News
Jill Friedman Helfman
Co-Partner-in-Charge / Practice Chair Cleveland
- E jhelfman@taftlaw.com
- T (216) 706-3913
- F (216) 241-3707
Summary
A well-respected attorney and family advocate, Jill serves as co-partner-in-charge of the Cleveland office and as chair of Taft’s Domestic Relations practice. Her practice focuses on family and divorce law, particularly in high net worth cases. Jill is certified by The Ohio State Bar Association Family Law Specialty Board as a specialist in the field of Family Law in Ohio and as an arbitrator through the AAML Matrimonial Arbitration Training Institute.
With extensive experience and a confident, patient approach, Jill consistently earns the respect of her clients and peers. Her experience ranges from analysis and litigation of complex business valuation issues to property division, support and difficult custody matters. A trusted advisor to high-profile clients, Jill provides regular legal counsel to business owners, professional athletes, physicians, lawyers, and other prominent professionals.
Jill is a fellow of the prestigious American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and is a former president of the Ohio Chapter. She further serves the greater Cleveland community in a number of volunteer positions, including acting as chair of the leadership board for the University Hospitals Partnership for Families and as a board member of Park Synagogue.
Jill is the recipient of multiple honors for her practice of law, including:
- Band 1 honoree in Family/Matrimonial Law in the 2021 and 2020 editions of Chambers High Net Worth
- Society of Benchers by Case Western Reserve University School of Law
- Northeast Ohio’s 2018 Notable Women in Law by Crain’s Cleveland Business
- Lawyer of the Year for Family Law in Cleveland by Best Lawyers in America (2014 & 2017)
- Cleveland Jewish News 2015 Difference Maker
- Ohio Super Lawyers for Family Law, honored each year since 2004
- Top 100 Ohio Super Lawyers 2021
- Top 50 Women Ohio Super Lawyers 2021
- Top 50 Cleveland Super Lawyers 2021
- Top 25 Women Cleveland Super Lawyers 2021
Jill graduated from the University of Michigan and received her law degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law.
Awards
Band 1 Honoree, Chambers High Net Worth, Family/Matrimonial Law (2020-2021)
Society of Benchers Member, Case Western University School of Law (2018)
Honoree, “Lawyer of the Year,” by Best Lawyers in America® for Family Law (2014, 2017)
Honoree, Best Lawyers in America®, Family Law (2013 - present)
Honoree, Ohio Super Lawyers, Family Law (2004 - present)
Honoree, “Top 50 Women,” by Ohio Super Lawyers (2005 - 2009, 2017 - present)
Honoree, “Top 25 Women - Cleveland” by Ohio Super Lawyers (2007, 2015, 2017 - present)
Honoree, “Top 100” Ohio Super Lawyers (2021)
Honoree, Cleveland Jewish News Difference Maker (2015)
Honoree, Northeast Ohio’s Notable Women in Law, by Crain’s Cleveland Business
AV Peer Review Rated, LexisNexis/Martindale-Hubbell
Honoree, “Top 50” Cleveland Super Lawyers 2021
Honoree, Leading Lawyers by Inside Business (2004 - 2007, 2009)
All Service Areas
All Practices
Education
- Case Western Reserve University School of Law (1987)
- University of Michigan BA (1984)
Admissions
- Federal - Northern District of Ohio
- State - Ohio
Speeches and Publications
Quoted, “Uncertainty weighed on divorce cases during pandemic,” Cleveland Jewish News, June 17, 2021
Speaker, “What the Family Lawyer Needs to Know about Bankruptcy,” 32nd Annual AAML Ohio Family Law Symposium, Oct. 2020
Profiled, Cleveland Jewish News, Jan. 2019
Panelist, Women in Leadership event hosted by the Cleveland Jewish News, April 2017
News
232 Taft Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in Best Lawyers in America® 2022 News
Taft Ranks in Chambers and Partners 2021 High Net Worth Guide News
Taft Cleveland Named a 2021 Top Workplaces Award Winner News
Helfman Quoted in CJN Article on Divorce Cases During Pandemic
Past Events
Professional Affiliations
- American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
Fellow
Former President, Ohio Chapter - Eighth District Judicial Conference
Life Member
- Society of Benchers by Case Western Reserve University School of Law
Member
- Ohio State Bar Association
Certified Specialist, Family Relations Law
- Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
Member
Community Involvement
- University Hospitals of Cleveland Partnership for Families
Chair, Leadership Board
- Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland
Volunteer
- Park Synagogue
Board Member
- Leadership Cleveland
Class of 2020
- Friendship Circle of Cleveland
Board Member