Overview
Important decisions that shape communities are made every day in city halls, county offices and local agencies around the state. Benesch is dedicated to helping clients achieve positive outcomes at the local level, which requires more than just legal knowledge. It demands a deep understanding of local processes, strong relationships and a strategic approach to advocacy.
Benesch’s Government Relations team is well-versed in the unique challenges and opportunities that come with local government work. We regularly assist clients with legislative initiatives, procurement matters and navigating the often-complex world of local regulations. Our experience extends to zoning and land use, where we have built a strong reputation for securing favorable results before planning commissions, boards of zoning appeals, city councils and local courts.
Benesch also represents counties and municipalities, adding to our understanding of local government operations and strengthening our network of relationships. This dual perspective allows us to anticipate challenges, identify opportunities and deliver practical solutions for our clients.
Whether you are seeking approval for a development project, advocating for a legislative change or addressing a procurement issue, our team is committed to helping you achieve your goals at the local level—where the impact is felt most directly by businesses and communities alike.
Experience
Resolved longstanding criminal proceeding against senior living facility through combination of legal and governmental advocacy.
Resolved permitting dispute on behalf country’s only African American-owned circus so the show could go on.
Provided Pro-bono counsel to Chicago City Council Latino Caucus regarding re-districting process.
Represented various clients in their challenge to the Cleveland School tuition vouchers program.
Advised Cuyahoga County Board of Elections on competing ballot issues to reform county government.
Served as outside general counsel to Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish’s transition team.
Drafted and lobbied for passage of local government ordinance amending City of Columbus noise code to protect manufacturing business’ property rights threatened by rezoning of neighboring property.
Successfully advocated against City of Cleveland proposed ordinance holding security alarm companies financially responsible for false alarms.
Worked with City of Cleveland to allow Ringling Bros. Circus to proceed over legal objections to the use of an elephant guide.
Obtained rezoning of parcel to permit construction of apartment building.
Resolved administrative appeal challenging township denial of zoning variance for an accessory structure. Structure ultimately allowed.
Won at trial decision overturning BZA order denying requested zoning variances.
Defeated in litigation attempt by landowner to build structure over objections of neighbor.
Obtained use variance allowing law firm to operate in residential district.
Obtained use variance to operate facility on behalf of an international machine gear works company.
Obtained declaration of similar permitted use and conditional use permit on behalf of national transportation company for operation of regional dispatch and preventative maintenance facility.
No results found
Key Contacts

Robert A. Zimmerman
Chair, Government Relations Practice Group; Partner, Litigation Practice Group Cleveland rzimmerman@beneschlaw.com
N. Victor Goodman
Retired Partner Columbus nvgoodman@beneschlaw.com
Juan Morado Jr.
Co-Chair, Inclusion & Opportunity Committee Chicago jmorado@beneschlaw.com
Martha J. Sweterlitsch
Partner Columbus msweterlitsch@beneschlaw.com
Rachel Winder
Government Relations Manager Columbus rwinder@beneschlaw.com
Cheryl Burchard
Government Relations Assistant Columbus cburchard@beneschlaw.com