Solo Practitioner Spotlight
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When I sat down after making my closing arguments, I could see my client sitting there with tears in her eyes.”
“It is an exciting thing to present someone else’s case,” said Wills. “The courtroom is the culmination of so much work that goes into a case. It’s the opportunity to encapsulate it all.” Those closing arguments have been the culmination of many successful cases for Wills. However, the closing argument that stands out as the one he remembers most vividly is actually a case he lost. “When I sat down after making my closing arguments, I could see my client sitting there with tears in her eyes,” explained Wills. “It was the emotion that she felt about the way I was able to articulate her position. Even though I lost the case, I felt I did right by her.” Wills focused on the art of argument while studying philosophy and international studies at Denison University. During that time, his arguments were primarily written — a skill that also translates to his practice today. Wills fell in love with delivering oral arguments as a member of the Moot Court team at Cleveland-Marshall. He credits moot court for developing the courtroom skills he uses regularly in practice. Wills’ journey towards solo practice began by working as an attorney at a pair of Cleveland area law firms after graduating from Cleveland-Marshall. Those positions were great learning experiences for the Bay Village, Ohio native, but he ultimately wanted to spend more time in the courtroom. The idea of starting his own practice was always in the back of his mind, and when the timing was right in 2009, he jumped at the opportunity to hang his own shingle. Now five years into practice on his own, Wills is satisfied with how his establishment has taken form, and is helping shape the next generation of solo practitioners as a member of ClevelandMarshall’s Solo Incubator Advisory Council. He particularly enjoys the flexibility solo practice affords in deciding which cases to take, and making connections on his own terms — discoveries he will pass on as he connects with the latest Cleveland-Marshall graduates entering solo practice.
Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
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