Steven H. Steinglass

In Loving Memory of Steven H. Steinglass

Steven H. Steinglass, 83, of Bratenahl, Ohio, passed away peacefully on February 4, 2026. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and beloved figure in the legal community, Steven lived a life rooted in service, scholarship, and kindness.

Born in November 1942, Steven grew up with a deep respect for learning and fairness - values that guided him throughout his life. He graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1964 and went on to earn his law degree from Columbia Law School in 1967, setting the foundation for a lifelong commitment to justice.

Steven began his legal career in Wisconsin in the early 1970s, first as a staff attorney and later as Executive Director of Freedom Through Equality. There, he and the staff he inspired litigated landmark civil rights and poverty law cases. When the organization merged with Milwaukee Legal Services to form Legal Action of Wisconsin, Steven continued as Executive Director, ensuring access to justice for the underrepresented and the economically disadvantaged. The powerful voice Steven gave to mothers and children of low-income households, minority and immigrant workers, prisoners, and others, left a lasting impact on Milwaukee and the state of Wisconsin where he remains a deeply respected figure among colleagues and former staff.

He also shared his lifelong commitment to justice in the classroom, teaching law students at the University of Wisconsin and mentoring the next generation of advocates. In 1980, Steven joined the faculty of the Cleveland State University College of Law, the institution that would become his professional home for more than three decades. He was a gifted teacher, known for his clarity, patience, and the genuine care he showed his students. Over the years, he taught courses ranging from Civil Procedure to Constitutional Law, shaping generations of attorneys with his insight and integrity.

Steven's leadership at Cleveland State University's College of Law was transformative. He served as Associate Dean, Interim Dean, and ultimately as Dean from 1997 to 2005. Over those nine years, he strengthened the school's reputation and expanded its engagement with the broader legal community. After stepping down, he continued teaching and was later named Dean Emeritus, a role he held with pride. He was formally recognized in the U.S. House of Representatives on June 23, 2005, during a session of the 109th Congress, when Representative Dennis J. Kucinich honored him for his years of service as Dean and his contributions to the legal community.

Steven was widely respected for his scholarship, particularly in constitutional law and civil rights. He authored influential works, including a leading treatise titled Section 1983 Litigation in State and Federal Courts and a definitive work in constitutional law, The Ohio State Constitution, both of which continue to be cited by lawyers, judges, and scholars across the country. He also argued two cases before the United States Supreme Court - Board of Regents v. Roth (1972) and Felder v. Casey (1988) - an achievement he never boasted about, but one that reflected his deep commitment to justice and constitutional rights.

Even after retiring from full-time teaching, Steven continued contributing to public life. From 2013 to 2017, he served as Senior Policy Advisor to the Ohio Constitutional Modernization Commission, helping guide thoughtful examination of the state's foundational legal document.

To those who knew him, Steven was so much more than his accomplishments. He was warm, thoughtful, witty, and endlessly curious. He loved discussing ideas, reading widely, and reflecting deeply on the world. Steven was devoted to his family above all else. He is survived by his beloved wife, Dianne Steinglass; his daughters, Rachel Hsu and her husband Mike, and Amanda Pflug and her husband Matt; his son, Adam Wirth and his wife Yong; and his brothers and their spouses, Robert and Dolores Steinglass, and Kenneth and Jayne Steinglass. He treasured time spent with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, offering them constant encouragement, quiet wisdom, and unconditional love.

A celebration of Steven's life will be announced by the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Steven H. Steinglass Endowed Scholarship Fund at Cleveland State University, College of Law, 2121 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44115.

Steven's sharp mind, gentle spirit, and unwavering sense of justice touched countless lives. His legacy will continue in the students he taught, the laws he helped clarify, and the many people fortunate enough to have known him. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.