In its first year of operation, Upward Law, LLC, a consumer and small-business bankruptcy firm in Beachwood, Ohio, has assisted more than 100 families and small business owners across the Northern District of Ohio, according to a recent announcement. The firm, which opened in October 2025, reports that it has saved a dozen homes from foreclosure and more than 50 vehicles from repossession for clients in communities including Cleveland, Akron, Canton, and Youngstown.
The firm specializes in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 consumer bankruptcy, Subchapter V small business reorganization, student loan issues, and tax debt matters. Chapter 7 allows individuals to discharge unsecured debts such as credit card balances and medical bills, while Chapter 13 enables individuals to reorganize debts into a court-supervised repayment plan, often while retaining property like a home. Clients frequently seek help due to mounting credit card debt, medical bills, wage garnishment, or the threat of repossession.
For business owners, Subchapter V of Chapter 11 offers a streamlined reorganization option for smaller businesses, allowing them to restructure debt while continuing operations under a more efficient and less costly process than traditional Chapter 11. Upward Law focuses exclusively on Subchapter V for small companies and does not handle regular Chapter 11 cases. The firm also assists clients with student loan debt and tax debt matters, areas that often intersect with broader financial hardship.
Jason D. Grimes, founder of Upward Law, LLC, expressed his enthusiasm about the firm's progress. "After nearly 22 years on the business side of legal technology, starting my own firm has been incredibly exciting," he said. "What I've enjoyed most is working with struggling, yet hopeful, clients every day. We've already helped save homes from foreclosure and vehicles from repossession, and there's nothing more rewarding than that." Grimes has contributed to legal industry publications including the American Bankruptcy Institute Journal and the Cleveland State Law Review, and he speaks regularly on topics related to legal technology and law practice management.
The firm's achievements underscore the ongoing economic pressures faced by many in the region. The ability to save homes and vehicles is critical for maintaining stability and avoiding further financial distress. For small businesses, Subchapter V provides a viable path to restructure debt without the heavy costs of traditional Chapter 11, allowing them to preserve jobs and continue contributing to the local economy.
Upward Law accepts Chapter 7 cases from throughout Northern Ohio and Chapter 13 cases from Northeast and North-central Ohio. The firm's office is located at 3659 Green Road, Suite 100, Beachwood, OH 44120, which can be viewed on Google Maps.
