Local Lawyers Super Attorneys: A Cleveland Jewish News Special Section

SUPER ATTORNEYS

JANUARY 29, 2021

CJN.ORG | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | 43

Local Lawyers Super Attorneys A Cleveland Jewish News Special Section

44 | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | CJN.ORG

JANUARY 29, 2021

LOCAL LAWYERS

Attorneys find ways to adjust during pandemic ALEX KRUTCHIK | STAFF REPORTER @AlexKrutchikCJN akrutchik@cjn.org |

T

PAUL J. SINGERMAN

GARY S. DESBERG

RONALD J. TEPLITZKY

EVAN S. HIRSCH

ABBIE R. PAPPAS Singerman, Mills, Desberg & Kauntz prides itself on bringing a wide range of substantial experience to structuring and executing business and real estate transactions for our clients.

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he COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way of life for people and businesses for almost a year.

The way people grocery shop, see loved ones and conduct business has had to go through an intense adaptation since the United States went into a lockdown in March 2020.

Lidrbauch Howard Mishkind, founding partner of Mishkind Kulwicki Law in Beachwood; Elena Lidrbauch, attorney at Hickman & Lowder in Cleveland; and Craig Weintraub, attorney at The Law Offices of Craig Weintraub Mishkind in Cleveland, said their offices are not much different than other businesses that have had to make adjustments.

“I’ve been working pretty much remotely,” Mishkind said.

“Because I am 65, I’m at a higher risk for COVID. So I’ve chosen Weintraub to work remotely, and I’d only go into the office maybe once or twice a week as necessary.”

While attorneys around the state work remotely, they have to come up with other ways to communicate with their clients and other partners in the legal field.

“We do everything by Zoom now,” Weintraub said. “So, you’ve got to have an understanding of the technology as well as preserving our clients’ rights to privacy. Everything gets conducted

by Zoom. All of our meetings that we have with prosecutors and judges are all

being held by Zoom.”

Lidrbauch said although Zoom is an effective communication tool during these times, it is difficult to duplicate face-to-face conversations.

“I miss the human contact probably like everyone,” Lidrbauch said. “When you’re on the phone – if it’s a client that you already have an established relationship with, then it’s a little easier to have a phone conversation. If it’s a brand new person, it’s a little more challenging because you don’t see their face.”

One way Lidrbauch’s office was able to see clients face-to-face during the summer was the utilization of a drivethrough system. Clients could arrive in their cars, speak with people from the office and sign the proper documents.

One big consequence of the pandemic, however, is the suspension of jury trials since the middle of March 2020.

This issue is particularly magnified for people like Weintraub, who specializes in criminal defense. He said the right to a speedy trial has been threatened by the long-term suspension of jury trials.

An indirect way a trial can be affected is a “complaining witness” that loses energy to proceed further due to the length of the trial.

“I think that the question that I would ask is, will the casualties of this virus include oral advocacy?,” Weintraub asked. “Because it has a direct impact on what we’re doing for criminal clients.”

Although there are consequences and drawbacks to working in a pandemic, Mishkind said he believes certain things are here to stay, even after the pandemic.

“I think that Zoom has changed the landscape entirely,” Mishkind said. “I’ve got to believe that after the pandemic ends, the way that we practice law, hold conferences, depositions, even pretrials (will be different). ... It will make the ability for an attorney to be much more efficient rather than having to drive back and forth, or get on an airplane.”

“I think that the question that I would ask is, will the casualties of this virus include oral advocacy?

Because it has a direct impact on what we’re doing for criminal clients.”

-Craig Weintraub

SUPER ATTORNEYS

CJN.ORG | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | 45

JANUARY 29, 2021

Christian R. Patno Personal Injury, Ohio Top 10, Ranked #3

Ann-Marie Ahern Employment Litigation, Ohio Top 100

Hugh D. Berkson Securities Litigation

David M. Cuppage Business Litigation

David A. Schaefer Civil Litigation, Ohio Top 100

Rob Glickman General Litigation

Kimon P. Karas Tax

Tobias J. Hirshman Personal Injury Medical Malpractice

Kenneth B. Liffman Real Estate

Robert R. Kracht Business Litigation

Danielle G. Garson Rising Star Real Estate

Jack E. Moran Rising Star Employment Litigation

Richard A. Rabb Family Law

John S. Seich Estate Planning & Probate

Nicholas R. Oleski Rising Star Creditor Debtor Rights

Colin R. Ray Rising Star Personal Injury

Congratulations To Our 2021 Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars® ©

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JANUARY 29, 2021

Environmental changes on horizon with new administration ALEX KRUTCHIK | STAFF REPORTER @AlexKrutchikCJN akrutchik@cjn.org |

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limate change and other environmental issues have been a hot-button topic in the United States for decades, and have picked up more steam in the last few years.

Joel Eagle, a partner with Thompson Hine in Cleveland, and Will Gardner, a partner with Taft Law in Indianapolis, said sweeping changes across the nation under the Biden administration can be expected.

“Biden’s Environmental Protection Agency will

BOUTIQUE REPRESENTATION FOR COMPLEX CASES

- Joel Eagle

a dedication to client advocacy.

• • • •

Shareholder & Partnership Disputes Healthcare Law Commercial & Employment Litigation Sports Law Personal Injury

likely be a very substantial reversal of many policies from the Trump administration,” Eagle said.

“Environmental justice has been an issue since the 1980s. Each administration has a different view and focus on environmental justice. But if you read Biden’s environmental justice plan, he talks about environmental justice over and over again. So, I would Eagle expect that much of his policy and new regulations and new legislation that come in 2021 and the next four years are going to have environmental justice considerations to them.”

Gardner said, “I think one of the ways we will see that play out will be in their approach to Superfund laws. These are federal laws that relate to cleaning up some of the most Gardner contaminated sites in the country. And the Biden administration has indicated that, as part of trying to deal with the backlog of cases that are part of Superfund, that they are going to focus on an environmental justice review with respect to those projects in terms of prioritizing them.”

One of these sites is a 15-acre area in Elyria. After operating as a landfill from the early 1900s to the 1970s, the site started taking in various types of industrial wastes. The EPA has since led the cleanup to remove the waste and contaminated soil, as well as monitor the groundwater of the site. However, there were still 1,344 Superfund sites on the National Priorities List as of June 12, 2019, according to the EPA. Another big move the Biden administration made was re-entering the United States into the Paris Climate Agreement on Jan. 20. This is a program meant to provide an international framework to limit global warming and help assist other countries in their efforts against climate change.

“Environmental justice has been an issue since the 1980s. Each administration has a different view and focus on environmental justice.”

Ciano & Goldwasser is a boutique law

•

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“That’s a big step towards recognizing that the U.S. believes in climate change and wants to take action to address it,” Eagle said. “You might want to note that Biden will try to exercise his authority for issuing executive orders to the extent he can. He understands the difference between making decisions by executive order versus regulations and legislation. He will take whatever actions he can by executive order.”

While large companies make up most carbon emissions, Gardner said that these regulations will still have an impact on the general population.

“Anything that is climate related affects all of us,” Gardner said. “It’s not just large companies impacted by these regulations. It could be farmers and residential land developers. Anybody who’s working on projects that affect property are likely to be impacted.”

SUPER ATTORNEYS

JANUARY 29, 2021

CJN.ORG | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | 47

14 Elk & Elk Attorneys Recognized on 2021 Super Lawyers ® and Rising Stars Lists Elk & Elk is proud to announce that 14 of our attorneys were included on the 2021 Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars lists.

Kelley, O’Neil, DiSilvio and Price were included on this year’s Top 50 Cleveland Super Lawyers and Top 100 Ohio Super Lawyers lists.

Partners Jay Kelley, John O’Neil, Phillip Kuri, Marilena DiSilvio and R. Craig McLaughlin were selected to the 2021 Ohio Super Lawyers list.

DiSilvio was selected to the 2021 Top 50 Women Ohio Super Lawyers and Top 25 Women Cleveland Super Lawyers lists.

Attorneys Gary Cowan, Matthew Carty, Amy Papesh, Michael Eisner, William Price, William Campbell and Kevin Lenson were selected to the 2021 Ohio Super Lawyers list.

Attorneys Martin Kraft and Ian Fijalkovich were included on this year’s Ohio Rising Stars list.

Elk & Elk Co., Ltd. 6105 Parkland Blvd., Ste. 200, Mayfield Heights, OH 44124 1.800.ELK.OHIO | elkandelk.com

PICTURED LEFT TO RIGHT: James Kelley III†, John O’Neil†+, Phillip Kuri+, Marilena DiSilvio†‡~, R. Craig McLaughlin, Gary Cowan, Matthew Carty, Amy Papesh, Michael Eisner, William Price†, William Campbell, Kevin Lenson, Martin J. Kraft*, Ian Fijalkovich* *CHOSEN TO 2021 RISING STARS; †TOP 100 OHIO & TOP 50 CLEVELAND; ‡TOP 50 WOMEN OHIO; ~TOP 25 WOMEN CLEVELAND; +10 YEARS

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JANUARY 29, 2021

COVID-19 forces newlyweds to adapt their practices

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BECKY RASPE | STAFF REPORTER @BeckyRaspeCJN braspe@cjn.org |

F

or Suzann Moskowitz and Josh Fuchs, 2020 didn’t just mean managing their small firms from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It also meant getting married on Oct. 20, 2020, and combining their households and firms, with three children into one home in Shaker Heights.

Now months later, Moskowitz, of The Moskowitz Firm, and Fuchs, of The Fuchs Firm, have hit their stride, but not without the expected and unexpected hiccups.

Moskowitz practices trademark, privacy, copyright and new media law, while Fuchs practices business and commercial, labor and employment, consumer protection, contracts, arbitration and mediation law.

“It was a challenge, and almost immediately, we realized that we would need a second office in the house,” said Fuchs, 37. “So, we hired an architect to draw us up some plans. Suzann built out another office, which was done right before the pandemic, so we could both run independently at home.

With the wedding, we had been talking about moving in together for a while. That was planned.”

But the biggest challenge for the couple is managing their six crazy calendars – one for each child’s schooling, a family calendar and one for each firm.

“Neither of us can have an important meeting at the same time because one of us needs to be available to make sure things are running OK in the house and that noise levels are OK,” Fuchs said.

Moskowitz, 44, added, “Neither of us can leave the house at the same time either.

Fortunately, we never go anywhere so we never need to leave. But, when we do, that will be an issue. So, there is a lot of communication required to make sure that the combined schedule is running smoothly.”

For Moskowitz, 2020 marked the 10th anniversary of her firm, where she was already working toward functioning exclusively from home, aside from occasional trips to the office to visit her inhouse counsel. But Fuchs had just launched his firm in downtown Cleveland in 2019 before the pandemic forced him to make the at-home switch.

“I did have some experience working from home because before that, as lawyers, you never really leave the office even when you physically leave,” he said. “Whether it is in your car, or you’re in a hotel or whatever, you’re still working. But once the pandemic hit, the access to conference rooms, office spaces and working at coffee shops came to a screeching halt.”

Since the firms offer very different things, the couple said it takes coordination to keep everything running like a well-oiled

Suzann Moskowitz and Josh Fuchs | Submitted photo

machine.

“Josh is the one who is putting on a suit and talking to judges via Zoom, so it is kind of a different practice in a way,” Moskowitz said. “For me, I would say things are a little less formal usually. I do tend to have many short meetings every single day, which I can move around. But Josh is sort of dealing with more of the formalities of courts.”

Fuchs added, “I could have never imagined that I would be mediating and settling cases via videoconference while three kids are attending virtual school and Suzann is running a firm, all on the other side of the wall. But, the only thing that has changed for me is where I perform tasks. There are still pre-trials, evidentiary hearings, mediation-arbitration and even trials. So, I just go find a quiet corner of the house, put up a virtual Zoom background and go.”

The pair joked the biggest issue right now is that one of the children has an affinity for the trombone. But if they need the kids to quiet down, they can send them to a nearby park or log them onto Minecraft, which is “the best baby sitter around,” Fuchs said.

But both Fuchs and Moskowitz said practicing alongside each other from home has its notable benefits too.

“One of the benefits of Suzann’s practice being very different from mine is I have access to someone who has different views on things,” Fuchs said. “If I were in an office, it would be full of litigators who all do the same thing over and over. So, it’s nice to run over to Suzann and bounce ideas off of her, asking if something sounds crazy to her or if I’m taking the right path.”

Moskowitz noted, “Even though I’m not a litigator, neither of us want our clients in court if they don’t need to be. We want to resolve problems together. And so, we do spend a lot of time talking about what is a good resolution, all within the lines of client confidentiality. I find it harkens back to my time with Ulmer & Berne and I could knock on someone’s door and ask for advice. So, there is that collaboration still, even if what we do is different.”

SUPER ATTORNEYS

CJN.ORG | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | 49

JANUARY 29, 2021

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JANUARY 29, 2021

LOCAL LAWYERS

Minc Law innovates with digital risk service BECKY RASPE | STAFF REPORTER @BeckyRaspeCJN braspe@cjn.org |

A

t the end of 2019, Minc Law launched its digital risk protection service aimed at monitoring and remediating virtual threats for its clients.

Aaron Minc, president and founder of Minc Law in Orange, said the online defamation firm had been exploring ways to further expand into the modern space. With the help of his partner for this venture, David Toth, an independent marketing contractor with the firm and a marketing consultant with Winding River Consulting, it aims to offer peace of mind in an era where online harassment is prevalent.

“People get harmed and harassed online, or have their image out there or whatever it is, and they want some sort of sense of security,” Minc said.

“It is the same way you set up an alarm for your house or your car. If there is a breach or risk, it alerts you. At least in my mind, those that have been harmed and affected by this, a lot of them are looking for a solution where they’re getting the same type of service – kind of like an alarm for the internet.”

After a conversation with a company called ZeroFOX, which is a technology

Minc

Toth

platform that services organizations or public figures with security risks, the digital risk protection service was born.

ZeroFOX provides technology support to the service, while Minc Law provides the legal expertise in a manner that “is more white glove and hands-on, where we customize it to the risks our customers are facing,” Minc said.

“A lot of the good options for this may cost up to hundreds of thousands of dollars and the ones that don’t aren’t very good,” he said. “So, this wound up being a really good partnership. I found ZeroFOX and they also saw we weren’t their typical partner either. But, when they explained what they did, I thought if I could tailor that from an enterprise to an individual solution, a lot of my clients would be interested in it. They agreed.”

As the pandemic caused shutdowns across the country in March 2020, it also brought about operational issues in the new practice causing the service to have to “reset” in July. By the end of 2020, there were 40 users.

“Not only are you trying to start a new business during any regular time, but with the usage of the internet becoming so much more prevalent, everyone is starting to have more concerns and hear more stories about people getting attacked or threats occurring,” Toth said. “We found those pain points have changed a little bit than what we initially thought when launching.”

Toth added as needs continued to evolve throughout the pandemic, the need for this type of service to exist grew just as much.

“As clients’ needs evolved, we needed to evolve with them,” he explained.

“People are starting to see their virtual world collide with their physical world.

The way things can grow online today is much more exponential as well. The important thing to keep in mind here is that the internet is a really big place and things are not just going to Google.

It is really about diving into all of these sources and monitoring them to come up with a strategic way to go beyond

something like Google Alerts.”

As one of the only firms that specializes in online defamation, Minc said the addition of the new service further sets them apart as an industry leader.

“We’re the only law firm in the world that offers digital risk protection services on top of legal services in an already very unique and well-defined niche area,” he stated. “You’re pretty much alone in any way on a national level. So, this definitely sets us apart.”

Toth added, “A lot of services today only do the monitoring and identifying part. But we’re able to assess the issues and threats and determine if they are viable, if we need to take action and how we do that. I would say that is truly one of the things that no one else can do in this space. That has made our clients comfortable with it. They have a reliable source they can reach at any point to find out if what has happened is good, bad and everything in between.”

Publisher’s note: Aaron Minc is a member of the Cleveland Jewish Publication Company Board of Directors.

Despite pandemic, Buckingham, Doolittle continues to expand COLLIN CUNNINGHAM

O

ver the past 18 months, Akron-based law firm Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs has managed to nearly double its roster of attorneys and announced in December it’s preparing to open a new office in downtown Akron this year.

Buckingham managing partner Steven Dimengo said it might be surprising the firm is experiencing growth during a time when many other businesses are struggling to even turn a profit, but it’s no accident.

According to Dimengo, Buckingham is able to experience the largest period of expansion it has seen since its founding in 1913 because it has earned its place as one of the region’s best business law firms. He described the practice as a small business firm for closely-held companies. It does some work for public corporations but mostly focuses on mergers and acquisitions, tax law and real estate litigation for smaller businesses.

“The rare combination we have is we’re a strong business firm that has really strong tax expertise,” Dimengo said. “Oftentimes, when you’re working on business mergers, almost everything has a tax implication, so we’re equipped to address that as well.”

The 20 new employees make the firm more wellrounded, said Dimengo, who works and lives in Akron.

Having served public and private businesses with the firm for more than 30 years, he said the new group of commercial litigation, creditor’s rights and mergers and acquisitions attorneys will help Buckingham continue to compete with larger firms.

“Some of the business contract work we do with mergers and acquisitions, our competition is a national law firm,” Dimengo said. “We are a regional law firm with offices in Cleveland, Akron and Canton. Even in the state and local tax area, our competition is national law firms.”

An expanded staff allows Buckingham to deal with a broad and complex set of white-collar laws, and is part of the firm’s succession planning to train employees and encourage long-term investment. The firm also emphasizes diversity, and Dimengo said some of the recent hires are renowned female lawyers.

And it’s not just new people that are helping the firm grow. Dimengo said its new office in the historic Nantucket Building at the corner of South Main Street and East Wilbeth Road near Firestone Stadium in downtown Akron will expand Buckingham’s reach to potential new clients. It will be the company’s fifth location, including two in Akron – one on Embassy Parkway and the other on Main Street – one on Munson Street in Canton and the downtown Cleveland office on East 9th Street.

“Our first 90-some years in existence, we were in downtown Akron,” Dimengo said. “It’s nice to return here. We’re right across from the federal courthouse, so that enables us to serve clients in that type of litigation.

Even to serve businesses that may be involved in litigation outside of Ohio that involves the federal court system.”

While the firm is happy about being able to reach new horizons, Dimengo said resting on its laurels is out of the question, and law office staff has additional plans for improving Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs in 2021.

“We have an active recruiting effort and I just feel very

Buckingham managing partner Steven Dimengo says recruiting attorneys is very important to his firm. | Submitted photo

strong about always trying to recruit,” Dimengo said.

“There’s a philosophy at our firm that if we find good talent, really strong talent, they have a knack for staying busy, then they’re always welcome here. We always find a use for just really good, strong, hardworking attorneys that are a cultural fit.”

Collin Cunningham is a freelance writer in Cleveland.

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CJN.ORG | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | 51

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LOCAL LAWYERS

Lawyers, firms receive recognition The following attorneys received recognition from the 2021 Super Lawyers magazine.

FRANTZ WARD LLP SUPER LAWYERS Brett K. Bacon, T. Merritt Bumpass Jr., Michael N. Chesney, Gregory R. Farkas, Ian H. Frank, Michael J. Frantz, Carl H. Gluek, Patrick F. Haggerty, Kevin M. Hinkel, Joel R. Hlavaty, Matthew F. Kadish, Stephen L. Kadish, Christopher G. Keim, Brian J. Kelly, Christopher C. Koehler, John F. Kostelnik, Nora E. Loftus, Margaret M. Metzinger, James B. Niehaus, Jenifer E. Novak, Mark L. Rodio, Dean M. Rooney, Marc A. Sanchez, Douglas B. Schnee, Daniel A. Ward and David G. Weibel RISING STARS Kaitlyn D. Arthurs, Klevis Bakiaj, Andrew J. Cleves, Alan B. Dailide, Michael J. Frantz Jr., Mia L. Garcia, Thomas G. Haren, Daniel P. Hinkel, Angela D. Lydon, Christina E. Niro, Michael C. Nunnari Jr., Bradley D. Reed, Allison Taller Reich, Ryan T. Smith and Travis N. Teare

HAHN LOESER & PARKS LLP SUPER LAWYERS M. Patricia Culler, Rocco I. Debitetto, Daniel A. DeMarco, Christina D’Eramo Evans, Robert J. Fogarty, Stephen H. Gariepy, Steven A. Goldfarb, Andrew J. Natale, Lawrence E. Oscar, Rob Remington, Dennis R. Rose, Christopher B. Wick, A.J. Hensel, Marc J. Kessler and O. Judson Scheaf III RISING STARS Dana Marie DeCapite, Matthew K. Grashoff, Casey J. McElfresh, Christopher R. Mykytiak, Tara J. Rose and Gregory A. Thompson

MINC LLC. RISING STAR Aaron Minc and Andrew Stebbins

REMINGER CO., LPA SUPER LAWYERS Hugh J. Bode, Andrew J. Dorman, Adam M. Fried, Brian T. Gannon, Marc W. Groedel, Gregory G. Guice, Thomas B. Kilbane, Frank Leonetti III, Franklin C. Malemud, Clifford C. Masch, William A. Meadows, Russell J. Meraglio Jr., Ronald A. Mingus, Jeanne M. Mullin, Richard J. Rymond, Christine Santoni, Brian D. Sullivan, James J. Turek, Stephen E. Walters and Leon A. Weiss

RISING STARS Adam J. Davis, Julian T. Emerson, Timothy J. Gallagher, Aaren Host, Jonathan Krol, Brian P. Nally, Joseph T. Palcko and Paul R. Shugar

TUCKER ELLIS LLP SUPER LAWYERS Karl Bekeny, Irene Keyse-Walker, John Lewis, Rita Maimbourg, John McCaffrey, Daniel Messeloff, Joseph Morford, Matthew Moriarty, Carl Muller, Brian O’Neill, Anthony Petruzzi, Susan Racey, Keith Raker, Dustin Rawlin, Benjamin Sasse, John Slagter, Ronald Stansbury, Scott Stitt, Robert Tucker and Kevin Young RISING STARS Zachary Adams, Madeline Dennis, Justin Eddy, Chad Eggspuehler, Jonathan Feczko, Sarena Holder, Seth Linnick, Joseph Manno, Jennifer Mesko, Chelsea Smith, Seth Wamelin, Chaz Weber and Ryan Winkler

ULMER & BERNE LLP SUPER LAWYERS Inajo Davis Chappell, Robert E. Chudakoff, Timothy J. Downing, Jeffrey S. Dunlap, William D. Edwards, Frances Floriano Goins, James A. Goldsmith, Manju Gupta, Lori A. Pittman Haas, Richard G. Hardy, Steven S. Kaufman, Joshua A. Klarfeld, Marie C. Kuban, David W. Leopold, Mary Forbes Lovett, Amanda Martinsek, Patricia A. Shlonsky, Michael S. Tucker, Michael N. Ungar, Robin M. Wilson, Reuel D. Ash, John F. Bennett, Paul (PJ) Cosgrove, Frederick M. Erny, K.C. Green, John M. Hands, Scott P. Kadish, Jesse R. Lipcius, Michael A. Marrero, Jeffrey F. Peck, Eric M. Robbins, Frederic (Fritz) X. Shadley, Michael J. Suffern, Joseph P. Thomas, Alexander M. Andrews and Alvin E. Mathews Jr. RISING STARS Brett C. Altier, Michael J. Charlillo, Gregory C. Djordjevic, Sara S. Dorland, Daniel A. Gottesman, Trevor J. Hardy, Georgia Hatzis, Steven P. Larson, Ellesha M. LeCluyse, Daniela Paez, Ashtyn N. Saltz, Raymond D. Seiler, Lisa Marlo Kuhnell, Elaine M. Stol and Sarah Miller Benoit

ZUKOWSKY LLP RISING STARS Ami Zukowsky

The following attorneys received recognition from the 2021 Best Lawyers in America.

FRANTZ WARD LLP BEST LAWYERS IN AMERICA Kaitlyn D. Arthurs, Brett K. Bacon, Todd A. Broski, T. Merritt Bumpass Jr., Michael N. Chesney, William A. Duncan, Gregory R. Farkas, Ian H. Frank, Michael J. Frantz, Carl H. Gluek, Patrick F. Haggerty, Craig T. Haran, Thomas G. Haren, Ralph P. Higgins Jr., Daniel P. Hinkel, Kevin M. Hinke, Joel R. Hlavaty, Matthew F. Kadish, Stephen L. Kadish, Christopher G. Keim, Brian J. Kelly, Christopher C. Koehler, John F. Kostelnik, Hans L. Larsen, Nora E. Loftus, Karl E. May, James B. Niehaus, Christina E. Niro, Jenifer E. Novak, Jeffrey A. Perlmuter, Mark L. Rodio, Dean M. Rooney, James H. Rownd, Marc A. Sanchez, Douglas B. Schnee, Ryan T. Smith, Mark J. Stockman, Daniel A. Ward and David G. Weibel ONES TO WATCH Klevis Bakiaj, Megan E. Bennett, Thomas E. Cardone, Andrew J. Cleves, Thomas G. Haren, Angela D. Lydon, Bradley D. Reed, Jonathan M. Scandling, Michael E. Smith

HAHN LOESER & PARKS LLP BEST LAWYERS IN AMERICA Andrew Agati, Christopher S.W. Blake, Jeffrey A. Brauer, Erica L. Calderas, Douglas C. Carlson, Arthur L. Cobb, Patricia Culler, Rocco I. Debitetto, Dana Marie DeCapite, Daniel A. DeMarco, Christina D’Eramo Evans, Aaron S. Evenchik, Robert J. Fogarty, Stephen H. Gariepy, Warren Goldenberg, Steven A. Goldfarb, Stanley R. Gorom III, Joan M. Gross, Matthew E. Henoch, Stephen J. Knerly Jr., Ann Knuth, Kelly A. Kosek, Frank C. Krasovec, Jr., John Paul Lucci, John E. Mellyn Jr., Andrew J. Natale, Ronald O’Keefe, Lawrence E. Oscar, Robert Port, Richard T. Prasse, Rob Remington, Dennis R. Rose, Craig Owen White, Christopher B. Wick

REMINGER CO., LPA BEST LAWYERS IN AMERICA Hugh J. Bode, Anthony M. Catanzarite, Mario C. Ciano, Adam Davis, Andrew J. Dorman, Adam M. Fried, Brian T. Gannon, Daniel Haude, Marc W. Groedel, Gregory G. Guice, Erin Siebenhar Hess-, David J. Hudak, Barbara B. Janovitz, Thomas B.Kilbane, Frank Leonetti, III, Franklin C. Malemud, Clifford C. Masch, Allison M. McMeechan, William

A. Meadows-, Russell J. Meraglio, Jr., Jeanne M. Mullin, Bethanie R. Murray, John Patrick, Mick Proxmire, Richard J. Rymond, Christine Santoni, Myra Stockett, Brian D. Sullivan, James J. Turek, Stephen E. Walters, Michael Ward, Leon A. Weiss and Holly Marie Wilson LAWYER OF THE YEAR Adam M. Fried, elder law; Franklin C. Malemud, litigation trusts and estates; and William A. Meadows, medical malpractice law defendants ONES TO WATCH Julian T. Emerson, Timothy J. Gallagher, Paul R. Shugar

TUCKER ELLIS LLP BEST LAWYERS IN AMERICA Thomas Baker, Karl Bekeny, William Beseth, Jonathan Cooper, Corine Corpora, Richard Dean, Stephen Ellis, Victor Geraci, Robert Hanna, Michael Harris, Jeffrey Healy, Christopher Hewitt, Evelyn Holmer, Laura Kingsley Hong, Peter Igel, Irene Keyse-Walker, Eugene Killeen, Joseph Koncelik, John Lewis, Rita Maimbourg, John McCaffrey, Erica McGregor, Jennifer Mesko, Daniel Messeloff, Joseph Morford, Matthew Moriarty, Glenn Morrical, Carl Muller, Brian O’Neill, Thomas Ostrowski, Anthony Petruzzi, Susan Racey, Keith Raker, Peter Rome, Jennifer Roth, Thomas Simmons, John Slagter, Ronald Stansbury, William Stavole, Edward Taber, Robert Tucker, Anthony Vacanti, Victoria Vance, Peter Voudouris, Jane Warner and Kevin Young ONES TO WATCH Frederick Cruz, Ashley Gault, Smita Gautam, Chelsea Mikula and Ryan Winkler

ULMER & BERNE LLP BEST LAWYERS IN AMERICA John M. Alten, Kristin W. Boose, Inajo Davis Chappell, Timothy J. Downing, Jeffrey S. Dunlap, William D. Edwards, John C. Goheen, Frances Floriano Goins, James A. Goldsmith, Daniel A. Gottesman, Howard M. Groedel, Manju Gupta, Lori A. Pittman Haas, Richard T. Hamilton, Jr., Richard G. Hardy, Stephanie E. Harley, Paul R. Harris, John R. Harrison, Steven S. Kaufman, Joshua A. Klarfeld, Marie C. Kuban, David A. Landman, David W. Leopold, Mary Forbes Lovett, Amanda Martinsek, Christopher C. McCracken, Lawrence D. Pollack, Harold H. Reader, Jodi B. Rich, Alan W. Scheufler, David E. Schweighoefer, Douglas K. Sesnowitz,

HONORS | 53

SUPER ATTORNEYS HONORS | 52 Patricia A. Shlonsky, Linda DelaCourt Summers, Michael S. Tucker, Michael N. Ungar, Frederick N. Widen, Robin M. Wilson, David D. Yeagley, John F. Bennett, Jason P. Conte, Paul J. (PJ) Cosgrove, Frederick M. Erny, Jeffrey D. Geoppinger, K.C. Green, John M. Hands, Alan J. Hartman, John R. Ipsaro, Scott P. Kadish, Clayton L. Kuhnell, Jesse R. Lipcius, Michael A. Marrero, Robin D. Miller, Stephen G. Nesbitt, Jeffrey F. Peck, Eric M. Robbins, Gina M. Saelinger, Frederic X. (Fritz) Shadley, Michael J. Suffern, Stuart R. Susskind, Joseph P. Thomas, Vance V. VanDrake III, Alexander M. Andrews, Alvin E. Mathews Jr., Andrew W. Owen and Jeffrey J. Patter ONES TO WATCH Brett Altier, Gregory C. Djordjevic, Trevor J. Hardy, Georgia Hatzis, Jonathan R. King, Steven P. Lason, Daniela Paez, Shipra K. Rege, Ethan Lee Rosenfeld and Ashtyn N. Saltz The following Northeast Ohio firms were recognized in the 2021 “Best Law Firms” survey published by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers.

FRANTZ WARD LLP PRACTICES RECEIVING RECOGNITION Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Commercial Litigation, Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Construction Law, Corporate Law, Education Law, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Employment Law – Management, Family Law, Family Law Mediation, Health Care Law, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Antitrust, Litigation – Construction, Litigation – Insurance, Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Labor

CJN_super_attorneys_ad.pdf 1 1/28/2020 4:32:53 PM

JANUARY 29, 2021 & Employment, Litigation – Real Estate, Litigation – Securities, Litigation – Tax, Litigation – Trusts and Estates, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants, Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants, Real Estate Law, Securities Regulation, Tax Law, Trusts & Estates Law

HAHN LOESER & PARKS LLP PRACTICES RECEIVING RECOGNITION Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law, Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Corporate Compliance Law, Corporate Law, LitigationBankruptcy, Litigation-Construction, Litigation-Trusts & Estates, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Action - Defendants, Non-Profit/Charities Law, Real Estate Law, Trusts & Estates Law, Venture Capital Law

REMINGER CO., LPA PRACTICES RECEIVING RECOGNITION Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Corporate Law, Elder Law, Insurance Law, Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants, Litigation C - Insurance, Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Trusts & Estates, M Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants, Y Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants,CM Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants, MY Transportation Law, Trusts & Estates Law, CY Workers’ Compensation Law - Employers Employment Law – Management, CMY Insurance Law, Labor Law – K Management, Litigation-Banking & Finance, Litigation -Real Estate, Mergers & Acquisitions Law Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Governance Law, Health Care Law, Litigation-Antitrust, Litigation-Labor & Employment

Information submitted by law firms

Firms announce new partners, counsel, group leaders FRANTZ WARD LLP

Partners: Bradley D. Reed and Ryan T. Smith

HAHN LOESER & PARKS LLP Partner: Gregory A. Thompson

TUCKER ELLIS LLP

Counsel: Zack Adams, Ashley Gault, Nicholas Janizeh, Drew Kemp, Christina Marino, Christina Suh, Brittany Weiss and Ryan Winkler Partners: Heather Barnes, Paul Malie, Jennifer Mesko and Christine Snyder

CJN.ORG | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | 53

ULMER & BERNE LLP

Counsel: Lisa Mario Kuhnell Partners: Brett C. Altier, Christine M. McKnight, Courtney J. Miller, Daniela Paez, Raymond D. Seller and Christopher D. Seps Group Leaders: Michael S. Tucker, partner, to group leader of the firm’s corporate restructuring and creditors rights practice group

Information submitted by law firms

CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law congratulate our CSU C|M|LAW Super Attorneys.

Our outstanding alumni lead the city to greatness, and inspire C|M|LAW’s ongoing tradition of excellence and leadership.

We are proud of you.

LEARN LAW. LIVE JUSTICE. NAMED A

TOP HEALTH LAW BUSINESS LAW BEST VALUE LAW SCHOOL LAW SCHOOL FOR

PreLaw Magazine 2018, 2019

LAW SCHOOLS

& World Report

RANKINGS

24-point Increase in Nat’l Rankings 2ND HIGHEST Rise in Nation

1

ST

RANKED PUBLIC LAW SCHOOL IN NORTHERN OHIO

program TOP part-time in OHIO

Among the FIRST and STRONGEST in LEADERSHIP Education

The P. Kelly Tompkins Leadership and Law Program

NATIONALLY RANKED IN 11 LAW SPECIALTIES: BUSINESS/CORPORATE; CLINICAL TRAINING; CONSTITUTIONAL; CONTRACTS/COMMERCIAL; CRIMINAL; ENVIRONMENTAL; HEALTH CARE; INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY; INTERNATIONAL; LEGAL WRITING; TAXATION.

Cleveland-Marshall College of Law

44% CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY

LEARN LAW. LIVE JUSTICE.

CSULAW.ORG

INCREASE IN FIRST YEAR ENROLLMENT SINCE 2016

54 | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | CJN.ORG

LOCAL LAWYERS

JANUARY 29, 2021

A look at some of Ohio’s law schools Cleveland-Marshall College of Law at Cleveland State University

1801 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115 Dean: Lee Fisher, Joseph C. Hostetler-BakerHostetler Chair in Law Enrollment in 2020-21: 481 Student-faculty ratio: 6:1 WHAT MAKES YOUR LAW SCHOOL DIFFERENT FROM OTHERS? • Because of our deep, historic connection to the community, students have the opportunity to engage in hands-on, real life legal work.

• We prepare students to make a difference in the world and to become not only successful professionals, but also leaders, change makers and Fisher advocates of justice.

• 24-point increase in U.S. News national rankings, second-largest increase of any law school in the nation

Case Western Reserve University School of Law

11075 East Blvd., Cleveland, OH 44106 Co-Deans: Jessica Berg and Michael Scharf Enrollment in 2020-21: 412 Student-faculty ratio: 6:1

Berg

Scharf

WHAT MAKES YOUR LAW SCHOOL DIFFERENT FROM OTHERS? • Established 128 years ago, CWRU School of Law is a national law school where more than 60% of the students are from out of state and more than 60% of the alumni live outside of Ohio.

• Faculty is ranked 30th best in the nation in scholarly impact, its graduates have the highest first time bar pass rate in the state of Ohio, • Ranked as a best law school in nine specialty areas according to

• Nationally ranked in 11 specialty areas • Top-ranked public law school in Northeast Ohio • Consistently high bar passage and employment rates • Nationally recognized leadership and law program • Nationally recognized centers for: cybersecurity and privacy protection; global space law; health law and policy; and criminal justice • Named a top law school for health law and business law by PreLaw Magazine • Named a best value law school by PreLaw Magazine HOW HAS COVID-19 IMPACTED YOUR LAW SCHOOL? • We quickly transitioned to a blend of online, hybrid learning and in-person learning. All students have been given the option to learn remotely even if a course is taught in-person • We created a student emergency assistance fund to assist students in financial need as well as a wellness fund to promote and support the well-being of all our students, staff and faculty • We focused on the overall well-being of our

students, from offering increased support through our academic success program to socially-distanced fun activities and emailed care packages and messages of support from faculty WHAT SHOULD A PROSPECTIVE STUDENT KNOW ABOUT YOUR LAW SCHOOL? • We are a school that fosters a collaborative, student-centered culture with strong emphasis on academic support and faculty access • We are an iconic law school that was the first Ohio law school to admit women and one of the first in the country to admit minorities • Our graduates include three current Ohio Supreme Court justices, including the chief justice; the new U.S. secretary of housing and urban development; the mayor of Cleveland, the president of Cleveland City Council, and the Cuyahoga County prosecutor • We have a strong ethos of social justice. Our mission is: Learn law. Live justice.

Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law

HOW HAS COVID-19 IMPACTED YOUR LAW SCHOOL? • During the pandemic, CWRU School of Law transitioned to a hybrid model, where students may elect to take all classes remotely, while some classes are offered in-person consistent with testing, distancing and face mask requirements. CWRU has continued to offer its hallmark experiential programs both remotely and in-person.

WHAT SHOULD A PROSPECTIVE STUDENT KNOW ABOUT YOUR LAW SCHOOL? • Ranked ninth in the nation in practical training, CWRU School of Law is a national leader in experiential education, where students get to work with clients during all three years including an intensive capstone clinic or externship experience in their third year.

• With its scholarships and placements, CWRU School of Law has the second-best debt-to-income ratio of any Ohio law school.

• And with its small class size, CWRU School of Law has the feel of a small college with the curricular and extracurricular breadth of a national law school.

PreLaw Magazine.

Law schools in Ohio were asked to complete a questionnaire to be included. Some schools opted not to participate.

Tilton Hall of Law 415 S. Gilbert St., Ada, OH 45810 Dean: Charles H. Rose III Enrollment in 2020-21: 148 Student-Faculty Ratio: 6:1

WHAT MAKES YOUR LAW SCHOOL DIFFERENT FROM OTHERS? ONU Law is truly student-centered, providing the best environment for the transformative magic of becoming a lawyer. We feed the mind, the body and the spirit by relentlessly focusing on supporting our students throughout the educational process. We have updated classrooms, created online materials and come through the pandemic a better place to learn.

Rose

HOW HAS COVID-19 IMPACTED YOUR LAW SCHOOL? We find the excellence residing within each student, empowering them to create their own pathway to not only success, but significance in the law. Our history and location allows us to focus on the student experience, both now and during the time of COVID-19.

Every decision at ONU ensures our students not only survive, but thrive, even during times such as these.

We are excited for the future, from here you truly can go anywhere.

Miller Goler Faeges Lapine joins Buckley King

O

ver the last 40 years, two Cleveland-based law firms independently created and maintained themselves to provide legal services to business and individual clients. Now, all of the lawyers and staff of Miller Goler Faeges Lapine LLP have recently joined Buckley King LPA. Under Brent Buckley, managing partner of Buckley King, the firm has fostered a core commitment to

collegiality, client-centered values and integrity, a news release stated.

“This is a powerful combination both for us and for our clients,” Steven J. Miller of Miller Goler Faeges Lapine stated.

“Brent and I have known each other since 1979. We recognize the strong values and client alignment of his firm. With Buckley King, we can continue to develop, integrate, and deliver new and broader legal advisory services to clients.”

In addition to Miller, an adviser and business litigator, joining Buckley King are corporate and securities lawyer Jay Faeges, real estate lawyers Michael Goler and Ken Lapine, trial lawyer Deborah Michelson, and business and litigation attorney David Kunselman.

Buckley King’s Cleveland office is in the Fifth Third Center in downtown Cleveland. Buckley King also has offices in Dayton, Atlanta and Phoenix.

Buckley

Miller

SUPER ATTORNEYS

CJN.ORG | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | 55

JANUARY 29, 2021

Experienced lawyer serves numerous roles when opening small business

JEFFREY A. LEIKIN, ESQ., LLC

JEFFREY A.Blvd., LEIKIN, LLC 25201 Chagrin Suite 270 •ESQ., Beachwood, Ohio 44122 25201 Chagrin Blvd., Suite 270 • Beachwood, Ohio 44122

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Jeffrey A. Leikin,firm Esq. of is the founder The litigation Jeffrey A. of the litigation firm of Jeffrey Leikin Esq., LLC. and Leikin, Esq., LLC handles matters hasinvolving worked for over thirty protecting the personal injury,years including rights of his clients and their families.

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here are 30.7 million small businesses in the United States, according to the Small Business Association. Many people, at one point, have at least thought of opening their own business.

Michael Ellis, a partner at Buckingham, Doolittle & Burrough in Cleveland, and Mitchell Gecht, associate at Benesch Law in Cleveland, said having a lawyer present while creating a small business can help in the short term and the long term.

While many people might want to jump right into beginning their business, Ellis said they should consider what the end game is.

“They really need to think about what the purpose of the buy is,” Ellis said. “Are they buying this for what we would call a ‘lifestyle business’ that they intend to run for 20 or 30 years and maybe pass it down to their children?

Or are they looking to start a business, have it be successful, and in three or five years or so, sell it to a larger competitor or someone else.”

This is where a good lawyer would come in, according to Gecht.

Business owners need to be weary of signing something that might restrict the way they operate in the future. One restriction, Gecht said, is business owners agreeing to purchase a minimum amount of product from suppliers and then deciding they either want to go in a different direction with the company, or they don’t have the funds to keep purchasing from a certain supplier.

“Generally, signing any type of agreement that restricts you from doing things or requiring that you do things in the future, make sure those are restrictions or requirements that you think you’ll be comfortable with

WEAR

A MASK TO

P C OV I D-

Gecht

down the road when your business looks a little bit different than it does now,” Gecht said.

Another reason Gecht said a good lawyer is necessary for opening a new business is to help decide what kind of entity structure the business would fit the most well in.

“Whether the entity is going to be a limited liability company, an S corporation, or a C corporation, there’s a variety of legal structure,” Gecht said. “Each has their advantages and disadvantages based on the facts. So certainly a lawyer can help you understand what will be the most taxefficient and control-efficient for you.”

According to the SBA, more than 627,000 new small businesses open each year, and small businesses account for 99% of all businesses in the United States.

Ellis said it is also important to have a lawyer who is aware of the tax benefits that may or may not be available to the prospective business owner. One example he gave was a tax benefit that is available to certified veteran-owned businesses if they’re coming out of service.

“One of the biggest mistakes is not knowing what you don’t know,” Ellis said. “So if you have an experienced professional working with you and setting it up who has done this transaction numerous times in the past, they will be able to guide you in structuring the transaction correctly.”

Wear a mask and respect the distance

AY SAFE ST

S

Ellis

1

9

When you are out in the community during this pandemic, wear your mask to protect yourself and others.

LET 35 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WORK FOR YOU

LET 35 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WORK FOR YOU

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to practice in the States “Federal Civil Rights Liability of Local GovernmentsLicensed and Their Employees Under Section 1983,” OHIO of MUNICIPAL LAW, Chap. 41A, Gotherman and Babbit, ed. 1986 (co-author) Ohio and Pennsylvania, and before “Liability of Council Members Under 42 U.S.C. 1983,” The Practical Lawyer 83-88 (Mar. 1987) Contributor: ANTITRUST CONSENT DECREE MANUAL , American Bar Association (1980) WWW.LEIKINLEGAL.COM the United States Supreme Court.

•

Licensed to practice in the States of Expert Witness Engagements Ohio and Pennsylvania, and before WWW.LEIKINLEGAL.COM Standards of Professional Care for Lawyers and Lawthe Firms:United States Supreme Court.

Resolution Trust Corporation v. Alexander and Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Case No. 5:93-cv-00832.

Estate of Jason Scribben v. Jonathan W. Winer, et al., Court of Common Pleas for Ashtabula County, Ohio, Case No. 2001 CV 00671 Joseph H. Weiss v. Albert Dattilo, Court of Common Pleas for Geauga County, Ohio, Case No. 01 M 0638 A-Best Products, Inc.Civil v. Brian Dunbar, Court of Common for Under Cuyahoga County, “Federal Rights Liability of Local Governments and TheirPleas Employees Section 1983,” OHIOOhio MUNICIPAL LAW, Chap.

41A,etGotherman and of Babbit, ed. 1986 (co-author) Ervin L. Smith v. Joseph P. Kearns, Jr., al., Court Common Pleas for Ashland County, Ohio, “Liability of Council Members Under 42 U.S.C. 1983,” The Practical Lawyer 83-88 (Mar. 1987) Case No. 05-CIV-273 Contributor: ANTITRUST CONSENT DECREE MANUAL, American Bar Association (1980) Watson v. Chapin Logic Solutions, Inc. v. James Aussem, Brouse & McDowell, LPA, et al., Court of Expert Witness Engagements Common Pleas for Lorain County, Ohio, Case No. 06CV147451

Eric Zagrans is one of the most prolific

Standards of Professional Care for Lawyers and Law Firms:

Standards and Requirements for Class Certification:

Resolution Trust Corporation v. Alexander and Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, U.S. District lawyers the District country handling cases Court forin the Northern of Ohio, Casein No. 5:93-cv-00832. and class actions involving securities, 01 M 0638 ERISA, accounting and County, auditor A-Best Products,antitrust, Inc. v. Brian Dunbar, Court Common Pleas for Cuyahoga Ohio Impact of Environmental Laws, Statutes and Regulations on Rightsof of Lower Riparian Property Owners: Ervin L. Smith v. Joseph P. Kearns, Jr., et al., Court of Common Pleas for Ashland County, Ohio, Case No. 05-CIV-273 liability, bankruptcy, director and offi cer Watson v. Chapin LogicU.S. Solutions, Inc. v. James Brouse & McDowell, LPA, etof al.,Ohio, Court of Bettis v. Ruetgers-Nease Chemical Corp., District CourtAussem, for the Northern District Common Pleas for Lorain County, Ohio, Case No. 06CV147451 liability, corporate investigations and Case No. 4:90-cv-0502 Standards and Requirements for Class Certification: white-collar defense, intellectual property Attorneys’ Fees in Complex or Class Actionv. Northeast Litigation: Mel Murphy Ohio Regional Sewer District, Court of Common Pleas for Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Case No. CV 13 814862 and other “bet-the-company” claims and Estate of Carrie SueImpact Foster, Debtor v. Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Ohio, U.S. Bankruptcy Court of Environmental Laws, Statutes and Regulations on Rights of Lower Riparian Property Owners: for the Southernissues District ofin Ohio, Case No. 94-cv-52856 theChemical financial services, capital Bettis v. Ruetgers-Nease Corp., U.S.Pleas Districtfor Court for the NorthernCounty, District of Ohio, Brookover v. Flexmag Industries, Inc., Court of Common Washington Ohio, Case No. 4:90-cv-0502 Case No. 98 TRmarkets, 277 health care, high-tech and Attorneys’ Fees in Complex Class Action Litigation: Pleas for Erie County, Ohio, Case Landis v. Grange Mutual Insurance Co.,orCourt of Common industries.

No. 88-CV-360manufacturing Estate of Carrie Sue Foster, Debtor v. Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Ohio, U.S. Bankruptcy Court

Jason Scribben v. Jonathan W. Winer, et al.,of Court of Common Pleas for County, Mel Murphy v. Northeast Estate OhioofRegional Sewer District, Court Common Pleas forAshtabula Cuyahoga Ohio, Case No. 2001 CV 00671 County, Ohio, Case No.H.CV 814862 Joseph Weiss13 v. Albert Dattilo, Court of Common Pleas for Geauga County, Ohio, Case No.

for the Southern District ofCo., Ohio,Court Case No.of 94-cv-52856 Holman v. Keegan and West American Insurance Common Pleas for Erie County, Brookover v. Flexmag Industries, Inc., Court of Common Pleas for Washington County, Ohio, Ohio, Case No. 97-CV-696 Case No. 98 TR 277 Michele Radzdrh, Guardian, etc. vs. Mary Brown, Trustee of thePleas William BrownOhio, Trust, Landis v. Grange MutualAnn Insurance Co., Court of Common for Erie County, Case et al., 88-CV-360 Lorain County Probate No. Court, Case No. 2005 PC 00022 Holman v. Keegan and West American Insurance Co., Court of Common Pleas for Erie County, Joseph L. Pikas v. The WilliamsOhio, Companies, Inc., et al., U.S. District Court for the Northern District Case No. 97-CV-696 Michele Guardian, etc. vs. Mary Ann Brown, Trustee of the William Brown Trust, et al., of Oklahoma, Case No. Radzdrh, 4:08-cv-0101-GKF-PJC Lorain County Probate Court, Case No. 2005 PC 00022 William J Schumacher v. AK Steel Corporation U.S. Inc., District Court forCourt the for Southern District Joseph L. Pikas v. The Williamsetc., Companies, et al., U.S. District the Northern District of of Oklahoma, Case No. 4:08-cv-0101-GKF-PJC Ohio, Case No. 1:09-cv-794-SB J Schumacher v. AK Steel Corporation etc., U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Arthur Lavin, M.D. v. JonWilliam Husted, etc., U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Ohio, Case No. 1:09-cv-794-SB Case No. 1:10-cv-01986-DCN-NAV and Case No. 1:10-cv-01986-BYP-NAV Arthur Lavin, M.D. v. Jon Husted, etc., U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio,

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216-771-1000 • Eric@zagrans.com • Zagrans.com Case No. 1:10-cv-01986-DCN-NAV and Case No. 1:10-cv-01986-BYP-NAV

56 | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | CJN.ORG

JANUARY 29, 2021

LOCAL LAWYERS

Legal Aid Society surges with COVID-19 pandemic GRANT SEGALL | NEOSOJO

E

arly in the pandemic, on the verge of turning 70, Susan Steels lost her longtime job as a chef.

Meanwhile, her partner’s business of party planning went the way of most parties, and he had a stroke. The bills began to pile up. The mortgage payments looked unpayable.

So, the South Euclid woman joined the swelling crowd seeking unemployment compensation.

“I tried to get it online, and I tried to call,” she said.

“I was on the phone, on the phone, on the phone.”

Then friends told her to call the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland. Someone picked up right away and took her information. Someone else called back within 24 hours.

“I was so upset and crying,” Steels recalled. “They walked me through it. They worked it out. They’re so nice. They’re so understanding.”

A Legal Aid worker noticed that Steels, a childhood immigrant from England, had sent Ohio Jobs and Family Services a copy of just one side of her long-time green card. So, Steels sent the other side.

Then a lawyer reached the notoriously hard-to-reach agency and won benefits for Steels without a hearing.

And a colleague told her that she’d qualify for food stamps.

At first, the pandemic forced Legal Aid to close its four offices in the five counties it covers: Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain and Ashtabula. The caseload dipped from its usual rate: 8,000 to 10,000 cases per year, each of which helped roughly two people.

But Legal Aid quickly bought equipment and programs to help clients online. Now cases are surging about layoffs, illnesses, unpaid rent and other nationwide symptoms of the pandemic, especially for the poor. From June to October, employment cases ran 26% higher than in the same period last year, and housing cases 32 percent higher.

CASE BY CASE AND EN MASSE Legal Aid tackles problems client by client and systemically. At age 115, the society is believed to be the nation’s fifth oldest organization and Cuyahoga County’s only one giving free representation for civil issues to people with low incomes (up to 200% of the federal poverty line).

Last year, Legal Aid prevented 90% of clients’ threatened evictions and 60% of foreclosures. It removed threats to safety in 92% of relevant cases and barriers to education in all. Clients gained more than $13 million in income, assets and debt reduction.

The society also gives the public materials and workshops about legal rights, newly focusing on problems of the pandemic.

“Knowledge is power,” said Melanie Shakarian, Legal Aid’s director of development and communications.

What’s more, Legal Aid leads the fight for many reforms. It sparked Cleveland Municipal Court, the nation’s first small claims court, Hough Area Development Corporation, and this year’s Right to Counsel program at Cleveland Housing Court, among other innovations. Now Legal Aid is working with other Ohio groups to fight racial injustice and unclog Ohio Jobs.

When COVID-19 began to spread, Legal Aid happened already to be expanding. The society is now in the third of five years of a campaign to raise

Board members Board of Directors Executive Committee

About this story

The Cleveland Jewish News is one of 22 Northeast Ohio print, radio and television news outlets in partnership to form the Northeast Ohio Solutions Journalism Collaborative. We’re a team of Greater Cleveland news outlets passionate about news and information, amplifying the voices of those often unheard, and changing the narrative about our communities. NEO SoJo, comprised of these local newsrooms, reporters and community organizations embedded in nearly every corner of Northeast Ohio from Akron to Cleveland’s BuckeyeWoodland neighborhoods, NEO SoJo is dedicated to targeting stories — such as how the COVID-19 crisis is impacting our communities — and spotlighting solutions. We want to tell news stories that lift up ways to solve issues that plague our communities and change the conversation about what’s possible in Northeast Ohio. We can provide that news better together. Other stories can be read at neosojo.com. $15 million, mostly for services.

Since 2018, Legal Aid’s budget has soared from $8.9 million to $12.2 million. Leaders have expanded the staff from about 80 to 107 and hope for more next year.

They also rely on about 800 volunteers per year, not all of them lawyers.

“We are growing to meet the increased need,” said Colleen Cotter, Legal Aid’s executive director for the past 15 years. “But it’s still outpacing our resources.”

Last year, Legal Aid turned away more than half the people seeking its help. It prioritizes cases likely to benefit clients the most. It refers other people to organizations that might help in other ways. And it partners with many other groups.

Legal Aid keeps office hours at the main campuses of MetroHealth, University Hospitals and St. Vincent, all in Cleveland, to help hospital clients with financial coverage and with outside problems hurting their health, from child custody to infested homes. It fights for the educational rights of Cleveland public school families through the district’s Say Yes to Education program, which is spreading to all schools. It coordinates the Right to Counsel program with United Way Services, which handles all the outreach. Legal Aid is also the only agency to be funded by the United Way throughout its 101 years of grant making.

POOR NEED LAW The law, like most institutions, is slanted toward the rich. They hire top lawyers and lobbyists. They donate to campaigns for judges and lately for a U.S. Supreme Court nominee.

But Cotter said the poor need the law just as much, especially during the pandemic. They tend to have worse health and healthcare. They lack the kinds of jobs and technology to work from home. And they’re already living on the edge, with few savings, skills and

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connections to survive yet one more challenge.

Cotter says we could all use lawyers more often than we might think.

“It’s very easy to realize, if I get served with a summons, that maybe I should call a lawyer,” she said. “It’s harder to identify that so many problems in

LEGAL AID | 57

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JANUARY 29, 2021

CJN.ORG | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | 57

The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland helped Susan Steels get unemployment and save her home. | Photo / NEOSOJO / Grant Segall

LEGAL AID | 56 everyday life can be resolved by a lawyer.

Lawyering is not just litigation. It’s about problem solving.”

For instance, Legal Aid lawyer Jennifer Kinsley persuaded Medicaid to cover heart and dental work for client Aaliyah Najieb at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center. As often happens with society clients, Kinsley discovered and met other needs of Najieb’s: sealing seal her criminal record, getting benefits for utilities, working out a repayment plan for excess Social Security disability benefits, renewing her disability pass with the Regional Transit Authority, and more.

Najieb said of Kinsley, “That’s my girl. She helped me so much. I didn’t know that legal stuff. I didn’t know I had rights.”

Or take Roy Miller. Early in the pandemic, a new owner fired iller as manager of a mobile home park. Legal Aid urged him to contact the governor’s office, which got him a hearing at the swamped Ohio Jobs. The agency found his dismissal to be wrongful and gave him compensation and back pay.

Said Miller, “Legal Aid made things a lot easier for me.”

Legal Aid has made things easier for many others. Early in the pandemic, it helped thaw a woman’s mysteriously frozen Social Security account so she could keep living in a home promoting sober lifestyles. It helped correct a false report of a man’s criminal past that was denying him housing. It persuaded a landlord to exterminate bedbugs that had infested a cancer patient’s chemotherapy bag.

MANY CHANGES When the pandemic began, Legal Aid went as virtual as possible. It

bought laptops and programs for longdistance services, such as hearings and notarizations. It helped clients get hotspots or hosted them at society offices.

In 2019, Cleveland City Council reportedly became the idwest’s first council and the nation’s fourth to give defendants in housing court the right to counsel. Legal Aid and United Way opened the $2-million-per-year program last July. Legal Aid lawyers attended each Cleveland eviction hearing and represent any client in poverty by federal standards with at least one minor child at home.

LAYING OUT FOR LAWYERING About 20% of Legal Aid’s budget comes the federal Legal Services Corp.

Legal Aid also gets money from other government agencies, plus foundations, law firms, businesses and individual donors. It stages a Jam for Justice fundraiser every fall, featuring musical lawyers. Last year’s Jam went virtual and grossed a typical $75,000, with fewer expenses.

To seek help, donate or volunteer, contact Legal Aid at lasclev.org or 888-817-3777.

Grant Segall is a national prize-winning reporter who spent 34 years with The Plain Dealer.

Ideastream reporter Taylor Haggerty, The Devil Strip reporter Abbey Marshall and WKYC Reporter Phil Trexler contributed to this story.

To view videos about the Legal Aid of Society of Cleveland, visit youtu.be/LBLaBFUHQm0 and youtu.be/tD93UkEo4VM

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T

he history of the legal profession began thousands of years ago in ancient Greece and Rome. Since then, it has gone through an intense reform around the world.

Adam Brown, criminal defense attorney at Zukerman Law in Cleveland; Ian Friedman, criminal defense attorney at Friedman & Nemecek in Cleveland; Anthony Lazzaro, attorney at the Lazzaro Law Firm in Moreland Hills; and Jeffrey Leikin, founder and attorney at the Law Offices of Jeffrey Leikin in Beachwood, said the legal field has changed significantly even in the relatively short window of almost 40 years.

The Cleveland Jewish News asked the lawyers from their 30s to their 60s, to recall something about their career.

ADAM BROWN | 30’s Brown, 31, has been in the legal field for six years, but he has already seen sweeping changes in the way judges handle certain drug offenses, such as dealing fentanyl.

“Fentanyl existed in 2014, and there was a problem with it,” he said. “But from then going forward, it just became more and more prevalent. And now judges are taking a hard stance against anybody who’s caught selling fentanyl, or cocaine mixed with fentanyl, or heroin mixed with fentanyl. And prosecutors are charging drug dealers with manslaughter when they sell fentanyl and it kills somebody.”

Ohio is one of the hot spots of the deadly fentanyl epidemic that has swept the United States over the past decade. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, more than 29 people per 100,000 residents of Ohio died from opioid overdoses in 2018. This was the fourth-highest number in the United States, behind New Hampshire, Maryland, and West Virginia.

ANTHONY LAZZARO | 40’s Lazzaro, 41, who spent several years teaching wage and hour law at Cleveland State University’s Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in Cleveland as an adjunct professor, said that he experienced changes in his practice area, but a lot of those changes simply depend on who is in charge

at the federal level.

“My students would ask why there were sudden shifts in the Fair Labor Standards Act throughout its 80-plus-year history,” said Lazzaro. “It seemed so perplexing to see dramatic shifts one year after another. For example, in 1946, employees were entitled to be paid for the time it took to simply walk to their work stations, but in 1947 that activity was no longer compensable. My answer to my students was that it matters who is in the White House and it matters who is in Congress.”

IAN FRIEDMAN | 50’s While this area of law has changed drastically over the last few years, Friedman, 50, said he struggled early in his career with creating change in the field.

“The greatest obstacle for me as a young lawyer, was the resistance to my efforts by a system that is not receptive to change,” Friedman said. “Opening my law practice, just after law school, I developed a style that was out of the proverbial box and could be aggressive at times. It was not uncommon for a veteran lawyer or prosecutor to ‘remind’ me that this was not the way things were typically done.”

JEFFREY LEKIN | 60’s Leikin, 61, who is in his 36th year practicing personal injury law, has also seen his fair share of changes.

Throughout his career, he has seen tort reform sweep through the system. One of the things that happened in this reform is the inability for juries to award a victim more than a certain amount of money in damages.

“They’ve limited the amount of access we have to the courts and taken the awards out of the hands of the juries,” Leikin said.

“There’s been a slow dissipation of the rights of the injured person as you move forward.”

While there have certainly been changes for better or for worse over the last few decades, attorneys like Leikin are still happy to be helping people all these years later.

“It met my expectations,” Leikin said. “I always wanted to help people, I still do. I do a lot of pro bono work. I do a lot of favors for friends and people I know. But what I was excited about was helping people. As I went on through my career, that’s what satisfied me. Because I really felt like I was helping people that really couldn’t help themselves.”

SUPER ATTORNEYS

JANUARY 29, 2021

CJN.ORG | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | 59

Stand Your Ground: DeWine pulls trigger on SB 175 LARRY W. ZUKERMAN AND ADAM M. BROWN Special to the CJN

O

n Jan. 4, 2021, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 175 into law which makes “stand your ground” the law of Ohio starting April 6.

In April 2019, we wrote an article about Ohio’s new self-defense law shifts the burden of proof to the state of Ohio about then-recent changes to Ohio’s self-defense law which placed the burden to prove someone did not act in self-defense upon the state of Ohio. Now, with Ohio’s stand your ground law being the second major amendment in less Brown than two years, many might say the resembles a moving target.

While the term is often hurled during heated political debate, many who are unfamiliar with the law are left to wonder, “what is a stand your ground’ law anyway and why are people so passionately in favor of, or opposed to stand your ground laws?

Some may be surprised to learn 3""@ that the stand your ground law does Zukerman not add anything to Ohio’s existing self-defense law. Instead, it removes something – the duty to retreat.

In general, and as Ohio’s self-defense law previously stated, before someone could legally use lethal force in self-defense, they had a legal duty to retreat, or obligation to get away from a situation without using deadly force if they were safely and reasonably able to do so.

Stand your ground laws tend to draw considerable controversy and criticism from gun opponents who equate the laws with nothing short of a license to kill.

But even Ohio’s previous self-defense law had exceptions to this duty to retreat rule in that it did not apply in one’s own home or vehicle (commonly known as the Castle Doctrine), but it applied everywhere else. Stated differently, Ohio has had a type of stand your ground law for many years, but it was limited to your house and your car.

The new stand your ground law eliminates the duty to retreat altogether and reads: “For purposes of any section of the Ohio Revised Code that sets forth a criminal offense, a person has no duty to retreat before using force in self defense, defense of another, or defense of that person’s residence, if that person is in a place in which the person lawfully has a right to be (for example, Public Square or Acacia Walking Trails). See R.C. § 2901.09 (B) Additionally, Ohio’s new stand your ground law states that, in a self-defense case, a judge or a jury cannot even “consider the possibility of retreat as a factor in determining whether or not a person who used force in self-defense … reasonably believed that the force was necessary to prevent injury, loss, or risk to life or safety.”

Now, with Ohio’s new stand your ground law, someone can use deadly force to defend themselves or a

third person, without retreating, as long as they are in a place they are legally allowed to be; they did not initiate or escalate the altercation; and they actually and reasonably believe deadly force is necessary to defend themselves or someone else.

Stand your ground laws tend to draw considerable controversy and criticism from gun opponents who equate the laws with nothing short of a license to kill. On the other hand, proponents of the law champion its enactment and consider it a common-sense initiative aimed at helping law-abiding citizens defend themselves, their property and others against deadly threats.

Regardless of where you may fall on the issue, the debate rages on, and how Ohio’s stand your ground law will impact efforts toward curbing gun violence (a goal shared by those on both sides of the debate) is yet to be seen.

Larry W. Zukerman is the managing partner of Zukerman, Lear & Murray, Co., LPA in Cleveland and Adam M. Brown is an associate attorney.

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s the COVID-19 vaccine filters its way down to the general public and lower risk groups, employers are wondering if they can and should require employees to be vaccinated.

According to the Pew Research Center, about 20% of Americans do not plan to be vaccinated and feel certain they will Ahern not change their minds.

Early experiences with nursing home and health care workers reveal in some facilities as many as 60% of employees have refused available vaccines. If this trend translates to other business sectors, employers may be left to question how they will ever be able to return to normal operations unless they require employees to be vaccinated.

Last month, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued guidance indicating employers can require employees to get vaccinated. Importantly, according to the guidance, such a requirement would not constitute an unlawful medical examination under the Americans with Disabilities Act. “If a vaccine is administered to an employee by an employer for protection against contracting COVID-19,” the EEOC reasoned, “the employer is not seeking information about an individual’s impairments or current health status and, therefore, it is not (an unlawful) medical examination.”

But as with most issues involving employment law, it’s never simple. EEOC guidance does not carry the force of law; it remains to be seen whether courts will adopt its interpretation. Moreover, given the many concerns that could be raised by objecting employees, employers should still exercise significant caution when deciding whether to mandate vaccinations.

Even if a mandatory vaccine policy is not itself unlawful, asking pre-screening vaccination questions may be. If, for example, an employer decides to directly administer the vaccine – or directly contracts with a company to administer the vaccine – any pre-screening vaccination questions could elicit information about employees’ disabilities. Such questioning may constitute an unlawful medical examination unless the employer can show the screening is job related and consistent with business necessity. To meet this standard, there must be objective evidence that an unvaccinated employee will pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others.

Employers must also be careful when

requiring employees to submit proof of vaccination. Although an employer can lawfully request such proof, employers should not ask follow-up questions that could reveal information regarding employees’ potential disabilities. For this reason, the EEOC advises that an “employer may want to warn the employee not to provide any medical information as part of the proof in order to avoid implicating the ADA.” Additionally, in response to a vaccination mandate, an employee may inform an employer that they cannot be vaccinated due to a medical disability. Generally, employers have a legal duty to provide reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities. Unless the employee’s inability to be vaccinated poses a direct threat to health and safety (and this threat cannot be mitigated), the employer will likely have an obligation to accommodate the employee’s disability. Some employers, for instance, may be able to accommodate unvaccinated employees by permitting them to temporarily work from home.

Mandatory vaccination policies may – in addition to implicating the ADA – raise questions under other statutes and laws.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, for instance, protects employees against discrimination on the basis of religion. Should an employee object to vaccination because of a sincerely held religious belief, an employer may have to accommodate this employee, too.

Employees are entitled to accommodations for religious beliefs and practices so long as the accommodations do not pose an undue hardship on the employer.

As employers begin to consider the implementation of mandatory vaccine policies, they are well advised to exercise caution, review state and federal employment laws, and take steps to prepare for accommodation requests.

Many employers are developing vaccine education plans to gain buy-in and support from their workforces. In environments that are not particularly high-risk, many employers have opted to issue a strong recommendation to employees to encourage vaccination, rather than mandating it.

Other employers are taking a more novel approach by financially incentivizing their employees to get vaccinated. One health care system has offered employees a $500 bonus, but only if they vaccinate. Dollar General has followed suit offering its employees four hours extra pay if they get vaccinated.

As we hopefully get closer to the vaccine being available to everyone who wants it, employers should be planning for how they intend to address this important issue.

Ann-Marie Ahern is a principal who leads the employment law group at Cleveland-based McCarthy, Lebit, Crystal & Liffman.

SUPER ATTORNEYS

MARCEL C. DUHAMEL Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP

M

arcel C. Duhamel, a partner at Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP who specializes in privacy, consumer protection, complex litigation, class actions, electronic discovery and appellate practice, said he became a lawyer to help resolve disputes.

As a lawyer, he defends lenders against consumer and commercial class actions, lender liability claims and loan servicing claims, as well as claims under the Truth in Lending Act, Regulation Z, the Uniform Commercial Code, Ohio’s Consumer Sales Practices Act, Retail Installment Sales Act and other theories of consumer liability. He also represents clients in shareholder actions challenging mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property litigation and general business litigation, as well as those involving privacy practices and data breach allegations.

CJN: What did you want to be when you grew up?

Duhamel: An astronaut, because, well, astronaut.

CJN: Why did you want to focus on privacy, consumer protection, complex litigation, class actions, electronic

CJN.ORG | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | 61

JANUARY 29, 2021

discovery and appellate practice?

Duhamel: My practice just evolved that way. I knew I wanted to litigate, and as things developed, this is where my

About Marcel

Age: 52 Hometown: Shaker Heights Synagogue: Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple Family: Wife, Jackie; Emma, Miriam, 16 Undergraduate school: Case Western Reserve University Law school: University of Chicago Law School First job out of law school: Judicial law clerk to the Hon. Ann Aldrich, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio practice took me.

CJN: How do you work with your clients to assist them in the best way possible that’s unique to them?

Duhamel: I try to understand what my clients’ business objectives are and then try to align that with litigation strategy.

CJN: What is the most common mistake your clients make?

Duhamel: Waiting too long to engage counsel.

CJN: What are you most proud of in your work?

Duhamel: When good work leads to an excellent result for a client who was in the right.

CJN: What kind of cases do you enjoy

If I weren’t an attorney, I would …: Be riding my bicycle across the country

My favorites ...

Favorite Jewish-themed movie: “The Chosen” Favorite Jewish celebrity: Daveed Diggs Favorite Jewish food: Lox Favorite Jewish holiday: Rosh Hashanah Favorite Jewish tradition: Reciting the Shehecheyanu most?

Duhamel: I most enjoy litigating against talented and ethical opposing counsel. In those situations, I feel challenged to be my best.

CJN: What does being a lawyer mean to you?

Duhamel: The law is an immensely important profession in any democracy; as lawyers, we advocate for our clients while adhering to high ethical standards and while working within a framework of respect for the process and our opponents.

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62 | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | CJN.ORG

JANUARY 29, 2021

ROBERT FINKENTHAL Robert J. Finkenthal, Co., LPA

A

About Robert

Age: 61 Hometown: Beachwood Synagogue: The Shul for High Holy Days Family: Wife, Amy Undergraduate school: Cleveland State University Law school: Case Western Reserve University School of Law First job out of law school: Mergers and acquisitions at Sherwin-

attorneys who refer me cases because that’s not their bailiwick.

CJN: What is the most common mistake your clients make?

Finkenthal: I would say the most common mistake is not carrying uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist coverage, which is something you should always carry because you could get seriously injured and the person who hit you could have either no insurance or minimal coverage.

CJN: If you could change a law, what would it be and why?

Finkenthal: I would make it truly illegal for people to drive without insurance. I would make it mandatory to submit proof of insurance prior to receiving your license.

CJN: In what ways does Judaism dovetail with your career?

Finkenthal: Judaism overlaps with the principles of doing the right thing and giving everybody the benefit of the doubt. And I always try to do those things.

– Jane Kaufman

Williams If I weren’t an attorney, I would …: Be a pediatrician

My favorites ...

LEE FISHER Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Cleveland State University

ttorney and firm owner Robert Finkenthal didn’t plan to become a personal injury attorney, primarily representing people who have been injured in car accidents.

While at his first job after law school at Sherwin-Williams, he began a side practice in personal injury law and decided to strike out on his own in 1989.

Born in Cleveland, he grew up in Cleveland Heights and Beachwood, graduating from Beachwood High School in Beachwood at age 16. He became bar mitzvah at Temple on the Heights in Cleveland Heights.

Finkenthal received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Cleveland State University and received his law degree from Case Western Reserve University, both in Cleveland.

When he’s not in the office, Finkenthal can be found on the pickleball court or singing and listening to music.

CJN: How has COVID-19 changed your workload?

Finkenthal: During the lockdown very few people were driving and therefore it was a slower time for new business.

Now I was worried about that, but my practice is feast or famine anyway.

We’re between 50 and 75 cases at one time. So during that lockdown the total number of cases was decreasing and I wondered, how is this in the long run going to affect my practice? I don’t know the answer to that for sure, but in the period after the lockdown it seems like people just forgot how to drive. I must have gotten 15 cases in a matter of a two-week period right after the lockdown stopped.

CJN: How do clients find you?

Finkenthal: I’m not somebody that you see on a bus. I’m not an ambulance chaser. I don’t buy police reports for people I don’t know, like a lot of other attorneys do. The great majority of my cases come from prior clients that I’ve developed over the years who refer their friends and relatives. A few come from doctors and a few come from other

LOCAL LAWYERS

Favorite Jewish-themed movie: “Fiddler on the Roof” Favorite Jewish celebrities: Adam Sandler and Dustin Hoffman Favorite Jewish food: Matzah ball soup Favorite Jewish holiday: Passover Favorite Jewish tradition: Passover seder

Dean and Joseph C. Hostetler-BakerHostetler chair in law

A

s a freshman at Oberlin College, the events of May 4, 1970 at Kent State University rocked Lee Fisher’s world. He was playing Frisbee at the time.

“Moments later we learned that four students at Kent State University, not that far away, had been killed by the Ohio National Guard,” he recalled. Fisher and a friend, Ken Kay, organized the Oberlin Political Caucus, which galvanized students from across the country to work to elect people to U.S. Congress who opposed American involvement in the Vietnam War. “We wanted to channel the anger and the grief and the frustration into something that we felt could be meaningful and constructive,” he said. “I made a decision then that I was going to spend a good part of my life in the public arena and make a difference in other people’s lives, including people that I would never meet and never know their names.”

Fisher became lieutenant governor and attorney general of Ohio, and has served in the Ohio House and Senate. He is now dean of Cleveland-Marshall College of Law at Cleveland State University.

CJN: How did you come to co-author Ohio’s hate crime law?

Fisher: In 1985, there were a series of cross burnings on the front lawns of some African American families in the Collinwood area of Cleveland. I was a state senator and represented part of Collinwood. I wrote a press release decrying racism and hate, sent it off to the media, did a few interviews and then went about my business. A few days later, I felt empty. So I called the state senator who represented another portion of Collinwood and Mike White (who later became Cleveland’s mayor), and I wrote Ohio’s hate crime law. And we were one of the first states in the country to enact a hate crime law.

CJN: What was the most meaningful point in your career?

Fisher: About two years after I had been elected state attorney general, the Ohio ACLU challenged the constitutionality of Ohio’s hate crime law. Their argument was that the law punished hate speech and was a violation of the First Amendment. We lost the case before the Ohio Supreme Court and I was devastated, but decided to immediately appeal to the U.S.

About Lee

Age: 69 Hometown: Beachwood Synagogue: Suburban TempleKol Ami Family: Wife, Peggy Zone Fisher; Jason and Jessica Undergraduate school: Oberlin College Law school: Case Western Reserve University School of Law First job out of law school: Law clerk for Judge Paul Weick, U.S. Court of Appeals for

Supreme Court. In the end, the Ohio hate crime law was ruled constitutional and was upheld.

That was probably the most meaningful point in my career because everything converged: the intersection of law and public policy, the intersection of my position as a legislator and my position as the state’s lawyer. And it made me feel that you could do something that could have not only a deep and meaningful effect, but also one that actually could change the national landscape because as a result, hate crime laws all across the country were ruled constitutional.

CJN: How does Judaism mesh with your professional life?

Fisher: I was raised by my parents that you live your life to make a meaningful change in the world. I was president of my confirmation class at Suburban Temple and remember Rabbi (Myron) Silverman talking about the Hebrew phrase “tikkun olam.” He said tikkun olam meant repairing that small patch of world where you live and work.

CJN: What advice would you give to a young lawyer?

Fisher: Live your life at the intersection of the public, private and nonprofit worlds. And what I mean by that is, don’t just do one thing with your life.

- Jane Kaufman the Sixth Circuit If I weren’t an attorney, I would …: Be a wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns and co-lead singer of Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Fisher

My favorites ...

Favorite Jewish-themed movie: “Schindler’s List” Favorite Jewish celebrity: Gilda Radner Favorite Jewish food: Lox, cream cheese, capers, tomato and sliced hard boiled egg on a thin well-toasted onion bagel

SUPER ATTORNEYS

MICHAEL GOLDSTEIN Goldstein & Goldstein

M

ichael Goldstein’s path to his legal career started off just like many others have with the completion of law school at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wis., and entering the legal field upon graduation.

But Goldstein was lucky enough to have the opportunity to work as a lawyer with his father before the two opened up their own practice, Goldstein & Goldstein in Beachwood.

Goldstein said working with his father allowed him to take on responsibilities and challenges that he may not have been able to if he went to another law firm. Twenty years later, Michael Goldstein is still a managing lawyer at Goldstein & Goldstein.

CJN: What was it like working with you father?

Goldstein: It was a great experience and a great opportunity that he provided for us to work together and learn and have the opportunity to handle a lot of responsibilities that I would not have had otherwise.

CJN: What benefits did you gain from working with your father?

CJN.ORG | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | 63

JANUARY 29, 2021

Goldstein: I was given a lot of opportunity for hands-on experience in doing trials, appeals right off the bat.

And being completely involved in a lot of cases that I would not have had the

About Michael

Age: 43 Hometown: Orange Synagogue: Temple Emanu El Family: Wife, Hallie; Josh and Leiv Undergraduate school: The Ohio State University Law school: University of Wisconsin opportunity to be as involved with, had I gone to a different firm. I think I was thrown out there right off the bat. Which, in the long run, really benefited me.

CJN: What made you want to work in this particular field of law?

Goldstein: The opportunity to be involved with individuals who had gone through traumatic events, the opportunity to represent them, to help them, to lead them through the process and ultimately hope to obtain some level of successful result that they can look at as some form of resolution of whatever they had been through.

CJN: What is the most rewarding part of this job?

Goldstein: The situations where someone has gone through a life-changing event, oftentimes very traumatic and tragic, to be able to see at the end of the

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Law School First job out of law school: Working with my dad as a lawyer

My favorites ...

Favorite Jewish Movie: “The Ten Commandments” Favorite Jewish celebrity: Bob Dylan Favorite Jewish food: Kugel Favorite Jewish holiday: Rosh Hashanah case that they have some sort of closure and some sort of result that helps them, in some way or another, for them to move on.

CJN: What is the most challenging part of the job?

Goldstein: It can definitely be stressful and complicated to manage many different responsibilities with a large number of cases and operating an office.

But there’s certainly nothing I would rather do.

CJN: What advice would you give to someone who wants to be in this field?

Goldstein: Be prepared to work hard and continually be learning in order to have any chance at success.

– Alex Krutchik

64 | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | CJN.ORG

JANUARY 29, 2021

BRADLEY GREENE The Life Care Planning Offices of Bradley L. Greene

B

radley Greene has practiced law for 31 years, but elder law wasn’t always his focus. He entered the field of elder law as a result of challenges his father faced toward the end of his life.

His firm specializes in medicaid planning, life-care planning, and elder law, which includes estate planning, probate administration and elder abuse.

For the last 10 years, Greene has been supporting and advocating for older adults and their families to provide them with the help that they need.

CJN: How long have you been practicing law?

Greene: In this particular field for 10, practicing law for 31 CJN: What do you enjoy the most about your job?

Greene: Helping people when they’re at their most vulnerable.

CJN: What would you want to be doing if you weren’t an attorney?

Greene: A social worker CJN: What advice would you give to someone who wants to be an attorney?

Greene: A lot of people go into law because they think they’re going to make a lot of money. But it’s really about making a difference in peoples’

About Bradley

Age: 57 Hometown: Beachwood Synagogue: Jewish Family Experience; Temple Emanu El Family: Wife, Heather; Jacob, 16, Charley, 14 Undergraduate school: Bowling Green State University

lives.

CJN: Do you have anything on your bucket list?

Greene: I’d like to travel more. I’ve always wanted to go to Hawaii – Alex Krutchik Law school: Cleveland-Marshall School of Law

My favorites ...

Favorite Jewish-themed TV show: “The Goldbergs” Favorite Jewish celebrity: Jerry Seinfeld; Ruchi Koval Favorite Jewish food: My wife’s challah Favorite Jewish holiday: Chanukah because of the doughnuts

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LOCAL LAWYERS

MARC W. GROEDEL Reminger

A

s a partner practicing medical malpractice and liability law at Reminger in Cleveland, Marc W. Groedel has experience defending hospitals and physicians that are being sued for medical negligence. Throughout his career, he’s also represented other professionals, including attorneys, accountants, real estate agents and insurance brokers.

“There is this family joke that I am the family doctor because I am the one who always gets called to answer questions,” Groedel said.

CJN: How did you choose your practice area?

Groedel: I fell into it by accident. When I started at Reminger, I was working in a couple of different areas. The firm historically had a very strong medical malpractice practice, and they were getting very busy and developed a need for other attorneys to start handling cases. As a young lawyer, I started assisting senior attorneys. But over time, I began to develop my caseload. I think what attracted me to the area was the dual challenge. Each of these cases presents itself with different challenges, so I found it fascinating.

CJN: What was the turning point of your career?

Groedel: It was when I joined Reminger.

During my first two years out of school working at that smaller firm, I wasn’t enjoying it and I knew I didn’t have a future there. I was almost thinking of leaving the profession and trying something else. Just by pure dumb luck, I happened to bump into a former classmate who was working for Reminger. He mentioned they had a slot open. For reasons I can’t understand, it took me a whole day to realize I could be that person. So, I spent a whole day interviewing.

It didn’t take much for me to recognize that Reminger is an amazing firm and that it was where I needed to be.

CJN: How does your job impact you?

Groedel: When you handle cases like this, you’re coming into contact with people who have either been badly injured or have lost loved ones every day. When you’re sitting across a table from these people, I developed a greater feeling of empathy for them, regardless if I thought their case had merit or not. It made me realize early on the

About Marc

Age: 66 Hometown: Solon Synagogue: Member of B’nai Jeshurun Congregation for 60 years; currently unaffiliated Family: Wife of 42 years, Nadia; Karly and Allison Undergraduate: Started at Bucknell University, graduated from University of Toronto Law school: CWRU School of Law First job out of law school: Clerked with a small general practice firm called

dumb luck and good fortune I’ve had with my career, health and family.

CJN: Do you find yourself emulating Jewish values?

Groedel: As they say in the Torah, all humans descend from Adam. We’re all created equal so that is one of the values I try to incorporate into my work, whether at the office, with adversaries or my litigants. I try to make a point to treat people with respect and kindness. Sometimes being kind is more important than being right.

CJN: Looking to the future, what excites you the most?

Groedel: I’m on the back nine of my career. But, I still love my work and still have a lot of energy. I enjoy the process, challenges and camaraderie of my firm.

I’ve made some tremendous, long-lasting friendships with many partners. That said, retirement is only a few years down the road. I’m looking forward to the free time, but I know I will sorely miss my Reminger family. It’s a mixed blessing.

– Becky Raspe Sonkin & Molina in law school for two years, then they offered me a job If I weren’t an attorney, I would ...: Own a men’s clothing shop

My favorites ...

Jewish-themed movie: “The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz” Jewish celebrity: Mel Brooks Jewish food: My mother’s chicken soup and matzah balls Jewish holiday: Rosh Hashanah Jewish tradition: Shabbat dinners at my sister’s house, who is Modern Orthodox and observant

SUPER ATTORNEYS

CJN.ORG | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | 65

JANUARY 29, 2021

TODD GURNEY

JENNIFER HART

The Eisen Law Firm

KJK

T

odd Gurney has specialized in medical malpractice at the Eisen Law Firm in Cleveland since 2007. After working at a boutique employment law firm after graduating law school, Gurney, a partner, has been helping people and families find justice after a wrongful death or medical error.

Gurney’s role within the community earned him the inaugural Robert Sill Leadership Award in 2018 presented by the Ohio region of ORT America.

ORT is the largest nongovernmental provider of education in the world, focusing especially in the Jewish community, providing education for people that otherwise might not have access to it.

CJN: How long have you been in this field?

Gurney: Since 2007 CJN: What advice would you give to someone who wants to be an attorney?

Gurney: It’s very hard work and very challenging, but extremely rewarding.

It’s rewarding because when you see your hard work actually pay off to help someone who really needed it, whose life was in a really tough spot, and help them to get it turned around, it’s just a really rewarding feeling to know that you’re able to actually help people.

CJN: What do you enjoy the most about your job?

Gurney: Helping people who have nobody else to turn to. Helping people who are in a really tough spot.

CJN: What do you enjoy least about your job?

Gurney: Dealing with the insurance companies. They’re just very difficult.

There’s no recognition of the human element that’s involved in these cases.

It’s just all business to them. We’ve got

About Todd

Age: 41 Hometown: Shaker Heights Synagogue: Park Synagogue Family: Wife, Julie; Sloan, 13, Graham, 10 Undergraduate school: Indiana University Law school: Cleveland-Marshall College of Law

people that are paralyzed, or have lost loved ones. There’s a human component and emotions. And you’re dealing with these insurance companies on the other side that are like machines.

CJN: What is one item on your bucket list?

Gurney: I want to travel. I’ve never been to Europe or Israel. Actually, I won an award from ORT two years ago. I won the first ever Robert Sill Leadership Award, and I’m supposed to take a trip to Israel to visit one of the ORT schools over there. With COVID, things have been delayed, but I am hoping to make that trip some time soon.

– Alex Krutchik

First job out of law school: The Simon Law Firm

My favorites ...

Favorite Jewish-themed movie: “Curb Your Enthusiasm” Favorite Jewish celebrity: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Favorite Jewish food: Brisket Favorite Jewish holiday: Rosh Hashanah; It’s a happy one, it’s the new year, I love the fall.

I

n 2013, KJK hired Jennifer Hart as an associate. Now eight years later, she is one of the youngest CEOs in legal tech – leading the firm’s innovation arm called Connective Counsel, a recent finalist of start-up alley at the 2019 American Bar Association Techshow.

At Connective Counsel, Hart’s team creates legal software that connects clients and law firms, including a clientfacing mobile app. Before connective counsel, Hart helped create the winning bid that brought the 2016 Republican National Convention to Cleveland.

According to Hart, her law journey started at home.

“Both of my parents were attorneys and I grew up with that, and I liked the idea of being able to solve problems all day,” she said. “I was always taught that just because you go to law school, that doesn’t mean you have to continue practicing. I took that to heart and moved towards something that blended my experiences and interests.”

CJN: How did you choose your path at KJK? Hart: KJK is a small firm that does a lot. I ended up working with a lot of different lawyers in a lot of areas but never focused on a specific one. But every single case I worked on, we had the opportunity to improve our processes and procedures through technology. So, I identified that I felt I had a unique skill set. That became an opportunity for me to help a firm that I cared very deeply about becoming the law firm of the future.

CJN: What career milestone are you most proud of?

Hart: Being part of the team that brought the RNC to Cleveland. I worked for three weeks with almost no sleep to write the bid, which was about 347 pages. It was a huge effort between us, the city, the county and Destination Cleveland to make that happen. I loved having the opportunity to do something great for Cleveland.

CJN: Who has been your strongest personal influence?

Hart: Three people come to mind.

My mother was a partner at Jones Day for almost my whole life until she

About Jennifer

Age: 34 Hometown: Lakewood Undergraduate school: Princeton University Law school: The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law First job out of law school: Associate at KJK If I weren’t an attorney, I would ...: Probably do something related to

retired. Her perspective on work and the importance of getting it right has driven me. John Pinney, KJK’s managing partner, has also been a huge influence.

The faith he has put in me has been tremendous, and what he has taught me about servicing clients, getting them what they need and how they need it has been important to me. Lastly, David Posteraro, who passed away Dec. 30, taught me how to be a great co-worker, colleague and how to practice law and prioritize clients, all while having fun.

CJN: What excites you most about the future?

Hart:The adoption of technology and the way we can implement it in legal and non-legal tools. Also, the use of technology is going to free up a lot of resources to enable people with low-income access to justice. If we can leverage tech tools to help make the playing field a little fairer, I think that is something I will really be proud of. I think a lot of people go to law school to change the world, and I think technology is going to help do that.

– Becky Raspe

marketing and tech, or maybe in psychology or psychiatry.

My favorites ...

Jewish-themed movie: “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” Jewish celebrity: Andy Samberg Jewish food: Latkes Jewish holiday: Purim Jewish tradition: Enjoying apples and honey on Rosh Hashanah

66 | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | CJN.ORG

JANUARY 29, 2021

MATT HENOCH

EVAN HIRSCH

Hahn Loeser & Parks

Singerman, Mills, Desberg & Kauntz Co., LPA

M

att Henoch, an of counsel attorney with Hahn Loeser & Parks who specializes in estate planning and probate litigation, saw the beauty of becoming a lawyer as a senior in college. A member of the Washington University Environmental Law Clinic, Henoch and his group mates were able to argue for improved clean water regulations in Missouri.

Upon seeing the positive impact he was able to create through law, Henoch now works to alleviate legal estate planning stresses that can arise in a person’s life or after a family member passes away. His experience spans all areas of estate planning from various taxes to drafting wills to powers of attorney. He also represents clients and family businesses involved in claims of litigation and arbitration, such as undue influence and lack of mental capacity.

CJN: Why did you want to focus on estate planning and probate litigation?

Henoch: Honestly, I became an estates and trusts attorney almost by accident.

My now-wife and I were living 200 miles apart – Detroit to Cleveland. I found a firm in Cleveland, and part of the job was covering probate hearings in all 88 Ohio counties. These hearings were not rocket science. The work was not glamorous, but I gained a real appreciation for what is done in probate court. It is noble to try to bring order out of the chaos that sets in after someone dies.

CJN: What Jewish values do you use in your work?

Henoch: When my non-Jewish clients lose a parent, I often tell them that – under Jewish tradition – there are five periods of mourning. At first are the most somber and difficult stages, but we eventually must emerge back into the world and back to our daily routines

About Matt

Age: 41 Hometown: Shaker Heights Synagogue: The TempleTifereth Israel Family: Wife, Wendy; Mason, 9; Carter, 7 Undergraduate school: Washington University in St. Louis Law school: Case Western Reserve University School of Law First job out of law school: Associate at a boutique medical malpractice defense firm in Detroit If I weren’t an attorney, I would …:

LOCAL LAWYERS

and joys. It is so unfair that while going through the most intense stages of grieving, there is also a mountain of paperwork and tasks that needs to be carried out. While we as attorneys cannot make the mourning any easier, it is our duty to help our clients transition back to life as usual.

CJN: What does being a lawyer mean to you?

Henoch: Our clients entrust us with the responsibility of making sure that their final wishes will be carried out.

Despite the crazy hours and the difficult work, it truly is a joy and an honor to come to work every day.

– McKenna Corson Be an accountant? I know that is not very interesting, but I do love spreadsheets

My favorites ...

Favorite Jewish-themed movie: “Wet Hot American Summer.” It is unofficially based on my favorite Jewish overnight camp, Camp Wise Favorite Jewish celebrity: Paul Newman (when he was a kid, he lived on my street – Brighton Road) Favorite Jewish food: Latkes Favorite Jewish holiday: Passover Favorite Jewish tradition: Havdalah

E

van Hirsch, a principal attorney with Singerman, Mills, Desberg & Kauntz Co., LPA who specializes in real estate and business transactions, said he wouldn’t change a thing about his job.

Throughout the years, he’s dabbled in commercial real estate acquisitions, sales, development, financing, leasing, joint venture formation, business acquisitions and sales, corporate organization/governance, and general contract drafting and review. He provides his services to tenants, landlords, developers and lending institutions, as well as manufacturers and service providers in numerous industries. With all of his experience, it’s clear Hirsch really likes what he does and the clients he serves.

CJN: What did you want to be when you grew up and why?

Hirsch: President of the United States because I hear the house has a bowling alley.

CJN: What inspired you to enter law?

Hirsch: My freshman year biology grade just didn’t cut it.

CJN: Why did you want to focus on real estate and business transactions?

Hirsch: My family had some commercial real estate investments and I interned at Apollo Housing Capital and Forest City in their respective legal departments. I truly enjoy working with developers and business owners to not only provide excellent legal work, but also understand their enterprise and try to be helpful to their growth and success outside of the billable hour.

CJN: What skills are most important for being successful in your practice?

Hirsch: Understanding what is really important for the client and figuring out

About Evan

Position: Principal Age: 39 Hometown: Orange Synagogue: B’nai Jeshurun Congregation Family: Wife, Michelle; Matthew, 8, and Shaina, 5 Undergraduate school: Boston University Law school: The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law First job out of law school: Associate

solutions to problems or issues that can work for everyone involved.

CJN: What is a memorable moment you still remember from work?

Hirsch: Being involved soup-to-nuts in the development of the Van Aken District in Shaker Heights.

CJN: What is your most frequently given piece of legal advice?

Hirsch: Being a transactional lawyer is not a 9 to 5 job. It requires more work to gain the experience to really help clients with their legal needs.

CJN: What does being a lawyer mean to you?

Hirsch: It means you have a unique ability to understand the “rules of the world” and the ability to change those rules to fit the needs of the day.

– McKenna Corson at Roetzel & Andress, LPA If I weren’t an attorney, I would …: Be in politics of some variety

My favorites ...

Favorite Jewish-themed movie: Does “Borat” count?

Favorite Jewish celebrity: Larry David Favorite Jewish food: Matzah pizza Favorite Jewish holiday: Tu B’shvat, duh Favorite Jewish tradition: Being sent to the principal’s office in Sunday school

SUPER ATTORNEYS

JANUARY 29, 2021

STEPHEN KADISH Frantz Ward LLP Stephen Kadish has had a long and storied career practicing tax law in Northeast Ohio.

Representing doctors, dentists, lawyers and business people in various matters, including tax advice, Kadish’s practice centers around tax, business, estate planning and business succession matters. For more than 30 years, he has lectured at numerous tax and accounting seminars, including ALI-ABA seminars and statewide CPA institutes, providing annual updates on federal tax cases and law changes. He has also been published in several law reviews and taxrelated journals, including the Journal of Taxation Investments, The Practical Lawyer and the Case Western Reserve Law Review.

CJN: How did you choose your practice area?

Kadish: When I was finishing law school at Columbia, I had done well in my tax and business courses so I successfully applied for a clerking position at the U.S. Tax Court. I haven’t

looked back since.

CJN: What do you think was the turning point of your career?

Kadish: I was recruited while in Washington, D.C., to work for Burke, Haber & Berick. The mentoring I got

CJN.ORG | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | 67 About Stephen

Age: 82 Hometown: Bratenahl Family: Children, Matthew, Rachel and Eugene Undergraduate school: Williams College Law school: Columbia Law School and Georgetown Law Center First job out of law school: U.S. Tax while practicing at that firm was invaluable. They were excellent lawyers, great people and even better mentors.

I couldn’t have asked for a better place to work in a firm for the first time. And then 10 years later, I had another turning point – starting my firm, Kadish & Krantz, alongside Byron Krantz in 1975.

CJN: In what way has your career as a lawyer shaped you?

Kadish: I’ve been able to apply the tax law, help people solve problems and help shape opportunities that they had in ways that have been meaningful.

I think the law is largely about helping people, and helping people navigate the inevitable complexities of the tax law.

CJN: Has anything surprised you throughout your law career?

Kadish: The camaraderie of tax lawyers and CPAs in this town has

Court for two years If I weren’t an attorney, I would ...: Be in social work or psychology

My favorites ...

Jewish celebrity: Mel Brooks Jewish food: Kreplach Jewish holiday: Yom Kippur Jewish tradition: Atoning on Yom Kippur always been incredible. There isn’t a level of competitiveness, it’s about cooperation and mutual respect of your peers.

CJN: Do you find yourself emulating Jewish values within your work?

Kadish: It parallels most everything I do. It underpins it. Integrity is a big thing for me, as well as loyalty. I strive to live those values everyday.

CJN: What are you looking forward to as you continue to practice law?

Kadish: Continuing to help people is a big one for me, as well as working with my son, Matt, who also practices tax law at Frantz Ward. I’m also looking forward to continuing my law journey with my Frantz Ward family.

– Becky Raspe

68 | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | CJN.ORG

KEVIN LENSON

If I weren’t an attorney, I would ...: Be a meteorologist because I love weather or a history professor

About Kevin

Elk & Elk According to Elk & Elk attorney Kevin Lenson, his greatest strength is being a people person.

While helping his clients through personal injuries and auto accidents, Lenson uses his experiences to inform his advice and guidance he gives clients.

A member of the Cuyahoga County Bar Association, the Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers and the Ohio State Bar Association, Lenson has also been named an Ohio Super Lawyer since 2015.

He credits his interest in law to his father, Murray, who died in June.

“He was an attorney that also practiced law in Cleveland for over 30 years at Ulmer & Berne LLP,” he said. “It was my father’s advice to do what I do and I followed that.”

CJN: How did you know this was the practice area for you?

Lenson: When I got out of law school, my father told me to find a plaintiff’s injury practice to start my career.

Ultimately, he ran into Jeff Friedman of Friedman, Damiano & Smith one day and asked if they had any openings and he said they did. I interviewed there, got the job and have done it ever since.

LOCAL LAWYERS

JANUARY 29, 2021

CJN: What was the turning point of your career?

Lenson: Law is now very specialized.

It is similar to the medical profession.

Doctors specialize in very specific things too. There aren’t many “jack of all trade” attorneys. It is not the kind of practice you’d like to do. I realized when I started doing this type of work, I enjoyed it and

Age: 50 Hometown: Moreland Hills Family: Wife, Heather; Emma, 18; Owen, 16, and Dylan, 12; and the family’s golden doodle, Sally, 4 Undergraduate school: University of Wisconsin-Madison Law school: University of Toledo College of Law First job out of law school: Friedman, Damiano & Smith

My favorites ...

Jewish-themed TV show: “The Goldbergs” Jewish celebrity: Larry David Jewish food: Matzah ball soup Jewish holiday: Passover Jewish tradition: Lighting the menorah during Chanukah

in my kids’ activities – my daughter’s sports and one of my sons is in band.

My wife and I like to go out for dinner.

We also like to travel and have a place in Naples, Fla. I read a lot and am also a big sports fan – both Cleveland and for the University of Wisconsin. I keep busy.

CJN: What excites you most about the future of your career?

Lenson:There isn’t much unknown, I’ve seen it all at this point. I’ve come to the point in my career that I have the confidence and know what I am doing. It is fascinating to come to work every day and put together a case. I have a lot on my docket but each one is so different.

Just putting together a case to maximize the value is an interesting aspect of my line of work.

- Becky Raspe

there was no reason to do anything else.

CJN: How does your job impact your life?

Lenson: We are officers of the court and there are deadlines to be met and a way to go about your job, but also your daily living. We are members of a bar and there is a standard to uphold. I don’t like to bring my work home with me. But, I do think it does affect your daily life to a degree. I was recently at the bank and the teller was asking me what I did and told me her daughter recently got into an accident. You never know when you’re going to start talking about it.

CJN: When you’re not practicing law, what do you do?

Lenson: I am pretty active. I work out once a week and play basketball, which I did in high school. I am involved

Stronger together.

Congratulations to the attorneys selected to the 2021 Ohio Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.

Cleveland

Brett C. Altier Inajo Davis Chappell Michael J. Charlillo Robert E. Chudakoff Gregory C. Djordjevic Sara S. Dorland

Cincinnati

Reuel D. Ash John F. Bennett Paul J. (P.J.) Cosgrove

Columbus

Alexander M. Andrews

Timothy J. Downing Jeffrey S. Dunlap William D. Edwards Frances Floriano Goins James A. Goldsmith Daniel A. Gottesman

Manju Gupta Lori A. Pittman Haas Richard G. Hardy Trevor J. Hardy Georgia Hatzis Steven S. Kaufman

Joshua A. Klarfeld Marie C. Kuban Steven P. Larson Ellesha M. LeCluyse David W. Leopold Mary Forbes Lovett

Amanda Martinsek Daniela Paez Ashtyn N. Saltz Raymond D. Seiler Patricia A. Shlonsky Michael S. Tucker

Michael N. Ungar Robin M. Wilson

Frederick M. Erny K.C. Green John M. Hands

Scott P. Kadish Lisa Marlo Kuhnell Jesse R. Lipcius

Michael A. Marrero Jeffrey F. Peck Eric M. Robbins

Frederic (Fritz) X. Shadley Elaine M. Stoll Michael J. Suffern

Joseph P. Thomas

Sarah Miller Benoit

Alvin E. Mathews, Jr.

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MAYA LUGASY Brown Immigration Law Maya Lugasy helps defend those who are at risk of deportation and removal from the United States.

While in college, she spent a few months at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel. Her Jewish heritage and time as a student in Israel were largely responsible for her desire to assist immigrants and help them attain green cards and citizenship.

Lugasy’s career is still young, but she already has international experience to help her be effective in her field.

“I get to meet people from all around the world,” said Lugasy, an associate partner. “People from countries I probably would have never interacted with ... I feel like I’m very well-connected with the world around me now.”

CJN: Why did you get into immigration law?

Lugasy: I went into law school with a social justice kind of mindset — that’s why I wanted to become a lawyer. My background was in Middle Eastern studies — that’s what I majored in while in college. I was very interested in war-torn countries and issues of refugees; that led me to the practice area of immigration, because that kind of

CJN.ORG | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | 69

JANUARY 29, 2021

intersected the international aspect with social justice in America.

CJN: Has your Jewish heritage affected you or helped you grow in the professional world?

Lugasy: In terms of the immigration aspect, I just know that’s such a foundational principle in Judaism. It was something that was instilled in me from a

About Maya

Age: 30 Hometown: Cleveland Undergraduate school: The Ohio State University.

Also did a summer Ulpan program at Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where she studied Hebrew.

Law school: Case Western Reserve University School of Law young age to be accepting, to help others and to help refugees, especially, given the context of the Holocaust and persecution that Jews have felt. I feel that is a part of who I am, as my Jewish identity. It’s something that’s important to me as a Jewish person to extend that same helping hand that we were extended.

In Israel, in my Ulpan class, I was one of maybe a handful of Jewish people.

There were actually a lot of Christians, Palestinians and Muslims, and we were in a very small class setting. Being in that setting with all different kinds of people in Israel, it was kind of like a microcosm of what everyone wants the situation there to be like. Everything that I do is just openness, understanding and tolerance. To me, that’s what my Jewish identity means to me.

CJN: What is the most rewarding part?

Lugasy: Any time I’m able to get someone a green card or a citizenship.

First job out of law school: Started at Brown Immigration Law as a law clerk

My favorites ...

Favorite Jewish-themed TV show: “The Nanny” Favorite Jewish celebrity: Seth Rogen Favorite Jewish food: Sephardic cholent Favorite Jewish holiday: Passover, minus the dietary restrictions The thanks I get for that, there’s no comparison. Every single person is so grateful; nobody takes this for granted ...

It has become so much harder during (the former) administration, that every time I’m successful in a case, it just makes it that much better. Because I do have to deal with a lot of bad outcomes, and sometimes it’s nothing that I could have done differently. The gratitude I get from my clients is probably the most rewarding experience ... It’s nearly impossible to represent yourself in immigration court, and there’s no government-funded representation like there is in criminal court, and you don’t have the right to a lawyer either.

Any time I’m able to help someone in immigration court, I feel like I’m performing a very necessary service.

– Alex Krutchik

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70 | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | CJN.ORG

JANUARY 29, 2021

JODI RICH

LOCAL LAWYERS

BARBARA K. ROMAN

Ulmer & Berne LLP

Meyers Roman Friedberg & Lewis

Growing up, Jodi Rich kind of always knew she’d end up going to law school.

Cleveland native Barbara K. Roman grew up in South Euclid to “proud middle-class Jewish parents” who expected her to attend college.

Rich said there is a legal tradition within her family that her father started: resulting in her father, his brother, his brother-in-law, two of her cousins, her brother and herself all becoming lawyers.

“We had a Black’s Law Dictionary at home where all of the law school graduates would sign the inside cover,” she said. “It is like a family affair.”

Now a transactional real estate partner at Ulmer & Berne LLP in Cleveland, Rich has nearly 20 years of experience in real estate assisting clients with matters involving all types of commercial properties.

CJN: How did you choose your field?

Rich: I don’t think I always saw myself as a transactional lawyer, but my family had a history of operating multi-family properties and that sparked an interest for me. While in law school, I also took a couple of courses with William Warren, former general counsel for Forest City Realty Trust, and those classes were remarkable to me. We didn’t have a regular textbook – he created his own lessons with real-world documents. If we were learning about laying out a shopping center, he’d show us a real-life site plan as well as all of the pieces that go into governing it. His course really had an impact on me as we didn’t have that many professors at the time who were practicing lawyers.

CJN: What career accomplishment are you most proud of?

Rich: Making partner was probably my biggest accomplishment and I did that after having my children and while working a reduced schedule. I feel like that was something I could not have done without my mother and in-laws, who really helped me a lot with my children. They were all there for me to watch my kids when I was working.

CJN: What has been your strongest personal influence?

Rich: I think it is really easy as a

About Jodi

Age: 45 Hometown: Beachwood Synagogue: Park Synagogue Family: Husband, Jonathan Eisengardt; Maya, 16, Alexander, 13 Undergraduate: George Washington University Law School: CWRU School of Law First job out of law school: Practicing at Kahn, Klienman, Yanowitz and Arnson

transactional lawyer to be collaborative and I really like it. Even with my socalled opposing counsel, we often work as a team as we look out for the interest of our clients. We all have the same overarching goal, so there is not a lot of nastiness. There is an incentive to be cooperative and work together.

Additionally, there are always clients that want to push boundaries, but I always rely on my ethical background and morals to know when that boundary should not be pushed.

CJN: What excites you most about the future?

Rich: I do a lot of retail law, so right now I’m kind of both excited and nervous about what comes next. We’ve seen a lot of trends that were in the works before COVID-19 but have been accelerated because of it. It will be interesting to see what the new mix of retail is going to be. It’s changing the types of restaurants we go to and how we are served. So, I’m looking forward to seeing how retail reinvents itself in a post-COVID-19 age.

Right now, we’re seeing documents trying to address these strange situations that have arisen and never have before during my 20-year career.

A graduate of Brush High School in Lyndhurst and a lifelong member of Park Synagogue in Cleveland Heights and Pepper Pike, when she attended The Ohio State University in Columbus, she thought she might become a psychologist. But, she developed an interest in criminal justice and law. She decided to become a lawyer at a time when women were just beginning to enter the field in numbers.

“I probably could have had a really satisfying career in business or real estate or international law,” said Roman, 70, a partner at Meyers Roman Friedberg & Lewis. “But women lawyers didn’t get clients in those areas of law.”

Divorce law and family law, she said, suit her because of her empathy and ability to solve problems.

She is a proponent of the use of collaborative law to resolve divorces.

CJN: How does collaborative law work in divorce and why should clients use it?

Roman:The idea is to reach common ground and an agreement to best fit the needs of the family through transparency and active listening. We have law, finance and mental health professionals all part of the team that helps them through what’s probably the most challenging time of their lives. By using this process the parties avoid the stress and confrontation of litigation.

CJN: What are your pet peeves?

Roman: I hate when lawyers fight just to fight to appeal to vulnerable clients who think that’s what they need. So I really abhor that. When professionals don’t fully inform their clients of the risks and rewards of the fight or the argument, I think it leads the clients down the wrong path. And I hate when lawyers prolong litigation in order to increase fees that don’t benefit the client.

CJN: What is your most common advice to clients?

Roman: Stay on the high road.

The process can easily – and the emotions can easily – bring you down.

But I think the court sees through the gamesmanship that’s sometimes played out. And so I adopt what Michelle Obama said, “When they go low, we go high.”

CJN: How does Judaism dovetail with your practice?

Roman: I think that trying to maintain the Judaic philosophy of the importance of family and respect for one another is the way that Judaism dovetails most with my practice. While in divorce it’s not always possible to keep the family intact, a good result can at least keep the family relationships together. Even though you’re divorcing, the family is still a family.

CJN: What is the best outcome in contentious divorce with children?

Roman: Keeping the kids out of the fight avoids a lifetime impact on the kids. Because no matter what age they are, they are affected by the fact that their parents divorced. I always say, it’s not that they divorced, but how they divorced that makes all the difference.

– Jane Kaufman

– Becky Raspe If I weren’t an attorney, I would ...: Either do something in politics or possibly be a rabbi

My favorites...

Jewish celebrity: Barbra Streisand Jewish food: Rugelach Jewish holiday: Purim Jewish tradition: Spending holidays with family

About Barbara

Age: 70 Hometown: Beachwood Synagogue: Park Synagogue in Cleveland Heights and Pepper Pike Family: Husband, Rick Dorman; stepchildren, Robin Dorman Bettis and Jeffrey Dorman Undergraduate school: The Ohio State University Law school: Cleveland-Marshall College of Law

First job out of law school: Assistant Ohio Attorney General, consumer protection If I weren’t an attorney, I would ...: Become a photojournalist

My favorites ...

Favorite Jewish-themed movie: “Schindler’s List” Favorite Jewish celebrity: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Favorite Jewish food: Matzah ball soup Favorite Jewish tradition: Frying potato latkes with family

SUPER ATTORNEYS

CJN.ORG | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | 71

JANUARY 29, 2021

MARK L. SARLSON Roetzel & Andress

Bentoff & Spero Co., LPA

W

hen he’s not reviewing documents and meeting with clients, Mark Sarlson runs trails, cares for his land, enjoys listening to music and spends time with his sons.

He also enjoys spending time with his daughter, when she’s in town.

He began his career as a litigator and moved into handling business loans, representing both lenders and businesses in those transactions. Sarlson estimates he has closed about 1,800 small-business loans in his career and numerous middle market loans.

Born in Akron, he moved to University Heights when he was 6 years old. He attended The Temple-Tifereth Israel and graduated from Hawken School, the University of Virginia in Charlottesville with a bachelor’s degree in history, and The Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law in Columbus with a law degree.

At Roetzel & Andress in Cleveland, he splits his practice between midmarket lending and U.S. Small Business Administration loans.

CJN: What do you find interesting in your work?

Sarlson: Negotiating loan documents is constantly interesting because you generally get comments that perhaps you haven’t received before, so there’s always a new argument about why some provision should or should not be kept in the document.

CJN: How has COVID-19 changed what you do?

Sarlson: I have one client, they’re probably the largest non-bank SBA lender in this area. And what they did within a short period of time, probably within 45 days, we made, documented, closed and funded approximately 300 PPP loans.

So that was obviously a direct result of COVID, and in terms of our process, that was very challenging. They did not actually close their office during COVID. CJN: How did technology play a role?

Sarlson: With those we were able to electronically sign documents because we simply couldn’t have processed 300 loans in a very short period of time if you had to meet with every single borrower.

About Mark

Age: 59 Hometown: Russell Township Family: Wife, Katherine; Robyn, Connor and Declan Undergraduate school: University of Virginia Law school: The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law

SCOTT SPERO

CJN: What stayed the same?

Sarlson: We still had a significant demand for SBA loans generally. People are still in the position to purchase buildings. We didn’t want to put all of that on hold and have people’s projects on hold. So even in March I continued to meet with people, sometimes to be safe we literally signed documents on the hood of my car.

CJN: What’s satisfying about helping small business owners secure loans?

Sarlson: There’s something that’s satisfying to see what small businesses are able to accomplish with their loans.

You know, it may be a business that only employs 10 people, but for those 10 people it’s their livelihood. And for the owner, it’s often a business they’re passing along to their children.

CJN: What’s your pet peeve?

Sarlson: A general pet peeve – and I suppose it’s even sadly more true today than perhaps it had been – an unwillingness to listen to a position contrary to yours. At a minimum, people should listen. They may not have to agree with it, but they should listen and try to reach some type of understanding.

–Jane Kaufman

First job out of law school: Associate attorney at Buckley King If I weren’t an attorney, I would ...: Be involved in the music industry

My favorites ...

Favorite Jewish-themed movie: Comedy, “Annie Hall,” and drama, “Chariots of Fire” Favorite Jewish celebrity: Bob Dylan Favorite Jewish food: Latkes

Marathon runner, triathlete and drummer Scott Spero is a personal injury lawyer by day.

“I work hard and I play hard, and I use all 24 hours a day to the fullest,” said Spero, who is owner and president of Bentoff & Spero Co., LPA in Beachwood.

“Being a personal injury lawyer allows me to help people when the help is most needed.”

He has also completed more than 30 marathons and eight ironman triathlons in his down time. And Spero plans to go to Chattanooga, Tenn., in September to compete in the Chattanooga Ironman if the pandemic doesn’t stop him.

In addition to being a board member at The Temple-Tifereth Israel in Beachwood, he plays percussion for its Rock My Soul Shabbat and Shira Chadasha services, which allow him “to embrace Judaism in a unique and beautiful way,” he said.

A Cleveland native, he became bar mitzvah at the former Congregation Brith Emeth in Pepper Pike. A graduate of Shaker Heights High School, he has served as president of the Beachwood Athletic Boosters and is president of the Shaker Heights Alumni Association. He met his wife, Jody, at a party at the Mandel Jewish Community Center on April 15, 1989.

CJN: What attracted you to personal injury law?

Spero: My father, Keith Spero, was a personal injury attorney, and I grew up watching him. I saw how he could help change somebody’s life in a meaningful way when they were severely injured due to someone else’s fault. I like how we balance the scales of justice.

CJN: What do you consider the best outcome?

Spero: When my client is satisfied and content with the outcome of their case.

CJN: What are your clients’ greatest mistakes?

Spero: I would say some clients have “great expectations” that are not realistic. Fortunately, most follow my guidance to avoid bad outcomes.

CJN: What is your pet peeve in your

About Scott

Age: 56 Hometown: Beachwood Synagogue: The TempleTifereth Israel Family: Wife, Jody; Jack and Joe Undergraduate school: Indiana University Law school: Cleveland-Marshall College of Law First job out of law school: Practicing law with my father, Keith Spero, who

work life?

Spero: There’s practicing law and there’s running a business. I love practicing law more than I love running a business. Just the nuts and bolts of dealing with a significant overhead.

CJN: How has COVID-19 changed your practice?

Spero: There are fewer personal injury cases because people are not driving as much or they’re working from home. I’m hoping that will change. The environment in the field has changed with Zoom conferences, Zoom mediations and not seeing people in person. I consider myself more of a people person. I love face-to-face interactions. I much prefer the old way versus the new way.

CJN: Do you play with a band?

Spero: I’ve been fortunate to play in a jazz fusion type of band with some friends from childhood. We haven’t played together in awhile because of the pandemic.

CJN: What is your proudest moment?

Spero: My proudest moment is every day watching my kids grow and become nice young adults who will make a difference in this world.

– Jane Kaufman was a lawyer for 50 years before he retired If I weren’t an attorney, I would …: Strongly consider owning a bicycle shop

My favorites ...

Favorite Jewish food: Challah Favorite Jewish holiday: Shabbat, the most peaceful time of the week Favorite Jewish tradition: Lighting the candles to begin Shabbat

72 | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | CJN.ORG

JANUARY 29, 2021

JOHN M. WIRTSHAFTER McDonald Hopkins LLC

W

About John

Age: 61 Hometown: Orange Family: Wife, Linda; Peter and Jessie Undergraduate school: Indiana University Law school: Case Western Reserve University Law School First job out of law school: Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan and Aronoff If I weren’t an attorney, I would ...:

JEFFREY ZIMON Zimon LLC

hen he’s not in a helmet, motorcyclist and one of the original members of the Shul Boys, John Wirtshafter is negotiating executive compensation for Fortune 500 and private companies.

“Salt of the earth, most of them,” Wirtshafter said of his biker compatriots.

“Some of my closest friends are people I’ve met through the Shul Boys.”

A Cleveland native, Wirtshafter volunteers his time on several boards, including Jewish Family Service Association of Cleveland, where he has been named a lifetime board member.

As a partner of McDonald Hopkins in Cleveland, Wirtshafter is frequently called upon to speak on employee benefits topics.

CJN: How did you find your area of practice?

Wirtshafter: I honestly thought I was going to be a litigator and almost immediately realized I wasn’t going to enjoy that, and that I would probably be dead by the time I was 35. I was just too wrapped up in everything. I’m a very competitive person by nature and that is the ultimate competition, and it just didn’t sit well with me. I wanted an expertise, something where people would look to me for the answers and solutions.

CJN: What does it take to learn employee benefits and what do you like about it?

Wirtshafter: It takes about three to five years before you start to understand where all the trees are in the forest, so to speak, and where you can start to answer questions without worrying about all the other things you don’t know. It clearly requires a specialist and I’ve enjoyed that. I also like it because once you get to that point, you can be very creative. So, most people would find it boring but to me it’s like doing puzzles.

CJN: When a company is out of compliance, how do you handle that?

Wirtshafter: There is no blueprint for doing that. You really have to look at the circumstances, look at the rules and figure out the best way to bring it into compliance. Sometimes it’s sticking to the IRS with the solution. Sometimes it’s selfcorrection. But there’s still within those

LOCAL LAWYERS

J

effrey Zimon of Zimon LLC in Pepper Pike has spent almost 30 years advising clients on all aspects of employee benefits, and benefits disputes and litigation.

During that time, the founder and partner has represented Fortune 500 companies, such as Eaton Corp., and Timken Co. He credits his success to the help of Life Care Planning • Elder Law • Estate Planning a few mentors that he has had over the Medicaid • Medicare • VA Benefits years.

“They guide you to solve problems, and the methodologies by which to solve problems, in this somewhat complicated area,” he said.

CJN: What do you enjoy the most about your job?

Zimon: Solving complicated problems that only a few people know how to solve.

CJN: What kind of issues do people They show you the ropes, they help come to you with? guide your analysis and show you Zimon: People want to do things or where and how to find things. It’s not people make mistakes. And most of only the practicing-of-law mentorship. the time, finding a way to let them do CJN: Why did you get into this field? it or finding a way to fix the mistake is Zimon: I fell into it. Before I went to challenging because of the extensive set of rules and regulations and government law school, I worked at a law firm and this was the area that they had. And I guidance. wanted to work with that law firm, so I CJN: What advice would you give to took it. someone who wants to be an attorney?

Zimon: Work under a mentor that is – Alex Krutchik in the field. I had many good mentors.

rules, quite a bit of room for creativity.

CJN: Are executives overpaid?

Wirtshafter: Good executives have options. They can go places. They have alternatives. So, if you’re not compensating and rewarding them properly, they won’t come and they won’t stay. And so, really, what executive compensation is about is figuring out ways to structure all that so that you’ve protected the interest of the company and the shareholders and provided a mechanism for the executive to share in the success that they helped create.

CJN: What is the most common mistake that you notice?

Wirtshafter: Too many times I see cookie-cutter approaches. If you own a fast-food restaurant, you can’t possibly pay your management the same way you would if you owned a factory that makes widgets. You know, there’s a different workforce, it’s a whole different strategy.

They have different objectives and needs.

CJN: What is your greatest Life Care Planning satisfaction?

Wirtshafter: I like helping people Medicaid • whether it’s part of a job or working on behalf of nonprofits or serving on boards.

– Jane Kaufman Run a well-funded foundation making grants to worthy nonprofit organizations

My favorites ...

We protect more than your loved one’s assets, we protect their dignity.

About Jeffrey

First job out of law school: I worked for a labor employment firm called Schwarzwald & McNair

Hometown: Pepper Pike Synagogue: B’nai Jeshurun Congregation My favorites ...

Family: Wife, Jill; Max, Favorite Jewish-themed TV show: Raya, Matthew “Fauda” Undergraduate school: Brandeis Favorite Jewish celebrity: Leonard University Nimoy Law school: Case Western Reserve Life Care Planning • Elder Favorite Jewish food: ChallahLaw • •University Elder School Law of• Law Estate Planning Favorite Jewish•holiday: Passover Medicaid Medicare • VA

Life Care Planning • Elder Law • Estate Planning Estat Medicaid VA Benefits Medicare • VA Benefits • Medicare • The difference is care.Bene COVID protocols followed – Open for Zoom and in-person meetings

Rachel Kabb-Effron Certified Elder Law Specialist

216.991.5222 (KABB) www.kabblaw.com Life Care Planning • Elder Law • Estate Planning Medicaid • Medicare • VA Benefits

Life Care Planning • Elder Law • Estate Planning May all of our clients Medicaid • Medicare • VA Benefits and their families be

protect Wethan protect We more than more th We protect more Rachel Kabb-Effron your loved one’s asse your loved one’s assets, your loved one’s assets, we 216.991.5222 (KABB) we Certified Elder www.kabblaw.com Law Specialist protect their digni protect their dignity. protect their dignity.

Favorite Jewish-themed movie: “Keeping the Faith,” written and directed by Clevelander Stuart Blumberg Favorite Jewish celebrity: Paul Rudd Favorite Jewish food: Lean corned beef and chopped liver sandwich

SELECTED TO SUPER LAWYERS: 2015 - 2016, 2019inscribed - 2021for a sweet SELECTED TO RISING STARS: 2011 – 2013 and healthy new year.

The difference is care.

Rachel Kabb-Effron Certified Elder Law Specialist

216.991.5222 (KABB) www.kabblaw.com

SUPER ATTORNEYS

AMI ZUKOWSKY Zukowsky Law

A

About Ami

Age: 35 Hometown: Beachwood Synagogue: Beachwood Kehilla Family: Wife, Franky; Ayden, 6, Yona, 3, Romi, 1 Undergraduate school: Yeshiva University Law school: Cardozo School of Law

GARY A. ZWICK Walter Haverfield LLP

mi Zukowsky was born and raised in Ohio. But after high school, he went overseas for 18 months and spent time in Israel before returning to the United States.

It is this experience in Israel, as well as events that happened in his personal life, he said, that influenced him to be the kind of attorney he is today.

The phrase, “tzedek, tzedek tirdof” in Deuteronomy 16:20 is one of his inspirations for his work. In English, this translates to “justice, justice shall you pursue.”

CJN: How has your Jewish heritage influenced you in your law career?

Zukowsky: It is the background of how I conduct myself. It is the quest for justice that motivates me to do my job. It says in the Torah, there’s a line that says “justice, justice shall you pursue.” The question is, “why do they write justice twice?” The answer that I’ve always enjoyed is that they wrote justice twice because you have to pursue justice in a just manner. That has always spoken to me.

CJN: What was it like to spend 18 months overseas after graduating high school?

Zukowsky: It was really interesting.

It was right after the second intifada. So everyone was a little bit on edge in the country but it was incredibly rewarding.

I was able to immerse myself in classical Jewish text, spend a great deal of time interacting with Israelis and learning the language, and I made tremendous friendships.

CJN: What made you want to work in this particular field of law?

Zukowsky: I am a child of divorce, and I never experienced a lot of the turmoil that similarly situated children experienced. I would hear from

CJN.ORG | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | 73

JANUARY 29, 2021

G

ary A. Zwick, a partner attorney at Walter Haverfield LLP in Cleveland who specializes in general tax practice, is also a certified public accountant who served in public accounting for 21 years prior to joining his law firm.

An expert on all things taxes, Zwick regularly performs tax planning for closely-held and family businesses and their owners, and high net worth individuals. Zwick also specializes in estate planning, retirement planning, business and individual taxation, subchapters C and S, mergers and acquisitions, employee benefits and Internal Revenue Service, tax court practice and controversy work. He also does criminal taxation. A tax and financial planning writer, speaker and professor, Zwick’s experience in his specialization spans decades. classmates and other friends about the fighting, screaming, fear and sadness, and how their parents weren’t speaking with them or engaging with them. And that was not at all my experience. I thought my parents handled it incredibly well in shielding, protecting and guiding me and my siblings. That’s what really turned me into my work: wanting to provide that experience to other children CJN: What is the best part of the job?

Zukowsky: The sincere thanks that comes from past clients well after I have finished working for them. Down the line, they are just thinking about their life and they come to the realization that, “Hey, that guy did a pretty good job. I’d like to thank him.”

– Alex Krutchik

CJN: What did you want to be when you grew up?

Zwick: A professional baseball player.

That’s what every Jewish boy wants.

CJN: What inspired you to enter law?

Zwick: I couldn’t get a job in public accounting until I had a law degree.

CJN: Why did you want to focus on general tax practice?

Zwick: It’s the only skill I have.

CJN: How do you work with your clients to assist them in the best way possible that’s unique to them?

Zwick: I combine my public accounting experience with my legal tax knowledge to work with entrepreneurial clients to accomplish their tax and family wealth transfer goals.

CJN: What is your most frequently given piece of legal advice?

About Gary

First job out of law school: Zashin & Rich If I weren’t an attorney, I would ...: Be the first ever combination of screenwriter/archaeologist

My favorites ...

Favorite Jewish-themed movie: “The Hebrew Hammer” Favorite Jewish celebrity: Larry David Favorite Jewish holiday: Pesach

Age: 66 Hometown: Bainbridge Township Family: Wife, Linda; Melissa, Daniel Undergraduate school: Kent State University Law school: Cleveland Marshall College of Law and Georgetown University Law Center First job out of law school: Staff accountant in the tax department at Cohen & Co.

Zwick: Transfer assets down to younger generations as early as you can.

CJN: What are you most proud of in your work?

Zwick: My reputation.

CJN: What kind of cases do you enjoy most?

Zwick: Federal tax cases in controversy with the IRS. It is intellectually stimulating and very important to the client you represent.

CJN: What Jewish values do you use in your work?

Zwick: Honesty and practicality.

– McKenna Corson

If I weren’t an attorney, I would …: Be a stand up comedian at conventions for accountants

My favorites ...

Favorite Jewish-themed movie: “Crossing Delancey” Favorite Jewish celebrity: Billy Crystal Favorite Jewish food: Gefilte fish Favorite Jewish holiday: Passover Favorite Jewish tradition: The annual giving of gefilte fish to shiksas and watching their faces when they eat it, without horseradish.

74 | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | CJN.ORG

JANUARY 29, 2021

LOCAL LAWYERS

Local Lawyers / Super Attorneys Name: Fred J. Arnoff Firm: Weston Hurd LLP Practice area: General business law, commercial law, real estate law, employment law, creditors’ rights, bankruptcy and estate planning Undergraduate: Miami University Law school: University of Akron School of Law (1975) Synagogue: Park Synagogue Name: Richard Bain Firm: Meyers, Roman, Friedberg & Lewis Practice area: Corporate, business litigation Undergraduate: Miami University Law school: CWRU School of Law (1979) If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: A sabbatical from my law practice would find me at Pepper Pike City Hall continuing in my role as mayor. Any time off, I would be visiting with my new granddaughter, working around the house, driving my wife a bit nuts, and then making up by exploring and traveling with her What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: We love the Paris Room. The food is great and it has a wonderful vibe. Also, Geraci’s as my University Heights roots have found their way to Pepper Pike. Terrific pizza, nice people When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Son of a Son of a Sailor” by Jimmy Buffett What do you enjoy most about your job: Helping people and figuring things out Other dream job: Landscape design, today.

Ask me again tomorrow What’s your most prized possession: Tucker the dog (or does he own us?)

Name: Stacy L. Bauer Firm: BauerGriffith, LLC Practice area: Business counsel Undergraduate: Miami University Law school: George Washington University Law School (1987) Synagogue: Park Synagogue If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Relaxing and traveling (post-pandemic).

What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: 56 Kitchen What do you enjoy most about your job: Helping people achieve their business objectives

What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Interning on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals for Judge Abner Mikva What’s your most prized possession: This is not a possession, but the most important thing in my life is my daughter What’s your hidden talent: Mahjong Name: Joshua G. Berggrun Firm: McCarthy, Lebit, Crystal & Liffman Co., LPA Practice area: Real estate Undergraduate: Ithaca College Law school: Elon University School of Law (2016) Synagogue: The Temple-Tifereth Israel If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Traveling to the Grand Slam tennis tournaments around the world What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Marble Room What do you enjoy most about your job: Helping business owners, entrepreneurs or family-owned businesses buy and sell companies. These are people who have worked their entire lives to build these businesses or have dreams of owning a company. We make a difference in their lives and our community when we negotiate and facilitate these types of deals Other dream job: Sports agent What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Volunteering as “tribute” for a cold call in my first semester 1L property class the day after the first “Hunger Games” movie premiered What’s your most prized possession: U.S. Open tennis ball used by Lleyton Hewitt and Bernard Tomic in Lleyton’s last ever U.S. Open before he retired and a walking stick from climbing Mt. Fuji in Japan Name: David A. Bernstein Firm: Tucker Ellis LLP Practice area: Litigation civil defense Undergraduate: OSU Law school: Washington University in St. Louis School of Law (2015) If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: On a beach on the Amalfi Coast What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Dave’s Cosmic Subs (during pandemic) When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Good Day” by Nappy Roots What do you enjoy most about your job: I meet lots of interesting people Other dream job: College history professor

What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Researching/Drafting legal support for the Missouri Public Defender’s Office opposition to the State’s use of alternative death penalty measures, including firing squads and gas chambers, on the grounds of cruel and unusual punishment after the State was unable to procure the necessary prescriptions for a lethal injection What’s your most prized possession: Roomba (I wish it was a bit smarter though; anything to cut down on household chores) Name: Matthew D. Besser Firm: Bolek Besser Glesius LLC Practice area: Employment discrimination and civil rights Undergraduate: George Washington University Law school: OSU Moritz Colleg of Law (2004) Synagogue: Park Synagogue Name: Michael Robert Blumenthal Firm: McGlinchey Stafford Practice area: Environmental law Undergraduate: OSU Law school: CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (1986) If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: I would love the opportunity to work for The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development in Israel. ICSD is an organization in Israel that raises awareness about ecological and environmental issues and uses religion to support their arguments When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Selling England by the Pound” by Genesis. It hasn’t happened yet What do you enjoy most about your job: Navigating the complex myriad of environmental regulations and finding solutions for business and property owners who find themselves ensnared in an environmental issue What’s your most prized possession: My kidney. After struggling from a lifethreatening kidney disease, I received a kidney from a stranger on Facebook in 2015 and each day I wake up feeling gratitude, awe and love What’s your hidden talent: Helping people to recover from alcoholism

Name: Seth P. Briskin Firm: Meyers, Roman, Friedberg & Lewis Practice area: Labor and employment law Undergraduate: Cornell University ILR School Law school: CWRU School of Law (1995) Synagogue: Park Synagogue If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Traveling the world and making sure that I coordinate my travels with the best concerts, skiing, golfing, food and drink on the planet What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: LJ Shanghai or Ginko When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Renegades of Funk” by Rage Against the Machine What do you enjoy most about your job: Making lasting relationships with my clients, learning all about their businesses and helping them solve problems to succeed Other dream job: Music festival promoter What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Late-night poker games with my buddies that usually ended with checks in my law school mailbox the next morning What’s your most prized possession: 1967 Epiphone Casino semi-hollow body guitar Name: Peter D. Brosse Firm: Meyers, Roman, Friedberg & Lewis Practice area: Business and corporate, energy law, business succession, real estate, M&A finance, construction, intellectual property and blockchain/ cryptocurrency Undergraduate: The Ohio State University Law school: University of Toledo Law School (1984) Synagogue: Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple Name: James Mitchell Brown Firm: James Mitchell Brown LPA Practice area: Social security disability Undergraduate: Ohio University Law school: CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law Synagogue: The Temple-Tifereth Israel If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: I would travel the world with my wife. We would, during part of that time, see what we could do to help others and do our part of tikkun olum that is so much a part of our lives. We would

SUPER ATTORNEYS spend time with each of our children and grandchildren. We would explore the world, not as tourists but as loving, caring Jewish Americans When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “This Land Is Your Land” because after the last four years, we have to all become united again What do you enjoy most about your job: In my practice, I change my clients’ lives for the better. I help people who have nowhere else to go. Other attorneys have said they cannot help them, so people turn to me, and by winning their claims, I help them maintain some semblance of respect and dignity What’s your most memorable experience from law school: I was on the academic standards committee with professor Ann Aldrich. Later she became a federal judge.

She would call me at any hour of the night to discuss cases we were going to rule on the next day. She and I wrote the only dissenting opinions by an academic standards committee in the history of the school. I planted tress in her honor when she became a federal judge. That certificate remained on the wall in her chambers during her entire career as a federal judge What’s your most prized possession: My health. I have had several serious scares in my life as have others in my family. I represent people with every imaginable health problem. We have no more valuable possession than our health What’s your hidden talent: Shooting foul shots. I came in second in the Cleveland Cavs’ adult foul shooting contest one year Name: Lori Brown Firm: Gallagher Sharp LLP Practice area: Professional liability Undergraduate: University of Michigan Law school: OSU Moritz College of Law (1999) Synagogue: Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Travel and volunteer award What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Crumb & Spigot What do you enjoy most about your job: Providing help to my clients and the profession. I also enjoy the diversity of cases that I work on and learning about a range of practices Other dream job: Travel bigger What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Externing for a federal judge and taking professor Goldberger’s constitutional law class and learning about his experience handling the Skokie case What’s your most prized possession: My family

JANUARY 29, 2021 Name: Sandra J. Buzney Firm: Sandra J. Buzney, Co., LPA Practice area: Elder law, estate planning and Medicaid planning Undergraduate: University of Cincinnati Law school: CWRU School of Law (1999) Synagogue: Suburban Temple-Kol Ami If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Volunteering, visiting more of the parks around the state, spending time with family and friends What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Geraci’s When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” by the Hollies What do you enjoy most about your job: Establishing long-term relationships with clients Other dream job: Archaeologist What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Being selected as the second-place winner of the 1999 Elaine Osborne Jacobson Award for Women in Health Care Law (a national award) What’s your hidden talent: Gardening Name: Morgan Caruso Firm: Morgan R. Caruso, Attorney at Law Practice area: Criminal defense, DUI and traffic Undergraduate: Ohio University Law school: CWRU School of Law (2012) Synagogue: B’nai Jeshurun Congregation If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Scuba diving with my husband and beaching with our kids What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Geraci’s, their pizza is the best and the family vibe only makes it better What do you enjoy most about your job: I most enjoy the flexibility of balancing my practice with raising my boys. I love litigating, defending my clients, and winning cases Other dream job: I would’ve gladly been a Broadway actress but instead I get to put on a show in the courtroom all the time What’s your hidden talent: I can argue anything Name: David R. Cohen Firm: Self-employed Practice area: Special master, mediator and arbitrator Undergraduate: University of Michigan Law school: CWRU School of Law (1991) Synagogue: Suburban Temple-Kol Ami Other dream job: I’m living it

CJN.ORG | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | 75 Name: Sharon CometEpstein Firm: Law Offices of Sharon Comet-Epstein Practice area: Divorce, dissolutions, collaborative divorce, mediation, out-of-court dispute resolution Undergraduate: The Ohio State University Law school: CRWU School of Law (1992) Synagogue: B’nai Jeshurun Congregation If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: I would love to be able to handle only pro bono family law, collaborative and mediation cases without fighting in court What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: L’Albatros What do you enjoy most about your job: The opportunity to be creative in helping people find resolutions that work for everyone without the hostility, stress and expense of adversarial or traditional litigation. The positive emotional and financial impact on clients and their families makes it all worthwhile.

Other dream job: TV talk show host, TV/stage actress What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Immediately after I graduated law school, my professor asked me to teach the legal persuasion (public speaking) course for her when she had to take a leave of absence that semester What’s your most prized possession: I actually prize people, not possessions What’s your hidden talent: I was a hula-hoop champion Name: Gary Cowan Firm: Elk & Elk Practice area: Personal injury Undergraduate: University of Ottawa, Canada Law school: CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (1987) If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Traveling through Europe What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Sasa Restaurant What do you enjoy most about your job: Meeting clients from all walks of life Other dream job: Archeologist What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Participating in a mock trial with a federal court judge What’s your most prized possession: Collection of NHL hockey pucks What’s your hidden talent: World’s best handicapper of standardbred horses

Name: Robert E. Chudakoff Firm: Ulmer & Berne LLP Practice area: IP litigation, trademark/ copyright litigation and patent litigation Undergraduate: Miami University Law school: CWRU School of Law (1987) Synagogue: Oheb Zedek Cedar Sinai Synagogue If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Traveling What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: The Basement in Sagamore Hills When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Let it Be” by The Beatles What do you enjoy most about your job: Oral advocacy Other dream job: Astronomer What’s your most prized possession: My family Name: Charles Daroff Firm: Walter Haverfield Practice area: Real estate law Undergraduate: Case Wesetner Reserve University Law school: CWRU School of Law (1988) Synagogue: B’nai Jeshurun Congregation If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: I would tour Israel and spend more time with my children What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: EDWINS. The food and service are amazing When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Rocket Man” by Elton John What do you enjoy most about your job: Interacting with my clients Other dream job: CIA What’s your most prized possession: My children What’s your hidden talent: Doing card tricks Name: Gerry Davidson Firm: Fanger & Davidson LLC Practice area: family law, asset protection, estate planning, probate and personal injury Undergraduate: Ohio University Law school: CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (1972) If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: My wife and I would travel and visit our 23 grandchildren and my wife’s family in Ireland What do you enjoy most about your job: Meeting people and helping them resolve issues that are of a concern to them Other dream job: Having been a medic in the

76 | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | CJN.ORG U.S. Army, I would probably enjoy working in a hospital setting What’s your most memorable experience from law school: The day my evidence professor saw that I had taken shortcuts and wrote my notes in the margin of my case book. He made me stand and lectured me for 15 minutes (quite embarrassing). Six months later, the same professor came up to me and expressed to me that he was confident that I would become a successful attorney. I asked him why and he replied by reminding me of that embarrassing moment and then said that all I did was stand there, take the scolding and kept on smiling at him.

What’s your most prized possession: My father’s 11th-grade shop workbook he had made. That was the last course he took before dropping out of East Tech High School at the age of 17 to support his mother and brother.

What’s your hidden talent: Having the ability to get down to the level of young children and talk like Donald Duck Name: Gary S. Desberg Firm: Singerman, Mills, Desberg & Kauntz Co., LPA Practice area: Real estate Undergraduate: University of Michigan Law school: CWRU School of Law (1985) Synagogue: Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Traveling, hiking and enjoying nature What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Crumb & Spigot What do you enjoy most about your job: Building relationships with clients Other dream job: Naturalist What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Building relationships with law professors What’s your most prized possession: Old friendships What’s your hidden talent: Listening to others Name: Carly Deutch Firm: Meyers, Roman, Friedberg & Lewis Practice area: Litigation Undergraduate: University of Michigan Law school: DePaul University College of Law (2013) Synagogue: B’nai Jeshurun If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Traveling (post-pandemic) What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Shuhei When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “I’ll Be There For You” (“Friends” theme song) by the

JANUARY 29, 2021

Rembrandts What do you enjoy most about your job: Interacting with clients and helping people resolve issues that may impact their business, family or day to day lives Other dream job: Fiction author or magazine editor What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Participating in moot court competitions What’s your hidden talent: Online shopping for deep discounts on designer goods Name: Stanley M. Dub Firm: Law Office of Stanley M. Dub Practice area: Franchise law Undergraduate: The Ohio State University Law school: CWRU School of Law (1975) Synagogue: Suburban Temple-Kol Ami If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Traveling and visiting relatives throughout Israel What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Taki’s Green Kitchen in Avon When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “We Can Work It Out” by The Beatles What do you enjoy most about your job: Helping clients cope with business problems; teaching franchise law at CWRU Other dream job: Professional bridge player What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Cutting class to play cards in the Snack Bar What’s your most prized possession: My bichon puppy, Benny Name: Mark Edelman Firm: McGlinchey Stafford Practice area: Conumer financial services regulatory compliance Undergraduate: University of Michigan Law school: OSU Moritz College of Law (1986) Synagogue: Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple Name: Brian Eisen Firm: The Eisen Law Firm Practice area: Medical malpractice, birth injury and wrongful death Undergraduate: Harvard College Law school: Harvard Law School (1992) Synagogue: Fairmount Temple If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Month 1very, very long nap. Month 2 – visiting family and friends in the U.S. on a very long road trip in a VW camper van. Month 3 – going anywhere abroad and not quarantining upon arrival. That would mean that we have beaten

COVID. Month 4 – Back to work; I cannot fathom six full months off.

What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: I recently changed my eating habits and am now vegan. I enjoy exploring the Cleveland food scene to scout out good vegan options.

Zhug, Cleveland Vegan and the Market Hall at Van Aken offer many options. I am thrilled when I find some good vegan food, anywhere.

When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: It would be humiliating if music started playing when I walked into a room, but if I had to have something, I think I’d go with “Chase” by Giorgio Moroder. My son played hockey for Shaker Heights High School, and that was the song they always played during warm-ups.

What do you enjoy most about your job: I sincerely enjoy the opportunity to help people and families that have suffered a catastrophic loss. I got a postcard not long ago from a child with cerebral palsy whom I represented in a birth injury case more than a decade ago. He is off to college and wanted to thank me again for my help. When stuff like that happens, it makes me feel like I have the greatest job in the world.

What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Watching former President Obama play pickup basketball in the gym is memorable now, though at the time I just thought, “meh, decent handle, adequate jump shot” What’s your most prized possession: I really don’t have a prized possession. There is a purple heart earned by a distant relative that came into my possession 20 years ago. The soldier who earned it has no other living relatives, so I have kept it safe and sound. I cannot stand to think that it might otherwise be tossed aside.

Name: Michael Eisner Firm: Elk & Elk Practice area: Personal injury Undergraduate: Hobart College Law school: CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (1995) Synagogue: Park Synagogue If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: I don’t really want to take a sabbatical; however, if I did, I would travel the world and experience different cultures and people What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Alley Cat Oyster Bar When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Titanium” by David Guetta What do you enjoy most about your job: The satisfaction of helping my clients recover from serious injuries and making a difference in their lives Other dream job: Food critic What’s your most memorable experience

LOCAL LAWYERS from law school: Mock trying the OJ Simpson case with only five witnesses What’s your most prized possession: My great-great-grandfather’s pocket watch Name: Art Elk Firm: Elk & Elk Practice area: Personal injury Undergraduate: Case Western Reserve University Law school: CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (1973) Synagogue: Park Synagogue If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: I would ride my motorcycle to Key West with my son, Ryan, riding next to me and my wife, Jody, daughter, Lexy and her husband, Austin, in the chase car. While there, I would spend time fishing and eating some incredible fresh seafood. I’m not sure I could last six months, but it would be fun trying.

What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Crumb & Spigot When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Take Your Time”

by Sam Hunt What do you enjoy most about your job: It’s my passion to help people whose lives have been changed by serious injuries. I enjoy the fact that we can act quickly to make sure our client and their family are taken care of so they can put food on the table while rehabilitating from injuries.

What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Passing both the Ohio and Florida bar exams in the same year.

Law school was a lot of work, but I enjoyed learning the language of the laws that govern our society and the theories and rules generated by those laws.

What’s your most prized possession: My home, which contains many fond memories of where and how my wife, Jody, and I raised our children, Hilary, Ryan, Lexy and Jason What’s your hidden talent: Decisiveness. I’m steadfast in being able to analyze situations and quickly determine how to proceed under any circumstances.

Name: David J. Elk Firm: Elk & Elk Practice area: Personal injury Undergraduate: Case Western Reserve University Law school: CWRU School of Law (1964) Synagogue: Park Synagogue If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Alone on an island with my wife, Marilyn What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: EDWINS and Umami When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “It’s A Wonderful

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JANUARY 29, 2021

CJN.ORG | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | 77

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78 | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | CJN.ORG World” by Frank Sinatra What do you enjoy most about your job: I love being able to help people Other dream job: Professional baseball player What’s your most prized possession: My five grandchildren, Meredith, Madison, Celia, Dylan and Skye What’s your hidden talent: I used to be a pretty good roller skater Name: Aaron S. Evenchik Firm: Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP Practice area: Construction and real estate Undergraduate: The Ohio State University Law school: OSU Moritz College of Law (2001) Synagogue: Chabad of Cleveland/Bais Dovid If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: I’d take my children and wife to Israel and on vacation.

COVID canceled the 2020 Israel trip.

What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Arova because I can order online and bring it home When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “You’ll Be Back” from “Hamilton” What do you enjoy most about your job: I love telling (or arguing) client’s stories and positions to factfinders. I also love training

young lawyers.

Other dream job: Leading the band on “The Tonight Show” What’s your most prized possession: My family and a photo of my great-great grandparent’s Passover seder table Name: Mark S. Frank Firm: Mark S. Frank, Attorney at Law, LLC Practice area: Plaintiff personal injury and probate law/estate administration Undergraduate: University of Cincinnati Law school: CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (1981) If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Sailing in the Caribbean on a catamaran, scuba diving, catching my dinner What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Parallax When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Miserlou”/ Theme from “Pulp Fiction” What do you enjoy most about your job: Helping my clients through difficult times Other dream job: Travel writer/television host What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Participating in moot court What’s your most prized possession: 1969 Corvette Stingray/Riverside gold

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JANUARY 29, 2021 Name: Dov Frankel Firm: Taft Stettinius & Holliser LLP Practice area: Bankruptcy and corporate restructuring Undergraduate: Ner Israel Rabbinical College Law school: University of Maryland School of Law (1994) Synagogue: Young Israel of Greater Cleveland If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Spend more time with my family, time in New York with my oldest sons and time studying at the Kollel What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Milky Way What do you enjoy most about your job: Learning about the various businesses run by our clients Other dream job: Defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Assisting in the defense of a death-row inmate What’s your most prized possession: New talis and talis bag my wife game me for my birthday Name: Adam M. Fried Firm: Reminger Co. LPA Practice area: Trust, estate and guardianship controversy Undergraduate: The Ohio State University Law school: CWRU School of Law (1995) Synagogue: Solon Chabad If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: I would enjoy taking a few classes focused in the more complex areas in which I litigate, such as taxes, corporations and planning techniques.

I also might write a book or article in the area of litigation techniques to be employed in a protective fashion when an elder person becomes the subject of abuse, neglect or financial exploitation.

What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Swirl What do you enjoy most about your job: I love coming up with answers to complex problems, but more importantly love that sophisticated people and colleagues call me in search of solutions to the issues they face Other dream job: While I would need to learn a few good recipes, if I could no longer practice law, I would enjoy being a bartender What’s your most memorable experience from law school: The university was beginning construction of a new building across the street from the law school. A mound of dirt was piled high in the law school’s front yard.

Me and a classmate climbed that mound and played king of the hill.

What’s your most prized possession: I have a painting of my parents that my dad

LOCAL LAWYERS commissioned from a street vendor in Korea while he was stationed there as a captain in the army. It has my dad sitting against a tree, dreaming of my mom and the painting of her is realistic and beautiful.

What’s your hidden talent: I can close my eyes and practically drift to sleep while working out on the elliptical machine Name: Ian N. Friedman Firm: Friedman & Nemecek, LLC Practice area: Criminal, white color and cyber defense Undergraduate: Ohio University Law school: CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (1997) If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: In a treehouse near the ocean What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Fish from Catanese Classic Seafood (freshest fish around) or Wonton Gourmet & BBQ (best Chinese food in town) When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Stomp” by The Brothers Johnson What do you enjoy most about your job: I love formulating out-of-the-box trial strategy Other dream job: Teacher and hometown mayor What’s your most prized possession: My grandmother’s artwork Name: Joshua Fuchs Firm: The Fuchs Firm Practice area: Employment and business litigation Undergraduate: Case Western Reszerve University Law school: Duquesne University School of Law (2010) Synagogue: Park Synagogue If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Cycling in the Alps What do you enjoy most about your job: Most of my cases involve unique circumstances. I learn new things frequently Other dream job: Professional road cyclist What’s your hidden talent: Spotting pileated woodpeckers Name: Robert Fuerst Firm: Meyers, Roman, Friedberg & Lewis Practice area: Real estate Undergraduate: University of Colorado Law school: CWRU School of Law (1979) Synagogue: The TempleTifereth Israel If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Relax, travel

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and play golf What do you enjoy most about your job: Coming up with solutions to enable my client and the other side to resolve disputed issues and get the deal done Other dream job: Professional golfer What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Fearing during year one and elation at graduation Name: Sarah Gabinet Firm: KJK Practice area: Family law Undergraduate: Oberlin College Law school: CWRU School of Law (1982) Synagogue: The Temple-Tifereth Israel If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Go to Israel and attend an Ulpan What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Gigi’s on Fairmount, they make excellent paninis When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “You Should Be Dancing” by The Bee Gees What do you enjoy most about your job: I feel that I am helping to put some order and calm into a client’s chaos of family trouble Other dream job: Ballroom dance instructor What’s your most prized possession: Other than my family, the wedding rings that my grandmother and then my mother wore What’s your hidden talent: Ballroom dancing

engage in exciting real estate deals around the country. I also am lucky enough to work with and learn from my dad every day – that’s pretty cool too.

Other dream job: Food and travel writer What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Graduating and saying goodbye to long days in the library and the stench of other students drinking Redbull at 8 in the morning. I still have law school flashbacks when anyone drinks one.

What’s your most prized possession: Hand-made gifts from my children Name: Michelle Gearity Firm: Meyers, Roman, Friedberg & Lewis Practice area: Tax and corporate law Undergraduate: University of Miami Law school: CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (2016) Synagogue: B’nai Jeshurun Congregation If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Take a road trip across the United States What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Felice What do you enjoy most about your job: Working with clients to accomplish their goals Other dream job: A film critic What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Taking and passing the bar

216.373.0539 * mdann@dannlaw.com

Julie Rabin Falck

Bankruptcy – not a failure, but a fresh start

Name: Michael B. Gardner Firm: Meyers, Roman, Friedberg & Lewis Practice area: General counsel Undergraduate: Ohio University Law school: CWRU School of Law (1993) Synagogue: Temple on the Lake If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Touring Europe What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: The Original Pancake House When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Roadhouse Blues” by The Doors What do you enjoy most about your job: Flexibility in work/ life balance What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Graduation What’s your most prized possession: My 1967 Sunbeam Alpine What’s your hidden talent: Heavy equipment operator

55 Public Square, Suite 1750 Cleveland, OH 44113 P 216-771-8084 | F 216-771-4615 jrabin@rabinandrabin.com Rabin&Rabin Co. LPA www.rabinandrabin.com

CONGRATULATIONS Super Lawyers List | 2021 Deanna DiPetta, Drew Piersall, Christopher Reynolds, Jonathan Rich, Patrick Watts, 10 YEARS: Jon Dileno, Michele Jakubs, David Posner, Jeffrey Wedel, Stephen Zashin, 15 YEARS: George Crisci, Jonathan Downes, Andrew Zashin OHIO TOP 100 | CLEVELAND TOP 50: Andrew Zashin

Rising Stars List | 2021 Amy Keating, David Vance, Kyleigh Weinfurtner

Best Lawyers | 2021 Christopher Reynolds, Kyleigh Weinfurtner, 5 YEARS: Jon Dileno, Deanna DiPetta, Amy Keating, David Posner, Jonathan Rich, Stephen Zashin, 10 YEARS: George Crisci, Jonathan Downes, 15 YEARS: Jeffrey Wedel, Andrew Zashin

Best Lawyers Top Listed Firm | 2021 workplace & family law

Name: Danielle Garson Firm: McCarthy, Lebit, Crystal & Liffman Co., LPA Practice area: Real estate; banking and finance Undergraduate: University of Maryland Law school: UIC John Marshall Law School, 2010 If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: I would travel the world, read for pleasure, and enjoy time with my family What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Home Bistro was my favorite BYOB place in Chicago – they recently opened in Little Italy and, while no longer BYOB, still has great food and kind, friendly ownership When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys What do you enjoy most about your job: I love having the opportunity to help my clients solve complex problems and

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The Top Listed Family Law Firm in Ohio & Cleveland for 6 years

Chambers and Partners | 2020 Ranked Band 1, Family/Matrimonial: High Net Worth in The Chambers HNW 2020 Guide:

Andrew Zashin cleveland 216.696.4441 | columbus 614.224.4411 | zrlaw.com 1/21/21 3:48 PM

80 | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | CJN.ORG Name: Alex Gertsburg Firm: Gertsburg Law Firm Practice area: Business law Undergraduate: Miami University Law school: CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (2000) If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Scuba diving, hang gliding and hiking around the world – one country per month What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Crumb & Spigot What do you enjoy most about your job: Definitely helping business owners discover ways to make money and save money Other dream job: Author, historian, editor of “Oy vey” Magazine (not yet created) What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Having the privilege of externing for Judge John Manos, and working with professor Steve Werber – both were incredible mentors What’s your most prized possession: My sanity – now where did I put that What’s your hidden talent: Connecting people and businesses to the person or thing they need most Name: Steven R. Gill Firm: Sleggs, Danzinger & Gill Co. LPA Practice area: Real estate tax Undergraduate: The Ohio State University Law school: CWRU School of Law (1991) Synagogue: Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Visiting family What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Town Hall When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Don’t Stand So Close to Me” by The Police What do you enjoy most about your job: The people Other dream job: Teaching What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Graduating What’s your most prized possession: My thermos What’s your hidden talent: I can name that tune Name: Rob Gilmore Firm: KJK Practice area: Labor and employment Undergraduate: University of Cincinnati Law school: OSU Moritz College of Law (1986) Synagogue: Anshe Chesed Fairmount

JANUARY 29, 2021

Temple If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Traveling through France What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Cru Uncorked. The atmosphere is wonderful and the staff is outstanding.

When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Come Together”

by The Beatles What do you enjoy most about your job: Finding a creative resolution to my client’s legal issues Other dream job: History teacher What’s your most prized possession: An old baseball glove that I have from when I first learned to play baseball with my father and grandfather What’s your hidden talent: I love playing competitive tennis Name: Adam L. Glassman Firm: McCarthy, Lebit, Crystal & Liffman Co., LPA Practice area: Real estate and business law Undergraduate: Miami University Law school: CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, 2019 Synagogue: Park Synagogue If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated by watches. I have successfully taken several apart and would love to learn how to correctly put them back together.

What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Shuhei. Thankfully, they do a great takeout.

What do you enjoy most about your job: Because there is no shortage of unique and nuanced legal issues, every day is a new adventure What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Although I was not excited to start studying for the bar, graduation marked a significant milestone in my life.

Most importantly, it felt great to finally be done with school What’s your most prized possession: After college, I was gifted a vintage Seiko watch.

It is incredibly cool and was one of the most thoughtful gifts I have ever received Name: Rob Glickman Firm: McCarthy, Lebit, Crystal & Liffman Co., LPA Practice area: Trial lawyer Undergraduate: University of North Carolina Law school: CWRU School of Law (1992) Synagogue: Suburban Temple-Kol Ami If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Prepandemic, I would spend the time traveling

between the Amalfi Coast, Majorca and Greece. Preferably by boat.

What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Johnny’s Bar on Fulton Road What do you enjoy most about your job: Getting to know about other businesses and professions that are involved in my cases. Maybe just enough to be dangerous, but it is interesting to learn about things like medicine, construction, election law, wrongful imprisonment, engineering, etc.

Other dream job: CEO of a start-up company.

I like the idea of building a business from the ground up.

What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Winning the mock trial contest with professor McElhenny. He was hilarious What’s your most prized possession: Outdoor pavilion at my house with TVs, heaters, and next to the pool and hot tub.

Great place to watch a Cleveland Browns’ game What’s your hidden talent: Font of worthless knowledge. Want to know the starting five of the 1972 New York Knicks – I’m your guy Name: Ira S. Goffman Firm: Rolf Goffman Martin Lang LLP Practice area: Heath care law Undergraduate: State University of New York at Binghamtom Law school: University of Toledo College of Law (1981) Synagogue: Park Synagogue If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: I would spend time visiting my grandchildren and children What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Lockkeepers What do you enjoy most about your job: Helping people and businesses strategize and/or solve difficult problems Other dream job: Being a general manager or owner of a professional sports team What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Meeting my wife What’s your most prized possession: My memories of my family and journey through life Name: Steven M. Goldberg Firm: Goldberg Legal Co., LPA Practice area: Litigation involving personal injury, medical/hospital malpractice, product liability, nursing home abuse/neglect and asbestos cancer mesothelioma Undergraduate: Arizon State University Law school: Capital University School of Law (1989) Synagogue: Solon Chabad

LOCAL LAWYERS Name: Warren Goldenberg Firm: Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP Practice area: Technology and corporate Undergraduate: SUNY Albany Law school: University of Michigan Law School (1981) Synagogue: Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Traveling the World When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Eye of the Tiger”

by Survivor What do you enjoy most about your job: Helping clients Other dream job: Startup CEO What’s your most prized possession: Charcoal drawing done by my Dad Name: James A. Goldsmith Firm: Ulmer & Berne LLP Practice area: Trusts and estates, business succession planning Undergraduate: University of Denver Law school: CWRU School of Law (1980) Synagogue: Suburban Temple-Kol Ami If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: I would like to travel to Europe and be able to spend several weeks in each place I visit instead of a quick in and out like what usually happens What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Pizazz at Fairmount Circle. It is close to our home and consistently good.

What do you enjoy most about your job: I most enjoy the people I get to interact with inside our firm, clients, and counsel at other firms Other dream job: Professional hockey player What’s your most prized possession: Memorabilia from my time at the University of Denver Name: Andy Goldwasser Firm: Ciano & Goldwasser, LLP Practice area: Personal injury Undergraduate: The Ohio State University/ The University of Akron Law school: CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (1997) If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: I would like to spend time working in refugee camps and traveling the globe What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Osteria When you walk into a room, what “intro

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song” should start playing: “Rock the Casbah” by The Clash What do you enjoy most about your job: The people I work with and the clients I represent Other dream job: High school English teacher What’s your most prized possession: My dogs What’s your hidden talent: I can read nautical maps and navigate waterways Name: Alan I. Goodman Practice area: Employment law Undergraduate: The Ohio State University Law school: CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (1969) Synagogue: B’nai Jeshurun Congregation If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it:

What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Bowl of Pho When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus What do you enjoy most about your job: Helping people resolve a bad situation and move on with their lives to a new, happier chapter Other dream job: Actor What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Fainting the first time I was called on in contracts What’s your most prized possession: My daughters, though I realize that I do not possess them, and that they are just loaned to me by G-d What’s your hidden talent: Piano, painting and gardening

Name: Howard M. Groedel Firm: Ulmer & Berne LLP Practice area: Securities law Undergraduate: Miami University Law school: George Washing University Law School (1982) Synagogue: Romemu (NYC) If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: I would paddle the full length of the Mississippi River What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Flour When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Then I Met You” by The Proclaimers What do you enjoy most about your job: That the law is always changing

Travel out west What do you enjoy most about your job: The contact with clients Other dream job: Teaching What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Working full-time while at the same time starting and raising a family with my wife What’s your most prized possession: My children and grandchildren What’s your hidden talent: Skiing Name: Daniel A. Gottesman Firm: Ulmer & Berne LLP Practice area: Corporate, real estate and healthcare Undergraduate: Yeshiva University Law school: Fordham University School of Law (2008) Synagogue: Congregation B’nai Torah

Name: Bradley L. Greene Firm: The Life Care Planning Law Offices of Bradley L. Greene Practice area: Elder law, estate planning and Medicaid planning Undergraduate: Bowling Green State University Law School: CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (1989) Synagogue: JFX If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: I would drive across the country with my family What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Kantina When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Pocket Full of Sunshine” by Natasha Bedingfield What do you enjoy most about your job: Helping people in crisis Other dream job: Professional pickleball player What’s your most memorable experience from law school: The one time I went out my first year What’s your most prized possession: My dog, Milo Name: Caryn Markowitz Groedel Firm: Caryn Groedel & Associates Co., LPA Practice area: Civil rights and employment law Undergraduate: George Washington University Law school: George Mason University School of Law Synagogue: Solon Chabad

HAHN LOESER

PROUDLY SERVING THE LEGAL NEEDS OF BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS IN CLEVELAND FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS We are honored to have earned the trust and confidence of our clients and friends in the Cleveland community. Originally formed out of a commitment to religious diversity, we continue our founders’ dedication to client and community service. These values have helped us grow to more than 130 attorneys in six cities across the country.

We stand upon a proud legacy as we continue to help our clients meet the challenges and opportunities of the next 100 years.

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82 | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | CJN.ORG Other dream job: A U.S. Forest Service Ranger working in Monument Park in Utah What’s your most prized possession: A sweater my father (now passed) wore when he was growing up Name: Todd Gurney Firm: The Eisen Law Firm Practice area: Medical malpractice, birth injury and wrongful death Undergraduate: Indiana University Law school: CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (2005) Synagogue: Park Synagogue If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: I would love to be able to travel the world meeting people, learning about history, and experiencing different cultures and foods. It is one of the things I miss most during COVID-19 and if I were to be able to do this, it would mean that we beat COVID-19 What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: I really like Zhug. I loved it when we were able to eat with friends in the restaurant and feel that they have done a terrific job transitioning to take-out COVID style.

What do you enjoy most about your job: Winning cases. It totally changes people’s lives – I love seeing the smiles and relief on our client’s faces when we let them know that we won or settled their case.

What’s your most prized possession: My license to practice law. It took a lot of hard work to earn it, and I use it every day What’s your hidden talent: Parking. I always get the best parking spaces, and my parallel parking skills are… unparalleled. (And puns, of course).

Name: Joshua B. Halpern Firm: Legal Halp LLC Practice area: Corporate law, social media, software and technology, startup companies Undergraduate: Miami University Law school: CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (2016) Synagogue: B’nai Jeshurun Congregation If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: I’d spend it traveling to every island in the Caribbean What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Cru Uncorked When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: Anything by Lil Baby What do you enjoy most about your job: Being my own boss and working with trending social media influencers Other dream job: All-star Jewish NBA player What’s your most prized possession: My standing desk

JANUARY 29, 2021

Name: Thomas I. Hausman Firm: Law Office of Thomas I. Hausman, LLC Practice area: Tax, partnerships and estate planning Undergraduate: University of Colorado Law school: OSU Moritz College of Law and NYU School of Law (1973 and 1976) Synagogue: The Temple-Tifereth Israel If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Hiking and relaxing with Yoga, reading, and swimming What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Mitchell’s Fish Market When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Take a Chance on Me” by ABBA What do you enjoy most about your job: Helping people as much as I can Other dream job: Medical researcher What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Doing well in Morgan Shipman’s class. He taught corporate tax and was a great professor What’s your hidden talent: Playing the piano Name: Mike Heller Firm: Mike Heller Law, LLC Practice area: Bankruptcy, divorce, personal injury, landlord-tenant, OVI and misdemeanor criminal defense Undergraduate: Hawaii Pacific University Law school: CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (2001) Synagogue: Temple Israel Ner Tamid Name: Matthew Henoch Firm: Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP Practice area: Estates and trusts Undergraduate: Washington University Law school: CWRU School of Law (2005) Synagogue: The TempleTifereth Israel If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Skiing the Rockies What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Van Aken District Market Hall When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Enter Sandman”

by Metallica What do you enjoy most about your job: The clients, of course Other dream job: Astronaut What’s your most prized possession: DJI Mavic drone What’s your hidden talent: Board games

Name: Evan Hirsch Firm: Singerman, Mills, Desberg & Kauntz Co. LPA Practice area: Business and real estate Undergraduate: Boston University Law school: OSU Moritz College of Law (2008) Synagogue: B’nai Jeshurun Congregation If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Going too all of the major league baseball stadiums What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Patio at Cru Uncorked When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Who Let the Dogs Out” by Baha Men What do you enjoy most about your job: The camaraderie and confidence in our ability to perform for our clients Other dream job: President of the United States What’s your most prized possession: Pictures of my family and friends from over the years What’s your hidden talent: Indian leg wrestling Name: Alan N. Hirth Firm: Meyers, Roman, Friedberg & Lewis Practice area: Litigation Undergraduate: City College of New York Law school: CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (1973) Synagogue: Temple Israel Ner Tamid If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Traveling and reading.

What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Flour, great food and wonderful service When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Thunder Road”

by Bruce Springsteen What do you enjoy most about your job: The ability to be creative Other dream job: Owner of a store selling any mysteries.

Most prized possession: Other than my family, my Mustang convertible What’s your hidden talent: My memory Name: D. Peter Hochberg Firm: Walter Haverfield LLP Practice area: Intellectual property patents, trademarks and related areas Undergraduate: Cornell University Law school: Georgetown University Law School (1979) If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Traveling and reading, particularly with respect to history,

LOCAL LAWYERS art and current events What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: EDWINS When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Symphony No. 40” by Mozart What do you enjoy most about your job: Working on legal challenges Other dream job: Archaeologist What’s your most prized possession: With respect to inanimate items, certain artwork and certain books and an antique pool table What’s your hidden talent: Endurance Name: Alan Hochheiser Firm: Maurice Wutscher LLP Practice area: Bankruptcy Undergraduate: University at Albany – State University of New York Law school: CWRU School of Law (1988) Synagogue: Fairmount Temple If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: I would spend it touring Europe and Israel, learning about or families’ histories What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Mallorca When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “New York, New York” by Frank Sinatra What do you enjoy most about your job: Working with our clients and colleagues and having the ability to educate them on bankruptcy issues Other dream job: Detective What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Winning the client counseling competition What’s your hidden talent: I am a pretty decent tennis player Name: Benjamin N. Hoen Firm: Weltman Weinberg & Reis Co., LPA Practice area: Creditors’ rights Undergraduate: Central Yeshiva, Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitz Law school: CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (2004) Synagogue: Congregation Zemach Zedek If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: I would take a relaxing cross-country trip to attend a Major League baseball game at every stadium. As a teen, I attended games at the old Tiger and Yankee stadiums, and the nostalgia and charm of watching a ballgame at those old classic parks cannot be replicated. Fenway and Wrigley are definitely on my bucket list When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “The Star Wars” theme song. Although my kids would likely

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suggest it would have to be Darth Vader’s “Imperial March” What do you enjoy most about your job: As a young aspiring attorney, I had the good fortune of being mentored by many talented and wise attorneys at Weltman. What I enjoy most is the opportunity I now have to pay it forward to the new generation of young aspiring and talented attorneys at my firm Other dream job: I love cooking. I spend way more time than I would like to admit watching cooking shows, and would love to be a trained professional chef.

What’s your most memorable experience from law school: I participated at the Benjamin N. Cardozo Law School BMI National Moot Court Competition as a member of the Cleveland Marshall moot court team. My teammate John Yirga, and I made it to the quarterfinals at the competition.

Name: Michael Davis Hoenig Firm: Ulmer & Berne LLP Practice area: Litigation Undergraduate: New York University Law school: OSU Moritz College of Law (2008) Synagogue: Green Road Synagogue If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Move to Israel, eat at all the best restaurants, play on the beach with our kids, and spend time in the wilderness relaxing What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Kantina. Their food is tasty and their service is very reliable When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “O Fortuna” by Carl Orff, from “Cantina Burana” Other dream job: Restaurateur What’s your most prized possession: My collection of Construx, a building toy popular in the 1980s (no longer in production) that I am passing down to my kids

my family What’s your hidden talent: I am a pretty good cook

My close (late) friend, Philene What’s your hidden talent: Singer-songwriter

Name: Barbara Bellin Janovitz Firm: Reminger Co., LPA Practice area: Estate planning Undergraduate: Georgetown University and the University of Pennsylvania Law school: NYU School of Law (1983) Synagogue: Park Synagogue If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Post-COVID-19, I would spend a sabbatical visiting my children and friends in other cities, and tasking an Alaskan cruise with my children and son-in-law What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Mitchell’s Ice Cream, I have met friends there for dinner What do you enjoy most about your job: Developing strong, long-term relationships with a variety of interesting clients and helping them make good personal and financial decisions What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Randomly choosing a seat in my auditorium on the first day next to the woman who would become one of my closest friends for the following 40 years (and hopefully more)

Name: Charles Kampinski Firm: Kampinski and Roberts Practice area: Medical malpractice Undergraduate: The Ohio State University Law school: OSU Moritz College of Law (1974) If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Golfing What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Cru Uncorked When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “God Bless the Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts What do you enjoy most about your job: Helping people Other dream job: Singer What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Learning a different way of thinking about the world What’s your hidden talent: Singing ability

Name: Rachel Kabb-Effron Firm: Kabb Law Firm Practice area: Elder law Undergraduate: University of Cincinnati Law school: CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (1998) Synagogue: Park Synagogue If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: I would love to buy a sailboat and head to

Name: David Hopkins Firm: Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP Practice area: Civil litigation and construction law Undergraduate: University of Michigan Law school: University of Michigan Law School (2015) Synagogue: Congregation Shaarey Tikvah What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Tree Country Bistro. The ownership and staff are fantastic and the food is delicious What do you enjoy most about your job: I enjoy being able to take some stress off of my clients’ plates. Sometimes there are administrative nightmares, but it is worth it to get the best outcome for our clients

the Caribbean What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: EDWINS When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Don’t Rain on my Parade” from “Funny Girl” What do you enjoy most about your job: I love helping people navigate a long term care system that is huge and designed to make it difficult to obtain your legal rights. We level the playing field and help families to do the right thing for their parents.

Other dream job: Broadway actress or anything behind the scenes What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Traveling and winning awards in moot court What’s your hidden talent: I can sing and dance at my Broadway camp in NYC when not in a pandemic

Name: Ari H. Jaffe Firm: KJK Practice area: Business litigation Undergraduate: Brandeis University Law school: CWRU School of Law (1986) Synagogue: Green Road Synagogue If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Outside my home office with as much family and friends as possible What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: We like all the local kosher restaurants When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Yiheyeh Tov” by David Broza What do you enjoy most about your job: I enjoy helping people build their businesses, community and family Other dream job: Independently wealthy philanthropist and glass blower What’s your most prized possession: My health, my faith and

Name: Matthew Kadish Firm: Frantz Ward Practice area: Tax and estate planning Undergraduate: Williams College Law school: CWRU School of Law (1987) and New York University (1988) If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Traveling (if/when allowed again), composing music and performing What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Phenom Penh When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: Theme for Two Friends (Muriel Anderson and Julie Adams) What do you enjoy most about your job: The people - clients and colleagues Other dream job: Mentoring or music therapy What’s your most memorable experience from law school:

Name: Steven S. Kaufman Firm: Ulmer & Berne LLP Practice area: Complex and “bet the company” business litigation Undergraduate: Colgate University Law school: CWRU School of Law (1975) Synagogue: The Temple-Tifereth Israel If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Traveling far east and Southeast Asia What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: EDWINS When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Meet the Mets”

When you’ve been injured, you need more than a personal injury lawyer. You need an advocate.

Scott A. Spero

Park Center I 23215 Commerce Park Rd. Suite 109 Beachwood, OH 44122 www.bentoffspero.com sspero@bentoffspero.com (216) 861-9899

Jeffrey D. Zimon, Esq. Zimon Law provides businesses with access to cost-effective employee benefits and compensation advice and counsel.

29325 Chagrin Boulevard l Suite 102 l Pepper Pike l 44122 216-678-9300 (office) jzimon@zimonlaw.com

84 | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | CJN.ORG What do you enjoy most about your job: I most enjoy solving seemingly unresolvable problems with clients who are happy with the result and appreciate what it took to obtain it Other dream job: Third base for the New York Mets What’s your most prized possession: Collection of rocks from Normandy Beach (Omaha Beach), Mount Etna (Italy), Greek ruins in Sicily and the Jordan River (Israel) Name: Brett S. Krantz Firm: KJK Practice area: Commercial litigation Undergraduate: Dartmouth College Law school: University of Chicago Law School (1990) Synagogue: Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: I would wander the country, visiting many friends who we have not had the opportunity to see in person. I would end in California to see our two oldest kids When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “It’s My Job” by Jimmy Buffet What do you enjoy most about your job: Being part of an organization you watch grow and evolve with the goal of continuing on long past ones individual contributions is a great thing Other dream job: Travel guide What’s your hidden talent: As a long time horn player, I can play a mean shofar Name: Anthony Lazzaro Firm: The Lazzaro Law Firm LLC Practice area: Employment, overtime and minimum wage law Undergraduate: Vanderbilt University Law school: CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (2004) Synagogue: Park Synagogue If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: In light of the pandemic, I would take a sabbatical just about anywhere in a post-COVID-19 world.

Ideally, I would take my wife and kids to Italy for six months. I’m an Italian citizen and I’ve traveled to many cities in Italy, but there are many charming towns and rural villages I’d like to explore.

What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: The last time I remember eating in a restaurant in February 2020 for my wife’s birthday party at The Plum. Little did we know what was coming.

What do you enjoy most about your job: Seeing employers change their wage policies after we file a class action against the employer so that employees are paid correctly in the future

JANUARY 29, 2021

What’s your hidden talent: Finding four-leaf clovers. I find them all the time. I’ve found hundreds of them. Now I’m working on passing this talent down to my children Name: Jeffrey A. Leikin Firm: Jeffrey A. Leikin LLC Practice area: Litigation Undergraduate: University of Colorado Law school: CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (1985) Synagogue: Park Synagogue If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Traveling with my family What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Red, the Steakhouse When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “My Way” by Frank Sinatra What do you enjoy most about your job: Helping out those who need my help Other dream job: High school teacher and coach What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Graduation with my mom What’s your most prized possession: My dog, Cooper Name: Kevin L. Lenson Firm: Elk & Elk Practice area: Personal injury Undergraduate: University of WisconsinMadison Law school: University of Toledo College of Law (1996) If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Touring all of the Civil War battlefields What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: L’Albatros When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “On Wisconsin!” fight song What do you enjoy most about your job: Working with many smart and interesting people Other dream job: College American history professor What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Watching the OJ verdict live at law school What’s your hidden talent: Imitations of famous and not-so-famous people Name: Jamie R. Lebovitz Firm: Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy Practice area: Airplane crashes and transportation calamities Undergraduate:

Cleveland State University Law school: CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (1982) Synagogue: Park Synagogue If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: I would take a month traveling the world with my wife, Sharon, on The Four Seasons Private Jet. For the remaining months, I would go back and forth Between Vail, Colo., to ski and Scottsdale, Ariz., for “R” and “R” with my wife, children and grandchildren What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: During COVID-19, we have enjoyed cooking at home and on occasion bringing in from ML Tavern and Bar 50/20 What do you enjoy most about your job: Holding airlines and airplane manufacturers accountable for their reckless misconduct in causing loss of life and catastrophic injuries.

And most importantly, helping individuals and families achieve a sense of justice.

Name: Jordan D. Lebovitz Firm: Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy Co., LPA Practice area: Catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death litigation Undergraduate: University of Michigan Law school: Chicago-Kent College of Law (2013) Synagogue: Park Synagogue If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Travel, read, eat and repeat What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Vero Pizza and Crumb & Spigot, and many other local restaurants that we have and always will support What do you enjoy most about your job: Helping people and serving as their advocate in a complicated legal system Name: David W. Leopold Firm: Ulmer & Berne LLP Practice area: Immigration law Undergraduate: University of Michigan Law school: CWRU School of Law (1985) Synagogue: Solon Chabad If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Doing photography, mostly street and landscape. I’d also work on my video editing skills What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Zhug, excellent food and carryout/delivery What do you enjoy most about your job: Helping companies and families build Other dream job: Photojournalist What’s your most prized possession: My camera

LOCAL LAWYERS Name: Scott M. Lewis Firm: Meyers, Roman, Friedberg & Lewis Practice area: Mergers and acquisitions, corporate and securities and franchising law Undergraduate: University of Michigan Law school: University of Chicago Law School (1984) Synagogue: Park Synagogue If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Getting into a car, driving to a part of the country that I haven’t spent much time in before, and enjoying nature through walks and short jogs with my beagles, Annabelle and Rosie, and my wife, Shelly, singing to no one in particular (other than the trees in the woods), playing the occasional golf game, reading on a variety of topics related to the tumultuous year that was 2020, specifically what went right and what went terribly wrong; visiting with my out-of-town adult children until I have worn out my welcome.

What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: White Oaks Restaurant (particularly on a summer or fall evening) What do you enjoy most about your job: Identifying issues and finding solutions, especially in the “win-win” context, for clients who are appreciative, responsive and trusting of my abilities and the integrity of my firm and its members Other dream job: It’s too late to turn back the hands of time, but I think I would have enjoyed being a high school band director or choir director What’s your most memorable experience from law school: It’s not a fond memory: being so nervous during moot court that I cut my hand on a water glass that broke at the water fountain because my hand was shaking so violently and nervously (the scar is still there, which may explain why I steered clear of the courtroom and pursued a career in business law) What’s your hidden talent: What once was hidden to most is no longer a secret. The pandemic gave me an opportunity to do a lot more singing and piano playing, something I always enjoyed doing, but this year I began sharing that enjoying by circulating recordings among friends, colleagues at the firm and select businesses (including a few unsuspecting clients) as we approached the holiday season. It’s a part of me that the clients generally don’t see unless they happen to be members of the synagogue.

Name: Kenneth B. Liffman Firm: McCarthy, Lebit, Crystal & Liffman Co., LPA Practice area: Real estate. corporate, banking and transactional law Undergraduate: Miami University

SUPER ATTORNEYS Law school: CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, 1979 Synagogue: Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: I would spend it with my family. Both daughters (a lawyer and an artist) are married and back in Cleveland. I have two grandchildren. I have my wife of 42 years What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Giovannis – I admire quality and over 40 years of consistency When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: Really tough question. I love the Beatles and the Stones.

Maybe “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” What do you enjoy most about your job: Helping people and making a difference Other dream job: Anything that would make a difference and help people What’s your most memorable experience from law school: The relationships that I’ve made and have kept over the years What’s your hidden talent: LOL. My drive and tenacity. Being a child of the Holocaust and recognizing my blessings and how lucky I was to have my parents meet in Cleveland

JANUARY 29, 2021 Name: Tanya M. Linetsky Firm: Tanya M. Linetsky & Associates LLC Practice area: Immigration Undergraduate: Cleveland State University Law school: CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (2005) Synagogue: Oheb Zedek Cedar Sinai Synagogue If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Travel with my children, show them the world. But I don’t see myself taking a six-month leave.

What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Lindey’s Lake House and Flour What do you enjoy most about your job: I have been practicing immigration for many years. This is all I do since I was 18, as a legal assistant at an immigration law firm, and then on, when I became an attorney myself.

I love this area of law. I enjoy helping people achieve their dream of coming to or staying in America permanently, and realize what a huge impact my work makes on the lives of individuals and their families.

What’s your most memorable experience from law school: I was pregnant during my second year of law school and had an infant during my third (had to run back and forth between classes, homework and breastfeeding)

CJN.ORG | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | 85 Name: Lauren Lipsyc Firm: Tucker Ellis LLP Practice area: Business department and transactional work Undergraduate: Barnard College and Columbia University Law school: University of Virginia School of Law (2019) Synagogue: Park Synagogue If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Training puppies that will become working dogs for people who need them.

What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Tommy’s When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Ladies in the ‘90s” by Lauren Alaina What do you enjoy most about your job: There are always interesting new things to learn or incorporate Other dream job: Country radio show host or dog trainer What’s your most memorable experience from law school: I had the pleasure of spending one night of Rosh Hashanah with Dean Goluboff and her family in her home and one night of Sukkot in a sukkah at Kendrick’s home. Goluboff and Kendrick are both Jewish female lawyers and wonderful role models. I also heard my contracts professor sing in the choir at the local synagogue, which was quite the experience

Name: Lisa Arlyn Lowe Firm: Meyers, Roman, Friedberg & Lewis Practice area: Business corporate (financial services and real estate) Undergraduate: University of Florida Law school: University of Denver Sturm College of Law (1979) Synagogue: Temple Emanu El If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Once we can travel again, I would spend at least half of it in Israel just hanging out, visiting family and friends. Other half, would like to travel domestically visiting friends, family and places haven’t visited before. But, because not traveling at all, would probably spend it cleaning out house of unused/unwanted clothes and household goods.

What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Shinano’s, great sushi and family owned When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “She’s Always a Woman” by Billy Joel What do you enjoy most about your job: My colleagues. I love the team and entrepreneurial environment of te firm and enjoy working with and mentoring younger attorneys Other dream job: Managing a micro-loan program for underserved and underbanked What’s your most memorable experience

At the heart of every legal matter–actual beating hearts.

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86 | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | CJN.ORG from law school: One experience that has become lore in our family, is when practicing for a “mock” oral argument, making fun of our opponent’s brief in which they used the words “irregardless of the legitimateness” – use it in fun with my kids all the time What’s your most prized possession: My great-grandmother’s candlesticks Name: Larry I. Madorsky Firm: Witkes Law Firm Practice area: Divorce Undergraduate: The Ohio State University Law school: University of Cincinnati College of Law (1967) Synagogue: Tzemach Tzedek If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Traveling What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Sara’s When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “William Tell Overture” What do you enjoy most about your job: Seeing people leave happier than when they come in Other dream job: Judge What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Being taught by President Taft’s grandson What’s your most prized possession: 1995 Porche 911 Cabriolet What’s your hidden talent: Racketball Name: Michael Makofsky Firm: McCarthy, Lebit, Crystal & Liffman Co., LPA Practice area: Mergers and acquisitions and banking and finance Undergraduate: University of Connecticut Law school: CWRU School of Law, 1999 Synagogue: The Temple-Teferth Israel If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Unplug on a remote island What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Taza When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Avengers” theme What do you enjoy most about your job: Helping clients create something or achieve a meaningful goal such as buying or selling a business What’s your most prized possession: Personalized gifts from my family What’s your hidden talent: Lightsaber skills

JANUARY 29, 2021

Name: Jack S. Malkin Firm: Jack S. Malkin, Esq. Practice area: Business law Undergraduate: Ohio University Law school: University of Akron School of Law (1981) Synagogue: Park Synagogue If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Golfing in a beautiful, warm climate What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Station 43; safe clean and great food When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Crash” What do you enjoy most about your job: Assisting in the start of a new business or keeping a current business thriving Other dream job: Baseball announcer What’s your most prized possession: My children and grandchildren Name: Dale H. Markowitz Firm: Thrasher, Dinsmore & Dolan Practice area: Real estate, zoning, municipal law, oil and gas Undergraduate: The Ohio State University Law school: CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (1975) If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Travel What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Sara’s Place When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin What do you enjoy most about your job: Solving problems for people Other dream job: Pro golfer What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Being stimulated by the analysis required to understand case law What’s your hidden talent: Juggling Name: Daniel M. Margolis Firm: The Law Office of Daniel M. Margolis LLC Practice area: Adult and juvenile criminal defense, education law with a focus on discipline, kindergarten through graduate school Undergraduate: Carleton College Law school: The Vermont Law School (1996) Synagogue: The Tdemple-Tifereth IsraeI If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: I would spend it in the Netherlands studying 20th century Jewish history and retracing the steps of my great-uncle, Jerry Wolf, who

fought in the Netherlands during the war What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: fire food and drink, at least until it closed What do you enjoy most about your job: People often come to me despondent; achieving an outcome that allows them to move on with their lives in a positive manner brings joy and satisfaction Other dream job: Firefighter/paramedic What’s your most memorable experience from law school: While in law school I was also a firefighter with the department in town. The night before my final exam in wills, trusts and estates we were dispatched at around 9 p.m. to a neighboring town as the second due company at a hardware store fire. It was -20 F that night and we did not have a sufficient water supply to effectively attack the fire. Because this was a hardware store in Vermont it was filled with reloading supplies (smokeless and black powder) plus the typical chemicals one would find in any hardware store so we were dodging explosions much of the night. The owner of the store tragically perished in the fire. We were released from the fire at around 4 a.m.

While loading equipment I tore open a 1.5” cut on my writing hand. I got back to my cabin at around 5:00 am, grabbed a couple hours sleep then took the final exam. I don’t recall much at all about the exam except I managed to pass.

Name: Marc B. Merklin Firm: Brouse McDowell Practice area: Business reorganization/ commerical Undergraduate: Case Western Reserve University Law school: CWRU School of Law (1984) Synagogue: Beth El Congregation If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: My family is spread out throughout the United States and I would probably spend six months visiting family and reconnecting with my siblings and my nieces and nephews.

What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: I love the Diamond Grille located in downtown Akron, which is an area institution and has been around for my entire life When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “I’m Still Standing” by Elton John What do you enjoy most about your job: I really enjoy it when I am able to help a company restructure and continue to operate saving jobs for the employees, value for the owners and contributing to the local economy Other dream job: I would love to be the president of a foundation able to allocate funds to community organizations and assist in making community impact What’s your most prized possession: I am a sports memorabilia collector and I have signed team balls from the 1995 World Series between the Cleveland Indians and Atlanta Braves

LOCAL LAWYERS Name: Daniel Messeloff Firm: Tucker Ellis LLP Practice area: Employment law Undergraduate: Washington University in St. Louis Law school: Fordham University School of Law (2001) Synagogue: Green Road Synagogue Name: Donald H. Messinger Firm: Thompson Hine LLP Practice area: Corporate Undergraduate: Colgate University Law school: Duke School of Law (1968) If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Taking my grandchildren via RV to visit zoos throughout the USA What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Nighttown When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Good Vibrations” by The Beach Boys Other dream job: Basketball coach at Duke University What’s your most memorable experience from law school: My moot court opponent fainted during oral argument What’s your most prized possession: My father’s World War II Navy uniform, which is framed and displayed by our front door What’s your hidden talent: I deliver babies (as I did with one of our sons in the car) Name: Anne L. Meyers Firm: Meyers, Roman, Friedberg & Lewis Practice area: Business/ construction Undergraduate: The Ohio State University Law school: Capitol University Law School (1977) Synagogue: The Temple-Tifereth Israel and Beth El Congregation If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Driving across the country visiting family, friends and seeing America What do you enjoy most about your job: Problem solving for and with clients and my colleagues.

Most prized possession: Family pictures and kids childhood notes.

What’s your hidden talent: So deeply hidden I’m not sure what it is.

SUPER ATTORNEYS Name: David S. Michel Firm: Law Office of David S. Michel Practice area: Personal injury Undergraduate: University of Michigan Law school: CWRU School of Law (1983) Synagogue: Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: I would travel the country and try to play as many top golf courses as I could What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: The Winking Lizard. I love to sit on the patio, weather permitting, and watch sports on the large screen TV’s.

When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Growin’ Up” by Bruce Springsteen What do you enjoy most about your job: Helping the underdog attain satisfaction against the big insurance companies is what I like most Other dream job: Professional golfer, but only in my dreams What’s your hidden talent: I love to bake and find it very relaxing Name: Steven J. Miller Firm: Buckley King LPA Practice area: Business litigation and strategic counseling Undergraduate: Brown University Law school: CWRU School of Law (1981) Synagogue: The TempleTifereth Israel If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Traveling the world What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Zhug and Taste When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Send In The Clowns” by Judy Collins What do you enjoy most about your job: Analyzing situations and strategizing the alternatives Other dream job: Teaching What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Interrupting first-year Contracts class with a classmate to sing a song we wrote about the cases we were studying What’s your most prized possession: My family Name: Aaron Minc Firm: Minc Law Practice area: Online harassment, defamation and privacy Undergraduate: Miami University Law school: CWRU School of Law (2010)

JANUARY 29, 2021 Synagogue: The Temple-Tifereth Israel If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: On a beach in Tahiti What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Cru Uncorked When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Thunderstruck”

by AC/DC What do you enjoy most about your job: The reaction we get from a client when the firm is able to resolve an issue of online harassment or defamation that has plagued them for years. People say the nicest things and even cry sometimes they are so happy. It really brings a sense of purpose and fulfillment to the work that we do as a firm.

Other dream job: Youtube or TikTok influencer What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Conducting a Mock Trial in our trial tactics case What’s your most prized possession: I love coffee. So my Ember mug. Close second are my AirPods What’s your hidden talent: I have insanely good hearing Name: Howard D. Mishkind Firm: Mishkind Kulwicki Law Co., LPA Practice area: Personal injury, medical negligence and vaccine litigation Undergraduate: University of Cincinnati Law school: CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (1980) Synagogue: Temple Emanu El If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: 2020 has forced most if not all attorneys to work remotely and in part to take a forced sabbatical. But for the pandemic and in the future, I hope to spend more time out west with my wife and horses while continuing to stay active with my law school and bar association.

What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Tavern 6 What do you enjoy most about your job: Helping people and trying to restore the faith in the public that most attorneys are honest and want to make a difference in the lives of those that suffer serious injuries or an avoidable death of a loved one.

Other dream job: Cleveland Indians baseball player What’s your most memorable experience from law school: I was the first class in the then new law school building. Beyond that, who can remember that far back (lol)

CJN.ORG | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | 87 Name: Suzann Moskowitz Firm: The Moskowitz Firm Practice area: Trademark, copyright, technology transactions Undergraduate: Cornell University Law school: Stanford Law School (2003) Synagogue: The Temple-Tifereth Israel If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: In my dream world where there’s no pandemic and it would be possible to take a true sabbatical I’d hop the first plane west and enjoy a leisurely tour of the Pacific coast. Then I’d fly across the Pacific and visit as many countries as possible. This would probably not go over well with my kids or clients.

What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: I miss hanging out inside of Van Aken District Market Hall where I have several favorites.

Getting sick of takeout and my own cooking.

What do you enjoy most about your job: Besides how much fun it is to help people protect and grow brands, this past year has made me very aware of how lucky I am to be able to work remotely, on my own schedule. My kid’s schools have been mostly virtual thus far, and my clients have been understanding of what I’ve had to juggle.

Name: Susannah Muskovitz Firm: Muskovitz & Lemmerbrock, LLC Practice area: Labor Undergraduate: McGill University Law school: CWRU School of Law (1984) Synagogue: Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Driving to Alaska with my skis, hiking boots and bike, and exploring Canada and the northern United States on the way there and back What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Pacific East i(and enjoying carry out during the pandemic!)

Other dream job: Travel reporter. I would get to travel all over the world and write about it.

That would be a dream What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Graduating with a job What’s your hidden talent: Certainly not singing or playing an instrument. Probably a gourmet chef and draft beer connoisseur.

Name: Richard A. Naegle Firm: Wickens Herzer Panza Practice area: Employee benefits Undergraduate: Ohio University Law school: CWRU

School of Law (1979) Synagogue: Oheb Shalom Temple If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: In the Algarve in Portugal traveling and reading What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Chez Francois in Vermilion When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” by The Rolling Stones Other dream job: Teaching law school What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Meeting my wife and fellow law student, Jori Bloom Naegele What’s your most prized possession: My health is my most prized possession but I prize my family above all else. I also enjoy living on Lake Erie What’s your hidden talent: I am very good at Jeopardy Name: Steve Nobil Firm: Fisher Phillips Practice area: Labor and employment Undergraduate: Baldwin Wallace University Law school: OSU Moritz College of Law (1972) Synagogue: Temple Beth Shalom If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Review, revise and ultimately try to publish my book of “Nobilisms” - one or two sentence universal truths of life What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Giovanni’s Ristorante What do you enjoy most about your job: The every day challenge to achieve a client’s objective Other dream job: General manager of the Cleveland Browns What’s your most memorable experience from law school: The ring of protesters surrounding the law school in May 1970, trying to prevent law students from attending classes What’s your most prized possession: A personal framed note of pride from my father that said “To my son, Steve who has exceeded my greatest expectations, not by design, but by hard work, diligence and personal endeavor” What’s your hidden talent: Self taught to play the piano Name: David Neumann Firm: Meyers, Roman, Friedberg & Lewis Practice area: Corporate restructuring Undergraduate: Tufts University Law school: CWRU School of Law (1997) Synagogue: Beth IsraelThe West Temple If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Working, but,

88 | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | CJN.ORG working from Israel with my family for six months would be a great experience for my daughters What is your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Taza at Eton has great hummus and fresh baked pita When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Midnight at the Oasis” by Maria Muldaur What do you enjoy most about your job: I drive from the west side and back every day so I can work with thoughtful problem solvers – good people Most prized possession: My youngest daughter and I have a collection of Muppet action figures that were made by a now bankrupt toy manufacturer called Palisades Toys. We expand – I mean – she expands the collection every year.

What’s your hidden talent: I am a master of trivial activities Name: Tod Northman Firm: Tucker Ellis LLP Practice area: Aviation, artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles Undergraduate: Portland State University Law school: CWRU School of Law (1994) Synagogue: Green Road Synagogue If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Didn’t we just have that with work from home? It feels like it. Post-COVID-19, I’d rent an Airbnb in New Zealand and mountain bike the amazing trails and enjoy the nature.

What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Fishstix When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “My Shot” from “Hamilton”; not giving up my shot!

What do you enjoy most about your job: Working with my clients and colleagues. I am blessed to be surrounded (virtually) by really great people What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Arguing about postmodernism with contracts professor Austin, who was not a fan What’s your most prized possession: My bike Name: Lawrence E. Oscar Firm: Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP Practice area: Corporate, mergers and acquisitions, insolvency and Chapter 11 Undergraduate: University of Pennsylvania – Wharton School Law school: NYU School of Law (1981) Synagogue: B’nai Jeshurun Congregation If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Travel with my wife to Europe to explore our roots and then wind up in Israel and explore our deeper roots

Other dream job: Culture reviewer and critic for a large newspaper What’s your most prized possession: My late father’s bar mitzvah ring that I wear every day Name: Abbie Pappas Firm: Singerman, Mills, Desberg & Kauntz Co. LPA Practice area: Estates and trusts Undergraduate: The Ohio State University Law school: Columbia Law School (2013) Synagogue: Beachwood Kehilla and Green Road Synagogue If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Live in Jerusalem with my family What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Mitchell’s Ice Cream (whether in a pandemic or not) What do you enjoy most about your job: Getting to work with families in the community, and helping “real people” with things that really matter to them Other dream job: Being a film/tv critic What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Taking a seminar on religious minorities in Supreme Court litigation, and going with that class to the Supreme Court and having a meeting with Justice Scalia What’s your most prized possession: My books. I love collecting fiction What’s your hidden talent: I am actually very artistic! My four-year-old can attest to this Name: Dana M. Paris Firm: Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy Practice area: Personal injury Undergraduate: Miami University Law school: CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (2012) Synagogue: Suburban Temple-Kol Ami Name: Miriam Pearlmutter Firm: Walter Haverfield Practice area: School law Undergraduate: Barnard College and Columbia University Law school: OSU Moritz College of Law (2011) If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: would love to travel, visit family, and see the Northern Lights. Also maybe write a dystopian novel What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Fine dining courtesy of my backyard What do you enjoy most about your job: I love everything about my job, especially the fascinating legal situations our clients

JANUARY 29, 2021 encounter Other dream job: Advertising executive What’s your most prized possession: My grandfather’s memoirs detailing his life in the former Soviet Union.

What’s your hidden talent: Singing. But this talent is very, very hidden, even from my closest family and friends.

Name: Elizabeth L. Perla Firm: The Perla Law Firm, LLC Practice area: Estate planning, probate, elder law and family law Undergraduate: The Ohio State University Law school: OSU Moritz College of Law (2007) Synagogue: Beachwood Kehilla If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Traveling What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Jade Chinese Kitchen What do you enjoy most about your job: I love helping people find solutions to their problems and providing comfort and peace of mind for them and their families What’s your most prized possession: I am so grateful for my family, they are my world Name: Scott Perlmuter Firm: Tittle & Perlmuter Practice area: Wage and hour, personal injury Undergraduate: University of WisconsinMadison Law school: CWRU School of Law (2007) Synagogue: The TempleTifereth Israel If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Traveling abroad with my wife and kids What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Momocho When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “The Seinfeld theme song” Other dream job: Guitarist for Pearl Jam, or I’d probably settle for Dylan’s backup band What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Criminal law with Lewis Katz. For an entire semester, I was the exemplar victim or perpetrator of every hypothetical gruesome crime that we discussed.

What’s your most prized possession: My 2007 fantasy baseball trophy Name: Cynthia Krips Port Firm: Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP Practice area: Estates and trusts Undergraduate: University of Maryland Law school: American University Washington College of Law (1998)

LOCAL LAWYERS Synagogue: Park Synagogue What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: We did a lot of takeout from Taza and Boaz because it was great food that everyone in the family likes and it was well-suited for socially-distanced get-togethers with friends in the backyard What do you enjoy most about your job: I really enjoy working with clients and coming up with a plan that gives them a sense of peace that things are in order Other dream job: Pub owner Name: Robert Port Firm: Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP Practice area: Commercial litigation and construction law Undergraduate: Drexel University Law school: CWRU School of Law (2004) Synagogue: Park Synagogue If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Israel, I’ve never been When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Rockin’ Over the Beat” by Technotronic featuring Ya Kid K Other dream job: Art photographer What’s your most prized possession: Complete set of 1966 Topps baseball cards Name: Richard A. Rabb Firm: McCarthy, Lebit, Crystal & Liffman Co., LPA Practice area: Family law/prenuptial agreements Undergraduate: The Ohio State University Law school: CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, 1989 Synagogue: Suburban Temple-Kol Ami If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Traveling around the world, hiking in the woods, meet as many people as I could and learn of new cultures. Be outside, sample other foods and enjoy sunshine.

What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Crumb and Spigot or Shuhei When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Kid Charlemagne” by Steeley Dan What do you enjoy most about your job: The deal. Getting it negotiated and done. Using my experience and creativity if the case permits to wrap up a case Other dream job: Park ranger for the Cleveland Metroparks or the National Park Service What’s your most prized possession: My license to practice What’s your hidden talent: My party trick? I can roll my eyes and wiggle my ears. As a lawyer, I can remember and memorize more than most.

SUPER ATTORNEYS Name: Julie E. Rabin Firm: Rabin & Rabin Co LPA Practice area: Bankruptcy Undergraduate: Northwestern University Law school: NYU School of Law (1981) Synagogue: Solon Chabad If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Studying Hebrew in Israel What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Anatolia Cafe When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “You’ve Got a Friend In Me” by Randy Newman What do you enjoy most about your job: Helping people obtain a financial fresh start What’s your most memorable experience from law school: When I clerked for a Judge in law school, I helped write an opinion in a difficult case. After the judge issued the opinion, he remarked to me that he was never reversed. Well, this case was appealed and reversed.

What’s your hidden talent: I fete family members at milestone events with ditties I’ve written about them Name: Alan M. Rauss Firm: KJK Practice area: Labor and employment, corporate transactions Undergraduate: University of Pennsylvania (Wharton) Law school: University of Michigan Law School (1972) Synagogue: Congregation Shaarey Tikvah If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Traveling the world What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Parallax What do you enjoy most about your job: The opportunity to help people What’s your most prized possession: My family Name: Jodi B. Rich Firm: Ulmer & Berne LLP Practice area: Real estate Undergraduate: George Washington University Law school: CWRU School of Law (2000) Synagogue: Park Synagogue If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Traveling with my family. I would love to visit the Galapagos Island.

What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic:

JANUARY 29, 2021 Crumb & Spigot What do you enjoy most about your job: I have an inside scoop on the comings and goings in the local retail market Other dream job: Rabbi What’s your hidden talent: I can still do a cartwheel Name: Stephen D. Richman Firm: KJK Practice area: Real estate Undergraduate: University of Miami Law school: CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (1985) Synagogue: Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Helping distribute COVID-19 vaccines and helping defend those facing eviction What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Melt Bar & Grilled When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” by The Animals What do you enjoy most about your job: Successfully negotiating interesting and challenging real estate deals for our clients Other dream job: Teacher or owner/director of a summer camp What’s your hidden talent: Voice impressions, including a “spot on” Louis Armstrong on karaoke night Name: Barbara Roman Firm: Meyers, Roman, Friedberg & Lewis Practice area: Divorce and family law Undergraduate: The Ohio State University Law school: CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (1977) Synagogue: Park Synagogue If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Living in another community and culture by sharing and helping What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: L’Albatros When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers What do you enjoy most about your job: Making a difference in people’s lives by helping them move into the next chapter Other dream job: National Geographic photographer What’s your most memorable experience from law school: When my best friend ran through my torts class in a bear costume to validate his claim that yesterday’s homework was missing because a bear stole it What’s your most prized possession: My maternal grandmother’s ring because it reminds me of her courage What’s your hidden talent: Photography

CJN.ORG | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | 89 Name: Gary H. Rosenthal Firm: Gary H. Rosenthal Attorney at Law Practice area: Estate planning Undergraduate: Hobart College Law school: Ohio Northern University and CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (1974) Synagogue: Temple Israel-Ner Tamid If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Volunteer work in Israel, study law at Hebrew University What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Molinaris When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Exodus” What do you enjoy most about your job: Helping people, that’s why I do it Other dream job: Teaching law What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Winning the Contracts Award for the best score on a final exam What’s your hidden talent: My golf game Name: Alan G. Ross Firm: Meyers, Roman, Friedberg & Lewis Practice area: Management side labor Undergraduate: University of Michigan Law school: CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (1975) Synagogue: Waxman Chabad If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: In Quetico Provincial Park – Ontario, Canada What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Jade Chinese Kitchen When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” by the Beatles What do you enjoy most about your job: Being part of the decision making process, the development of strategies to address issues and performing my part in the execution of those strategies Other dream job: Being a wilderness canoe trip guide What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Being part of the Cleveland Marshall moot court tax team and winning that national competition at the State University of New York Buffalo in 1974 What’s your most prized possession: My Arizal Kiiddush Cup What’s your hidden talent: I play blues harmonica/vocals in two local band – Afterthought & The Nu Soul Band and Lady Bluz and Her Crew

Name: Larry Rothenberg Firm: Weltman, Weinberg & Reis Co., LPA Practice area: Real estate Undergraduate: Ohio University Law school: OSU Moritz College of Law (1978) Synagogue: Beachwood Kehilla If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Learning in Israel What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Kantina What do you enjoy most about your job: Explaining the law to my clients Other dream job: Radio announcer for the Cleveland Indians What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Showing up on the first day and finding that one of my classmates was a childhood friend whom I hadn’t seen since he moved away in third grade What’s your hidden talent: Teaching karate Name: Ken Rubenstein Firm: Ken Rubenstein, Esq. Practice area: Bankruptcy, criminal defense and probate Undergraduate: Case Western Reserve University Law school: CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (1991) Synagogue: Suburban Temple-Kol Ami If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Reading and watching sports What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Jack’s Deli When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “What’s The Frequency, Kenneth” by R.E.M. What do you enjoy most about your job: Helping people Other dream job: General manager of the Cleveland Indians What’s your most prized possession: A 1997 World Series ticket What’s your hidden talent: Karaoke Name: Karen E. Rubin Firm: Thompson Hine LLP Practice area: Business litigation, legal ethics and professional responsibility Undergraduate: Cleveland State University Law school: CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (1985) Synagogue: Beth El-The Heights Synagogue If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Attending culinary school

90 | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | CJN.ORG When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “My Attorney Bernie” by Dave Frishberg What do you enjoy most about your job: The chance to help problem-solve business disputes and to help keep lawyers on the ethical path Name: Bruce S. Rutsky Firm: Petronzio Schneier Co. LPA Practice area: Personal injury Undergraduate: Indiana University Law school: OSU Moritz College of Law (1982) Synagogue: Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Bartending in a beach town What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Geraci’s When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “I Won’t Back Down” by Tom Petty What do you enjoy most about your job: The people I meet Other dream job: Major League Baseball player What’s your most memorable experience from law school: First day of class, my classmates and graduation What’s your hidden talent: I can play the introduction to Batman on the piano Name: Jeremy Rzepka Firm: McGlinchey Stafford Practice area: Consumer financial services compliance Undergraduate: The Ohio State University Law school: OSU Moritz College of Law (2016) If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Exploring Cleveland with my son, Graham. My wife and I recently moved back to Cleveland and it would be great to explore all of the new things that Cleveland has to offer now that I’m back in town. Plus, Graham just turned one and I love watching him discover the world What do you enjoy most about your job: I really enjoy working with the group of attorneys at McGlinchey. At McGlinchey, I have the privilege of working with a team of experienced, bright attorneys across different offices with a variety of different backgrounds to provide counsel to some of the leading financial services companies in the world. But perhaps more importantly, they are genuinely nice people that care about their clients and my personal well-being.

Other dream job: Astronaut. I’ve always found space interesting and I have a real connection to that human desire for exploration What’s your hidden talent: I’ve been playing drums for more than 20 years

JANUARY 29, 2021

Name: Kevin S. Sandel Firm: Sandel Law Firm Practice area: Personal injury/auto accidents Undergraduate: Miami University Law school: University of Akron (1995) Synagogue: Beth El Congregation (Akron) If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: I would tour the country with my wife and my golf clubs, hitting resorts and spas all over What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: In Akron, you cannot go wrong with Luigi’s and Rizzi’s for pizza What do you enjoy most about your job: I enjoy fighting for the rights of injured people so that they are not taken advantage of by unscrupulous insurance companies Other dream job: A golf pro – they have it pretty good What’s your most memorable experience from law school: I remember after passing the bar exam telling myself that it was the last test I will ever have to take. Still true so far.

What’s your most prized possession: Other than my family, I have a letter signed by Woody Hayes from 1975 that he sent back to me in response to a kindergarten letter I sent to him What’s your hidden talent: I used to be a bodybuilder Name: Joy B. Savren Firm: Joy B. Savren Practice area: Family law Undergraduate: University of Wisconsin Law school: CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (1982) Synagogue: Suburban Temple-Kol Ami If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Travel What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Bodega on Coventry When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Born This Way”

by Lady Gaga What do you enjoy most about your job: Meeting new people and helping them transition to a new stage in their life Other dream job: Working as attorney in the cvil rights division of the Justice Department or having my own foundation and the ability to make significant grants to nonprofits and individuals in a variety of different areas that I have an interest What’s your most memorable experience from law school: While I was in law school I took a seminar entitled “Sex Discrimination and the Law.” We traveled to Washington, D.C., to watch and hear Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg argue a case before the Supreme Court on behalf of the ACLU. What’s your most prized possession: A ring

given to me by my Bubie for my bat mitzvah.

I have worn it every day since I was 13 Name: Douglas B. Schnee Firm: Frantz Ward LLP Practice area: Labor and employment Undergraduate: Tulane University Law school: CWRU School of Law (1994) Synagogue: Park Synagogue Name: Patricia A. Shlonsky Firm: Ulmer & Berne LLP Practice area: Employee benefits Undergraduate: Miami University Law school: OSU Moritz College of Law (1984) Synagogue: The Temple-Tifereth Israel If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Starting to write the Great American Novel What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Felice Urban Cafe, great atmosphere, friendly service and good vegetarian choices When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “What I Like About You” by The Romantics What do you enjoy most about your job: Solving problems Other dream job: Linda Ronstadt’s agents What’s your most prized possession: Toss-up between my framed Jack Benny autograph and my autographed copy of Linda Ronstadt’s album “Heart Like a Wheel” Name: Michael D. Shroge Firm: Plevin & Gallucci Co., LPA Practice area: Personal injury Undergraduate: Cleveland State University Law school: CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (2000) If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Traveling the country and learning to play the guitar What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: L’Albatros When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees What do you enjoy most about your job: Solving problems for my clients.

Other dream job: Chef What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Meeting lifelong friends and colleagues What’s your hidden talent: I can ice skate

LOCAL LAWYERS Name: Marc Alan Silverstein Firm: Jones Day Practice area: Real estate and construction Undergraduate: Brown University Law school: Harvard Law School (1980) Synagogue: Park Synagogue If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: I would rent an apartment in Boston’s Back Bay and use it as a base for sailing on the Charles and taking various short trips throughout New England, and sit in on courses and lectures at Harvard and other local universities What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Not much dining out in 2020 due to COVID-19, but lots of takeout from Taza Other dream job: Host of “Jeopardy” What’s your most prized possession: Various pieces of artwork by Lisa Meek (my significant other) What’s your hidden talent: Baking chocolate chip rugulach Name: Joseph Simms Firm: Reminger Co. LPA Practice area: Financial services/securities litigation, compliance consulting/regulatory enforcement Undergraduate: The Ohio State University Law school: CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (1996) If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Volunteering in animal shelters What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Simon’s Deli in Brecksville When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns N’ Roses What do you enjoy most about your job: Helping business owners solve problems and avoid disputes Other dream job: Veterinarian What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Teaching a “street law” course to a local high school class What’s your most prized possession: My late father’s wedding ring What’s your hidden talent: Telling “dad jokes” that make my daughter and her friends laugh even though they don’t want to encourage me Name: Paul J. Singerman Firm: Singerman, Mills, Desberg & Kauntz Co., LPA Practice area: Real estate Undergraduate: Case Western Reserve University

SUPER ATTORNEYS Law school: CWRU School of Law (1983) Synagogue: Temple Israel Ner Tamid If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Traveling Europe What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Giovanni’s When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “My Way” by Frank Sinatra What do you enjoy most about your job: Everyday is a different challenge Other dream job: I’ve got my dream job What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Having my wife go into labor with our first child during Moot Court competition What’s your most prized possession: The needlepoint sign that my mother needlepointed for the lobby of my father’s business. I found this sign when I was helping clean out the house after my father’s passing. It is now hanging in my home office.

Name: Roni Sokol Firm: The Sokol Law Firm, LLC Practice area: Personal injury Undergraduate: University of California, Los Angeles Law school: Southwestern Law School (1995) Synagogue: Park Synagogue and Jewish Family Experience If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Backpack around Europe What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: ML Tavern When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys What do you enjoy most about your job: Helping people in need Other dream job: Doctor, but I’m too much of a hypochondriac What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Getting called on while I was eating a burrito What’s your most prized possession: My law license Name: Robert E. Somogyi Firm: Kuenzi/Somogyi, Attorneys Practice area: Family law Undergraduate: The Ohio State University Law school: CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (1993) Synagogue: The Temple-Tifereth Israel If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Given the constant attention needed to successfully run a small firm, I have not had the opportunity

JANUARY 29, 2021 to travel for periods of more than one week. I have never traveled overseas and would enjoy traveling to England, Spain, Italy, Hungary and other parts of Europe to experience different cultures. Otherwise, a nice golf trip to Pebble Beach, Bandon Dunes or Pinehurst is always nice.

What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Sara’s Place What do you enjoy most about your job: I enjoy the freedom of making my own hours and choosing what cases I wish to accept.

However, practicing primarily in the area of family law, there are not many rewarding days. I have been trying to utilize mediation and the collaborative process so that clients are more involved in the process and feel like they have a stronger voice in the outcome.

What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Being told on the first day of classes that many people in the room would not be present at the beginning of the next semester Name: Loren M. Sonkin Firm: Loren M. Sonkin, Attorney at Law Practice area: Estate planning, probate and elder law Undergraduate: Purdue University, Case Western Reserve University Law school: CWRU School of Law (1989) If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Traveling.

The world is a big place and although I have traveled a lot, there is so much to see. It is the best way to understand cultures, peoples, economies, etc.

What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: We went to Zhug right before things shut down When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony What do you enjoy most about your job: Knowing that what I do helps people in difficult times What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Law school, it doesn’t sound like much now but at the time, I looked around and wondered what I was doing Name: Jeremy Sosin Firm: Sosin Law LLC Practice area: Commercial real estate Undergraduate: Indiana University Law school: Valparaiso University School of Law (1997)

CJN.ORG | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | 91 Name: Scott Spero Firm: Bentoff & Spero Co., LPA Practice area: Personal injury and medical malpractice Undergraduate: Indiana University Law school: CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (1989) Synagogue: The Temple-Tifereth Israel If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: I would train to obtain a qualifying spot for the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: The Winking Lizard. Something about their popcorn.

Other dream job: Owning a bicycle shop What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Serving as president of the student bar association What’s your most prized possession: My wife Jody, and our two boys, Jack and Joe Name: David J. Steiger Firm: Karp Steiger Co. LPA Practice area: Workers’ compensation and personal injury Undergraduate: The Ohio State University Law school: Capital University Law School (1992) If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Volunteer, study, exercise and travel What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Felice What do you enjoy most about your job: Helping injured workers navigate through the complexities of the workers’ compensation bureaucracy Other dream job: Forest ranger What’s your most prized possession: My health Name: Laurel G. Stein Firm: Nee Law Firm Practice area: Domestic relations and adoption Undergraduate: Washington University in St. Louis Law school: University of Memphis School of Law (1999) If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: I would travel to Europe What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: ML Tavern When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Brave” by Sara Bareilles What do you enjoy most about your job: I enjoy helping and providing guidance to clients that are going through very difficult

times. I also enjoy helping people grow their families through the adoption process. It is very rewarding Other dream job: Party planner What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Serving on the Moot Court board Name: Marc Stolarsky Firm: Marc L. Stolarsky Law LLC Practice area: Estate planning, probate and family law Undergraduate: Ohio University Law school: CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (1995) Synagogue: Temple Israel-Ner Tamid If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: I would be working. Seriously, I would travel the world with my beautiful wife and write my novel.

When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: The theme to the original Superman movie What do you enjoy most about your job: Helping people Other dream job: Writing novels to express myself that I hope people would read and be influenced by What’s your most memorable experience from law school: I had a ruptured appendix on the first day of law school so I missed a week of classes right off the bat. On the first day back one guy came up to me and offered me his class notes. We are still friends to this day.

What’s your most prized possession: If I said my wife would that be insulting since she isn’t a “possession.” If it is then my phone since I use it all day for everything What’s your hidden talent: I bench press over 300 pounds over 100 times (but what can I do with that?)

Name: Irving B. Sugerman Firm: Brouse McDowell Practice area: Municipal law, zoning, real estate and litigation Undergraduate: Marietta College Law school: The University of Akron School of Law (1982) Synagogue: Anshe Sfard Revere Road Synagogue If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Travel across the country and visit as many national parks as we can What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Beau’s at the Hilton When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Lawyers, Guns and Money” by Warren Zevron What do you enjoy most about your job: When representing political subdivisions, making our communities better to live in through collaboration and creative

92 | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | CJN.ORG solutions. When representing individuals and businesses, solving problems through alternative dispute resolution.

Other dream job: Rock and roll star What’s your most prized possession: My Peloton bike Name: Ronald J. Teplitzky Firm: Singerman, Mills, Desberg & Kauntz Co., LPA Practice area: Commercial loan transactions and general business law Undergraduate: Ohio University Law school: CWRU School of Law (1987) Synagogue: Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Taking guitar lessons from Eric Clapton What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Mario Fazio’s When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Born in the USA” What do you enjoy most about your job: Assisting our clients through anything that keeps them up at night. Providing peace of mind Other dream job: General counsel for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Meeting Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor What’s your most prized possession: My wedding ring and a foul ball caught at the 1981 Major League All-Star Game in Cleveland Name: Michael S. Tucker Firm: Ulmer & Berne LLP Practice area: Bankruptcy and creditors’ rights Undergraduate: Miami University Law school: CWRU School of Law (1986) Synagogue: Congregation B’nai Jeshurun Other dream job: I would either be doing something business related, or I would be somewhere on a beach Name: Peter Turner Firm: Meyers, Roman, Friedberg & Lewis Practice area: Civil litigation/dispute resolution Undergraduate: The Ohio State University Law school: CWRU School of Law (1981) Synagogue: TTTI If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Giving back to the community, spend more time with family, especially my grandchildren, catching up on reading, travel and R&R What’s your most favorite local restaurant

you frequent when not in a pandemic: It depends on the food I’m craving at the time.

With so many great local restaurants, I can’t point to one favorite What do you enjoy most about your job: A satisfied client Name: Margo Uhrman Firm: Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP Practice area: Litigation Undergraduate: Case Western Reserve University Law school: University of Chicago Law School (2017) If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: If I had a three-month sabbatical, I would travel internationally, including hiking Machu Picchu What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: I hope to return to frequenting Toast and Astoria in Gordon Square Name: Michael N. Ungar Firm: Ulmer & Berne LLP Practice area: Litigation Undergraduate: Boston University Law school: Boston University School of Law (1984) If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Volunteering to help people through Legal Aid Society of Cleveland What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Fishing boat captain What’s your most prized possession: Zeus, our wonderful Bernese Mountain dog Name: Mark I. Wachter Firm: Wachter Kurant, LLC Practice area: Alternative dispute resolution, real estate, construction and business litigation Undergraduate: University of Michigan Law school: American University Washington College of Law (1976) Synagogue: Beachwood Kehilla and Congregation Toret Emet If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: 3 months of skiing, 3 months of biking and sailing When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Touch of Grey” by the Grateful Dead What do you enjoy most about your job: Facilitating the resolution of disputes between opposing parties Other dream job: Orchestra conductor What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Visiting the United States Supreme Court to hear oral argument of

JANUARY 29, 2021 the case we were using for our moot court competition What’s your most prized possession: Not exactly a “possession,” but certainly most prized – my family Name: Michael Wager Firm: Taft Practice area: Corporate finance; real estate finance; mergers & acquisitions Undergraduate: The American University; Columbia University Law school: NYU School of Law (1981) Synagogue: The Temple-Tifereth Israel If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Hiking the National Parks; organizing my family’s historical documents and photographs What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: L’Albatros What do you enjoy most about your job: Negotiating business transactions Other dream job: Serving in a policy-making role in the federal government What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Portraying Harpo Marx as one of three judges in an appeal court; the other two were Chico and Groucho Name: Mark Wallach Firm: Walter Haverfield LLP Practice area: Litigation Undergraduate: Wesleyan University Law school: Harvard Law School (1974) Synagogue: The TempleTifereth Israel If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: If COVID-19 is under control, visiting my grandchildren What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Gigi’s on Fairmount. Wonderful food and convenient for takeout When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Another One Bites The Dust” by Queen What do you enjoy most about your job: The variety of intellectual challenges Other dream job: EPA Administrator What’s your most prized possession: A Claude Conover vase that belonged to my late parents What’s your hidden talent: I do most of the cooking in our house Name: David Waxman Firm: McGlinchey Stafford Practice area: Real estate development and finance, and environmental law Undergraduate: The Ohio State University Law school: University

LOCAL LAWYERS of Toledo College of Law (1986) Synagogue: Park Synagogue If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Working with AJC to combat anti-Semitism around the country through education and bridgebuilding When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Voodoo Child”

by The Jimi Hendrix Experience Other dream job: Playing keyboards for The Rolling Stones What’s your most prized possession: 1984 Porsche 911 Name: Craig T. Weintraub Firm: Law Offices of Craig T. Weintraub Practice area: Criminal defense Undergraduate: The Ohio State University Law school: CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (1987) Synagogue: Temple Emanu El If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Rescuing dogs What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Parallax When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Ain’t Wastin Time No More” by the Allman Brothers Band What do you enjoy most about your job: Helping people with serious issues What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Friendships What’s your hidden talent: Play guitar Name: Jerry Weiss Firm: MediationInc Practice area: Mediation Undergraduate: Syracuse University Law school: CWRU School of Law (1971) Synagogue: Congregation Shaarey Tikvah If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Travel and teaching peacemaking skills to kids What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: fire food & drink, but it’s gone. Boo hoo.

When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Peace Train” by Cat Stevens What do you enjoy most about your job: Helping combatants help each other Other dream job: Chef, but only as a dream.

It’s a nightmare job What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Graduating and putting it behind me What’s your hidden talent: Turning a phrase

SUPER ATTORNEYS Name: Frederick N. Widen Firm: Ulmer & Berne LLP Practice area: Tax Undergraduate: Cleveland State University Law school: CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (1981) Synagogue: Suburban Temple-Kol Ami If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Spending time with my grandchildren and other out of town relatives What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Larchmere Tavern What do you enjoy most about your job: Working with clients to solve problems What’s your most prized possession: My family Name: Scott J. Wilkov Firm: Tucker Ellis LLP Practice area: Complex litigation Undergraduate: American University Law school: University of Arizona College of Law (1992) Synagogue: The templeTifereth Israel If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Coaching mock trial and teaching government/law at a high school not subject to standardized testing When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Citizen/Soldier” by 3 Doors Down What do you enjoy most about your job: The opportunity to strategize and collaborate, and through that process ultimately develop friendships with lawyers of all different backgrounds all over the country. I have been fortunate to enjoy this experience ever since I began my career as a judge advocate officer in the U.S. Air Force and have maintained those relationships while developing new ones over the years.

What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Watching the confirmation hearing of Justice Clarence Thomas with classmates with whom I studied the role of the Supreme Court, constitutional interpretation, and sexual harassment in the workplace What’s your most prized possession: The chai necklace I inherited from my grandfather who passed away while I was in law school.

I have continued to wear it constantly ever since, including during Air Force training camp in Kansas, where I had to explain to everyone what it was What’s your hidden talent: Packing a suitcase neatly and efficiently. Since my job has involved a lot of travel for at least the past 20 years, I have gotten lots of practice. I hope I haven’t lost my touch through the past 10 months of hardly leaving my house

JANUARY 29, 2021 Name: Ari Witkes Firm: Witkes Law Firm Practice area: Business litigation and creditor’s rights Undergraduate: Rabbinical College of America Law school: OSU Moritz College of Law (2016) Synagogue: Waxman Chabad Center If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: I love what I do. I would travel and spend time developing my nonprofit Upstart.

What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Jade Chinese Kitchen. They’re still open for takeout.

It’s the best Chinese I’ve tasted in Columbus and Cleveland. They have an excellent takeout menu and a phenomenal staff When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “The Sound of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel What do you enjoy most about your job: The clients I serve and people I interact with.

I especially enjoy the cases where I get to really make a difference and help people What’s your most memorable experience from law school: My first case in the criminal defense clinic. I defended Mike Tyson. Not really, in truth I defended a formidable pregnant woman who packed quite the punch. My client, a pregnant woman allegedly assaulted another pregnant woman. Both women were very young soon-to-be-moms caught up in some post high school drama. My client was being charged with assault. After much coaxing at my behest we got the prosecutor to drop the charges against my client. My client’s friend even posted to her Facebook that ‘you are Mike Tyson’ in jest, I’d have to agree with her summation. The case definitely stands out for its sheer comedic element.

Name: Marshall J. Wolf Firm: Wolf and Akers, LPA Practice area: Family law Undergraduate: Miami University Law school: CWRU School of Law (1967) Synagogue: Congregation B’nai Jeshurun If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Travel to all major league baseball stadiums with my wife and grandsons What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Hunan by the Falls What do you enjoy most about your job: My co-workers and my lifelong friendships with my fellow family law lawyers throughout the United States Other dream job: Political reporter What’s your most prized possession: Leroy Neiman artworks

CJN.ORG | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | 93 Name: Eric H. Zagrans Firm: Zagrans Law Firm LLC Practice area: Business trial and appellate litigation Undergraduate: University of Notre Dame Law school: Harvard Law School (1977) Synagogue: Agudath B’nai Israel Synagogue If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Being even more of a bad influence on my grandchildren What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Brio has curbside take-out, which is why I keep going there during the pandemic When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “I’m Still Standing” by Elton John What do you enjoy most about your job: I most enjoy helping others achieve a favorable resolution to their problems Other dream job: Offensive coordinator for The Ohio State University What’s your most prized possession: The “Chai” pendent given to me by my father shortly before he passed away Name: Andrew A. Zashin Firm: Zashin & Rich Co., L.P.A. Practice area: Family law Undergraduate: Brown University Law school: CWRU School of Law (1993) Synagogue: Downtown Chabad If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Traveling the globe fighting evil with my sidekick, Hugo the Boerboel What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: My kitchen What do you enjoy most about your job: Helping people at the worst point in their lives Other dream job: I would open a restaurant with my children. I am a good cook. They are master chefs. No joke. It would be an excellent kosher establishment serving authentic Middle Eastern cuisine.

What’s your most memorable experience from law school: I have worked hard to overcome the experience What’s your most prized possession: My dog, Hugo the Boerboel What’s your hidden talent: I can cook Name: Jeffrey D. Zimon Firm: Zimon LLC Practice area: Employee benefits and compensation/ERISA Undergraduate: Brandeis University Law school: CWRU School of Law (1992)

Synagogue: B’nai Jeshurun Congregation If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: Traveling What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant. Great food, great wine and a very broad menu What do you enjoy most about your job: Problem solving and getting a great result for clients What’s your most memorable experience from law school: Winning the 1991 Dunmore moot court competition. I was the clear underdog. The party afterward was super.

What’s your most prized possession: Wedding ring. It has never come off my hand, since my wife put it there What’s your hidden talent: I can use power tools – any type. And, I can fix almost anything with enough time. Perhaps not so hidden Name: Ami Zukowsky Firm: Zukowsky Law LLC Practice area: Divorce and litigation Undergraduate: Yeshiva University Law school: Yeshiva University Cardozo School of Law (2013) Synagogue: Beachwood Kehilla If you could take a 6-month sabbatical from work, how would you spend it: I would spend the time with my family, and while they are at work/school I would write What’s your most favorite local restaurant you frequent when not in a pandemic: Jade Chinese Kitchen When you walk into a room, what “intro song” should start playing: “Renegade” by Styx What do you enjoy most about your job: Helping people solve their most important problems What’s your most memorable experience from law school: During law school I clerked for a judge in the New York Supreme Court.

The position was educational and rewarding, but during a couple of month period the subject matter was glum. The entire court felt the weight of the issues we were dealing with. Then on the last Friday of that month the entire day was filled with adoption finalization proceedings. To experience the true joy in the room as these families became whole is something I won’t forget.

What’s your most prized possession: My great-grandfather graduated from college while in his 70’s. As his capstone project he wrote a memoir of his immigrant experience.

He later published this memoir and I have a copy with an inscription Attorneys included in this section completed a questionnaire that was emailed to attorneys and/or firms. The questionnaire was also available at cjn. org and was included in our Boker Tov e-newsletter. Some opted not to answer all questions. And some were edited for brevity.