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carter-e-strang

Carter E. Strang

Position
Partner
Locations
Cleveland, OH
D
216.696.3956
F
216.592.5009
Email
carter.strang@tuckerellis.com
vCard
vcard

Carter Strang has handled a broad range of matters in both state and federal court with a primary focus on environmental, mass tort, and product liability litigation.

Before attending law school, Carter earned both the Jennings Scholar and Taft Fellow teaching awards in his career as a high school teacher and coach. The first in his family to practice law, he became interested in a legal career as a result of exposure to local attorneys – including former Congressman Louis Stokes – who were guest speakers in his classes.

Carter has found his teaching and coaching provided excellent leadership training, which he has put to use both at the firm as a trial attorney and in the community.

“My toughest audience was not a jury. It was a class of high school seniors during their last month of school. Keeping them interested and engaged was a real challenge.”

It is indeed gratifying, he reports, when those former students – many of whom are now local attorneys – tell him the positive impact he had on their lives.

Carter is the only person to have served as president of both the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association and the Federal Bar Association Northern District of Ohio Chapter. It is through those bar associations and as a Tucker Ellis partner that he creates and fosters innovative, award-winning educational, environmental, and diversity programs and initiatives that serve as models nationwide.

During his tenure (2012-2013) as president of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association (CMBA), Carter created the Stokes Scholars Program, a pipeline diversity program that provides paid summer legal internships for college students. Fulfilling its motto, “Changing Lives One Student At A Time,” it won the 2014 Ohio State Bar Foundation Outstanding Program Award, the 2013 Expys Best New Internship Award, and the 2013 NABE LexisNexis Community & Educational Outreach Award.

Carter also authored the curriculum for the CMBA award-winning 3Rs program (law-based classroom instruction and counseling in Cleveland public schools), and he initiated the CMBA Citizens Legal Academy, providing adults information about “hot button” legal topics.

Carter is the immediate past president of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation.

Carter founded the CMBA Green Initiative, which certifies local law firms for environmentally responsible practices, such as recycling and responsible energy and paper use. Over 45 firms are now “CMBA Green Certified,” including Tucker Ellis. The firm won the CMBA’s inaugural Green Innovation Award. Carter was instrumental in the creation of the firm’s Green Initiative Committee and has been a member since its inception. In recognition of his leadership in this area, Carter received CMBA’s 2017 Green Sustainability Award.

Carter initiated and administers the Tucker Ellis Pipeline Program, which includes partnerships with urban public schools in all of the firm’s offices. As a result of this program and the firm’s overall equity and inclusion efforts, Tucker Ellis earned the inaugural CMBA Trailblazer Award in 2012, and the Los Angeles office program received the 2010 Pillar Partnership Spotlight Award.

Well known in the Northeast Ohio community, Carter has been the subject of many feature articles, including “Diversity and Pride,” Shaker Life Magazine (February-March 2013); “Bar President Carter Strang Says Percentage of Minorities in Law ‘Unacceptable,’” The Plain Dealer (2012); and “The Interview: Carter E. Strang, President, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association,” Crain’s Cleveland Business (2012). Other features include “Who to Watch: Law,” Crain’s Cleveland Business (2012); “What One Law Firm and One Lawyer Have Done for Our City’s Youngsters,” Law Notes, a publication of Cleveland-Marshall Law Alumni Association (2009); “In the Green, Local Lawyer Comes to Defense of Sustainability,” Cleveland Business Connects Magazine; and “Teacher Turned Lawyer,” Kent State Magazine (2009). In addition, Carter was the subject of a tribute video prepared by the Cleveland-Marshall Law Alumni Association. He has been frequently quoted in The National Law Journal, The New York Times, and other publications on a variety of topics.

Carter is a Leader-in-Residence at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, volunteering his time and expertise to benefit the students and faculty. He is also a member of its Board of Visitors and 2016 Alumni of the Year.

Carter is a two-sport college athlete and avid cycler and runner. He participated in the Pan Ohio Hope Ride (Cincinnati to Cleveland), which benefited the American Cancer Society, and in Pedal to the Point (Cleveland to Sandusky and back), which benefited the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Participating in the Cleveland Triathlon as a member of Team Benjamin, Carter won an individual gold medal and raised money for the United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Cleveland. Carter and his wife Deedra (Siegel) Strang are the parents of five sons and grandparents of three grandchildren.

Education
Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (J.D., 1984)
Kent State University (Master of Education, 1979)
Kent State University (B.S., cum laude, 1973); Honors College; Phi Alpha Theta (History Honorary); Kappa Delta Pi (Education Honorary)
State Admissions
Ohio, 1984
District of Columbia (inactive), 1986
Federal Admissions
Supreme Court of the United States
United States Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio
United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio
Service Areas
Environmental & Renewable Energy
Mass Tort & Product Liability
  • Obtained a defense verdict in CERCLA trial and drafted successful appellee’s brief to the United States 6th Circuit, which rejected appellant’s “passive migration” claims
  • Obtained summary judgment in products liability case against manufacturer of a miter saw
  • Obtained a judgment in a CERCLA trial against prior owner of client’s property, where “innocent landowner” and pre-existing contribution protection were at issue
  • Obtained a settlement in a RCRA “Citizen Suit” injunctive action on behalf of a bank arising from contamination of its property from abandoned UST tanks and product lines
  • Obtained a judgment against a major international oil company for contamination of a service station’s property during a UST gasoline delivery, and sanctions against its counsel for discovery abuses
  • Obtained a defense verdict for coffee maker manufacturers after trial where plaintiff asserted claim alleging the maker caused a fire
  • Obtained an injunction against a major international supermarket chain on behalf of a local shopping center owner where the chain closed its store, ceasing payment of its percentage rents
  • Obtained a “de minimis” CERCLA settlement on behalf of local car dealers in multimillion-dollar claim against them arising from used oil contamination and successfully asserted claims against the clients’ carriers for payment of settlement proceeds
  • Obtained summary judgment on behalf of a major oil company in a benzene exposure claim
  • Obtained a defense verdict where plaintiff alleged thoracic outlet surgery was necessitated by client’s negligent driving
  • Obtained summary judgment for a manufacturer of an asbestos-containing product

Speaking Engagements

  • “Corporate Partnership Roundtable,” InMotion (April 2021)
  • “May 4, 1970 Kent State University Shootings,” Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association (April 2021)
  • “Lee Fisher and Peggy Zone Fisher Honored by Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation for Leadership,” The Sound of Ideas, ideastream (January 2021)
  • “Networking Best Practices,” Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Federal Bar Association Chapter (November 2020) 
  • “50 Years: Kent State’s Living Legacy,” Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association Webinar (May 2020)
  • “The Kent State Shootings, May 4, 1970 – The Day the War Came Home,” Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (2019); Music Box Supper Club (2019); Shaker Heights Public Library (2018); and The Judge John M. Manos American Inn of Court (2018)
  • “Reflections on the Vietnam War Era,” ArtistFirst Radio Network (November 2018)
  • “The Louis Stokes Scholars Program,” Kaleidoscope, WEWS TV (2018)
  • “Corporate Representative Depositions and Proportionality – Avoiding Traps for the Unwary,” Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Cleveland, Ohio (2017)
  • “‘Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!’ The Importance of Following the Yellow Brick Road in Corporate Representative Depositions,” 2017 In-House Counsel Summit, Tucker Ellis LLP, Cleveland, Ohio (2017)
  • “Creating and Sustaining Successful Pipeline Programs – Stepping Stones to a More Diverse & Inclusive Profession,” Webinar, Federal Bar Association (2016)
  • “The Life and Legacy of Louis Stokes,” Suburban Temple Kol-Ami Black History Month Celebration, Cleveland, Ohio (2016)
  • “The Fracking Battleground – Home Rule vs. Preemption,” Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association (2015)
  • “Changing Lives One Student at a Time: The 3Rs and Tucker Ellis Pipeline Programs,” Ohio State Bar Foundation 2015 Fellows Meeting, Delaware, Ohio (2015)
  • “Recent Adoptions of Local Creeds and Aspirational Statements for Lawyers and Judges,” Ohio Professional Conduct Seminar, Tucker Ellis LLP, Cleveland, Ohio (2014)
  • “Greening Your Legal Practice,” Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Environmental Law Symposium (2014) 
  • “United States Law & Legal Reasoning – The First Amendment,” Kent State University Honors College (2014)
  • “Chief Justice: A Call for Judicial Reform,” The Sound of Ideas, National Public Radio 90.3 WCPN Ideastream panel member (2013)
  • “CMBA Opposition to Proposed 5% Tax on Legal Services,” Ohio Senate and House Ways & Means Committees (2013)
  • “Presidential Columns – No Writer’s Block Allowed,” ABA Leadership Institute (2013)
  • “Tucker Ellis Pipeline Diversity Program – A Tool Kit for Action,” CMBA Diversity & Inclusion Forum (2013)
  • “The Tucker Ellis/Cleveland Early College High School Partnership,” Kaleidoscope, News Channel 5 (2011)
  • “CMBA’s Green Initiative,” Association of Legal Administrators (2011)
  • “Kent State Shootings: The Legal Implications, a 40 Year Retrospective,” CMBA CLE (2010)
  • “30(b)(6) Depositions: A Trap for the Unwary,” OACTA CLE (2010)
  • “Going Green – Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association’s Green Initiative,” Ohio Regional Association of Law Libraries Annual Convention (2009)
  • “Corporate Representative Depositions – an Overview of Rule 30 (b) (6),” FBA-NDOC CLE Advanced Federal Practice Seminar (2009) and The Cleveland Bar Association (CBA) Litigation Institute CLE (2007)
  • “Increasing Diversity in the Legal Profession,” Los Angeles County Bar Association Diversity Summit (2007)
  • “Tucker Ellis/Cleveland Early College High School Pipeline Diversity Partnership,” Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association Managing Partner Conference (2007)
  • “Houston We Have a Problem – Use of RCRA Citizen Suits for Injunctive Relief,” CBA Environmental Law Section (2006)
  • “Citizen Suits – Post Cooper,” Cleveland Bar Association Environmental Law Section Seminar (2006)
  • “A Case Between Private Parties,” Cleveland Bar Association Federal Court Training Program (2004)
  • “Civil Litigation,” Cleveland Bar Association Trial Advocacy Seminar (2003)
  • “CERCLA Update,” Arter & Hadden Environmental Law Institute (2001)
  • “Judgments in Ohio,” Ohio State Bar Association Fundamentals of Ohio Civil Practice Program (1997)
  • “Litigation Basics,” Ohio CLE Institute (1996)
  • “Summary Judgment,” Ohio Legal Institute (1995-1997)
  • “Handling Coverage Disputes: The Use of Declaratory Judgment Actions in Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Cases,” Cuyahoga County Bar Association Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage Seminar (1994, 1995)
  • “Discovery in Ohio,” Ohio CLE Institute (1993)
  • “Ohio Rules of Evidence – Overview,” Ohio CLE Institute (1992, 1993)
  • “Procedural Issues in Litigation,” Ohio CLE Institute (1992)

Publications

Media

  • Marquis Who’s Who (2020)
  • 2019 Hall of Fame Inductee, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
  • 2017 Green Sustainability Award, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
  • 2016 Alumni of the Year, Cleveland-Marshall Law Alumni Association
  • 2014 Ohio State Bar Foundation Ramey Award for Community Service
  • 2014 Kent State University Distinguished Alumni Award
  • 2013 DRI Lifetime Community Service Award
  • 2013 Federal Bar Association Elaine “Boots” Fisher Award
  • 2011 Kent State University Distinguished Honors College Alumni Award
  • 2011 Kent City Schools Hall of Fame
  • 2010 Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association Justice for All Volunteer of the Year
  • 2009 Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys (OACTA) Distinguished Contributions to the Community Award
  • Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent® Peer Rating
  • Top Rated Lawyers Guide to Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Law
  • Top Rated Lawyers, Cleveland’s Legal Leaders
  • Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
    • Leader-in-Residence
    • Dean’s Cabinet
    • Board of Visitors
    • Originator, the Joel J. Finer Criminal Procedure Award
    • Alumni Association
      • Life Member
      • Board of Trustees (Honorary)
  • Kent State University (KSU)
    • Alumni Association Life Member
    • Honors College Advisory Board, Chair
    • Honors College Alumni Association
  • The Center for Community Solutions
    • Board of Directors, Past Chair
  • Classrooms to Corporations, Advisory Board of Directors
  • Cleveland Council on World Affairs
    • Board of Directors, Chair
    • Cleveland Council on World Affairs Foundation, member
  • Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
    • Board member
  • Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation
    • Immediate Past President
    • Fellow
  • Ohio State Bar Foundation
    • Ohio State Bar Foundation Fellows Class of 2011
    • Life Fellow
  • Eighth District (Ohio) Judicial Conference, Life Member
  • Judge John M. Manos American Inn of Court, Master Barrister
  • Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys, Diversity Committee
  • Tucker Ellis Pipeline Program Coordinator, Equity & Inclusion Committee, and Green Initiative Advisor
  • Cuyahoga County Democratic Party
  • City of Shaker Heights
    • Three-Term Citizen Member of Shaker Heights City Council Committees
    • Citizens Police Academy, Graduate
  • Shaker Schools Foundation
    • Board of Trustees, Vice President