Catherine Swartz serves as bond counsel and underwriter's counsel in general obligation and revenue bond financings.

Catherine's clients include Ohio cities, counties, school districts, libraries, villages, and other public entities. She advises political subdivisions on a wide range of legal and finance matters, including election and levy campaign guidance, continuing disclosure compliance, public records, real estate transactions, special assessments, investment policies, sales and use tax issues, and ethics laws.

A frequent speaker on public finance and local government issues, Catherine has recently presented for the Ohio School Boards Association, Ohio Library Council, Ohio Association of School Business Officials, Ohio Association of Public Treasurers, and Ohio Parks and Recreation Association.

Catherine serves as Cleveland Market Leader and Vice Chair of Business Development for Bricker Graydon Wyatt's Public Sector Group, helping lead the firm's client development, growth, and community engagement efforts.

For additional ways to contact Catherine, please reach out to her assistant, Kat Kazantseva, at 216.523.5853 or by email.

Education

The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law (J.D. with honors, 2002); Order of the Coif; Articles Editor, Ohio State Law Journal

The College of Wooster (B.A., magna cum laude, 1998); Phi Beta Kappa

Distinctions

Listed, The Best Lawyers in America® – Municipal Law; Public Finance Law (2023–2026)

Professional Activities

Women in Public Finance, Ohio Chapter, President  (2026)

Boulevard Elementary, Parent-Teacher Organization, President (2023-2024)

Ohio Association of School Business Officials Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, Member

Cleveland Gender Equity in the Legal Industry Forum, Planning Committee Member

The Tunnell Leadership Development Program, Class of 2019

Ladder Down, Class of 2019

YWCA Women’s Leadership Boot Camp, Class of 2011

Cleveland Bridge Builders, Class of 2005

Stepstone Academy Board of Trustees, Former Member

University Heights Economic Development Committee, Former Member

News

Blog Posts

Speaking Engagements

Past Events

Publications

• Five County OASBO – Legal Update (September 2026)
• OAPT – Debt Management, Municipal Market Update and Bond Overview (June 2, 2026)
• Western Reserve OASBO – Property Tax Reform and Legislative Update (May 22, 2026)
• OACB – Levy Webinar (May 6, 2026)
• OASBO – Small-Scale, Big Strategy:  Financing and Constructive School Improvement Projects and What’s New (April 2026)
• Hot Topics Webinar – Property Tax Chaos (April 2026)
• OASBO Joint Chapter Conference – Levy Options (March 2026)
• OPRA Conference and Trade Show – Levy Planning and Campaign Guidance (February 2026)
• Human Services Webinar – Navigating Property Tax Developments in Ohio:  Impacts on Nonprofits (January 15)
• Speaker, Northeast OASBO (November 4, 2025)