New class of partners and counsel embodies firm’s commitment to excellence
December 6, 2021 – Ulmer & Berne LLP is proud to announce the promotion of eight attorneys – seven to partner and one to counsel – effective January 1, 2022. This class includes attorneys from across Ulmer’s offices who have backgrounds in diverse legal disciplines and who reflect the firm’s commitment to providing sophisticated counsel and superior client service.
“We are very pleased to promote these talented lawyers who represent the best of Ulmer and who exemplify the model for success at Ulmer – they are all great attorneys and great people,” said Scott P. Kadish, Managing Partner. “These attorneys are an important part of the future of our firm, and we know they will help us continue to grow and succeed in the years ahead.”
Partner
Sarah M. Benoit is a litigator in Ulmer’s Columbus office who has a successful and extensive track record of representing clients in a variety of complex matters. She has represented corporate and individual clients in state and federal courts across the country, and has wide-ranging experience in complex litigation. This includes experience with matters involving business and contractual disputes, product liability, pharmaceutical and medical devices, real estate, nursing home and medical negligence, professional liability, transportation, general liability, catastrophic injuries and wrongful death, and premises liability. Honored for her legal accomplishments, Benoit has been named to the Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Stars list for the last three years.
Douglas A. Gastright is an intellectual property attorney in Ulmer’s Cincinnati office who brings a practical and business-centric approach to the preparation and prosecution of patent applications. A registered patent attorney with nearly a decade of experience as a software developer for Fortune 500 companies, he is adept at helping clients in software and technology related fields including blockchain, artificial intelligence, machine learning, virtual reality, augmented reality, additive manufacturing, and automation. He also assists with complex technology transactions, and counsels early-stage technology companies on how to best position their IP and contract rights for growth, investment, and acquisition.
Steven P. Larson is a commercial real estate attorney in Ulmer’s Cleveland office who focuses his practice on complex real estate and finance matters. A former certified public accountant, he is adept at assisting clients with the resolution of conventional and alternative financing, economic incentives, and complex real estate issues. In addition to traditional acquisitions, dispositions, and ground-up development, he has special experience utilizing federal and state historic tax credits to finance the redevelopment of historic properties, assisting with complex low income housing tax credit transactions, and representing investors and operators in the acquisition and disposition of long-term care and skilled nursing facilities. In recognition of his experience, he has been named to the Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Stars list and the Best Lawyers® “Ones to Watch” list for Real Estate Law.
Alvin E. Mathews, Jr. is a litigator in Ulmer’s Columbus office who is recognized as a lawyer’s lawyer for his representation of major law firms, in-house counsel, and solo practitioners on a variety of ethics and professional liability matters. A former Assistant Disciplinary Counsel in the Office of Disciplinary Counsel for the Supreme Court of Ohio, he has a deep understanding of the rules of professional conduct and has represented clients in hundreds of legal ethics advisory opinions and lawyer discipline case investigations, trials, and oral arguments. Honored for his considerable experience and knowledge, he has been named to the Ohio Super Lawyers list every year since 2011 and recently received the Best Lawyers 2022 Administrative and Regulatory Law “Lawyer of the Year” award in Columbus.
Jeffrey J. Patter is a business attorney in Ulmer’s Columbus office who assists businesses of all sizes with their corporate legal needs. He focuses primarily on business transactions, business services, and mergers and acquisitions. He has negotiated numerous multimillion dollar sales and acquisitions of corporate entities, and assists clients with the organization and management of their corporate legal affairs. He also regularly represents clients in a wide array of business litigation. As former General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer for a leading automobile manufacturer, he has experience representing clients in all aspects of employment law and with respect to a variety of employment-related litigation matters. In recognition of his diverse skills, he has been named to The Best Lawyers in America© for Litigation – Labor and Employment.
Katherine M. Poldneff is a litigator in Ulmer’s Cleveland office who focuses her practice on complex commercial litigation and professional liability matters. Her wide-ranging experience spans cases involving contract, trade secret, and non-compete disputes, as well as the False Claims Act and pharmaceutical pricing, fraud and breach of fiduciary duty in the health care receivables industry, and defamation matters. She has also handled significant injunction litigation and various employment discrimination matters at both the administrative and litigation stages. She has served as a key member on successful litigation teams in numerous high-stakes cases, and is known for her determined and results-oriented approach to litigation.
Adam R. Watowicz is a tax attorney in Ulmer’s Cleveland office who focuses his practice on taxation, employee benefits, and executive compensation. He advises clients operating in a broad range of industries on federal, state, and local taxation issues that arise during business and real estate transactions, and he has experience representing clients before the U.S. Department of Labor and Internal Revenue Service. He is a frequent speaker and writer on new and pressing tax issues including opportunity zones, 1031 exchange structures, and the tax implications of new legislation. Honored for his skilled approach to complex tax matters, Watowicz has been named to the Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch” list for Tax Law.
Counsel
Alyson Terrell is a litigator in Ulmer’s Columbus office who represents clients in matters involving employment, business, real estate, and immigration law. A former Assistant Attorney General with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, she regularly represents financial institutions in employment cases before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, defends companies in discrimination and wrongful termination cases, and counsels employers on policies and procedures to help them avoid litigation. She also handles litigation involving restrictive covenants and trade secrets, and assists with employment-based immigration matters. In recognition of her legal accomplishments, she has been named to the Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch” lists for Litigation – Labor & Employment and Commercial Litigation.