In its first year of operation, Upward Law, LLC, a consumer and small-business bankruptcy firm in Beachwood, Ohio, has helped more than 100 families and small business owners across the Northern District of Ohio achieve financial relief. The firm, which opened in October 2025, reports saving a dozen homes from foreclosure and over 50 vehicles from repossession for clients in communities including Cleveland, Akron, Canton, and Youngstown.
Upward Law focuses on Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 consumer bankruptcy, Subchapter V small business reorganization, student loan issues, and tax debt matters. Consumer bankruptcy under these chapters provides individuals a legal path to address overwhelming debt. Chapter 7 allows discharge of unsecured debts like credit card balances and medical bills, while Chapter 13 enables reorganization of debts into a court-supervised repayment plan, often while retaining property such as a home. Many of Upward's clients face 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 designed 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 exclusively handles Subchapter V for small companies and does not take regular Chapter 11 cases. The firm also assists with student loan debt and tax debt, areas that often intersect with broader financial hardship.
Jason D. Grimes, founder of Upward Law, LLC, brings nearly 22 years of experience on the business side of legal technology to his practice. "After nearly 22 years on the business side of legal technology, starting my own firm has been incredibly exciting," Grimes 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, a 15-year member of the Ohio Bar, has contributed to legal publications including the American Bankruptcy Institute Journal and the Cleveland State Law Review, and speaks regularly on legal technology and law practice management.
The firm's achievements underscore the ongoing need for bankruptcy relief in Northern Ohio, where economic pressures such as medical debt and wage garnishment can push families and small businesses to the brink. By providing specialized legal guidance, Upward Law helps clients navigate complex bankruptcy procedures, potentially saving their homes and vehicles while offering a path to financial stability. The firm's focus on Subchapter V is particularly relevant for small businesses seeking to restructure without the prohibitive costs of traditional Chapter 11, thereby supporting local entrepreneurship and job retention.
Upward Law accepts Chapter 7 cases from throughout Northern Ohio and Chapter 13 cases from Northeast and North-central Ohio. The office is located at 3659 Green Road, Suite 100, Beachwood, OH 44120, which can be viewed on Google Maps. For more information, visit the firm's website at www.upwardlawfirm.com.
