Claire C. May
Legal Writing Professor Emeritus
BIO
Professor May focuses her teaching on developing students' writing, research, and professional skills needed for success in real world legal practice. Prior to joining Cleveland-Marshall in 2001, Professor May was in private practice with law firms in Cleveland and Washington, D.C. Prof. May's practice focused on business litigation, including complex commercial matters. As a law student, she served as an extern for Judge Ann C. Williams of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, worked in the Law Reform Unit of the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, and was a member of the Case Western Reserve Law Review. She and colleague Professor April Cherry recently developed and co-taught an innovative new course integrating the doctrine of estates and trusts with the research, document drafting, and other professional skills required for an estates and trusts practice. Professor May presents her work at various legal writing conferences around the country.
HONORS AND AWARDS
- Law Faculty Merit Recognition Award, Spring 2006, Spring 2008
- Cleveland-Marshall Teaching Enhancement Grant Recipient
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- Legal Writing Institute
- Association of Legal Writing Directors
- American Bar Association
- Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
- Member of the Ohio Bar
UNIVERSITY SERVICE
- Faculty Senate
- Faculty Senate Steering Committee
- University Faculty Affairs Committee
- Cleveland-Marshall Women's Committee, Founding Chair
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
- Official Precinct Observer (D), 2008, 2012 & 2016 Presidential elections
- Official Observer (D), Provisional Ballot Review, Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, 2004 Presidential election
COMMUNITY SERVICE
- Board Member, Talespinner Children's Theatre