Aaron P. Howell

James is a nationally recognized trial lawyer in products liability, automobile product safety, and other complex cases. He is the author of multiple texts and treatises and frequent national and international lecturer on products liability and motor vehicle defect cases. He has successfully tried cases in state and federal courts throughout the country, resulting in numerous million-dollar verdicts and has recovered tens of millions of dollars for his clients. Most recently, along with his p...

John Gerak routinely advises employers on all aspects of the employment relationship. John has developed a reputation as a true business partner, assisting employers to avoid litigation through highly focused custom training, human resource policy and process improvement and legal compliance. In the event litigation cannot be avoided, John has extensive experience litigation sing-plaintiff employment cases as well as class action discrimination and wage and hour cases.

David R. Tavolier is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Law and Tax Law. David R., who practices law in Cleveland, Ohio, has been recognized since 2006. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jeffrey W. Van Wagner is the Managing Shareholder of BSPH. His career as a litigator and trial attorney has now spanned three decades. He is a 1979 graduate of Case Western Reserve School of Law and has extensive litigation and trial experience in the areas of nursing home liability, medical malpractice defense of physicians and institutions, and product liability. He has extensive experience in defending physicians and institutions where opioid prescription practices are at issue and is well...

Timothy L. Zix is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment, Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants and Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. Timothy L., who practices law in Cleveland, Ohio, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Timothy L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mark F. Fazio is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Mark F., who practices law in Cleveland, Ohio, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mark F. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kim, a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rated attorney, is one of the founding Partners of the insurance subrogation firm of Rathbone Group, LLC. Recognized as a National Women in Law Honoree, a Super Lawyer Rising Star for 4 years, as an Inside Business One to Watch, and as one of the Top 25 under 35 in Cleveland, she has focused on insurance subrogation throughout her entire legal career. Kim was elected Managing Partner in 2019. Her responsibilities include supporting the firm’s clie...

John R. Mitchell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bet-the-Company Litigation and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. John R., who practices law in Cleveland, Ohio, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kyle Melling is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Kyle, who practices law in Cleveland, Ohio, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kyle is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John Slivka, an attorney and certified public accountant, has a practice that consists in large part of providing advice with regard to tax, business, and succession planning and consulting for privately-owned businesses and their owners. Since being admitted to the Ohio Bar in 1981, he has handled matters involving mergers and acquisitions, C and S corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies, passive activities, ownership succession, estate/gift issues, other individual tax matte...