Cleveland office moves to Flats East Bank

If location is everything, Porter Wright hit the right spot. After spending 30 years in the historic Huntington Building, the firm’s Cleveland office has moved to the newly constructed Ernst & Young Tower in the heart of the city’s Flats East Bank district.

“The timing and location are perfect for us, and we’re glad to be a part of the development of the Flats East Bank district,” said Hugh McKay, partner in charge of Porter Wright’s Cleveland office. “We are looking forward to greeting clients at our new offices.”

Robert (Buzz) Trafford, Porter Wright’s Managing Partner, said the decision to relocate was easy. “It was time for a change of venue,” he said. “This move allows us to take advantage of changes in law office design that will make us more efficient, while at the same time be a part of an exciting redevelopment effort lead by a good firm client.”

The firm’s 27 attorneys and 20 support staff will occupy 20,500 square feet of the 5th floor in the 18-story, glass-walled tower that opened last October. The new offices provide increased technological communication capabilities and a more collaborative work environment. The space has a more open, contemporary design with plenty of natural light. “We have gone from one of the oldest office buildings in downtown Cleveland, to the newest. With this move we have room to grow in the future,” McKay said.

The Ernst & Young Tower is connected to a hotel, parking garage and a fitness club. A nearby new apartment complex is in the planning stages. The 14-acre East Bank district on the Cuyahoga River is part of the city’s venture to create a mixed-use environment to help revitalize downtown. Previously filled with abandoned and run-down warehouses, the area now holds LEED Community certification. Phase 2 of the project includes restaurants, retail space and a river walk promenade.

“As much as we enjoyed our offices in the Huntington Building, our new offices reflect the firm’s commitment to adopting advances in technology and space design to help us bring more value to the work we do for our clients,” McKay said. “Porter Wright has a national practice and our Cleveland office is a very important part of that.”

Porter Wright’s new Cleveland address and contact information is: 950 Main Avenue, Ste. 500, Cleveland, Ohio 44113; tel. (216) 443-9000; fax (216) 443-9011.