Experience & Record
Moran has been practicing criminal defense since she was admitted to the Ohio bar in 1996. Over those decades, she has built a record that speaks for itself: a central role in the firm's combined total of over 100 jury trials, over 300 bench trials, and over 500 cases written and argued in the Court of Appeals.
She is equally at home in a Cuyahoga County courtroom and in the briefing room. That breadth — the ability to try a case hard and then protect the record on appeal — is what separates her from lawyers who do one or the other.
Her recent work includes winning not-guilty verdicts in two Aggravated Murder jury trials and securing acquittals in two rape cases that each carried a potential life sentence. These are among the highest-stakes outcomes in criminal law.
She has particular experience writing and successfully arguing motions to suppress evidence obtained through unlawful police conduct — a critical skill that can determine whether a case ever reaches a jury. She has also completed specialized training on the effect of mental-health impediments in criminal prosecutions, bringing that knowledge to bear in appropriate cases.
Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different.
Honors & Recognition
- AV Preeminent Rated — Martindale-Hubbell's highest peer and judicial rating for ethical standards and professional ability
- CJA Panel Attorney — selected to represent federal defendants in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio, a designation requiring vetting and approval by the federal court
- Conviction Integrity Unit Reviewer — selected to review cases for the Cuyahoga County Conviction Integrity Unit, which investigates potential wrongful convictions
- Life Member, Eighth District Judicial Conference — a recognition of long-standing standing in the Ohio appellate community
- Widely recognized by Cleveland lawyers as one of the city's preeminent and most respected courthouse defense attorneys
Community & Media
Moran is a member of the Cuyahoga County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and serves as a regular legal commentator for local media outlets, offering analysis on high-profile criminal cases. Her media work reflects the same measured, credible voice she brings to the courtroom.
Bar Admissions
- State of Ohio
- Ohio Supreme Court
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit