The law firm of Roetzel & Andress LPA is pleased to announce the elevation of four of its associates to partner, effective January 1, 2015.
The four new partners are Brian Augustine in the Cincinnati office, Justin Markey and Joseph Ruscak in the Akron office, and Brian Tarian in the firm’s Columbus office.
Roetzel Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Casto remarked that, “These promotions show positively that Roetzel continues to grow and invest in its people. We are proud of the hard work that each of our new partners has invested in the firm and are truly pleased to welcome them to the partnership.”
Brian Augustine. Brian earned his J.D. from the Chicago – Kent College of Law in 2006 and his B.A. from the University of Michigan. Brian is part of the firm’s Products, Toxic Tort & Transportation Practice Group, where he focuses his practice on transportation law and business litigation. He provides counsel, strategic planning, and litigation for individuals and businesses in a broad range of industries. Brian has served as lead trial counsel in a wide range of cases in state and federal courts in Ohio, Kentucky, and Illinois, including catastrophic injury litigation, non-competition and trade secrets, Carmack Amendment litigation, contract disputes, product liability, retail, construction, and insurance. He devotes a substantial portion of his practice to representing businesses in the transportation industry, including carriers, shippers and freight brokers. Brian was selected as an “Ohio Super Lawyers – Rising Star” in 2011, 2014 and 2015 and has been named to The Best Lawyers in America for Transportation Law each year from 2012-2015.
Justin Markey. Justin began his Roetzel career as a 2005 summer associate and was subsequently hired as an associate following his graduation from The University of Akron School of Law in 2006. He earned his B.S.B.A. and his Master of Accounting degrees at The Ohio State University. Justin is part of the firm’s Public Law Group and focuses his practice on public law and public finance, including serving as bond counsel, underwriters' counsel, and issuer's counsel for various public and private debt issues. He also represents counties, municipalities, townships, school districts, port authorities, and other public authorities in general counsel capacities. Justin was selected as an “Ohio Super Lawyers – Rising Star” in 2010 and 2011.
Joseph Ruscak. Joe began his career at Roetzel as an associate in December 2005. He earned his J.D. from The University of Akron School of Law in 2005 and his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from The Ohio State University in 1994. Joe is part of the firm’s Product Liability, Toxic Tort & Transportation Practice Group where he focuses on the defense of product liability lawsuits involving tires and automobile components. He is also a member of the firm's E-Discovery team and practices intellectual property law with an emphasis on patent infringement litigation, technology transfer, licensing trademarks, and intellectual property estate management. He represents and counsels large and small companies on product liability, intellectual property, and related legal matters in a diverse range of technologies including polymers, synthetic rubber, chemicals, tires, and tire manufacturing. He has more than 12 years of experience in the synthetic rubber and tire industries.
Brian Tarian. Brian began his career at Roetzel as an associate in September 2004. He earned his J.D. from The University of Akron School of Law in 1982 and his B.A. from Georgetown University in 1977. Brian is part of the Employment Services Practice Group, and focuses his practice on various aspects of workers’ compensation law and regularly attends hearings before the Industrial Commission of Ohio. His clients have included businesses in the automotive, health care, and retail industries. Brian is also involved in the Buckeye STEPS – Oil and Gas Industry Safety Group.