• Practice Areas • Practices • Crisis Management and Communications—and Reputation Defense
During and outside of litigation, we manage high-profile legal crises subject to public and media scrutiny, including those fused with political and public-policy dynamics.
We provide comprehensive legal and crisis-communications strategies that not only address the complex legal issues but also consider the broader implications for your personal and professional reputation.
Strategic Legal Counsel in High-Stakes Situations
Our firm focuses in navigating complex legal matters that attract public attention, including:
- Whistleblower retaliation: Representing clients who have exposed misconduct and faced subsequent retaliation.
- First Amendment iolations: Defending individuals whose rights to free speech and expression have been infringed upon.
- Public-corruption allegations: Providing defense against accusations of misconduct in public office, or orchestrating media and public scrutiny for those whose conduct deserves to be challenged.
- Defamation (slander and libel) allegations: Pursuing and defending against claims that people made and disseminated false statements injurious to reputation.
- Employment disputes: Handling cases involving wrongful termination, discrimination, and harassment.
Our approach is tailored to each client's unique situation, ensuring that legal strategies are aligned with personal and professional objectives.
Notable Cases Reflecting Our Experience
Our firm's track record includes several high-profile cases that demonstrate our capability in crisis situations:
- Estate of Tamir Rice v. City of Cleveland: Relentlessly held both the local prosecutor’s office and the City of Cleveland accountable for persistent system failures leading up to and following the death of a 12-year-old child at the hands of police officers. Continued, on behalf of Tamir’s mother Samaria Rice, to hold Officer Timothy Loehmann accountable every time he was inexplicably re-employed as a police officer by drawing national and international media attention to the injustice. Co-counsled civil case resulted in record $6,000,000 settlement.
- Raycom v. City of Cleveland: Successfully defended the mayor of the City of Cleveland, Ohio against relentless attack by TV station, defeating accusations of First Amendment retaliation.
- Youngstown Publ. v. McKelvey: Successfully defended mayor of Youngstown, Ohio against First Amendment–retaliation suit by Youngstown Business Journal.
- Gary Brack v. Cuyahoga County: Represented and obtained a settlement for a whistleblower who exposed dangerous jail conditions, and was wrongly removed from his job—leading to significant public discourse.
- Buddenberg v. Weisdack: Achieved a landmark Ohio Supreme Court decision affirming crime victims’ rights to seek civil damages without prior criminal convictions. This case is routinely cited in federal and state courts addressing civil liability for criminal acts under Ohio law.
- Ricky Morrison v. Mahoning County: By beating a public drum about the gross injustice, secured reinstatement for a county worker terminated after exercising his First Amendment rights, highlighting issues of political retaliation.
- Raymond Ku v. Mitchell: Effectively forced law-school dean to resign from his position and settled case following retaliation allegations by our client, who raised concerns about sexual harassment against third parties and endured retaliation for doing so.
- Ali v. City of Cleveland: Saved the career of an airport employee who blew the whistle to the FAA about unsafe runway conditions, but was then, in retaliation, reassigned from his job and sent to work (literally) in a mop closet. Obtained over half-a-million dollars in compensation for him.
- Martin Desmond v. Mahoning County and Paul Gains: fought for former assistant prosecutor who raised concerns with the elected prosecutor about constitutional violations, only to face firing and retaliation. Obtained $550,000 settlement and educated the public about the injustice. The elected prosecutor resigned in the middle of his term.
- Mazzola v. City of Independence: Protected and restored reputation of police lieutenant who was constructively discharged from his police department and career over his opposition to unethical ticket quotas. Obtained a settlement of nearly $1,000,000.
- Haitian Bridge Alliance criminal charges against Donald Trump and J.D. Vance. When Donald Trump and J.D. Vance disrupted public services and induced panic in Springfield, Ohio with lies about Haitian immigrants “eating dogs and cats,” we helped the Haitian Bridge Alliance push back with criminal charges under a statutory provision. Trump and Vance stopped lying and inducing chaos (on those topics) immediately after charges were filed. The crisis diminished over time.
- These examples underscore our commitment to defending clients against powerful entities, in the face of intense public scrutiny. (Of course, past results do not guarantee future ones and every case’s outcome depends on unique facts and law.)
Leadership with a Proven Track Record
Subodh Chandra, our founding and managing partner, brings a wealth of experience to crisis-communications management, along with high-stakes litigation. His experiences in politics, as a federal prosecutor, and as a city attorney gave him a set of experiences that allow him to see beyond the moment, think three steps ahead, and lay out a strategy for his clients—and set of traps for adversaries. He is also tireless and relentless and prepared to engage in rapid-response to fast-moving events.
He has a deep understanding of the legal and political landscapes. His leadership has been instrumental in guiding clients through complex legal challenges while preserving and protecting their reputations.
Client Testimonials
Our clients’ experiences speak to our dedication and effectiveness:
“Being fraudulently and maliciously accused... I retained The Chandra Law Firm LLC because of Subodh Chandra, Esq.’s mastery of the law and proven record of success... I am grateful for his representation and highly recommend The Chandra Law Firm LLC.”
“The Chandra Law Firm guided me through the most difficult time in my life... Subodh is charismatic, empathetic, and brilliant... I would highly recommend him and his law firm for anything employment related.”
Contact Us
If you’re facing a legal crisis that threatens your reputation, or justly need to challenge the reputation of others because of their misconduct, contact The Chandra Law Firm LLC for a confidential consultation. Our team is prepared to provide the strategic counsel and robust defense you need.
At Chandra Law, your case is our cause.®