Lee Fisher

Lee Fisher serves as Dean and Joseph C. Hostetler-BakerHostetler Chair in Law at Cleveland State University College of Law (CSU|LAW). His career spans legal practice, public office, and academia with a focus on leadership, public policy, and economic development. He previously served as Ohio Attorney General, Lt. Governor, and State Senator, and held leadership roles in nonprofits like CEOs for Cities and the Center for Families and Children.

Education:

• B.A., Oberlin College (1973)
• J.D., Case Western Reserve University School of Law (1976)
• MNO, Case Western Reserve University Mandel Center for Nonprofit Organizations (2004)

Research & Leadership: Fisher pioneered the Leadership and Law Program at CSU|LAW, teaches leadership courses, and chairs the AALS Leadership Section. His work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to legal education and urban revitalization frameworks like City Vitals.

Awards & Recognition:

• 2022 Cleveland Magazine Business Hall of Fame inductee
• Harvard Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government Fellow
• Recipient of over a dozen national and regional leadership awards

Grants & Impact: Managed Ohio's largest legal office as General Counsel, oversaw economic development initiatives as Director of Ohio Department of Development, and led $50M+ budgets in both public and nonprofit sectors. Current leadership includes the Ohio Access to Justice Foundation and WKYC-TV3 legal commentary.

Labs & Collaborations: Former Senior Fellow at Levin College of Urban Affairs (CSU), Urban Scholar at University of Illinois at Chicago, and founder of the Leadership Lessons course at CSU|LAW.