Ulmer Adds Bench Strength to Construction and Product Liability Practices

January 11, 2022 – Ulmer & Berne LLP is pleased to announce the addition of two associates to the firm. Joshua C. Berns joins the Construction Practice Group and Sarah Katz joins the Product Liability Practice Group.

Berns joins Ulmer’s Columbus office where he focuses his practice on resolving construction disputes and assisting clients in all phases of construction projects. He has experience helping clients throughout the industry achieve their goals by providing representation in a wide range of construction-related disputes and facilitating complex construction projects. His broad experience with the litigation process includes pleadings and motion practice, pretrial discovery, and trial preparation. He also assists with catastrophic loss cases and has experience with commercial and insurance litigation.

Berns is active in several local bar associations, including the Ohio State Bar Association, Columbus Bar Association, and the Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys. In recognition of his legal skill, Berns has been named to the Ohio Super Lawyers list of Rising Stars. He earned his undergraduate degree from Kent State University and his J.D. with honors from Capital University Law School.

“Josh’s background working with contractors, design professionals, and others in the construction industry provides immediate value to our clients,” said Jason P. Conte, Group Leader of Ulmer’s Construction Practice Group. “We’re glad to add him to our team of dedicated construction attorneys that works day in and day out to help our clients achieve their best results.”

Katz joins Ulmer’s Cleveland office where she focuses her practice on product liability litigation and the defense of pharmaceutical, medical device, and mass tort claims. She will represent a diverse array of clients in discrete cases, as well as multidistrict, coordinated, and consolidated proceedings, and putative class actions. She is experienced with all aspects of litigation and dispute resolution, from pre-litigation counseling through trial and appeal, and handles key aspects of complex litigation, including pre-litigation counseling, motion practice, written discovery, taking and defending depositions, and trial preparation.

Katz is admitted to practice in both Ohio and Colorado. She has also been named to the Ohio Super Lawyers list of Rising Stars. She earned her undergraduate degree with honors from The Ohio State University and her J.D. with honors from Case Western Reserve University School of Law.

“We’re very pleased to add another talented product liability associate to our growing practice in Cleveland,” said Paul J. Cosgrove, Group Leader of Ulmer’s Product Liability Practice Group. “Sarah’s litigation experience, ambition, and enthusiasm for helping her clients succeed makes her a great fit at Ulmer.”