Sanford E. Watson

Sanford E. Watson is Counsel in the Cleveland office of Tucker Ellis & West LLP. He is a trial lawyer practicing in the areas of business litigation, medical products liability, and public law. He has extensive trial experience in the areas of business litigation, criminal law, government contracts, and municipal law. He has also conducted internal investigations in the private and public sector.

Prior to joining Tucker Ellis & West, Sanford was the Director of Public Safety for the City of Cleveland. During his tenure as Director of Public Safety, he successfully negotiated a number of mutual aid agreements to strengthen partnerships with other police departments in the Cleveland area. Mr. Watson has also served as the Chief Prosecutor for the City of Cleveland.

Sanford, early in his career, clerked for the Honorable Patricia Ann Blackmon, Court of Appeals of Ohio, Eighth Judicial District, and taught Appellate Advocacy at Case Western Reserve University School of Law.

Representative Cases

Pelc v. Hartford Fire Insurance, No. 2003CA00162, 2003 WL 22665987, 2003-Ohio-6021 (Ohio App. 5 Dist., Nov. 10, 2003). All claims against the City of Avon, Ohio dismissed in an order granting summary judgment on the basis of political subdivision tort liability immunity. The decision was affirmed on appeal.

Cleveland Steel Container Corporation v. Stonebrooke Condominium Owners Association, Common Pleas Court of Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Declaratory judgment action involving the Constitutionality of condominium association by-laws. Bench Trial 2000.

Orange Village v. Tri-Star Development Co., et al, Common Pleas Court of Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Eminent domain action involving the valuation of commercial real estate. Jury Trial 1999.

Bradley A. Dennis, M.D. v. Eastside Physicians Ob-Gyn Inc., et al, Common Pleas Court of Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Breach of contract action involving the sale of a medical practice. Jury Trial 1998.

City of Cleveland v. Wirtz, Cleveland Municipal Court, Ohio. Assault conviction of principal for attack on a teacher. Jury Trial 1989.

City of Cleveland v. Stockdale, Cleveland Municipal Court, Ohio. Negligent vehicular homicide conviction based largely upon expert toxicology and accident reconstruction evidence. Jury Trial 1989.

Recent Speaking Engagements

Is the Business Case for Diversity Dead?, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, 4^th Annual Diversity Networking Conference, Conference Co-Chair and Panel Moderator (March 2011)

Ethical Issues to Beware of, Institute for Paralegal Education Seminar (June 2009) 

Civic & Professional Involvement

Federal Bar Association, Northern District of Ohio Chapter, Director
Supreme Court of Ohio’s Board of Commissioners on Grievances & Discipline, Commissioner
Judicial Conference of the Ohio Eighth District, Life Member
Domestic Violence Center, Trustee
Norman S. Minor Bar Association, Past President
Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Diversity Roundtable
Defense Research Institute
William K. Thomas Inn, American Inns of Court (1991 - 2004)
Tucker Ellis & West Diversity Committee, Chairperson

Full Bio