For tackling a new career, Shaker was the place
By Jennifer Proe
Photo by Jason Miller
Who: Terry M. Billups, Esq.
Where: Mercer
Business: Billups Law, LLC. We provide a full range of legal and investigative services, focusing particularly on labor and employment matters, K-12 and higher education, school law matters, contract negotiations and disputes, litigation under the Uniform Trade Secrets Act, and workplace investigations
Mission: To provide my clients with excellent legal advice and services by carefully listening to them, understanding their situation and concerns, and working diligently towards achieving their stated goals, all while keeping them informed and educated about the process along the way.
What I Love About My Work: I love the ever-changing nature of the law, and the mystery and challenges that arise with each new legal issue that I face. No two days are alike, and each legal issue has its own unique set of facts with many twists and turns.
Personal Background: I’m a military brat. I was born on a U.S. military base in Wiesbaden, Germany, while my father was stationed overseas in the Air Force. We moved back to the States while I was still a toddler, and I grew up mainly in Orlando, Florida, where I graduated from high school.
We often walk to Mitchell’s during the summer to get ice cream, and the kids love playing on the big rock.
I attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on a full athletic scholarship, where I played football and ran track for the Tar Heels. After graduating UNC with a Communications degree, I played professional football in the NFL for the New England Patriots, the Miami Dolphins, and the Dallas Cowboys. I also played in the inaugural season of the XFL for the World Champion Los Angeles Xtreme.
Upon retiring from professional football, I already knew exactly what I wanted to do. Ever since I was 9 years old, I wanted to be a lawyer or a judge. So, I went to law school and graduated from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law at Cleveland State University. Before starting up my own legal practice, I served as the Chief Legal Counsel & Corporate Secretary at Ursuline College.
My wife and I currently have two children attending Mercer Elementary School – Isabelle (3rd grade) and Lincoln (kindergarten).
On Working and Living in Shaker Heights: I’ve now lived in Shaker Heights for 15 years. What drew us to this community is its rich diversity racially, culturally, and socioeconomically, and the wonderful and friendly people and neighbors that make Shaker Heights one of the best places to live in Northeast Ohio. My office is located at home, so most days I’m able to roll right out of bed and begin work without even stepping off my property except when I’m in court or taking in-person depositions.
The amount of time and money I save from not having to commute back and forth to work on a daily basis is invaluable. You simply can’t beat that.
My favorite place to shop and eat is the Van Aken District. As a family, we often walk to Mitchell’s during the summer to get ice cream, and the kids love playing on the big rock.
Contact:
Terry M. Billups, Esq.
Billups Law, LLC
Email
(216) 800-9779
