Sara M. Costanzo
Client service is always at the heart of Sara’s daily interactions.
Sara has been with the firm for over 25 years, and during this time she has served as practice chair of the firm’s community banking, government collections, healthcare collections, landlord/tenant and utility collections groups. Originally joining the firm as a law clerk, Sara worked as an associate attorney for a few years before she was promoted to a shareholder in 2006. Since 2018, she has worked in the business development group, where she focuses on maintaining client relationships, as well as developing new ones both locally and nationally in scale.
Sara’s goal is to provide timely and professional assistance to business owners, service providers, managers, directors, and other recovery professionals who struggle with managing their accounts receivable. She understands that her clients’ days are long and demanding, so she aims to provide efficient, cost-effective solutions – for any type of claim.
Sara is a frequent lecturer on topics including reporting financial elder abuse/misappropriation, fraud and embezzlement in public office, various collection strategies, landlord-tenant law, and several federal regulations. She is also very active in a number of charities. Thanks to her annual fundraising efforts, the firm has received multiple recognitions. She also loves to travel and cook.
Sara’s goal is to provide timely and professional assistance to business owners, service providers, managers, directors, and other recovery professionals who struggle with managing their accounts receivable. She understands that her clients’ days are long and demanding, so she aims to provide efficient, cost-effective solutions – for any type of claim.
Sara is a frequent lecturer on topics including reporting financial elder abuse/misappropriation, fraud and embezzlement in public office, various collection strategies, landlord-tenant law, and several federal regulations. She is also very active in a number of charities. Thanks to her annual fundraising efforts, the firm has received multiple recognitions. She also loves to travel and cook.
Focus Areas
Credentials
Honors & Distinctions
Crain’s Cleveland Business Forty Under 40, 2006Ohio Super Lawyers, Ohio Rising Stars, 2005-2006, 2011-2012
Recognized by the Cuyahoga County Commissioners for City Year Community Champions Award, 2004
Young Alumni Achievement Award, Heidelberg College, 2006
Recognized by City Year Cleveland for Putting Idealism into Action, 2004
John D. Cannone Award for Outstanding Leadership and Dedicated Service to the Ohio Association of Public Treasurers, 2015
Admissions
Ohio, 1998U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, 1998
Education
J.D., Cleveland State University Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, 1998MBA, Cleveland State University, 1998
B.S., Business Administration and Public Relations, Heidelberg University, 1994
Affiliations
Medina County Bar Association: MemberMunicipal Finance Officers Association: Member
National Equipment Finance Association (NEFA) Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee: Member
Ohio Association of Public Treasurers: Member
Ohio Health Care Association: Member
Ohio State Bar Association: Health Care Law Subcommittee
Heidelberg University School of Business: Business Executive Advisory Board Member - Berg Business Board Member, 2015 - current
March of Dimes of Northeast Ohio: Past President of the Board of Directors; Past Board of Directors Member; Signature Chefs Event Chairperson, 2006 - 17
Strongsville Education Foundation Board: Past Member, 2015 - 20
University Hospitals - Parma Hospital Health Care Foundation: Board Member, 2021 - present
Presentations
"Dealing With Difficult People," National Association of Legal Professionals (NALS), March 2023"Identifying Non-Paying Accounts Before Charge-Off," Ohio Health Care Association’s Annual Convention & Expo, May 2023
"Communications and Public Relations," Ohio Association of Treasurers’ Public Finance Officer Training Institute, June 2023
"High Balance Management," North East Utility Collections Conference, September, 2023
"Theft in Public Office," Ohio Association of Public Treasurers, September 2023
"Ensuring Your Community Gets Paid," Ohio Assisted Living Association (OALA) Conference, May, 2022
"Elder Abuse Case Studies: Learning From Past Examples," Ohio Assisted Living Association (OALA) Conference, May, 2022
"Ask a Pro: The Debt Collection Rule: How Regulation F Will Impact Creditors," Weltman Webinar, November 16, 2021
"Debt Collection Panel Discussion," American Financial Services Association Annual Meeting, October 2021
"Embezzlement & Fraud," Ohio Association of Public Treasurers’ 2021 Fall Conference, October 2021
"Reporting Elder Abuse - Part 2," Ohio Health Care Association’s Annual Convention & Expo, August 2021
"What Has Happened or Can Happen and How Following Safety Measures Can Avoid Damages," Ohio Utilities Protection Service (OUPS), July 2021
"Revenue Collection - Show Me the Money," Ohio Association of Treasurers’ Public Finance Officer Training Institute, June 2021
"Ohio Damage Claim Prevention," Ohio Utilities Protection Service (OUPS), March 2021
"Pandemic Workplace Vaccine Policies - What Can/Can’t be Required in Ohio," Community Bankers Association of Ohio (CBAO), February 2021
"The CFPB Debt Collection Final Rule," American Financial Services Association (AFSA), January 2021
"Elder Abuse," Ohio Health Care Association, July 2020
"E Signatures and Online Notaries," Community Bankers Association of Ohio, June 2020
"The CARES Act and FCRA," Community Bankers Association of Ohio, April 2020
"Public Embezzlement," Ohio Association of Public Treasurers, OH, September, 2019
"Collecting Time Barred Debt," North East Utility Collections Conference, OH, September, 2019
"Written Communications," Ohio Association of Public Treasurers, May 2019
"Financial Misappropriation of the Elderly," Ohio Health Care Association, March, 2019
"Understanding Elder Abuse and Financial Misappropriation," Ohio Assisted Living Association, January, 2019
"Developing a Collections Program Internally and Externally," Ohio Association of Public Treasurers Fall Conference, Cleveland, OH, October 3, 2018
“Collections Begins at Admissions,” Continuing Healthcare, Lisbon, OH, June 19, 2018
“Revenue Collections,” Ohio Association of Public Treasurers Spring Conference, Maumee, OH, June 15, 2018
“Reporting Elder Abuse - It’s Our Responsibility!” Ohio Health Care Association, Columbus, OH, May 2, 2018
“Diffusing the Situation,” Ohio Association of Public Treasurers Hot Topic Seminar, Bellville, OH, April 27, 2018