses in Chapter 7 and 13 bankruptcies.  In 2006, Tony began working for a firm specializing in representing creditors.  Since then, Tony has handled matters pertaining to bankruptcy, real estate foreclosure, eviction and more and in 2015, he opened Sottile & Barile, Attorneys at Law.

Tony is licensed in the States of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana as well as in the Federal District Courts of Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan and Illinois.  Tony is a member of the Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana State Bar Associations, the Cincinnati Bar Association and the National Association of Chapter Thirteen Trustees (NACTT).

Jon Lieberman

Jon earned his undergraduate degree and Juris Doctorate from the University of Cincinnati College of Law and began practicing law in 1992.  During his storied tenure in the legal community, Jon has represented consumer debtors, commercial debtors, large and small creditors, mortgage lenders and servicers, automobile creditors, student loan creditors as well as Chapter 7 and 13 trustees.  He has worked for some of the largest creditor firms in the region and in 2016, Jon brought his experience to Sottile & Barile, Attorneys at Law.

Jon is licensed in the States of Ohio, Michigan and Kentucky and maintains Federal licenses throughout Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Colorado, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia.  Jon is also able to practice in front of the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, the U.S. Court of International Trade and the U.S. Supreme Court.  Jon currently serves as an Associate Editor of the American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI) Journal and is a member of a variety of committees and bar associations.

Dennis V. Ferguson 

Dennis obtained his Bachelor's of Science degree from Indiana State University and earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Seattle.  Dennis brings over 30 years of legal experience in the mortgage default arena and is widely known as a problem solver using both a common sense and practical approach to serve his clients.  Dennis has worked for several regional and national firms in his storied career and began his partnership at Sottile & Barile, Attorneys at Law in 2022.  Dennis enjoys the fast pace of default work and has developed policies and procedures to ensure compliance with client’s expectations and completing milestones with a sense of urgency.

Dennis is licensed in Indiana and Alabama and is a veteran of the United States Army serving as an enlisted soldier and again as an officer in the U.S. Army JAG Corps.

Michael Lubes

After receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the State University of New York at Cortland, Michael spent seven years in the United States Navy as a Naval Flight Officer – including two deployments to the Persian Gulf.  After separating from the Navy, Michael obtained a Master of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of New Orleans.  He then became a Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation assigned to the Dallas, Texas Field Office.  After moving to Cincinnati, Ohio, Michael enrolled in, and graduated from, the Salmon P. Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University - obtaining his Ohio law license in 2004.  Michael’s tenure as an attorney includes time spent as a Law Clerk for the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas and stints with several consumer collections and defense firms prior to joining Sottile & Barile, Attorneys at law in 2017.

Besides his Ohio law license, Michael is also licensed with the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.

Michelle D. Heinz 

A life-long Cleveland equestrian, Michelle obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from Lake Erie College where she majored in Equine Facility Management with minors in Biology and Social Sciences, graduating Magna Cum Laude as an Honors Scholar. While attending law school at the University of Akron- School of Law, Michelle held a variety of managerial positions with companies such as the Iconic Group and the Mandel JCC of Cleveland. Her experience includes customer service, retail, research marketing, and equine husbandry in multiple industries such as agriculture, photography, education, and spiritous liquor, in addition to the legal field. Michelle has supervised international staff and has also managed a food truck, adding to her diversity. Michelle was admitted to the practice of law in May 2018, and briefly practiced as a solo practioner before joining Sottile & Barile.

 

Michelle is currently licensed in the State of Ohio and is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association and the Cleveland Bar Association, as well as the Ohio Farm Bureau, the Ohio Horseman’s Council, and the United States Equestrian Federation. She is also on the board of directors for CANTER Ohio.

Mary Spitz 

Mary became a licensed attorney in 2009 after graduating from Saint Louis University School of Law with a Juris Doctorate and from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana with a Bachelor of Arts degree. After obtaining her law license Mary began her career at a large creditors rights firm and she has never looked back. Mary has worked exclusively in the field of creditors rights representing large and small creditors in all manners of civil litigation. Mary also spent a period of time working in-house in the Default Litigation department of an Illinois-based mortgage servicer giving her an even greater perspective and understanding of the needs, hopes and wants of our clients.

Mary is licensed in the State of Illinois. Mary is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, the National Creditors Bar Association, the Illinois Creditors Bar Association, and she has written multiple articles for national industry publications.

Anthony Schievelbein

Anthony Schievelbein was licensed to practice law in 2020, working briefly in intellectual property law. Anthony is currently licensed in the State of Ohio, and is a member of the Cleveland Intellectual Property Law Association.

Anthony graduated from Colorado State University Pueblo with a BS in Psychology with minors in leadership development, chemistry, and biology prior to earning his JD from the University of Akron School of Law, with certificates in litigation, intellectual property, and oil and gas law.

In addition to the practice of law, Anthony enjoys watching new sci-fi shows, playing new video games, and trying new restaurants with his partner.

Amro Mustafa

After successful completion of his undergraduate work, Amro earned his Juris Doctorate from the Chicago-Kent College of Law in Chicago, Illinois and was admitted to practice in the state of Illinois in November 2021.

After handling some collection matters and practicing a short while handling family law matters, Amro joined the firm in 2022 as an associate attorney representing clients in collections and foreclosures matters.  Amro handles cases from inception through final post-judgment enforcement.  His passion for litigation enhances his skills in advocating for clients from various industries.

In his spare time, Amro enjoys cooking and working out.

Molly Simons

Molly has been a licensed attorney since 2008 after graduating from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Cleveland State University. With an undergraduate degree in Hospitality Food Service Management from Kent State University, Molly is a unique attorney as she approaches the practice of law with a hospitality background. Client’s satisfaction is of the utmost importance to her. Molly’s primary focus for the past ten years of her practice has been consumer Chapter 13 and Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. She has extensive experience representing Debtors through the course of a consumer bankruptcy process which makes her very well suited to the Creditor Rights practice at Sottile & Barile, Attorneys at Law.

Molly is licensed in the State of Ohio and the Southern District of Ohio Federal Court. She is a member of the Cincinnati Bar Association and currently sits on the Local Rules Committee for the Southern District of Ohio Bankruptcy Court.

Perhaps her most important role is that of Mother to her two beautiful children who never fail to keep her super busy and proud.

Joel F. Bornkamp

Joel was licensed in 2007 after graduating from The Thomas M. Cooley Law School with a Juris Doctorate and from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Arts in History, Criminal Justice, and Political Science. Upon passing the Indiana Bar, Joel began working as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Southeast Indiana. Joel then completed a Federal Judicial Clerkship with the Honorable Stephanie K. Bowman, United States Magistrate Judge, for the Southern District of Ohio. In 2011, Joel began working for a law firm focusing on Creditors’ Rights which dealt with the protection of lenders, borrowers, and guarantors during the default of secured loans. His practice included serving as an advocate during the workout of underperforming loans; filing and defending lawsuits to enforce promissory notes, guaranties, and other written contracts; foreclosing mortgages and enforcing personal property security interests. Currently, in addition to the above, Joel’s practice also includes representing mortgage loan servicers and the corresponding trusts/investors in consumer finance litigation, including contested residential foreclosures, title insurance claims, regulatory violation cases and tax sale disputes.

Joel is licensed to practice in the States of Colorado, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, and West Virginia as well as in the United States District Court for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana and the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia.

Dylan Dean Smith

Dylan obtained his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Webster University, along with a Sports Business certificate. He earned his Juris Doctorate from Ohio Northern University and holds licenses in Indiana, Illinois and Ohio. Dylan began his career in 2019 practicing Bankruptcy in St. Louis, Missouri, but found his way back to the Buckeye State in 2020 concentrating in the areas of Estate Planning and Domestic Relations.

Dylan brings problem solving techniques forged over his legal experience that translate seamlessly to the firm. He believes every issue can be resolved amicably and attempts to resolve problems to keep trust in the legal system.

Outside of work you can find Dylan playing with his Australian Shepherd, Wilson and two Great Danes, Blue and Cookie. When not wrangling up the puppies he is spending time with his wife and children, as well as rooting for his St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis Blues.

Zack Abbey

Zack graduated from the University of Akron with his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music before earning his JD from the University of Akron School of Law. After becoming licensed to practice law in 2022, he briefly practiced employment law. Zack is currently licensed in the State of Ohio and is a member of the Akron and Ohio State Bars.

Zack enjoys spending his free time outdoors with his wife and dogs, as well as playing video and board games with his friends.

Chris Manolis

Chris has twenty years of real estate default experience as an attorney. He obtained his bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Toledo. He worked for a law firm that was part of a national network, where he obtained extensive creditor’s rights experience advocating for his clients in foreclosures, bankruptcy, evictions, collections, and real estate litigation. He also worked for a Fortune 500 bank focusing on compliance with local, state, and Federal law. Chris is licensed to practice in the State of Ohio, as well as the United States District Court for the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio and the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana.

Michael Bablo

(Of Counsel)

Mike has been licensed to practice law since 1996 after obtaining his Bachelor of Arts from Purdue University and his Juris Doctorate from Temple University. He has worked almost exclusively as a creditor's rights attorney, including mortgage foreclosure and collection work for some of the largest creditors, banks and credit unions in the nation. Mike has managed a foreclosure department of a major nationwide creditor's rights firm as well as several departments in other firms, including basic workflow, client contact, and both trial and appellate litigation. Mike's management experience has allowed him to take a well-rounded and comprehensive view of the law to determine the best legal strategies for obtaining results for his clients as efficiently and effectively as possible. Mike's philosophy has always been summed up by the following motto - Practical Wisdom, Trusted Advice.

Jason A. Newman

(Of Counsel)

Jason is a seasoned attorney with a distinguished legal career spanning over two decades. He obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Denver (1997), and his Juris Doctorate from Case Western Reserve University School of Law (2001). With a strong foundation in Foreclosure Litigation, Civil/Commercial Litigation, and Real Estate Litigation, he has become a trusted advocate for Banks, Mortgage Lenders, and Loan Servicers. He has litigated a countless number of cases in Illinois’ Federal and State Courts, while serving as Chicago-based local counsel to dozens of law firms across the Country.

Jason is licensed to practice in Illinois and is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association. In his spare time, he enjoys attending concerts and sporting events, playing tennis, and exploring his passion for vintage cars.

Main Corporate Office:

Sottile & Barile, Attorneys at Law

7530 Lucerne Drive, Suite 210

Middleburg Heights, Ohio 44130

Phone: 440.572.1511

Fax: 440-230-3280

Southern Ohio Office:

Sottile & Barile, Attorneys at Law

394 Wards Corner Road, Suite 180

Loveland, OH 45140

Phone:  513.444.4100

 

Illinois Office:

Sottile & Barile, Attorneys at Law

1415 West 22nd Street, Tower Floor

Oak Brook, IL 60523

Phone: 440.572.1511

 

Indiana Office:

Sottile & Barile, Attorneys at Law

450 E 96th St Suite 500,

Carmel, IN 46240

Phone: 440.572.1511

 

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Areas of practice: State Court Collection Matters, Real Estate Foreclosure, Creditor-Side Bankruptcy Representation, Replevins, Garnishments, Real Estate Transactions, Eviction Actions, Pre-Purchase Document Review, Business Formation and Transactions