Katie Weber focuses her practice on real estate and land use issues. She handles both real estate transactions and real estate litigation. She has experience representing clients in commercial and residential leasing, acquisitions and sales, landlord-tenant disputes, and development projects.

What made you want to become an attorney?
I enjoy problem solving and coming up with creative solutions. Practicing law comes with new challenges every day and each matter has its own unique set of facts and issues to overcome. I also wanted a career helping people, which has been the most important and rewarding part of being an attorney for me.

What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned so far in your career?
Not to be afraid to reach out to a colleague for advice or insight on a matter. Sometimes it can be hard see the forest through the trees and getting an outside perspective can help to refocus.

What accomplishment has given you the most satisfaction?
I am most proud of my work with the Metanoia Project, a non-profit that works with the shelter resistant homeless population in Cleveland. I have been on the board for about 4 years and currently serve as president. It is rewarding to be able to make a difference in the lives of individuals who have slipped through the cracks.

What is the most valuable thing a lawyer can do for their clients?
Listen. In most cases clients are coming to us looking to resolve a conflict or set them up to not have a conflict down the line. Understanding what the desired outcome is important in determining the best strategy moving forward. Often times, a client may not know exactly the outcome they are looking for and really listening to their side of the situation can help guide them to the right resolution.

What is an interesting trend happening right now related to your field of practice?
The real estate market is ever changing and the pandemic has impacted the industry and many different ways. Right now residential real estate prices keep climbing and there are still many out of state real estate investors looking to invest in this market. However, on the commercial side, particularly when it comes to leasing in retail and office space, many landlords are having trouble finding tenants. It will be interesting to see when and if the market evens out. We may be seeing more creative developments down the road.

What is something a lot of people don’t know about you?
I was not always on the career path to become an attorney. My undergraduate degree is a Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting. Prior to going to law school, I worked as a high school theater director and was a member of an improv comedy troupe.

What do you think your profession would be if you weren’t a lawyer?
I think I would be working in the theater industry, maybe not as an actor, but as a teacher or artistic director.

What is on your bucket list?
To take a road trip across the country starting on the east coast and heading west.