Judicial Watch Founder Larry Klayman Named Partner at Cleveland Law Firm

CLEVELAND, June 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Larry Klayman, who has 28 years of litigation and international legal experience in cities such as Washington, D.C. and Miami, has joined the Cleveland-based law firm of Walter & Haverfield LLP, as a partner. Klayman is part of the firm's Business and Government Litigation practice area and the head of its International Trade and Regulation Group.

Klayman is well-known nationally as the founder of Judicial Watch, Inc., a non-profit foundation in Washington, D.C., with offices in seven cities, that serves as a government ethics "watchdog" agency. He was chairman and general counsel of the Foundation from 1994-2003.

Klayman brings a wide variety of experience in civil litigation, business, international trade, government and public interest law. During his career, he has worked for the U.S. Department of Justice; a Miami law firm; a Washington, D.C. law firm; the Competition Directorate of the European Union in Brussels, Belgium; and he has founded two law firms, Klayman and Associates and The Klayman Law Firm. Now, with Walter & Haverfield, he continues to service clients out of the firm's offices in Cleveland, Washington and Miami.

"We are fortunate to have an attorney with Larry's skills and credentials join our firm," said Ralph Cascarilla, W&H managing partner. "We feel his contacts in Washington and Florida, his national reputation, his international background, and his expertise in litigation will not only bring an added dimension of service to our clients, but also will attract clients in new areas of service."

In addition to Judicial Watch, Klayman also founded Free Trade Enterprises, an international marketing firm; the International Center for Economic Justice, an educational non-profit to promote free trade and lawful, productive immigration policy; The Respect Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to protecting rights of the elderly; and, recently, Freedom Watch, a foundation that promotes freedom domestically and overseas.

He has received national and international recognition through his speaking, media appearances, and political involvement. He has testified and lobbied before seven European governments on behalf of victims of Fidel Castro's wave of repression to obtain increased European sanctions; spoken before the Monaco World Summit in Monaco on worldwide government corruption, international trade and other topics; and was a speaker on the subjects of dictators and terrorism at the 2003 Crans Montana Forum in Switzerland and at this year's Forum in Monaco on the rejection of the European Constitution and its effects on U.S. relations. Klayman just completed a trade mission to France last week with the Miami-based Beacon Council.

Klayman has been interviewed regularly by the national print and broadcast media, and has hosted his own syndicated radio talk show and television program, "The Judicial Watch Report."

In 2004, Klayman was a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in the Florida Primary and 13 years earlier for U.S. Attorney of the Southern District of Florida. In 1996 and 2000, he was a host for the nationally- televised Presidential Debates. He also has served on the campaign staffs for two Presidential candidates, Jack Kemp and Bob Dole.

Klayman is a 1997 graduate of Emory University School of Law with a J.D. and a 1973 honors graduate of Duke University with an A.B. degree. He also attended Hague Academy of International Law in 1975.

With family in Cleveland, Klayman felt it was time to practice in Cleveland to be closer to his children here. "I like the city's lifestyle, pace of life and natural beauty, and I think the business climate in Northeast Ohio is poised to expand into the global marketplace. With my background, I can help with the transition from domestic to international commerce, and counsel businesses on the adjustments and legal ramifications that have to be taken into consideration," Klayman stated.

He chose to affiliate with Walter & Haverfield, he says, because he was looking for a firm that is big enough to have comprehensive legal services, but not so large that it did not have a collaborative feel. "W&H is a nice size, it is well run, and it has excellent, friendly people," Klayman said. "The partners here have a real spark and a desire to innovate and grow with the times."

Founded in 1932, Walter & Haverfield LLP is a firm of 50 lawyers serving the legal needs of a broad range of Northern Ohio, national, and international corporate, individual, institutional and public clients in the practice areas of business, international trade, government litigation and relations, health care, litigation & employment law, public law, taxation, mergers & acquisitions, estate planning & wealth management, and probate administration. The firm's headquarters is located in the Tower at Erieview, 1301 E. Ninth St., Suite 3500, Cleveland, OH 44114-1821.