When someone is hurt in a car crash, a workplace accident, or a serious fall, there’s no shortage of personal injury law firms promising results. But behind flashy billboards, bus ads, and bold claims, many firms treat clients as numbers, and for those navigating life-altering events, that kind of impersonal treatment can deepen an already challenging experience.
Slater & Zurz was built differently. With offices across Ohio and a team of attorneys who have spent decades serving their local communities, we prioritize people over case counts. From pro bono work to volunteering, here’s how we give back.
Slater & Zurz’s Deep Ohio Roots
Slater & Zurz has been part of Ohio’s legal landscape for over 30 years. The firm was founded in 1991 by attorneys Jim Slater and Rick Zurz with a clear vision: to build a practice prioritizing people over case volume while serving them with integrity, compassion, and local insight.
Rick, an Ohio native, grew up steeped in the legal world — both his father and grandfather were judges. He began practicing law in 1982, carrying forward a family tradition of public service and a deep respect for the legal system.
That Ohio mindset still shapes the firm today. Many of the attorneys at Slater & Zurz were born and bred in this state. They’ve lived in the samea neighborhoods, attended the same schools, and built their careers in the communities they now serve. On any given day, the office buzzes with Buckeyes talk, Guardians score updates, and debates about the best spots for pierogies or pizza.
It’s this deep-rooted connection — to place and to people — that drives the firm’s passion for giving back.
How Our Attorneys Serve Beyond the Office
Outside of work, many of the attorneys at Slater & Zurz are heavily involved in the communities they serve, whether it’s coaching, volunteering, or simply showing up where it counts.
Rick Zurz, for example, has spent years coaching youth sports, believing that leadership starts early and that kids benefit from structure, mentorship, and being part of a team. Attorney Mark Ropchock is just as committed to his community, volunteering with Brecksville youth athletics to help give local kids access to positive, consistent experiences.
And it’s not just about sports. Partner Michael Schmeltzer is a certified Ski Patroller with the Boston Mills/Brandywine/Alpine Valley Ski Patrol, where he provides emergency medical care and rescue assistance on the slopes. Off the mountain, he’s a passionate advocate for mental health through the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), helping connect people to support and resources.
These roles aren’t résumé fluff or once-a-year commitments. They’re part of how the attorneys at Slater & Zurz show up for their neighbors, not just their clients.
We Fight for Justice Even When There’s No Paycheck
At some law firms, whether a case gets taken on depends on how much money it might bring in. If the numbers don’t add up, the client is often turned away. That’s not how Slater & Zurz operates.
Some cases need to be fought not because they’re profitable but because they’re necessary. The firm regularly takes on pro bono work, representing people who can’t afford an attorney but still deserve one. That includes victims of serious injuries with no financial safety net, individuals caught in complex legal disputes, and vulnerable Ohioans in need of urgent help.
As Partner Brandon Dean, who leads the firm’s Medical Malpractice and Nursing Home Abuse division, puts it: “In a field that’s often defined by stress and misery, the last thing clients need is a lawyer who makes things harder. We focus on resolution, not red tape. Especially in medical malpractice cases, our job is to cut out the nonsense and advocate for what really matters.”
That mindset runs through everything the firm does. If a case deserves to be heard, we’ll fight to make sure it is, regardless of the payday.
The Slater & Zurz Difference
At many firms, cases are passed down to junior associates, updates are few and far between, and clients have to go through layers of staff just to speak with their lawyer. That kind of experience can leave people feeling like they’re on the outside of their own case.
At Slater & Zurz, the approach is different. Clients have direct access to their attorneys — no gatekeeping, no endless games of phone tag. “In this day and age, clients expect quick responses, and they should,” said Rick Zurz. “My personal rule is to meet with clients face to face whenever I can. I’ll even go to their homes for a first conference if that’s what’s needed.”
This kind of access isn’t just about convenience. It’s about trust. The attorneys at Slater & Zurz make it a point to understand each client’s story, not just the facts of the case. That personal investment shapes how they advocate and, more importantly, why clients stay in touch long after a case is resolved.
“We want to be down-to-earth and reachable,” said Partner Robert Horton. “The firm is growing, but we’re intentional about how we grow. We want to work with people who care, so we can help more clients in a way that still feels personal.”
At its core, the firm’s culture is built on that one-to-one connection, not volume. And when the stakes are so high, this difference matters.
Written by Rick Zurz
Rick, the managing partner of Slater & Zurz, is recognized as one of Ohio’s leading civil plaintiff attorneys. Specializing in personal injury law, Rick is deeply committed to his clients and takes pride in actively participating in every case the firm handles.
