Sandra J. Brantley

Sandra J. Brantley is an experienced fiduciary, trust and estate lawyer with over 25 years of practice. As a former Senior Counsel for National City Bank (now known as PNC Bank, N.A), she has concentrated her practice on advising trustees, executors and investment managers regarding their respective duties and liabilities. Additionally, Ms. Brantley has extensive experience in estate planning and probate matters.

Ms. Brantley advises trustees, both corporations and individuals, regarding duties and liabilities; advises individuals regarding estate planning matters; advises corporate fiduciaries regarding regulatory issues relating to fiduciary products and services.

She is licensed in the State of Ohio and holds Bachelor's and Master's Degrees from the University of Memphis and a Juris Doctor from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Cleveland State University.

Ms. Brantley is a member of the Executive Council of the CMBA Estate Planning, Probate, Trust Law Section and a speaker and author on the Ohio Trust Code. She is also a member of the Joint Ohio Trust Code Committee of the Ohio Bankers League and the Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law Section of the Ohio State Bar Association. As a member of Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law Section Council, she also serves on its Asset Protection Trust Subcommittee.

Sandra resides in Bay Village with her family. Her spouse administers a criminal justice program for a Cleveland university and teaches at various police schools. Her youngest son is a recent graduate of CSU while her oldest is a Captain in the Army.

Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
J.D.,

James A. Budzik

James A. Budzik is an experienced attorney whose practice is concentrated in public and private sector labor and employment law representing management and employers. Mr. Budzik specializes in collective bargaining negotiations, mediations, fact-findings, conciliations, unfair labor practice proceedings, civil service disciplinary proceedings and grievance arbitrations on behalf of numerous county agencies, municipalities and other public sector entities. He advises city and village representatives on various municipal law issues. In addition, his practice includes counseling employers in wage and hour laws, civil rights, discrimination laws, unemployment laws and workers' compensation.

Mr. Budzik regularly appears in court and before administrative agencies, including the Industrial Commission of Ohio, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Ohio Civil Rights Commission, the National Labor Relations Board and SERB.

Mr. Budzik earned a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Dayton and a Juris Doctor from Capital University Law School. He is licensed in the State of Ohio and has been admitted to the Northern District of Ohio, Southern District of Ohio, U.S. Sixth Circuit, and U.S. Supreme Courts.

Jim is actively involved in The Boy Scouts of America, Troop 526, in North Royalton as the Charter Organization Representative and Leader. He and his wife and two children reside in North Royalton.

Notable Cases
Harrison v. Judge, 63 Ohio St. 3d 766 (1992) (application of Chapter 4117 to joint negotiations with separate public entities)

Goble v. Brunswick, 142 Ohio Misc. 137 (2007-Ohio-4125) (arbitration review of disability separation decision)

State, ex rel. Coyne v. Brook Park, 2003-Ohio-5383 (ordinance and charter review)

Mitchell v. Bainbridge Twp., 2004-Ohio-3687 (use of polygraph testing in public sector)

Amser Corp. v. Village of Brooklyn Heights, 1993 Ohio App. LEXIS 2384 (review of conditional use permit denial)

Capital University Law School
J.D.,

Anthony J. Coyne

Anthony Coyne is President of Mansour Gavin and his practice is focused on commercial, municipal law, zoning and planning, eminent domain, real property, and litigation.

An expert on urban affairs, he has authored several papers and was called upon to serve as Executive Assistant to the Director of Transition for Mayor Michael R. White's transition into his first term as Mayor of the City of Cleveland. He was Judicial Extern in 1987 for Judge Alice M. Batchelder of the United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio.

Mr. Coyne earned a B.A. from John Carroll University, an M.S. from Cleveland State University, Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs and a J.D. from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Cleveland State University. He is licensed to practice in the State of Ohio and has been admitted to the following courts:
-Supreme Court of Ohio
-U.S. Supreme Court
-U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
-U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio

He is a frequent guest lecturer and has spoken before organizations such as National Business Institute, Lorman Educations Series, Cleveland and Ohio State Bar Associations, Ohio Planning Conference, CLE International Seminar on Eminent Domain, Urban Land Institute and International Council on Shopping Centers on such topics as eminent domain, zoning and land use and municipal law.

Active in the community, Mr. Coyne has been Chair of the Planning Commission for the City of Cleveland since 2000. He started his tenure with the City of Cleveland's Planning Commission in 1990. In addition, he was appointed by Mayor Frank Jackson in June 2010 to serve as Chair of the newly-created Group Plan Commission of the City of Cleveland.

He is also involved with:
-Cleveland State University, Albert A. Levin Chair of Urban Studies and Public Service Advisory Committee
-Blue Coats
-Citizens League of Greater Cleveland
-City Club of Cleveland
-Urban Land Institute
-Board of Directors, Community Service Alliance
-Board of Directors, Ohio Canal Corridor
-Law Director, University Heights, Ohio
-Lincoln Institute, Board of Directors

During his career, Anthony Coyne has received the following awards and honors:
-Graduate Assistantship to Honorary Levin Chair. Assisted in planning the Anglo-American Colloquiums on Urban Innovations in Birmingham, England
-1984 AAG International Conference (American Association of Geographers), delivered paper entitled "Urban Waterfront Development: A Comparative Study on Implementation Structures in Toronto and Cleveland." Received an award for the best graduate research paper for 1984-1985 at the College of Urban Affairs.
-Distinguished Alumni Award, Cleveland State University (June 2007);
Dean's Distinguished Alumni Award, Cleveland State University, Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs (January 1994)
-Certificate of Recognition as Member of Government Relations Committee, Catholic Charities Services Corporation (1989-1994)
-Award by President's Council of John Carroll University (2003-2004); named a Super Lawyer by Ohio Super Lawyer magazine from 2005-2007.
Tony and his family reside in Ohio City. His wife, Rachelle, is very active in the community as well as many civic organizations.

Notable Cases
Board of Trustees v. City of Painesville (6th Cir. 1999), 200 F.3d 396

Court St. Dev.v. Stow City Council (9th Dist. 1998), 129 Ohio App. 3d.359

Danis Clarkco Landfill Co. v. Trustees of German Twp., No. C-3-96-481, 1997 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 21037 (S.D. Ohio December 15, 1997)

Kishmarton v. William Bailey Constr., Inc. (2001), 93 Ohio St. 3d 226

Loreto Dev. Co. v. Village of Chardon (1998), 81 Ohio St. 3d. 1239

City of Mentor v. Osborne, Nos. 98-L-226, 98-L-228, 98-L-229, 98-L-230, 201 Ohio App. LEXIS 2355 (11th Dist. May 25, 2001)

Murray Energy Corp. v. City of Pepper Pike (8th Dist.), 2008-Ohio-2818

City of North Olmsted v. North Olmsted Land Holdings (8th Dist. 2000), 137 Ohio App.3d 1

State ex rel. Michael Shemo v. City of Mayfield Heights (2002), 96 Ohio St.3d 379

Visconsi-Royalton, Ltd. v. City of Strongsville (8th Dist.), 2004-Ohio-4908

Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
J.D.,

Justin J. Eddy

Justin J. Eddy focuses his practice on real property litigation and general civil disputes, primarily assisting clients with matters related to land use and zoning, property acquisition, development, construction, ownership and management, and eminent domain, as well as complex business litigation. Justin also assists public entities with matters concerning various aspects of municipal law.

Justin earned a B.A. from Ohio University and graduated cum laude from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. Active in student government, Justin served as senator and then treasurer of the Student Bar Association and as a member of the advisory committee to the Dean of Students of Cleveland State University. He received the CALI Excellence for the Future Award for his study of contract law and for his work in Cleveland-Marshall's legal clinics. He was also a member of Cleveland-Marshall's nationally ranked moot court program.

Justin volunteers his time with Catholic Charities and the CMBA's 3Rs program, as well as serving on the American Heart Association Young Professionals Board. He is also an avid Cleveland sports fan, wakeboarder, and snowboarder. Justin resides in Fairview Park with his wife and two sons.

Professional Affiliations

Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Member
American Bar Association, Member
Ohio State Bar Association, Member
Northeast Ohio Law Directors Association, Associate Member

Publications

Big Wins for Property Owners, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal, October 2013

Jeffrey M. Embleton

Mr. Embleton has represented clients before state and federal courts in Ohio and several other states. He has appeared before Ohio Supreme Court on multiple occasions as well as the Sixth Circuit Federal Court of Appeals. He has represented companies before OSHA, the NLRB, and various other state and federal regulatory bodies.

His practice includes representing employers and businesses in employment discrimination and harassment claims; wrongful termination claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act; and related employment claims. He counsels employers on Rightful Terminations, Harassment Training, and other types of employment-related training.

Mr. Embleton has represented companies and individuals in claims involving trade secret disclosure and non-competition disputes. He has also represented executives in preparation of executive employment agreements and severance agreements.

He has extensive experience in representation of companies in a variety of business disputes, including UCC claims, contract disputes, and other business claims.

He also works with companies in a variety of other regulatory-related issues, including FDA compliance.

Mr. Embleton has been awarded Ohio Super Lawyer 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008. He has also served as a mentor in the Supreme Court of Ohio Mentoring Program. He has had a Martindale-Hubbell AV rating for over two decades.

Mr. Embleton's community activities include Trustee and Chairman Elect for 2010-2012 of the American Heart Association Greater Cleveland Chapter; St. Anselm Finance Council Chairperson 1996-2009; various sports programs; and Past President of West Geauga Recreation Council.

Jeff and his wife, Patti, reside in Geauga County. They are avid gardeners and outdoor enthusiasts.

Notable Cases
Parrett v. American Shipbuilding 990 F.2d 854 (1993) (ERISA action)

Tullis v. UMB Bank 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 87223 (ERISA action)

Duchon v. Cajon 791 F.2d 43 (1986) (FLSA claim)

Central States Stamping v. Terminal Equipment 727 F.2d 1405 (1984) (Lender liability)

Hollins v. Atlantic Co. 993 F. Supp. 1097 (1997) (EEOC claim)

Vitatoe v. Lawrence Industries (2005) 153 Ohio App. 3d. 609 (sexual harassment claim)

Cornell v. parson Coal (1993) 96 Ohio App. 3d.1 (Longshoreman's Act claim)

Brandenburger v. Hilti (1989) 52 Ohio App. 3d.21 (Disability discrimination claim)

Julie E. Firestone

Julie Firestone counsels medium to high net worth individuals and families on a variety of wealth management matters, including estate and lifetime planning (wills, revocable trusts, and various irrevocable trusts), estate administration, business succession planning, and a variety of tax matters.

Ms. Firestone is experienced in a range of wealth management matters including federal wealth transfer taxation (estate, gift, and generation-skipping taxes), estate and trust administration, fiduciary income taxation, estate planning, probate administration, and business succession planning. In particular, Ms. Firestone has extensive experience in administering large and complex decedents' estates and advising clients on the corresponding post-mortem estate and income tax planning and compliance obligations. This experience comes partly from nearly ten years with Baker & Hostetler LLP and several years in public accounting.

Julie earned a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and a Juris Doctor from Case Western Reserve University School of Law. Ms. Firestone is licensed in the State of Ohio and is also a Certified Public Accountant (inactive.)

Ms. Firestone is a member of the American Bar Association, the Ohio Bar Association, and the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association.

Ms. Firestone stays involved in her community by volunteering at her church and with several youth travel sports teams.

Case Western Reserve University School of Law
J.D.,

Julie A. Fischer

Julie Fischer is an experienced trusts and estates attorney with over 14 years of practice in all areas of wealth management and estate planning for high net worth individuals and their families, including income, gift, estate and generation-skipping transfer tax planning, and trust and estate administration. A significant portion of Julie's practice involves tax and other planning for owners of closely held businesses and members of their families. Julie's experience also includes litigation in matters concerning will and trust constructions, will contests, claims by and against fiduciaries and tax controversies.

Julie is an Ohio State Bar Association Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law and is licensed to practice in Ohio and Florida. She holds an LL.M. Degree in Taxation from the Case Western Reserve University School of Law and a J.D. Degree from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.

Julie currently serves as a Director on the Board of the Estate Planning Council of Cleveland, and as the Speaker's Chair of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Estate Planning, Probate, and Trust Law Section. She is also a member of the Ohio State Bar Association and the Florida Bar Association.

Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
J.D.,

Case Western Reserve University School of Law
LL.M.,

Brendon P. Friesen

Brendon P. Friesen has a general litigation practice and specialized experience in business and intellectual property disputes. He regularly prosecutes, defends and provides legal opinions with respect to matters involving breach of contract, Uniform Commercial Code, corporate and business disputes, non-compete agreements, trade secrets, trademark, patent, trade dress and copyright infringement.

Brendon also handles construction and general real estate matters and specializes in preserving, perfecting and enforcing mechanics liens in Ohio on public and private projects.

Brendon originally joined MGGM as an attorney in 2003. In 2007, he moved to Chicago with his family and practiced with a litigation firm for two years before returning to MGGM in 2009.

Having earned a B.A. from Occidental College and a Juris Doctor from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, Brendon is licensed to practice in Ohio and Illinois and is a member of the American Bar Association and the International Trademark Association.

Brendon and his family reside in Highland Heights. His wife, Meghan, is a Product Manager for Progressive Insurance.

Ohio State University Moritz College of Law
J.D.,

Julius R. Gerlack

Julius R. Gerlack has been with the firm since 1962. Mr. Gerlack has counseled clients extensively over the years in the fields of probate law, estate planning, corporate law and insurance law, and he continues to frequently work at the firm.

He earned a Bachelor's Degree from Ohio University and an LL.B. from Western Reserve University.

Mr. Gerlack is a member of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association.

Western Reserve University
LL.B.,

David W. Hildebrandt

David W. Hildebrandt provides outsourced general counsel services to closely-held businesses. As a trusted advisor, he provides practical advice to business owners on a broad spectrum of matters, including business formations, compliance and governance, shareholder agreements, operating agreements, buy-sell agreements, financing, business transactions, mergers and acquisition, employment law, taxation, litigation, and real estate transactions.

Before joining MGGM, David served as general counsel for more than a decade for a top national technology solutions provider headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio.

He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from John Carroll University and a Juris Doctor from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Cleveland State University.

He is licensed in the State of Ohio and has been admitted to the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio.

Dave volunteers as Treasurer of the Cleveland Scholastic Rowing Association whose mission is to provide a competitive rowing experience to positively impact the mind, body and spirit of young athletes in the Greater Cleveland Community.

Dave and his children reside in Rocky River.

Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
J.D.,

Jennifer E. Horn

Jennifer Horn focuses her practice in the areas of corporate and intellectual property law. She handles contract negotiation, drafting, and review, and provides counsel on a wide range of business issues, including corporate formation and corporate documents, antitrust law, warranty issues and data privacy laws.

Jen also works with clients on intellectual property matters such as trademark clearance searches and obtaining trademark registration, has assisted in both updating and developing corporate social media policies and privacy policies, and is familiar with advertising law and banking regulations.

Jen earned a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism, magna cum laude, from American University, and a Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Cleveland State University. She is licensed in Ohio and has been admitted to the Ohio Supreme Court and U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio.

Her student Note entitled The First Amendment and Diet Industry Advertising: Has Puffery Gone Too Far? was selected for publication in the Cleveland-Marshall Journal of Law and Health in 2007. She is a member of the Ohio Bar Association and the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, and serves as a volunteer with Legal Aid's "Save the Dream" program. Jen is also a Bay Village Preschool PTA board member.

Jen and her husband, Brian, reside in Bay Village with their son.

Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
J.D.,

Ann E. Knuth

Ms. Knuth counsels employers of all sizes on all aspects of the employment relationship, from hire to termination. She has defended employers in state and federal courts against allegations of employment discrimination, wrongful discharge, retaliation, breach of contract and statutory violations, including Title VII and FLSA class actions. She has briefed and argued cases before the Ohio Supreme Court, the Sixth and Third Circuit Federal Courts of Appeals, and the Ohio Eighth and Ninth Circuit Courts of Appeals. She has represented employers in administrative actions before the EEOC, DOL, OCRC and other state regulatory bodies.

Ms. Knuth represents management in all phases of labor relations including union organizing drives, representation elections, initial and successor contract negotiations, grievance resolution, NLRB charges and strike/picketing disputes.

Her practice includes employment-related immigration. She counsels employers on I-9 compliance, conducts I-9 audits, advises employers on responses to Immigration and Customs Enforcement Notices of Inspection, and prepares petitions for non-immigrant and immigrant visas and applications for naturalization.

Ms. Knuth has served on the board of The Broadway School of Music and the Arts, a nonprofit community school located in Cleveland's Slavic Village neighborhood, since 2000 and is the current Board President.

Ms. Knuth grew up in Lyndhurst and resides in Highland Heights.

Amy L. Kullik

Ms. Kullik has administrative and litigation experience in all aspects of public and private sector labor and employment law.

She counsels employers on litigation prevention, human resource management, health and safety issues, and proactive compliance strategies for federal and state laws. She develops and conducts training and compliance seminars for employers, managers, supervisors and employees; defends employers in cases involving allegations of discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation and wrongful discharge, and litigates cases relating to trade secrets and restrictive covenants.

Ms. Kullik is a frequent lecturer on employment law topics, and serves as a mentor to law students and new lawyers.

She received her BA summa cum laude from Kent State University and earned a JD from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Cleveland State University. She is currently admitted in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio and U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit.

Ms. Kullik is a Board Member of Easter Seals Northern Ohio. She is a member of the Ohio State, Cleveland Metropolitan and Lorain County Bar Associations, the Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys, the Defense Research Institute (DRI), and the Society for Human Resource Management.

Amy and her husband, Chip, reside in Westlake, Ohio. Chip is a radio personality on WMJI, Magic 105.7, as well as a business owner.

Notable Cases
Puritas Metal Products, Inc. v. Cole, 2008 Ohio 4653, 9th Dist. Ct. of Appeals

Overstreet v. Mack Industries, Inc., et al, 2007 Ohio 2911, 8th Dist. Ct. of Appeals

Bowers v. Swagelok Company, 2006 Ohio 3605, 8th Dist. Ct. of Appeals

Vitatoe v. Lawrence Industries, Inc., 153 Ohio App.3d 609, 2003 Ohio 4187, 8th Dist. Ct. of Appeals

Swagelok Co. v. Young, 2002 Ohio 3416, 8th Dist. Ct. of Appeals

Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
J.D.,

Ernest P. Mansour

Mr. Mansour is the founding partner of the firm. He continues to counsel corporate clients on complex business issues, antitrust litigation and labor matters. He has extensive trial experience in national and international jurisdictions and has successfully represented clients before the United States Supreme Court.

Having earned a Bachelor's degree from St. Francis College and an LL.B. from Western Reserve University, Mr. Mansour is licensed in the State of Ohio.

He is involved in the community as a Trustee of a charitable foundation, former Board Member of Midwest Bank & Trust, former Board Member of Midwestern National Life Insurance, member of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association and a member of the Ohio State Bar Association.

Mr. Mansour and his wife Lois reside in Shaker Heights, and enjoy spending time at their home in Naples FL, as well. Mr. Mansour is actively involved in a number of civic and charitable organizations.

Notable Cases
Crawford Fitting Company v. J.T. Gibbons, Inc. Champion International Corporation v. International Woodworkers of America, AFL-CIO, CLC, 482 U.S. 437, 107 S.Ct. 2494, 96 L.Ed.2d 385 (1987)

Walker v. Engle, 703 F.2d 959, 12 Fed R. Evid. Serv. 1819 (6th Cir. 1983)

Western Reserve University
LL.B.,

Dale E. Markworth

Dale E. Markworth is a principal litigator at MGGM. An experienced civil attorney, Mr. Markworth's practice focuses on products liability, professional malpractice, commercial, creditor rights, contract, employment and general negligence litigation. In addition, his practice includes debtor-creditor, transaction work, and general corporate practice.

Mr. Markworth is licensed to practice in Ohio. He received a Bachelor's Degree from Denison University and a Juris Doctor from Washington University.

Mr. Markworth is a member of the American Bar Association, the Cleveland Association of Civil Trial Attorneys, the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, the Defense Research Institute (DRI), the Eighth District Judicial Conference, Life Delegate, the Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys and the Ohio State Bar Association.

Mr. Markworth was awarded the Young Audiences Sunshine Award for Distinguished Service in 2010. He has previously served as vice co-chair of the Board of Young Audiences of Northeast Ohio.

Dale enjoys the outdoors, fishing and upland bird hunting. He is an avid tennis player and lives in Shaker Heights with his wife, Jennifer.

Washington University
J.D.,

Samuel R. Martillotta

Mr. Martillotta has significant experience in environmental and safety matters which include assuring compliance with current governing regulations and addressing both compliance and regulatory issues (federal, state and local governing bodies). Clients range in size from multi-national manufacturing corporations to mid-size and smaller entities. His practice also focuses on toxic tort litigation, involving the defense of asbestos litigation in both state and federal courts.

Earning a B.A. from Ohio Wesleyan University and a J.D. from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Cleveland State University, Mr. Martillotta is licensed in the State of Ohio and the United States District Court, Northern District.

Mr. Martillotta serves on the Board of Directors of the Kylie Jane Long Foundation, whose mission is to enhance the lives of local pediatric patients and their families. He also serves on the Board of Elders at his church where he is involved in the Men's Ministries and Adult Ministries Programs there.

Sam spends a lot of time with his wife and family in the spring and summer at the ball fields around the state, as they follow their sons' baseball teams. They also are engaged in their four children's activities both at home and in college. His focus is simply faith, family and friends.

Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
J.D.,

Tracey S. McGurk

Tracey McGurk is an experienced trial attorney who focuses her practice in the areas of Real Estate Litigation, Workers Compensation, Insurance Defense Litigation, and Toxic Tort Litigation.
She received her B.A in Communications from John Carroll University and a Juris Doctor from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Cleveland State University. Ms. McGurk is licensed in Ohio and has been admitted to the Ohio and U.S. District Courts in both the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio.

She is a member of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association and the Ohio State Bar Association. She volunteers for the Legal Aid Society's "Save the Dream Program" and was named 2011 Rising Star by Super Lawyers Magazine in the area of Workers' Compensation.

Tracey and her husband, Chris, reside in Bay Village with their family.

Notable Cases

Rhonda Wheatley v. Howard Hanna, et al., Lorain County Case No. 13CV178927, Defense Verdict

A. Lopresti & Sons, Inc., Plaintiff-Appellee v. Neil Castaldi, Defendant-Appellant No. 89748 Court of Appeals of Ohio, Eighth Appellate District, Cuyahoga County 2008 Ohio 1267; 2008 Ohio App. LEXIS 1116 March 20, 2008, Released

State ex rel. Rhenium Alloys, Inc. v. Indus. Comm'n of Ohio, No. 09-AP-326, Court of Appeals of Ohio, Tenth Appellate District, Franklin County, 2010 Ohio 1379; 2010 Ohio App. LEXIS 1174, March 31, 2010

DPJLR, Ltd. v. Howard Hanna, et al., No. 90883, Court of Appeals of Ohio, Eighth Appellate District, Cuyahoga County, 2008 Ohio 5872; 2008 Ohio App. LEXIS 4396, November 13, 2008

Thomas M. Loya, et al. v. Howard Hanna, et al., C.A. No. 24378, Court of Appeals of Ohio, Ninth Appellate District, Summit County, 2009 Ohio 448; 2009 Ohio App. LEXIS 497, February 4, 2009

Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
J.D.,

John W. Monroe

John Monroe focuses his practice on real estate and land use issues, handling matters such as real estate transactions, including sales, acquisitions and leasing; real estate litigation including landlord-tenant disputes, boundary disputes, title issues and zoning matters; manufactured home park law; and, administrative appeals from governmental bodies.

He received his bachelor's degree from Fairfield University and his Juris Doctor from George Washington University Law School.

Mr. Monroe is the Vice Chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Euclid, OH.

John is married to Mary Cavanaugh, the General Counsel of the Kemper Company. They reside in Euclid, Ohio along with their two sons, Reilly and Aidan Monroe. John enjoys boating, snowboarding, and ice hockey in his free time.

Recent Notable Cases / Transactions
2010
Represented national automobile retailer in acquisition and redevelopment of a former grocery store ($10+ million dollar transaction).

Represented landlords/tenants in multiple restaurant/bar leases.

Represented manufacturer in warehouse leasing in excess of 390,000 square feet.

2009
Represented manufacturer in warehouse leasing in excess of 350,000 square feet.

Represented retail shopping center developer in negotiation of an anchor tenant lease.

Represented municipality in acquisition of a former gas station.

2008
Represented manufactured home park owner (150+ pads) in refinance ($1.3+ million dollar transaction).

Represented retail shopping center developer in new construction financing.

Represented manufactured home park owner (174+ pads) in sale of park and related assets.

2007
Coordinated the transfer of seventy-four properties in fifteen states to new entity as part of corporate re-organization.

Lead real estate attorney for acquisition/sale of twenty acre manufactured home park (220 sites) in southern Ohio ($7.8 million dollar transaction).

Lead real estate attorney for sale of manufactured home park (219 sites) in Streetsboro, Ohio ($7.3 million dollar transaction).

Representing hotel operator in administrative appeal regarding citations for alleged violations involving the hotel's fire suppression/alarm system.

George Washington University Law School
J.D.,

Edward O. Patton

Edward O. Patton advises corporate clients regarding international import and exporting activities and establishing Corporate Compliance Programs for International Trade and NAFTA programs. He has extensive knowledge and experience in licensing procedures for international exports, product marking procedures for importation and U.S. Customs, preparing and filing licenses and product classification requests with the Bureau of Industry and Security, and assisting clients with NAFTA, International Trade Commission and Customs Audits. He has extensive practice before U.S. Customs, the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security, NAFTA and other U.S. Governmental Agencies that control and regulate international trade.

Mr. Patton's areas of practice also include general litigation, insurance defense, criminal defense, corporate litigation, and asbestos and silica litigation.

He earned a Bachelor's Degree from Xavier University and a Juris Doctor from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Cleveland State University.

He is licensed to practice in Ohio and is a member of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, the Ohio State Bar Association, the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio and Southern District of Michigan, and a number of the American Association of Exporters and Importers.

Ed and his wife, Anne Marie, reside in Lakewood, Ohio with their three children.

Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
J.D.,

Michael P. Quinlan

Michael P. Quinlan is an experienced trial attorney with a background in criminal prosecution and defense. He focuses his practice in the areas of insurance defense, products liability, criminal defense, toxic tort and state and federal civil litigation.

His education includes a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Dayton and a Juris Doctor from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Cleveland State University.

Mr. Quinlan is licensed in the State of Ohio and has been admitted to the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio.

Michael devotes time to community organizations. In addition to his busy legal practice, Michael "Mickey" Quinlan is also active as a coach and volunteer in youth sports. He is a 2009 graduate of Leadership Geauga, a member of Geauga County Blue Coats and on the board of directors for The Up Side of Downs in Northeast Ohio.

He and his family reside in Bainbridge Township.

Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
J.D.,

Timothy T. Reid

Timothy T. Reid is an experienced trial attorney serving as trial counsel for insurance carriers, corporations, employers and political subdivisions. He has represented clients in wrongful death, professional malpractice, employment and transportation injuries, police misconduct and Civil Rights claims.

Tim is licensed to practice in the State of Ohio, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio, U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court. He received his Juris Doctor degree from Case Western Reserve University in 1971 and graduated with a BBA from Ohio University in 1968.

Tim is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association, the Cleveland Civil Association of Trial Attorneys, the Defense Research Association, and the Trucking Industry Defense Association. Tim is proud to be a U.S. Navy veteran.

He has served as Law Director/Prosecutor for the cities of Wickliffe and Brunswick.

Case Western Reserve University
J.D.,

Bruce G. Rinker

Bruce Rinker is a shareholder of the firm and has extensive, well-rounded experience as a litigator and practitioner for cases involving eminent domain, planning and zoning, land use, vacancies, and administrative review by local governmental agencies, boards, commissions and councils.

He was a labor relations representative, state appellate court law clerk, Assistant County Prosecutor in the felony criminal division and has been a trial attorney for over 30 years.

His education includes a B.A. from Hamilton College and a J.D from Case Western Reserve University School of Law. He is licensed in Ohio and has been admitted to the Ohio and U.S. District Courts.

He is a member of the American and Ohio Bar Associations, the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, the American Planning Association, Urban Land Institute and The City Club.

Noting that he frequently passes himself coming and going, Bruce divides his time between two busy and separate duties as Mayor of Mayfield Village (since 1993) and a commissioner on the three-member Board of the Cleveland Metroparks.

He and his wife Laura, a registered nurse, have raised three children, several dogs, and continue their active involvement in the Mayfield and Greater Cleveland communities. Laura has launched an art gallery - Serafino - in Little Italy.

Bruce is a swimmer (moonlighting for years as the meet announcer for the Mayfield Wildcats swim team), a duffer - your lawyer really shouldn't be a good golfer... He loves the Arts (especially music) and true to his nature, enjoys dabbling in landscape architecture.

Notable Cases
-Mentor Lagoons (park assemblage)
-Euclid Corridor Widening
-Mayfield Heights v. Shemo, 96 Ohio St.3d 379 (2002)
-South Park v. Avon City Council, 2006 Ohio 2846 (9th Dist. 2006)
-DiSanto v. Solon, 2008 Ohio 2939 (8th Dist. 2008)
-Visconsi v. Strongsville, 2004 Ohio 4908 (8th Dist. 2004)

Case Western Reserve University School of Law
J.D.,

Jaclyn C. Staple

Jaclyn C. Staple focuses her practice in general civil litigation. She handles all aspects of the litigation process and assists clients primarily with insurance defense tort claim issues. Jackie also works on appeals at the administrative, state, and federal levels.

Ms. Staple earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees from Case Western Reserve University. She attended Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, where she graduated with the highest honors and was an editor of the Cleveland State Law Review and competed on the Moot Court team. While in law school, Jackie served as a judicial extern to the Hon. Judge James S. Gwin of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. Her public service experience included internships with the City of Cleveland Law Department and the U.S. Attorney's Office's Criminal Division. Prior to law school, Ms. Staple worked in both the transportation and student affairs industries.

Ms. Staple is licensed in Ohio and has been admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court in the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. She is a member of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association and the Ohio State Bar Association. She volunteers with the CMBA's 3Rs program and at St. Malachi Center in Ohio City. In her spare time, Jackie enjoys making artwork, participating in outdoor activities, and attending of Cleveland's cultural events and institutions. Jackie is proud to be a downtown Cleveland resident.

Case Western Reserve University
Master's,

Michael R. Tucci

Michael R. Tucci counsels clients on a wide array of business and intellectual property matters, including:
-Mergers and Acquisitions
-Private Equity Fund Formation and Placements
-Entity Formation and Governance
-Complex Commercial Transactions and Software Licensing
-Intellectual Property Strategies
-Trademark Prosecution, Dispute Resolution and Portfolio Management
-Shareholder Agreements and Business Succession Planning

He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Finance from Capital University and a Juris Doctor from Case Western Reserve University. Mr. Tucci also has a wealth of practical business experience from his ten-year career in business management, sales and marketing prior to entering law school.

Mr. Tucci is licensed in the State of Ohio and has been admitted to the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio and the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.

He is Council Member of the Ohio State Bar Association Corporate Counsel Section; and is a Board Member and legal counsel for Daisy Hill Animal Retreat and Healing Center, Inc.

Mr. Tucci is a member of the Ursuline College Legal Studies Program Advisory Board, and has been an adjunct professor at Ursuline College and the Case Western Reserve University School of Law.

In addition to practicing law, Michael Tucci is an avid musician as well as a fiction writer. He and his family reside in Olmsted Falls.

Case Western Reserve University
J.D.,

Thomas M. Turner

Thomas M. Turner is an experienced and accomplished transactional lawyer. For nearly four decades, he has concentrated his practice in representing business owners, well known professional athletes, executives and closely-held businesses in matters involving personal and succession planning, income, estate and gift tax planning; mergers and acquisitions, reorganizations, joint ventures, planning strategies involving the use of shareholder agreements, operating agreements, buy-sell agreements and complex life insurance arrangements. His practice includes the selection and formation of various ownership structures including family limited partnerships, LLC's, C corporations and Sub-S corporations.

He also has extensive experience in representing significant estates and trusts, including several of the largest estates in Ohio's history, and numerous other estates and trusts comprising substantial wealth.

Mr. Turner earned a B.S. from Purdue University and a J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. He is licensed in the state of Ohio as well as the U.S. Tax Court. Mr. Turner is also a Certified Public Account (inactive).

In 2005, Mr. Turner received the Distinguished Service Award from the Cleveland Bar Association, where he was Treasurer from 2002-2005 and was a member of the Board of Trustees from 1999-2002 and the Certified Grievance Committee from 1996-1999. He also served as Vice-Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary of the Probate and Trust Law Section and Chairman of its Probate Court Committee. Other activities include serving on the Board of Zoning Appeals for Chagrin Falls Township; Former Councilman for the City of Rocky River and a Former Board Member for the Kidney Foundation of Ohio and New Directions, Inc.

University of Pittsburgh School of Law
J.D.,