“We are pleased to welcome these attorneys to the partnership,” stated Kip Reader, the Firm’s Managing Partner.  “We are proud of their accomplishments and their ability to provide superior service and value to Ulmer & Berne’s clients.”  

Thomas L. Anastos has more than 20 years of litigation experience and concentrates in business litigation.  His practice includes commercial, complex, antitrust, legal malpractice and local government litigation.  Throughout his career, Tom has successfully litigated diverse matters, from challenges to a municipality’s home rule authority to antitrust claims for price fixing, exclusive dealing and tying agreements.  Tom brings particular strength and experience to complex business litigation cases.  He also argues state and federal appeals.  Tom received his J.D., cum laude, from Harvard Law School, his Ph.D. from Yale University and his B.A., summa cum laude, from Case Western Reserve University. 

Jason P. Conte focuses his practice on general litigation, construction litigation, commercial litigation, personal injury/wrongful death tort litigation, probate litigation and class action litigation.  He represents owners, contractors, architects and engineering firms in breach of contract and defective construction claims.  Jason represents numerous banks in many diverse matters including commercial and UCC related litigation and probate litigation.  He also serves numerous corporations and businesses in various contractual disputes with competitors, suppliers and business partners.  He has extensive experience defending companies in personal injury/wrongful death tort litigation.  In his 10 years of litigation experience, he has developed a diverse litigation practice that serves businesses and individuals, defendants and plaintiffs.  Jason received his J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School and his B.A., magna cum laude, from the University of Notre Dame. 

Jodi B. Rich represents buyers and sellers in the acquisition, sale and development of shopping centers. She also represents buyers and sellers in various commercial real estate acquisitions and sales, including properties with unique circumstances such as environmental contamination. Jodi represents commercial landlords and tenants and clients completing 1031 exchanges. She also assists both lenders and borrowers in negotiating loan documents.  Jodi has negotiated transactions involving distressed properties, including assisting clients to navigate through deals involving the foreclosure of real property.  She received her J.D., magna cum laude, from Case Western Reserve University School of Law and her B.A., cum laude, from The George Washington University. 

Jeffrey R. Schaefer is a registered attorney with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and his intellectual property practice focuses on patent and trademark litigation, trade secret disputes and licensing.  Jeff has represented numerous clients in various industries in state and federal court and before the International Trade Commission.  In addition to his intellectual property practice, Jeff has for many years been involved in the defense of drug and medical device manufacturers in products liability litigation.  He received his J.D., magna cum laude, from the Salmon P. Chase College of Law, Northern Kentucky University, and his A.B. in chemistry from Colgate University. 

Ulmer & Berne, established in 1908, is a full-service Midwest regional firm with 175 attorneys in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Chicago.  Ulmer & Berne represents publicly traded and privately held companies, financial institutions, pharmaceutical companies, family businesses, international joint ventures and affiliations, investor groups, start-ups and emerging businesses, public bodies and nonprofit organizations. For more information, visit www.ulmer.com.