Jan 3, 2023 | Cleveland Office, Columbus Office

Roetzel Continues Strategic Growth with Addition of Over 30 Attorneys in 12 Months

CLEVELAND (January 3, 2023) — Roetzel & Andress today announced its continued growth in several key practice areas with the addition of nine attorneys in Cleveland and Columbus. The new hires, together with nearly two dozen others in 2022, further signals an intentional investment in, and an enhancement of, core capabilities across the firm.

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to deepening our capabilities and client service in key practice areas at Roetzel, including additions in public law, labor and employment, education, products and transportation, and litigation, among others,” said Bob Blackham, Roetzel Chairman. “This talented group of attorneys and their respective areas of focus perfectly complement several areas of strength at Roetzel and provide a platform for cross-practice collaboration that will be extremely beneficial to our clients.”

Additional leadership agrees, as practice group leaders across the firm express excitement for the welcomed additions in 2023:

 “The depth and breadth of our public law practice is unmatched in Ohio. I could not be more excited to welcome this team to Roetzel and look forward to their impact on our established position within the public law, regulatory and finance space.” — Lewis Adkins, Public Law Practice Group Manager 

“Education law, together with labor and employment, are wonderful supplements to our public law group. The new attorneys are a perfect addition to the firm, both within their leading practices and the comprehensive benefits afforded to clients of Roetzel.” — Susan Anderson, Education Law Practice Group Manager

“Roetzel’s nationally recognized transportation group, and more broadly, proven business litigation capabilities, remain an area of focus for the firm. These groups, and the growth that comes with our new attorneys, will continue to position us for success across the firm, the state and, in some cases, the country.” — Bradley Wright, Litigation Shareholder-in-Charge 

Public Law and Finance

Benjamin G. Chojnacki is a shareholder in Roetzel’s Public Law Group located in the Cleveland office. His practice focuses on counseling municipalities, public entities, planning commissions and private corporations on all aspects of public law. Chojnacki also has a broad litigation practice covering labor and employment, land use, eminent domain, tort defense and constitutional disputes. In his practice, Chojnacki also regularly works on matters unique to college athletics, Title IX, and electronic gaming (e-sports).

William R. Hanna is a shareholder in Roetzel’s Public Law Group located in the Cleveland office. His practice focuses on labor and employment law and litigation. His local government practice involves a wide range of legal issues that regularly confront local government bodies, including public records, open meetings, public employment matters, zoning, economic development, and public entity contracting to public right of way (PROW) management issues. In the private sector, Hanna has represented employers in defending employment discrimination, wrongful termination, and other employment-related claims. 

R. Todd Hunt is a shareholder in Roetzel’s Public Law Group located in the Cleveland office. Hunt regularly addresses land use and development issues, tax incentive development, eminent domain, litigation, public sector employment and labor law, antitrust law, and sports law matters. He has managed and tried a variety of civil and administrative cases and advises business owners, developers and public officials on related matters. He also frequently handles a wide variety of cases involving zoning and land use, eminent domain, tort and civil rights, construction contracts and general government authority issues. 

Alejandro V. Cortes is an associate in Roetzel’s Public Law Group located in the Cleveland office. He has experience representing public entities in northeast Ohio and previously served as an Associate General Counsel for the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority. His experience includes representation of public entities at the trial and appellate levels in federal and state court involving federal civil rights, wrongful death, police misconduct, personal injury, employment litigation and public records litigation. Cortes also has extensive experience advising public entities on labor and employment matters including critical contract interpretation, FMLA, overtime and FLSA, reasonable accommodations, and employee discipline and grievances.

Lisa A. Mack is an associate in Roetzel’s Public Law Group located in the Cleveland office. She has experience in representing political subdivisions and public utilities in northeast Ohio. Mack also maintains a workers’ compensation defense practice as well as a general civil practice providing day-to-day advice to political subdivisions and representation of political subdivisions in tort actions, public records matters, business disputes, contract negotiations and administrative appeals. Mack has previously served as an Assistant Director of Law and Chief Assistant Director of Law for the City of Cleveland. 

Education and Employment

Lisa M. Burleson is a shareholder in Roetzel’s Education and Employment Law Groups located in the Columbus office. Burleson brings over 20 years of experience in labor negotiations, labor relations, arbitration, grievance processing, mediation, employee discipline, reductions in force, employee termination and appeals, Title IX/harassment/bullying/hazing complaints and investigations, student issues (including student discipline and appeals), student enrollment/open enrollment and transportation. She also has in-depth knowledge in student custody and tuition obligation issues, special education, due process, trial and civil litigation, subpoena enforcement, competitive bidding and selection processes, public records, public audits, Sunshine Law, ethics, etc. 

Products and Transportation

Joe Connick is an associate in Roetzel’s Products and Transportation Group located in the Cleveland office. Connick guides clients through complex commercial vehicle accidents, product liability claims, professional liability claims, and insurance coverage disputes. He also advises clients on a wide variety of transportation & logistics, product liability, and mass tort related matters. 

Jenna R. Seychel is an associate in Roetzel’s Products and Transportation Group located in the Columbus office. Seychel received her J.D. from Capital University Law School, magna cum laude, in May 2022 and her bachelor’s degree in International Business from University of Dayton.

Business Litigation

Mark I. Wallach is of counsel in Roetzel’s Business Litigation Group located in the Cleveland office. A veteran attorney with over 40 years’ experience, Wallach litigates and tries complex business disputes. He will focus his practice on corporate, business tort, real estate and public law litigation, as well as consultant and accountant liability litigation, contract disputes, alternative dispute resolution, Uniform Commercial Code issues, trade secrets and non-competition covenants. Wallach also has extensive business litigation and appellate experience. 

Roetzel’s 2022 hires across the firm included shareholders Greg Melick (Columbus), Peter LoPalo (Cleveland), Heather Renee Adams (Columbus), Brian Fox (Cincinnati), Nick Ziepfel (Cincinnati), Gary Pasheilich (Columbus), counsel Alex Karcher (Columbus) and Carolann Swanson (Fort Myers) and associates Danielle Young (Cleveland), Lacy Leduc (Cleveland), Lauren Zidones (Akron), Joseph Ramos (Chicago), Michelle Noureddine (Akron), Delaney Perl (Chicago), Brett Simpson (Chicago), Dan Krupko (Akron), Will Talley (Naples), Jack Huffman (Columbus), Austin Klein (Fort Myers), Zach Liebetreau (Fort Myers), Hailee Kepchar (Cleveland), Nathan Hill (Cleveland) and Justin Kirk (Naples).
 

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