Biography
Handling criminal defense is not easy, especially as a solo attorney. The State of Ohio, through the offices of the county prosecutor, has nearly unlimited resources to bring to bear in a criminal matter. In order to overcome the inequity of resources, Mike had to work extra hard to ensure that the rights of each client were protected. Sometimes this meant taking trips into some very dangerous neighborhoods to view a crime scene and to track down witnesses, or staying up all night researching legal issues in order to find that elusive ‘one case’ that might allow his client to better his or her situation.

Many cases required him to become intimately familiar with areas unfamiliar to attorneys such as science and medicine. Mike spent countless hours studying diverse topics such as crime scene investigation/forensic science, the mechanics of traumatic head injury and theories surrounding ‘shaken baby syndrome,’ as well as learning how to cook up a batch of methamphetamine. Mike believes that if the attorney does not understand the intricacies of each case then he is not properly representing his client and is giving opposing counsel the upper hand. In his courtroom, Mike would expect both sides of each case, be it a civil or criminal matter, to show the same level of dedication and professionalism to their respective clients.

Mike’s passion for helping others also drove him to serve as a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) for the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court. In that role he worked to protect the rights of children who were alleged to have been abused and/or neglected by their parents or caregivers. The role required a measured combination of compassion for the children at issue and tough love for the involved parents, many of whom suffered from mental illness and/or drug addiction issues. Mike often found himself as the key decision-maker in many of the cases he handled. The toughest cases were those that involved the termination of parental rights, so he took the time to properly investigate all angles of the matter before issuing a decision that could result in the imposition of a grant of Permanent Custody, otherwise known as the “juvenile court death penalty.” Mike views the work he did as a GAL with great pride and looks to bring the experience and wisdom he gained from those cases to the Common Pleas bench.

In 2006, Mike added a new field of experience to his background by working as a financial advisor for a major Wall Street investment firm. As timing would have it, he entered the financial arena at the very height of the markets and experienced the subsequent economic turmoil first-hand. During the period of upheaval in the markets, he worked diligently to protect the investments of his clients, many of whom faced the potential loss of their life savings. Mike again learned the value of thorough research by reviewing countless investment options to find specific solutions for each of his advisory clients that would best fit their needs. Instead of hiding during the economic storm, Mike strived to maintain regular lines of communication with his clients in order to keep them updated as to the status of the markets and the performance of their investments, sometimes providing daily commentaries at the height of the turbulence.

Mike prides himself on having built a reputation for honesty, integrity and dedication throughout his legal and financial careers. He makes it a point to treat opposing counsel with the utmost respect, to be on time for hearings, and to be prepared each time. Although it should go without being said, Mike also treats each of his clients with respect and dignity, regardless of the character or severity of the situation that each is facing. He is proud of the fact that he has never received a client complaint through any bar association or the Supreme Court of Ohio, nor through the securities regulatory board. He believes that this reflects the strong nature of the relationships that he has developed with his clients over the years.

It is Mike Astrab’s strong work ethic, his positive attitude and desire to maintain honesty and integrity in all aspects of his life that make him a strong candidate for the Common Pleas bench. Every party and attorney that comes before his bench will be treated with the respect and dignity that they deserve. While not everyone is entitled to ‘win’ their case, no one should walk out of a courtroom feeling that they were disrespected, ignored and/or denied a fair hearing on the merits of their case. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall summed it up best when he said that “We must never forget that the only real source of power that we as judges can tap is the respect of the people.” That is something that Mike Astrab understands, respects and will honor each day that he sits on the Court.

Personal
Mike, 38, is an eight-year resident of Strongsville, where he lives with his wife Carrie and children Nicholas (8) and Kayla (5). Prior to moving to Strongsville he lived in Lakewood for seven years. Mike is a 1989 graduate of Solon High School, a 1993 graduate of Miami University and a 1997 graduate of the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his family and is a long-suffering fan of our Cleveland sports franchises.