Joseph A. Castrodale

Joseph A. Castrodale

Vice Chairman of the Firm; Executive Chair, Litigation Practice Group

Cleveland

T 216.363.4409

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Overview

“He is a very experienced, go-to trial lawyer… a really creative, outside-the-box thinker.” – Chambers USA

Joseph represents large corporate clients in complex business and commercial disputes in federal and state courts throughout the country. These cases encompass securities law claims, shareholder derivative suits, business torts, contract disputes, class actions, product liability, defense of consumer claims, UCC matters, trade secrets, sports law and non-compete disputes. Additionally, Joe’s expertise includes all types of ADR proceedings.

Joe has repeatedly received recognition from the leading client and peer review services. In Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, he has been recommended as one of Chambers USA  “Leaders in their Field” among general commercial litigation lawyers. According to client feedback obtained during the Chambers USA selection process, Joe is described as a “brilliant guy who knows how to manage relationships and as such is a first port of call for a stable of large corporate clients.”  Other clients commented that “he is creative and passionate” on behalf of their causes, and possesses the “ability to come up with flexible solutions” to their problems. One client says, “He makes me feel as if I were his only client. He is responsive and constantly thinking about my case.”

What I Do

Antitrust & Competition
Commercial Litigation & Disputes
Consumer Protection & Class Actions
FINTECH & Payments
Intellectual Property Litigation
IP & IT Mediation Services
Litigation
Product Liability & Mass Tort Litigation
Securities & Commodities Litigation & Investigations
Trade Secrets Litigation

Featured endorsements

Experience

Won dismissals of three significant class actions on behalf of large national insurance company.

Key Contacts: Joseph A. Castrodale

Successfully defended trade secret and breach of contract case seeking in excess of $30 million against a large multinational corporation.

Key Contacts: Joseph A. Castrodale

Settled for a nominal amount a putative multi-state class action seeking in excess of $100 million in damages for a large international financial institution.

Key Contacts: Joseph A. Castrodale

Defense of two of the largest payment processing companies in putative nationwide class action consolidated in federal court in Georgia. The allegations concern the companies’ pricing and fee practices. It is expected that the plaintiffs will seek in excess of $100 million.

Key Contacts: James E. von der HeydtGregory J. PhillipsJoseph A. CastrodaleDavid D. Pope

Defeated class certification attempt in putative nationwide class action brought by prominent class action plaintiffs’ firm against a large publicly traded company.

Key Contacts: Joseph A. Castrodale

Successfully represented Eaton in breach of contract litigation against a Canadian licensee over approximately $4 million in overdue royalties. The case settled on highly favorable terms, with a $3.2 million payment to Eaton.

Key Contacts: Gregory J. PhillipsJoseph A. CastrodaleMichael J. Meyer

Represented Cooper Lighting LLC, a subsidiary of Eaton Corporation, in an action for replevin and emergency injunctive relief after the supplier of a critical subcomponent abruptly shuttered its factory’s doors, jeopardizing a suite of products produced by Cooper. After obtaining the emergency injunctive relief, the case settled on confidential terms.

Key Contacts: Gregory J. PhillipsJoseph A. CastrodaleMichael J. Meyer

Successfully enforced three non-competes, including one against the former head of a U.S. division, on behalf of a major international sports agency.

Key Contacts: Joseph A. Castrodale

Successfully arbitrated real estate contract case in which the opposing party sought millions.

Key Contacts: Joseph A. Castrodale

Represented world-renowned athlete in obtaining millions in licensing fees in connection with a licensing dispute.

Key Contacts: Joseph A. Castrodale

Won dismissal of a putative federal securities class action seeking in excess of $1 billion in damages for large multinational corporation.

Key Contacts: Joseph A. Castrodale

Won a week long bench trial in a non-compete and trade secrets case.

Key Contacts: Joseph A. Castrodale

Served as lead outside counsel for client in large complex contract dispute which settled with client recovering $17.5 million after two days of mediation.

Key Contacts: Joseph A. Castrodale

Successfully defended CEO of HTV Industries, a Delaware corporation, from claims of breach of fiduciary duty and fraud brought by a minority shareholder and fellow board member. The lawsuit presented complex questions under Delaware corporate law. After multiple rounds of briefing, the Court granted our motion to dismiss in its entirety.

Key Contacts: Trevor G. CoveyGregory J. PhillipsJoseph A. Castrodale

Obtained $10 million settlement in a UCC dispute involving two Fortune 500 clients.

Key Contacts: Joseph A. Castrodale

Representation of IMG College in a putative antitrust class action filed by Chris Spielman, a former collegiate and professional football star, against IMG College and The Ohio State University in federal court in Ohio. The allegations include claims of antitrust violations for price-fixing and concerted refusal to deal; violations of the Lanham Act; and violations of state right-of-publicity laws. In addition to class-wide damages of an unspecified amount, the plaintiff is challenging the structure of the long-term relationship between every NCAA college and its student-athletes.

Key Contacts: Gregory J. PhillipsJoseph A. Castrodale

Tried to defense verdict a jury trial in a toxic tort case on behalf of a large national product manufacturer.

Key Contacts: Joseph A. Castrodale

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Credentials

Education

Harvard University Law School, 1983, J.D.
  • magna cum laude
Youngstown State University, 1980, B.A.
  • summa cum laude

Clerkships and Bar Admissions

Ohio
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

More

  • Past Member, Rules Advisory Committee, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
  • Past Member, Magistrate Selection Committee, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
  • Past Member, Judge Anthony J. Celebrezze Inn of Court
  • Member, American Bar Association
  • Member, Ohio State Bar Association
  • Member, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
  • Member, Northern Ohio Chapter of the Federal Bar Association (Founder Trustee)
  • Listed, Legal 500 Elite City Focus – Ohio Commercial Disputes
  • Named, Thomson Reuters Stand-Out Lawyer, 2024-2025
  • Listed, Chambers USA Leading Lawyers, General Commercial Litigation, 2008-2025
  • USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, 2015
  • Named, BTI Client Service All-Star, 2011, 2015
  • Listed, Benchmark Litigation, Litigation Star, 2014-2026
  • Listed, Ohio Super Lawyers, General Litigation, 2006-2026
  • Listed, The Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation; Litigation – Banking and Finance; Litigation – Mergers and Acquisitions; Litigation – Securities, 2007-2023, 2025, 2026
    • 2022 “Lawyer of the Year”
  • Listed, “Leading Lawyer” in Northeast Ohio in a survey of lawyers by Inside Business Magazine, 2009-2011 (2011 final year of survey)
  • AV® Rated, Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review
  • Acritas Star – independently rated lawyer