Sonja Rice

Sonja C. Rice

Partner

200 Public Square
Suite 2800
Cleveland, Ohio 44114

Primary Practices

Sonja C. Rice is a partner in the firm’s Business Law Area, member of the firm’s Construction Law Practice Group, chair of the firm’s Women’s Leadership Initiative, and member of the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

Sonja’s practice focuses on commercial transactions and the development and negotiation of a wide variety of commercial contracts, including master services agreements, supply chain and manufacturing agreements, professional services contracts, intellectual property development and licensing agreements, energy savings performance contracts, and facilities management outsourcing agreements.  Sonja also has significant experience in the development and negotiation of construction contracts at all levels and the resolution of construction-related disputes.  Previously with the firm’s litigation group, and now with the firm’s business practice group, Sonja has represented Fortune 500 companies, privately-held businesses, and non-profit organizations across the United States in fields including construction, manufacturing, energy, information technology, and real estate.

Sonja is a frequent speaker on a variety of topics including contract terms and conditions, construction contract negotiation, claims avoidance, and risk mitigation.  She regularly leads seminars for clients, focusing on best practices in the negotiation of supply chain agreements and construction project documentation.  She has also been a professor of appellate practice at Case Western Reserve University School of Law.

 

Credentials

Education
  • Case Western Reserve University School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2001
    • Honors & Activities: Honors & Activities: Order of Barristers; International Academy of Trial Lawyers Award; William H. Wallace Award; Dean Dunmore Moot Court Competition Award; National Moot Court team
  • Oberlin College, B.A., 1992
    • Honors & Activities: Honors & Activities: Classical piano training at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music
Awards & Distinctions

The Best Lawyers in America©, Corporate Law, 2024

 

2023 Women of Note, Crain’s Cleveland Business

 

2023 Big Heart Award for Professional Services, Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit

 

Notable Nonprofit Board Leaders, Crain’s Cleveland Business, 2023

Bar Admissions

State of Ohio, 2001

 

U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio, 2002; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, 2003; U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, 2005; U.S. Supreme Court, 2007

Memberships & Affiliations

National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, Member

 

Asian American Bar Association of Ohio, Board of Trustees, Member, 2007-present; By-Laws Committee, Chair, 2013