David M. Dirr

Brian P. Muething is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Brian P., who practices law in Cincinnati, Ohio, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brian P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Brian G. Dershaw is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Brian G., who practices law in Cincinnati, Ohio, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brian G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Steve Coffaro is a business lawyer who focuses his practice on commercial litigation matters, including corporate, intellectual property, environmental, employment and real estate related disputes. He represents both public and private companies and individuals and has actively represented clients in litigation matters pending in state and federal courts. He is licensed to practice in the state and federal courts in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. Steve has particularized expertise related to the...

Despite what the appearance of his office might suggest, John Gierl is not an avid collector of paperweights – or, if he is, it is only of paperweights that tell a story. Perhaps more than any attorney at Katz Teller, John’s shelves are overflowing with heavy glass objects that commemorate significant lending and financing transactions and mergers and acquisitions John has closed over the years. From $3.4 million in private equity financing to $125 million in senior secured credit...

Rachael Rowe is a member of KMK's Litigation and Labor & Employment Practice Groups. She served as Co-Practice Group Leader for Litigation from 2010 to April 2012, when she was named as the firm's Executive Partner. Rachael focuses her practice on complex commercial litigation and mass tort settlement trust and related counseling. On the litigation side, Rachael has defended a number of corporate clients facing employment, securities, financial services and consumer class action lawsuits,...

Katz Teller litigator Peter O’Shea grew up in Greater Cincinnati, and when it came time to pick a college, a law school, a judicial clerkship and a law firm, he didn’t travel far. While those local ties may be helpful at any firm, they are especially important at a firm as connected to Greater Cincinnati as Katz Teller. Although Peter has been educated and employed locally, no one would accuse him of being provincial. Between graduating from Thomas More College and starting law sc...

Timothy J. Hurley is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Bankruptcy. Timothy J., who practices law in Cincinnati, Ohio, has been recognized since 1991. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Timothy J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and lega...

TRACEY A. PUTHOFF, a partner in the Business and Finance Department, graduated from Chase College of Law, where she was Order of the Curia and a research editor of the Northern Kentucky Law Review . Ms. Puthoff received her undergraduate degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Missouri and worked as an engineer for McDonnell Aircraft Company and GE Aircraft Engines. Her practice includes all aspects of general corporate law, primarily focusing on mergers and acquisitions and co...

Melissa Kurzhals is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Employment Law - Management and Tax Law. Melissa, who practices law in Cincinnati, Ohio, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Melissa is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

RUSSELL S. SAYRE is a partner in the Cincinnati, Ohio office of Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, where he serves as co-chair of the firm's litigation practice group, concentrating his practice on litigation, arbitration and dispute resolution. Since 1990, Mr. Sayre has represented corporate, business and individual clients in federal and state courts, in arbitrations, and before state administrative boards. Mr. Sayre is admitted to practice in all Ohio courts, in the United States Distric...