Since its founding in October 2025, 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. In its first year, the firm reports saving a dozen homes from foreclosure and over 50 vehicles from repossession for clients in communities including Cleveland, Akron, Canton, and Youngstown.
The firm focuses on consumer bankruptcy under Chapters 7 and 13 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, as well as Subchapter V small business reorganization, student loan issues, and tax debt matters. Chapter 7 allows individuals to discharge unsecured debts such as credit card balances and medical bills, while Chapter 13 enables debtors to reorganize into a court-supervised repayment plan, often while retaining property like a home. Clients typically 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 specifically 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 cases for small companies and does not manage regular Chapter 11 filings. The firm also assists with student loan and tax debt issues, areas that often intersect with broader financial hardship.
Jason D. Grimes, founder of Upward Law, 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 has contributed to legal industry publications including the American Bankruptcy Institute Journal and the Cleveland State Law Review, and he speaks regularly on legal technology and law practice management.
The firm's ability to help over 100 clients in its first year underscores the persistent financial challenges faced by many in the region. By preventing foreclosures and repossessions, Upward Law not only assists individual clients but also contributes to stabilizing local communities. The firm's focus on Subchapter V is particularly notable given the economic pressures on small businesses, offering a viable path to reorganization without the complexity and cost of larger bankruptcy proceedings.
Upward Law accepts Chapter 7 cases from throughout Northern Ohio and Chapter 13 cases from Northeast and North-central Ohio. The firm's office is located at 3659 Green Road, Suite 100, Beachwood, OH 44120, which can be viewed on Google Maps. As the firm enters its second year, its track record suggests a continued demand for accessible bankruptcy and debt relief services in the region.
