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Complex Business Litigation

Jeffrey Dunlap, Paul Harris and Robin Miller discuss Ulmer & Berne's deep bench and approach to achieving success for our clients

Drawing from a pool of more than 100 highly skilled attorneys actively engaged in representing clients nationwide in litigation and arbitration matters, Ulmer & Berne partners with our clients to determine goals, evaluate risks, and devise proactive and cost-effective solutions designed to vigorously protect their legal rights. Our team comprises first-chair, courtroom-tested, trial attorneys with deep experience in the defense and prosecution of our clients’ most critical business disputes.

What sets us apart is our adeptness at understanding your business and making it our business, and our refusal to litigate for litigation’s sake. Our litigators have multijurisdictional capabilities and routinely represent clients in federal and state courts across the country, both at the trial and appellate levels. We bring our clients a combination of well-developed trial skills based on regular court and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) appearances in a wide range of matters, and substantive expertise in discrete areas of law. This combination of talents enables us to staff matters efficiently. In addition, our specialized practice groups and state-of-the-art technology allow us to remain current in all of the areas in which we litigate.

We respect budgets and honor timelines. We know our clients’ businesses and, at the outset, we assess and identify their business objectives. We then develop their options and budget, decide on a customized and efficient course of action to achieve stated objectives, and then manage the engagement. We are sensitive to the advantages of ADR in appropriate situations, and we help our clients determine when it is advantageous to use mechanisms such as mediation, arbitration, and other ADR techniques. Whether you are a large, medium, or small-sized company, public or private, we are committed to the highest level of individualized and responsive client service and provide exceptional legal solutions.

Over the years, Ulmer’s litigators have achieved an enviable record of successful litigation outcomes for our clients. Ulmer’s Litigation Department has earned the distinct multiyear honor of being named “Ohio Firm of the Year” by Benchmark Litigation, and has been consistently ranked in Ohio in “Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business.” Additionally, many of our litigation attorneys are routinely recognized by our clients and peers as top litigators by Chambers USA, The Best Lawyers in America©, Super Lawyers, and similar groups. Our broad experience includes handling matters in substantive areas such as:

  • Banking
  • Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights
  • Business Torts Litigation
    • Fraud and Fraudulent Inducement
    • Unfair Trade Practices
  • Civil Appeals
  • Class Actions
  • Construction
  • Contract Disputes
    • Breach of Contract
    • Tortious Interference with Contract and Prospective Economic Advantage
  • Corporate Governance Disputes
    • Minority Shareholder Oppression
  • False Advertising and Other Consumer Claims
  • Employment and Labor Cases
    • Employment Discrimination
    • Workplace Retaliation
  • ERISA/Employee Benefits
  • Franchise and Distributorship Litigation
  • Intellectual Property Litigation (all types)
  • Life Sciences
  • Litigation arising out of M&A and Proxy Contests
  • Mass Torts
  • Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Litigation
  • Product Liability
  • Professional Liability
  • Real Estate
  • Securities Fraud
  • Trade Secrets and Noncompete Litigation (both as Plaintiff and Defendant)

Incorrect Wage Classifications: Potential Personal Liability for Contractors? How a federal agency’s error in identifying the correct wage rates in its solicitation nearly put one of its contractors out of business. by Manju Gupta Recently, a situation arose in which a government agency had solicited a contract using the incorrect...

With the rise of streaming services, mergers in the entertainment industry seem likely. In a recent article for The Hollywood Reporter, Ulmer Partner Richard Hamilton, Jr. is quoted discussing this possibility and how the industry has evolved in the last several years. To read the full article, click here. In...

January 24, 2020 – Ulmer & Berne LLP is proud to announce the addition of Counsel Jeffrey J. Patter to the firm’s Columbus office. Patter, an experienced attorney representing businesses of all sizes with their corporate legal needs, joins Ulmer’s Business Law Practice Group. “Jeff is a talented attorney with wide-ranging experience that will...

January 14, 2020 – Ulmer & Berne LLP is pleased to share that Associate Trevor J. Hardy has joined the Board of Directors of the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center (CRCC). In this role, Hardy will assist the organization in its mission of supporting victims of rape and sexual abuse, and will use his background...

Ulmer Partner Ronald S. Betman was published in the most recent edition of the American Bar Association’s Securities Litigation Newsletter (Winter 2020). Betman’s article, “SEC Enforcement Actions Brought in Support of Foreign Securities Authorities,” covers the background on SEC cooperative arrangements with foreign securities authorities as well as the SEC’s...

Ulmer Partner Rachael L. Rodman recently provided her professional perspective to Bloomberg Law in her article, “Reasonable Measures Under the DTSA.” In the article, Rodman examines the Defend Trade Secrets Act and the factors courts consider in evaluating sufficient reasonable measures to protect the secrecy of information, and also provides...

From Ulmer’s Broker-Dealer Law Corner Blog By Christopher D. Seps Between the usual holiday season madness and a recent trial, I have been a little tied up lately. Happily, Chris Seps has stepped up with this excellent piece on Reg BI. – Alan   My young boys will sometimes chase me...

Ulmer & Berne LLP is pleased to announce the promotion of Booker T. Coleman, Jr. to Counsel, effective January 1, 2020. Coleman is a business litigator based in the firm’s Chicago office. “Since joining Ulmer, Booker has demonstrated his dedication to our clients and his skill in helping them with their critical...

Ulmer & Berne LLP is pleased to share that Associate Trevor J. Hardy has taken on leadership roles with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Northern Ohio Chapter of Canine Companions for Independence. Hardy was recently appointed as Congressional District Leader for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS), which is one...

Ulmer & Berne LLP is proud to announce the addition of Counsel Alvin E. Mathews, Jr., to its Columbus office. Recognized as a lawyer’s lawyer, Mathews represents major law firms, in-house counsel, and solo practitioners on a variety of ethics and professional liability matters. “We are excited to welcome Alvin to...

Ulmer & Berne LLP is pleased to announce the election of three partners to the firm, effective January 1, 2020. This class of new partners includes attorneys with backgrounds in diverse legal disciplines and who reflect Ulmer’s commitment to providing sophisticated advice and counsel. “We are happy to welcome Kristin,...

From Ulmer’s Broker-Dealer Law Corner Blog By Alan M. Wolper As I have mentioned before, several times, PIABA is deathly concerned with the fact that sometimes customers who prevail in arbitrations are unable to collect their awards, which typically happens when the respondent firm and/or the RR leaves the industry (thus eliminating...

From Ulmer’s Broker-Dealer Law Corner Blog By Alan M. Wolper Last year, for the first time, FINRA produced a statistical report designed to provide some perspective on the firms that comprise its membership. I blogged about it, and concluded at the time that the report basically demonstrated the following: FINRA is still mostly...

Ulmer & Berne LLP is pleased to announce that attorney Shawn J. Gebhardt has been elected to the Board of Directors for the Chicagoland Food Science Foundation (CFSF), a nonprofit organization that works to raise funds for and award scholarships to students intending to work in the food industry. CFSF’s mission is...

From Ulmer’s Broker-Dealer Law Corner Blog By Alan M. Wolper I have written a few times about FINRA’s ceaseless interest in bringing cases against registered reps who fail to update their Form U-4 in a timely manner to disclose the fact that a tax lien has been filed against them. Or several...

Meat remains a staple of the American diet. But, despite the joys of a crispy piece of bacon, traditional meat production methods have several drawbacks. Raising cattle or poultry is resource-intensive. It creates a lot of, shall we say, unpleasant waste. Consumers are increasingly concerned about the treatment and welfare...

From Ulmer’s Broker-Dealer Law Corner Blog By Alan M. Wolper Once again – twice again, actually – FINRA has used Rule 8210 as a cudgel, beating the poor unfortunate recipients of the “request” for documents and information into submission, or worse. This has got to stop. The first case is a repeat...

Ulmer & Berne LLP is pleased to announce that Chief Diversity Officer Timothy J. Downing has been recognized by The National Law Journal (NLJ) in its inaugural Equality Trailblazers list. This new list highlights the accomplishments of those who have made significant strides in the fight for gender and LGBTQ equality. “I...

Shawn Gebhardt recently published an article in Law360 regarding “slack fill” or the empty space in a product container that protects its contents. Class action litigation involving “nonfunctional slack fill” has been filed against a host of food and other consumer packaged goods manufacturers in recent years, and it continues...

From Ulmer’s Broker-Dealer Law Corner Blog By Alan M. Wolper I read an article this week in Investment News with the following headline: “Brokerage Customers Winning More FINRA Arbitration Cases.” As a guy who defends customer cases, I was naturally intriguied by this. According to the article, “brokerage customers who do file...

Ulmer & Berne LLP is pleased to announce that Partner Frances Floriano Goins has been elected to the Board of Directors of Beck Center for the Arts, a nonprofit performing arts and arts education organization dedicated to inspiring and enriching the quality of life for Northeast Ohioans. Beck Center for the Arts...

From Ulmer’s Broker-Dealer Law Corner Blog By Alan M. Wolper Rightly or wrongly, I don’t know much about cryptocurrencies or digital coins. But that’s ok. What is worrisome, on the other hand, is that I am increasingly concerned that FINRA doesn’t either. And while my own ignorance will have exactly zero impact...

Ulmer & Berne LLP is pleased to share that Partner Amanda Martinsek has been named to Profiles in Diversity Journal’s 2019 list of “Women Worth Watching,” an award that energizes, inspires, and recognizes women who have demonstrated high levels of leadership. “Amanda is incredibly deserving of recognition for her dedication to...

From Ulmer’s Broker-Dealer Law Corner Blog By Alan M. Wolper FINRA loves to tout its supposed intent to bring meaningful cases, cases that matter to the investing public, rather than enforcing “foot faults,” as it has been accused of doing over the years. My own experience with FINRA suggests that while it...

From Ulmer’s Broker-Dealer Law Corner Blog By Kenneth F. Berg I am fortunate to have Ken Berg, a commodities regulatory guru, just down the hall from me, so I’ve never had to learn that stuff too well.  But, here, as you will see, there can be considerable overlap between the securities and the...

Ulmer Partner Richard Hamilton was featured during the June 7 episode of “Nightly Business Report,” a national news program produced by CNBC that airs on PBS. Offering his insider perspective as a former attorney in the DOJ’s Antitrust Division, Hamilton was interviewed regarding the Justice Department’s antitrust probe of Google and...

Ulmer & Berne LLP is pleased to announce that Partner Rachael L. Rodman was recently appointed as a member of the Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO) Diversity & Inclusion Committee, which is dedicated to establishing organizational focus around and executing programs based on diversity and inclusion. As one of IPO’s Management and...

From Ulmer’s Broker-Dealer Law Corner Blog By Christopher D. Seps I heartily endorse this post from my colleague, Chris, who’s been quiet of late.  It says a lot about FINRA, in terms of how it deigns to spend your assessment money, how fairness in the Enforcement process can be completely illusory, and...

Ulmer & Berne LLP is proud to announce that Associate Michelle M. Thompson has been selected to the 2019 class of Forty Under 40 by the Dayton Business Journal. The individuals recognized in this select group are considered the region’s brightest young business leaders who are making a difference in their professions...

From Ulmer’s Broker-Dealer Law Corner Blog By Alan M. Wolper Reading Reg Notice 19-17 makes me think of the legal arguments that I’ve recently read regarding whether a president can be found guilty of obstructing justice if the actions in question were taken out in the open, for everyone to see. Here, FINRA’s proposed...

From Ulmer’s Broker-Dealer Law Corner Blog By Alan M. Wolper I apologize for all the posts this week, but I am traveling and am in a different time zone, so I am awake at hours when, ordinarily, I would be asleep, giving me time to muse.  Anyway, given that, I will not...

Ulmer & Berne LLP is pleased to announce the addition of Associate Halden R. Schwallie to its Business Litigation Practice Group. Schwallie joins Ulmer from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio where he served for four years as a judicial law clerk to Magistrate Judge George J. Limbert....

From Ulmer’s Broker-Dealer Law Corner Blog By Alan M. Wolper If you are a regular reader of this blog, then you know that over my last few posts, I have been talking about an increasingly visible effort by FINRA to turn its regulatory eye from rogue brokers – who have been an...

From Ulmer’s Broker-Dealer Law Corner Blog By Alan M. Wolper I told you two weeks ago in my blog post that this would happen. I told you that when Robert Cook announced the topics to be taken up at the February/March FINRA Board meeting in Boca Raton, he slipped and used the new phrase...

Timothy J. Downing, Chief Diversity Officer of Ulmer & Berne LLP, has been appointed to Cuyahoga County’s Human Rights Commission, which aims to promote diversity, inclusion, and harmony through every facet of the county. Downing will serve as one of three attorneys comprising the first assembly of the Commission, which...

Ulmer & Berne LLP is pleased to announce that Partner Rachael L. Rodman was recently appointed as a Vice Chair of the Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO) Women in IP Committee, which seeks to promote the advancement of women in IP law and to increase the diversity of IPO’s membership. As Vice...

Ulmer Partner Alan M. Wolper was recently interviewed by PLANADVISER in an article entitled, “B/D Attorney: Don’t Be Distracted by FINRA Examination Priorities Letter.” Wolper provided his insights into the recently published FINRA 2019 priorities list, which he thinks is interesting, but ultimately not all that informative when it comes...

Appointment bolsters the firm’s successful diversity and inclusion initiatives Ulmer & Berne LLP is pleased to announce that Timothy J. Downing has been appointed as the firm’s first Chief Diversity Officer. His appointment to this role provides added momentum to Ulmer’s successful diversity and inclusion initiatives and reflects the firm’s commitment to...

Ulmer & Berne LLP is pleased to announce that five attorneys from its Chicago office have been selected to the 2019 list of Illinois Super Lawyers. The list features the top attorneys in the state, chosen for their demonstrated excellence in the practice of law. Of those named from Ulmer,...

From Ulmer’s Broker-Dealer Law Corner Blog By Alan M. Wolper In what has become an annual, but hardly exciting – I mean, it’s not like anxiously awaiting the day that pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training – tradition, with the turning of the calendar to the new year, FINRA has...

From Ulmer’s Broker-Dealer Law Corner Blog By Alan M. Wolper About a year ago, the SEC offered investment advisors the unique opportunity to report themselves to the SEC if they sold mutual funds to their clients that offered a lower priced share class than the class actually selected by the advisor,...

Ulmer Counsel Shawn J. Gebhardt recently published an article in Food Manufacturing entitled, “Organic Labeling Litigation: What to Watch for in 2019.” In the article, Gebhardt outlines what strategies he expects to see from the plaintiffs’ bar in organic labeling lawsuits. To access the article, click here.

Ulmer Partner Frances Floriano Goins was recently interviewed for a Global Data Review article entitled, “Facebook could face FTC scrutiny, say privacy lawyers.” Goins provided her insights following The New York Times’ discovery that Facebook has been giving other companies access to users’ personal data and whether this violated Facebook’s...

From Ulmer’s Broker-Dealer Law Corner Blog By Alan M. Wolper What exists at the point where PIABA’s transparent self-interest in getting paid and FINRA’s historical lack of transparency about who is actually driving its agenda regarding arbitrations? This: a late December decision by FINRA to propose a rule that prohibits non-lawyers from...

Ulmer Counsel Shawn J. Gebhardt was recently quoted in Law360’s “Food & Beverage Cases To Watch In 2019.” Gebhardt provided his thoughts on the cases against General Mills and Kellogg’s that allege the companies’ cereal products contain trace amounts of the pesticide glyphosate. To read the article, click here.

Ulmer & Berne LLP is pleased to announce the election of four partners to the firm, effective January 1, 2019. This class of new partners includes accomplished attorneys from three of Ulmer’s offices who have diverse experience spanning multiple legal disciplines. “Through their hard work, determination, and dedication to providing...

Ulmer & Berne LLP is pleased to announce that Associate Shipra K. Rege will join the Board of Directors of Greater Cleveland Volunteers for a three-year term effective January 1, 2019. Greater Cleveland Volunteers is a nonprofit that connects individuals with a broad range of volunteer opportunities at nonprofit organizations...

Ulmer & Berne LLP is pleased to announce that Booker T. Coleman, Jr. has been appointed to serve on the Investigative Division of the Chicago Bar Association’s (CBA) Judicial Evaluation Committee (JEC). The JEC provides an invaluable service to the bench, the bar, and the public through its evaluations of...

Ulmer Partner Michael N. Ungar was recently featured on the cover of Ohio and Kentucky Super Lawyers Magazine with an article about him entitled, “Mike Ungar’s Town.” The article details Ungar’s early life, career at Ulmer, his love of Cleveland and involvement in the community, and his passion for complicated...

From Ulmer’s Broker-Dealer Law Corner Blog By Alan M. Wolper On Friday last week, FINRA released a report discussing the findings from its 2018 exams, providing what it described as “selected observations” that were deemed to have “potential significance.” Even with that tepid introduction, in theory, this is still a great idea, since anyone...

Ulmer & Berne LLP is pleased to announce that Partner Timothy J. Downing has been appointed to serve on the Alumni Council of Allegheny College. The Alumni Council is the governing body of the college’s Alumni Association, and is dedicated to strengthening the bond between the college and its alumni,...

With Justice Brett Kavanaugh recusing himself from the Lorenzo case, which involved forwarded misstatements before the U.S. Supreme Court, attorneys paid close attention to Monday’s oral arguments for any unexpected leanings by the other eight justices. Please click here to read what experts, including Ulmer Partner Kenneth F. Berg, paid...

Ulmer & Berne LLP is proud to announce that Manju Gupta, Counsel to the firm, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of DANCECleveland, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing the passion and verve of modern and contemporary dance into the hearts and minds of the people of Northeast Ohio....

Ulmer & Berne LLP is pleased to announce the addition of three associates to the firm. Kathryn (Katie) Bartolomucci and Brooke Tyus join Ulmer’s Cleveland office, while Hillary Maynard joins the firm’s Chicago office. “We’re thrilled to bring Katie, Brooke, and Hillary on as associates,” said Scott P. Kadish, Managing...

From Ulmer’s Broker-Dealer Law Corner Blog By Alan M. Wolper If you’ve read this blog for even a short while, you know my feelings on Rule 8210, or, more specifically, how FINRA uses that rule, i.e., as a cudgel to keep member firms and their associated persons in line. Endless 8210 requests...

Ulmer & Berne LLP is proud to expand its Columbus office with the addition of Partner Rachael L. Rodman. Rodman is an accomplished litigator who concentrates her practice in the area of IP litigation, and has experience representing clients in a variety of cases involving patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret...

From Ulmer’s Broker-Dealer Law Corner Blog By Alan M. Wolper Last year I wrote about FINRA’s effort to encourage firms to self-report their problems, pausing to wonder at the suggestion attributed to Jessica Hopper, a Senior Vice President with Enforcement, that cooperating with FINRA by self-reporting “not only fulfills a firm’s regulatory responsibilities, but...

Ulmer & Berne LLP is proud to announce that Associate Daniela Paez has been selected to the 2018 class of Forty Under 40 by Crain’s Cleveland Business. The individuals named in this elite group are considered the next generation of rising stars who have taken a leading role in the greater Cleveland...

From Ulmer’s Broker-Dealer Law Corner Blog By Alan M. Wolper I just read an article about a research study conducted of FINRA arbitrations by three people associated with Harvard, Stanford, and the University of Texas, respectively, and their overarching conclusion is a doozy. Now, admittedly, I have not read the study itself...

Ulmer is pleased to announce that eDiscovery Attorney J. Matthew Linehan has completed the requirements to become a Relativity Certified Administrator (RCA) on version 9.6 of the Relativity eDiscovery software. The RCA program ensures that case administrators fully understand Relativity’s capabilities, which allows them to maximize the software’s flexibility and provide an...

From Ulmer’s Broker-Dealer Law Corner Blog By Blaine F. Doyle I recently had to the opportunity to sit in on a talk from high ranking CFTC and SEC enforcement officials at a local bar association meeting. The purpose of the get together was, in part, to let industry folks and their lawyers...

Ulmer is pleased to announce that Partner Paul R. Harris has been appointed president of the Saint Ignatius High School Alumni Executive Council for 2018-2019. Harris’ commitment to his alma mater and other organizations in Cleveland is reflective of Ulmer’s broad dedication to improving the communities in which we live....

Prestigious award honors Karp’s lifetime of service in the practice of law  Ulmer & Berne LLP is proud to announce that Retired Partner Marvin L. Karp has been selected as the winner of the coveted Ritter Award for 2018 by the Ohio State Bar Foundation (OSBF). The award is the highest honor...

From Ulmer’s Broker-Dealer Law Corner Blog By Christopher D. Seps When a registered rep contacts us about seeking expungement of customer complaints from his or her CRD record, we always respond that expungement is not a sure thing. It turns out that is more true than ever before because of the...

Additions to Business Litigation and Health Care Practice Groups Ulmer & Berne LLP is pleased to announce the addition of two talented and experienced attorneys to the firm. Counsel Shawn J. Gebhardt joins the Business Litigation Practice Group and Associate Ellesha M. LeCluyse joins the Health Care Practice Group. These additions continue Ulmer’s commitment...

Paul Harris and Joshua Klarfeld Recognized Among Nation’s Best Up-And-Coming Litigators  Ulmer & Berne LLP proudly announces that two of its partners, Paul R. Harris and Joshua A. Klarfeld, have been named to Benchmark Litigation’s “40 & Under Hot List 2018.” This marks the second year in a row that...

Ulmer Partner Assumes Leadership Role at Top-Ranked Ohio Liberal Arts College Ulmer is proud to announce that William D. (“Bill”) Edwards, Chair of Ulmer’s Employment & Labor Practice Group, has been elected Vice-Chair of the Wittenberg University Board of Directors. After serving on the Board of this premier Ohio private institution...

Ulmer Associate Elected to Help Lead Prominent Cleveland Community Development Group  Ulmer & Berne LLP is pleased to announce that Associate Trevor J. Hardy was recently elected to the Board of Directors of the Little Italy Redevelopment Corporation. Little Italy Redevelopment Corporation (LIRC) is a non-profit community development organization made up...

County’s Elected Judges Choose Ulmer Litigator to Fill Courtroom Vacancy  William (Bill) Yu, Counsel to Ulmer & Berne LLP (Ulmer), has been appointed as an Associate Judge in Cook County, Illinois, the second largest court system in the U.S. Bill, along with 11 other attorneys and five current Associate Judges,...

Ulmer & Berne LLP congratulates Associate Georgia Hatzis, who was recently named as a Greek America Foundation “Forty Under 40” honoree. The distinction is bestowed biannually to accomplished North Americans of Greek descent, age 40 and under, who have both excelled in their professional endeavors and demonstrated care and concern for...

Ulmer & Berne LLP is pleased to announce that Shipra K. Rege has joined the firm’s Cleveland office, reinforcing Ulmer’s highly ranked Financial Services & Securities Litigation Practice Group. Shipra represents broker-dealers, financial advisors, and individuals in a variety of securities industry-related actions, including investigations brought by FINRA and the SEC. She...

Ulmer is pleased to announce that two new associates have joined the firm’s Cleveland and Cincinnati offices. Gregory C. Djordjevic joins the firm’s Business Litigation Practice Group in Cleveland, and Elizabeth A. Conklin joins the Intellectual Property & Technology Practice Group in Cincinnati. Most recently an associate with Jones Day in...

From Ulmer’s Broker-Dealer Law Corner Blog By Alan M. Wolper I have used this forum before on occasion to complain about the vagaries of the FINRA arbitration process, and, in particular, the perspective of a respondent’s counsel that the game often seems to be rigged in favor of claimants. Let me give...

Ulmer & Berne LLP announced today that Amanda Martinsek joins the firm as a partner in its Cleveland office. An accomplished business litigator with over 25 years of experience managing complex commercial disputes, Martinsek comes to Ulmer from Ice Miller LLP. “We are excited to welcome Amanda to Ulmer, where her expansive...

Ulmer Partner, Ken Berg, is in the news. Ken is quoted in the Investment News article, “Supreme Court review of SEC judges could roil pending cases.” The article describes how a Supreme Court case on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s use of internal judges could put more than 100 pending...

Ulmer & Berne LLP partner Frances Floriano Goins was named to the Benchmark Top 250 Women in Litigation. Ulmer partners Paul R. Harris and Joshua A. Klarfeld were included in Benchmark’s Under 40 Hot List 2017. Individual recognition for Goins, Harris, and Klarfeld comes on the heels of Ulmer’s department-wide...

Ulmer & Berne announces that partner Robin D. Miller has received the 16th annual Women Worth Watching award from Profiles in Diversity Journal. The honor extends to a select group of trailblazers who have distinguished themselves from their peers based on excellence in their fields and the positive influence they have both...

John Alten, partner in Ulmer’s Complex Business Litigation Group, has been elected President of the Board of Directors of Community Resource Services, a non-profit that provides emergency needs assistance, a food pantry, and individualized resource and referral services to low-income residents in Lorain County. John previously served as Vice President...

Ulmer & Berne LLP announces that Dolores (Lola) Garcia Prignitz has joined the firm’s Cleveland office as an associate. Before joining Ulmer, Garcia Prignitz served as an Assistant United States Attorney, and was an associate at Jones Day. “We are excited to add Lola to the business litigation team,” said...

Representing William Lawrence, the executor of the Estate of Joseph T. Gorman, Ulmer attorneys Daniela Paez and James A. Goldsmith prevailed before the Ohio Supreme Court in Wilson v. Lawrence, a case that clarifies the strict requirements for the presentation of claims against a decedent’s estate. The ruling is important for creditors, executors and administrators of...

Ulmer & Berne LLP is pleased to announce the addition of Manju Gupta to the firm’s Cleveland office. Gupta joins Ulmer as counsel from McDonald Hopkins. “Manju has substantial experience helping clients resolve a variety of federal contracting issues,” said Jeffrey Dunlap, Co-Chair of Ulmer’s Business Litigation Practice Group. “Manju’s...

Cincinnati-based partner Robin D. Miller has been named by corporate counsel to the BTI Client Service All-Stars 2017 published by BTI Consulting Group. The honor extends to a select group of elite attorneys who are identified as providing the absolute best in client service. According to BTI, Client Service All-Stars...

M&A Litigation Lifts Securities Suits To 20-Year High By Chelsea Naso for Law360, published February 1, 2017 The number of federal securities class actions in 2016 rose to its highest level in two decades. A recently published Law360 article examines some of the factors contributing to the new high-water mark, including a steep...

Press Release Ulmer & Berne LLP is pleased to announce the promotions of five of its attorneys to partner. They include Daniel Gottesman, Richard Hamilton, Jr., Jesse Lipcius, Brad Sobolewski, and Ulmer’s General Counsel, Kenneth Zirm. In addition, Ulmer also elevated associate Evelyn Holmer to counsel. Lipcius is based in...

Ulmer & Berne LLP is pleased to announce that Ronald Betman has joined the firm as Chicago-based counsel in its Business Litigation Practice. A veteran trial lawyer with 30 years of experience in business and financial services litigation, Mr. Betman joins Ulmer from Neal Gerber & Eisenberg LLP, where he...

Ulmer is ranked in 39 categories in the 2017 U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” rankings. Among these, the firm earns U.S. News – Best Lawyers highest rankings in 21 categories. The firm also ranks nationally in 15 categories. Firms included in the 2017 “Best Law Firms” are...

Ulmer is pleased to announce the addition of J. Matthew Linehan who joins the firm as an eDiscovery Attorney. Mr. Linehan will primarily support Ulmer’s complex business litigation practice. Mr. Linehan has a strong background in business litigation with a particular focus on providing clients with intelligent and practical solutions to eDiscovery issues. His...

BTI Consulting Group has ranked Ulmer & Berne LLP in the BTI Litigation Outlook 2017 among the top 15 percent of firms serving large corporate clients in the areas of commercial litigation, employment litigation, and IP litigation. The Litigation Outlook is based on direct feedback from leading legal decision makers....

Ulmer & Berne LLP added to its strong growth over the last several months by welcoming partner Andrew W. Owen. Mr. Owen brings 24 years of experience as a business litigator to Ulmer’s Columbus office. Mr. Owen represents a wide range of clients in all aspects of complex business disputes,...

Ulmer & Berne is pleased to announce the addition of three new attorneys in its Cleveland and Chicago offices. Trevor J. Hardy and Adam R. Watowicz join the firm as Cleveland-based associates in the Litigation and Employee Benefits practices respectively, while Denise Fesdjian joins as a Chicago-based Financial Services associate. Trevor...

On April 27, 2016, the U.S. House of Representatives passed, almost unanimously – 410 to 2 – the “Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016” (“DTSA”). The DTSA was previously approved by the U.S. Senate, and now heads to President Obama’s desk for signature. The President has praised DTSA and is expected...

From Ulmer’s Broker-Dealer Law Corner Blog By Blaine F. Doyle In Homer’s epic poem the Odyssey, Odysseus and the crew of his ship are faced with the impossible choice of either sailing closer to Charybdis, a whirlpool capable of sinking their entire ship, or, alternatively, to Scylla, a sea monster just as...

Frederick N. Widen, a Cleveland-based partner at Ulmer & Berne LLP, has been nationally recognized as a Client Service All-Star by BTI Consulting Group. The honor extends to a select group of elite attorneys who provide the absolute best in client service, going above and beyond the call of duty...

Ulmer & Berne announces that partner Frances Floriano Goins was selected for inclusion in the 2015 Top 250 Women in Litigation, distributed by Benchmark Litigation, and also has been named a Fellow in The Trial Lawyer Honorary Society of The Litigation Counsel of America. Benchmark’s Top 250 Women in Litigation...

Four Ulmer & Berne partners – Jeffrey F. Peck, Eric M. Robbins, Michael J. Suffern, and Michael N. Ungar – have been recognized by their peers as a 2016 “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers in America®. Best Lawyers designates only one lawyer per practice area as Lawyer of...

[View Video] Tapping its pipeline of trial-tested litigators, Ulmer & Berne is announcing that three accomplished partners will lead the firm’s respected Business Litigation Practice Group. Cleveland-based partners Jeffrey S. Dunlap and Paul R. Harris will serve as Co-Chairs alongside Cincinnati-based partner Robin D. Miller, who will act as Vice...

Ulmer & Berne LLP welcomes Nicholas B. Wille as an associate in the firm’s Cleveland office. An experienced litigator, Mr. Wille joins the firm from Jones Day, adding more depth and strength to Ulmer & Berne’s nationally recognized litigation practice. Mr. Wille’s practice focuses on complex commercial litigation. He has...

“Michael Nathan Ungar | Ulmer & Berne LLP” Cleveland Jewish News January 15, 2015 Perennial Super Lawyer Michael Nathan Ungar considers settlement of a dispute embroiling Case Western University among his most memorable cases of 2014. Read the full article »

Ulmer & Berne LLP has been ranked within the top 10 percent of all law firms by The BTI Consulting Group, one of the nation’s leading legal industry research firms, in their recently published 2015 BTI Litigation Outlook report. The firm was selected as a “Litigation Powerhouse” and is named...

Ulmer & Berne LLP is pleased to announce that partner Paul R. Harris has been appointed to the Board of Trustees for Lutheran Hospital, a Cleveland Clinic Hospital. Lutheran Hospital is a Cleveland Clinic Hospital located in Ohio City near downtown Cleveland. It is a 204-bed acute-care facility offering sophisticated...

Paul R. Harris

Paul R. Harris

Partner

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Robin D. Miller

Robin D. Miller

Partner

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John M. Alten

John M. Alten

Counsel

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Alexander M. Andrews

Alexander M. Andrews

Partner

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Kathryn (Katie) Bartolomucci

Kathryn (Katie) Bartolomucci

Associate

Sarah M. Benoit

Sarah M. Benoit

Counsel

Kenneth F. Berg

Kenneth F. Berg

Partner

Ronald S. Betman

Ronald S. Betman

Partner

Michael J. Charlillo

Michael J. Charlillo

Associate

Robert E. Chudakoff

Robert E. Chudakoff

Partner

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Booker T. Coleman, Jr.

Booker T. Coleman, Jr.

Counsel

Jason P. Conte

Jason P. Conte

Partner

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Chad D. Cooper

Chad D. Cooper

Partner

Paul J. (PJ) Cosgrove

Paul J. (PJ) Cosgrove

Partner

Paul R. Dehmel

Paul R. Dehmel

Counsel

Gregory C. Djordjevic

Gregory C. Djordjevic

Associate

Sara S. Dorland

Sara S. Dorland

Associate

Timothy J. Downing

Timothy J. Downing

Chief Diversity Officer

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Blaine F. Doyle

Blaine F. Doyle

Associate

Jeffrey S. Dunlap

Jeffrey S. Dunlap

Partner

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William D. Edwards

William D. Edwards

Partner

Dolores (Lola) Garcia Prignitz

Dolores (Lola) Garcia Prignitz

Partner

Shawn J. Gebhardt

Shawn J. Gebhardt

Counsel

Frances Floriano Goins

Frances Floriano Goins

Partner

Manju Gupta

Manju Gupta

Counsel

Jennifer J. Hageman

Jennifer J. Hageman

Partner

Richard T. Hamilton, Jr.

Richard T. Hamilton, Jr.

Partner

John M. Hands

John M. Hands

Partner

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Trevor J. Hardy

Trevor J. Hardy

Associate

Georgia Hatzis

Georgia Hatzis

Associate

Jennifer Snyder Heis

Jennifer Snyder Heis

Partner

George R. Hicks, Jr.

George R. Hicks, Jr.

Counsel

John R. Ipsaro

John R. Ipsaro

Partner

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Susan L. Joplin

Susan L. Joplin

Practice Area Attorney

Steven S. Kaufman

Steven S. Kaufman

Partner

Jonathan R. King

Jonathan R. King

Associate

Joshua A. Klarfeld

Joshua A. Klarfeld

Partner

Murray K. Lenson

Murray K. Lenson

Retired Partner

David A. Lewis

David A. Lewis

Counsel

J. Matthew Linehan

J. Matthew Linehan

eDiscovery Attorney

Linda E. Maichl

Linda E. Maichl

Partner

Amanda Martinsek

Amanda Martinsek

Partner

Alvin E. Mathews, Jr.

Alvin E. Mathews, Jr.

Counsel

Christiane M. McKnight

Christiane M. McKnight

Counsel

Andrew W. Owen

Andrew W. Owen

Partner

Daniela Paez

Daniela Paez

Associate

Jeffrey J. Patter

Jeffrey J. Patter

Counsel

Jeffrey F. Peck

Jeffrey F. Peck

Partner

Katherine M. Poldneff

Katherine M. Poldneff

Counsel

Lawrence D. Pollack

Lawrence D. Pollack

Partner

Harold (Kip) Reader

Harold (Kip) Reader

Counsel

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Shipra K. Rege

Shipra K. Rege

Associate

Rachael L. Rodman

Rachael L. Rodman

Partner

Ashtyn N. Saltz

Ashtyn N. Saltz

Associate

Halden R. Schwallie

Halden R. Schwallie

Associate

Kip Schwartz

Kip Schwartz

Partner

Christopher D. Seps

Christopher D. Seps

Associate

Frederic X. (Fritz) Shadley

Frederic X. (Fritz) Shadley

Partner

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Brad A. Sobolewski

Brad A. Sobolewski

Partner

Michael J. Suffern

Michael J. Suffern

Counsel

Alyson Terrell

Alyson Terrell

Associate

Michelle M. Thompson

Michelle M. Thompson

Associate

Stephanie Dutchess Trudeau

Stephanie Dutchess Trudeau

Retired Partner

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Michael N. Ungar

Michael N. Ungar

Partner

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Nicholas B. Wille

Nicholas B. Wille

Partner

Robin M. Wilson

Robin M. Wilson

Partner

Alan M. Wolper

Alan M. Wolper

Partner

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David D. Yeagley

David D. Yeagley

Partner

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Representative Experience

  • Settled a consolidated federal securities fraud action filed against a publicly traded company that allegedly reported false financial results in Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Also settled tag-along shareholder derivative lawsuits filed against the company’s officers and directors.
  • Won an Ohio Court of Appeals decision certifying a national class of insurance policy holders regarding claims for damages to watercraft under a “betterment” policy of the insurance carrier that reduced claims paid, and reached a significant settlement for all class members.
  • Successfully defended a large breach of contract claim brought by an outside consultant against a multinational corporation headquartered in Ohio.
  • Represented one of the nation’s largest utilities in a series of class actions and shareholder derivative actions alleging violations of federal securities laws and breaches of fiduciary duty, respectively.
  • Averted a major shutdown of an appliance manufacturer’s plants throughout Ohio after successful preliminary injunction hearing resulted in a consent order and settlement.
  • Defeated a class certification attempt in a putative nationwide class action brought by a prominent class action plaintiff’s firm against a large publicly traded company.
  • Obtained dismissal of a putative nationwide class action seeking nearly $1 billion in damages after prevailing on a critical procedural motion.
  • Represented a large national bank in federal court litigation seeking in excess of $300 million.
  • Successfully obtained settlement in litigation against several banks, a real estate advisory firm, and a law firm regarding real estate investments made by family trusts involving claims valued at $80 million and that included breaches of fiduciary duty, standard of care, negligence, and RICO claims against the law firm.
  • Successfully represented a client in a significant business litigation whereby an internationally known athlete sought nearly $100 million damages.
  • Obtained a dismissal with no payment of money for a large national real estate developer in a major breach of contract action seeking tens of millions of dollars.
  • Won a unanimous decision in the Supreme Court of Ohio on behalf of limited partner investors regarding a residential condominium development project, resulting in a landmark decision in favor of the investors and against the developer’s law firm.
  • Successfully litigated cases in federal and state court on behalf of large corporations involving business torts, contract disputes, product liability, trade secret and non-competes.