David W. Mellott

Geoffrey D. Wills is an Associate Attorney in the Firm’s Trusts & Estates Practice Group. He focuses his practice in the areas of estate planning, trust and estate administration, and taxation. Prior to joining the Firm, Geoffrey was an Associate Attorney at another Cleveland law firm, where he built a solid base of estate, trust, and tax knowledge. He was also a Tax Analyst at Bloomberg Industry Group in Washington, D.C., where he analyzed federal tax laws, rules, and regulations t...

Deborah D. Zielinski is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Deborah D., 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 Deborah D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Peter S. Nealis is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law and Securities / Capital Markets Law. Peter S., who practices law in Cleveland, Ohio, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Peter S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

James (Jim) Budzik’s legal practice focuses on labor and employment law , representing employers across both the public and private sectors. He has extensive experience in collective bargaining negotiations, mediations, fact-finding, conciliations, unfair labor practice proceedings, civil service disciplinary proceedings, and grievance arbitrations. Jim advises city and village officials on matters concerning municipal law and serves as an Assistant Law Director for Mayfield Village. Ad...

Christopher S.W. Blake focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, recapitalizations, and financings for a wide range of industries, including food and beverage, gaming, and real estate. As co-chair of Hahn Loeser’s International Practice Group and Corporate Transactions Group, Chris’ practice spans domestic and international transactional matters. Chris has worked with clients in countries in Eastern Europe, Africa, Central and South America, and Southeast Asi...

With over 40 years of legal experience, Patricia Ritzert focuses on governmental law, public finance, and business law as a member of the firm’s Corporate and Business Law group. Her extensive background includes serving as an assistant law director for the cities of Akron and Cuyahoga Falls, as well as various Ohio port authorities. Ms. Ritzert’s experience spans a wide range of local government issues, including employment, land use, taxation, finance, claims for and against tow...

Kathleen J. St. John brings more than 30 years’ experience to Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy. A vital part of our legal team, Kathleen is the head of the firm’s Appellate Department; and has been a partner of this firm since 2001. Focusing her practice on Appellate Law, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, and Medical Malpractice Law, Class Actions, and Complex Tort Litigation. “In working on any case, I focus on three things: the quality of the briefing, the integrity ...

Michael J. Bertsch is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. Michael J., 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 Michael J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kyle Gee is Co-Chair of the Trusts & Estates Practice Group. As an elected Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), Kyle has years of experience counseling multi-generational families, business owners, fiduciaries, entities, family offices and beneficiaries regarding: Administration of estates and trusts (including tax compliance, selection of investment counsel, discretionary distributions and fiduciary accountings) Asset protection and titling Beneficiary repr...

Lawrence E. Oscar, former CEO and managing partner of Hahn Loeser & Parks and currently the firm’s Ohio Regional Coordinating Partner, and Business Enterprises Practice Area Co-Chair, serves as a key advisor to executive management at NYSE and Fortune 1000 companies. He provides counsel for a wide range of situations and issues, including overall strategy, dispute resolution, employee relations, mergers and acquisitions, political developments and pricing strategies, among others. R...