May 13, 2010
Offices: Cleveland
Contact: Tracy Turoff, 216.615.4829

(CLEVELAND, OH, May 13, 2010) ? The law firm of Roetzel & Andress, LPA is pleased to announce that Tracy Turoff was selected by the Alliance of Civilizations International Fellowship (AoCIF) as one of 24 emerging leaders in its inaugural program aimed at increasing knowledge and understanding between North American, European and Muslim countries. Ms. Turoff, an associate, was the only Fellow selected from Ohio, and only one of 12 candidates from North America and Europe. Ms. Turoff was nominated by the Cleveland Foundation and selected by an international committee.

Ms. Turoff traveled in March to the Middle East and North Africa where she engaged in political, economic and social dialogue regarding the importance of international cooperation and collaboration regarding international and domestic policy challenges. The fellows also participated in meetings with high-level officials, including the Foreign Minister of Qatar, the Chief of Staff of the Arab League and other young leaders from Arab nations. Ms. Turoff hopes to use this experience to help expand the region's business opportunities and broaden cultural perspectives within Northeast Ohio.

"We are pleased to support Tracy in this endeavor," said Douglas E. Spiker, Roetzel & Andress' Cleveland Office Managing Partner. "Many of the themes important to the mission of the AoCIF, including those of collegiality and mutual awareness, align with those of our firm."

"The Cleveland Foundation was honored to nominate Tracy for this prestigious international program based upon her impressive community involvement and work experiences. She is also known for her passionate commitment to opportunities that promote international understanding in Cleveland. We knew that she would be an outstanding representative of our region," said Robert E. Eckardt, Senior Vice President for Program and Evaluation at the Cleveland Foundation.

The AoCIF was launched by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations with other international organizations and governments to intensify youth exchanges and improve the dialogue between North America, Europe, and Muslim countries. The objective of the Fellowship Program is to facilitate mutual, substantive, and meaningful exposure for emerging leaders from North American, European, Middle Eastern, and North African countries to media, culture, politics, business, governmental institutions, civil society, and religion in one another's countries.

Ms. Turoff practices in the areas of employment, business, public and government law. Having previously worked in the U.S. House of Representatives, the Ohio Senate and Cuyahoga County, she has acquired valuable insight into the government and legislative process on a local, state and national level. Additionally, her experience overseas has enabled her to established international business and government relationships. In 2007, Ms. Turoff was selected as an American Marshall Memorial Fellow with the German Marshall Fund, which sent her on a similar mission throughout Europe. She is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.

About Roetzel & Andress
Roetzel & Andress is a full-service, business law firm with 12 offices throughout Ohio, Florida, New York and Washington, D.C. The firm has more than 210 attorneys who provide comprehensive legal counsel nationally and internationally. For more information, please visit the firm's website at ralaw.com.