Claire M. Griffin is an associate in the Business Litigation, Immigration and Intellectual Property Practice Groups.

Ms. Griffin’s experience includes:

• real estate issues such as purchases, disputes, condemnation, zoning and eminent domain.
• intellectual property matters encompassing cases before federal court and the Trademark Trial and Appeals Board.
• litigation matters including collection issues, employment relations, membership disputes, professional liability and insurance matters.
• creditor/debtor representation.
• immigration matters.

Prior to joining Eastman & Smith, Ms. Griffin attended the University of Toledo Law School where she accumulated a wide variety of legal experience in addition to earning her law degree.  She:

• externed at the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio;
• served as a legal intern with the City of Toledo;
• volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA);
• was employed as an immigration paralegal for a Michigan law firm for four years;
• participated in the University of Toledo Tax Controversy Clinic as a student attorney;
• assisted in public records requests for a university; and
• participated in Eastman & Smith’s summer law clerk program.

Ms. Griffin also served as technical editor for the University of Toledo Law Review and was secretary of the Student Bar Association.

While at the University of Michigan, Ms. Griffin was employed for several years as a teller in the banking industry and worked in college housing.  She double majored in Political Science and English and a minored in Urban Studies.  The latter focused on urban planning and the influence of the built environment upon its residents.

When not practicing law, Ms. Griffin enjoys reading both contemporary and historical literary works, spending time with her dogs and FaceTiming her niece.

Community/Professional Affiliations

• Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian Ad Litem for Lucas County, 2019 – present
• National Lawyers Guild, member, 2020 –2023

Honors & Awards

• Highest Grade, Trusts and Estates, Spring 2022
• Student Bar Association, Student Involvement Award, Spring 2023
• Judge James G. Carr Writing Award, Spring 2023

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