According to Chambers USA, clients describe Ulmer & Berne’s Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation practice as “extremely knowledgeable with a meticulous attention to detail.” The Litigation practice is commended for providing “outstanding” products liability and consumer class action work, with sources quoted as saying the practice offers clients “tremendous value locally and nationally.”

“These annual rankings provide one of the most respected tools in our industry for firms to measure their performance against one another, so for Ulmer & Berne to be placed so highly again this year is a notable achievement,” says managing partner Kip Reader. “It speaks to the firm’s ability to work with a variety of clients through a challenging economy and still provide the solutions they need to be successful.”

Also praised is the firm’s Real Estate practice for its “recent forays into complex redevelopments of historic buildings, including hospitals and theaters in the region,” referring to the group as a “dominant player in Cleveland, offering expertise in development, construction, affordable housing and financing work.” According to clients, the practice has a “great set of lawyers” that is “on the rise.”

“We are pleased to have our practice groups recognized for providing the value, expertise and dedication that we believe each of our clients deserves,” Reader adds. “The firm is fortunate to have so many talented and resourceful attorneys who are committed to our continued success.”

Rankings are compiled by Chambers & Partners, a U.K.-based publisher of legal guides, directories and in-depth, objective research based on a variety of criteria, including technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial awareness/astuteness, diligence, commitment and other qualities valued by clients.

Chambers USA selected eight of the firm’s partners to receive individual commendations for exceptional expertise in their respective fields. Those attorneys include:

Litigation: General Commercial 

Michael N. Ungar (Chair, Litigation Department): Chambers USA describes Mike as a “go-to attorney for securities,” adding that his practice is “geographically wide-ranging and his expertise includes arbitration and consumer class actions.” In the past the publication has described Mike as a “razor-sharp litigator.” In addition to numerous commendations including Top 10 attorneys in Ohio, “Ohio Super Lawyer,” Best Lawyers in America and Leading Lawyer in Northeast Ohio, Mike was elected in June 2010 to serve a one-year term as President of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association. 

Joseph A. Castrodale (Chair, Business Litigation Practice): According to Chambers USA, Joe is “singled out by clients for his creativity and ability to come up with flexible solutions to problems” that often involve “complex business and commercial litigation, especially securities, products liabilities and contract disputes.” In the past the publication has called the magna cum laude Harvard Law School graduate “creative and passionate.” Joe has been named an “Ohio Super Lawyer” and to Best Lawyers in America by Woodward/White. 

Marvin L. Karp (Chair Emeritus, Litigation Department): Chambers USA calls Marv “a lion of the commercial bar,” citing his “vast litigation experience and expertise in areas such as securities and insurance, as well as at the appellate stage.” In addition to numerous recognitions including Top 10 attorneys in Ohio and Best Lawyers in America, Marv received the Ohio Bar Medal in 2007 and was awarded the Michael Franck Professional Responsibility Award by the American Bar Association in 2010. 

Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation 

Ronald L. Kahn (Chair, Tax Practice Group): Chambers USA describes Ron as being “valued by clients for his high level of competency and responsiveness and has extensive experience in retirement and 401 plans, where he represents major national corporations.” He has received many distinctions throughout his career, including being named to Best Lawyers in America and listed as an “Ohio Super Lawyer.” 

Patricia A. Shlonsky (Chair, Employee Benefits Group): Patty is recognized by Chambers USA for “being heavily involved in the conversion of a large defined benefit plan to a cash balance plan,” and for her “experience on the M&A side and on the consolidation of different benefit plans.” She also has been honored as a “Top 50 Female Super Lawyer,” named to Best Lawyers in America and listed as a “Top Lawyer” by Northern Ohio Live magazine. 

Ronald C. Stansbury (Partner): According to Chambers USA, Ron is “an expert on executive compensation and on the rearrangement of benefits programs in bankruptcy situations.” He has also received numerous recognitions, included being named in Best Lawyers in America, Employee Benefits Law (2006-2010). 

Real Estate 

Bill J. Gagliano (Chair, Real Estate Group): Chambers USA says Bill is “acclaimed for his expertise in construction, affordable housing and leasing matters.” The publication also commends him for having “spearheaded the team's ventures into the redevelopment of historic buildings, working on a major Cleveland hospital project.” He has been recognized in Best Lawyers in America, as an “Ohio Super Lawyer,” and as a “Leading Lawyer” by Inside Business magazine. 

Craig S. Miller (Chair, Public Law Group): Craig is acknowledged by Chambers USA as “a recognized land use and zoning expert, working on a wide array of projects state-wide.” He was named as an “Ohio Super Lawyer” by Law & Politics and Cincinnati magazines and has been selected as a “Leading Lawyer” in Northeast Ohio by Inside Business magazine. 

Chambers & Partners has been publishing legal directories for over 20 years. Top attorneys are listed in the U.S. directory by state, chosen after more than 50 full-time researchers conduct thousands of interviews with clients and attorneys. The directory also includes comments on each attorney that come directly from the interviews conducted by the researchers. For more detailed information on Ulmer & Berne’s rankings in the 2010 edition of Chambers USA, visit www.chambersandpartners.com/USA/Firms/65729-36457.

Ulmer & Berne, established in 1908, is one of Ohio’s largest law firms. A full-service firm with approximately 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.