Friederike Schäfer

Melisa Zwilling is a shareholder with Carr Allison in the Birmingham (AL) office and serves as the chair of the firm’s Business Development Committee. Her practice focuses on Labor and Employment and Professional Liability. Having practiced law for more than 25 years, Melisa defends employers against claims alleging discrimination, harassment and retaliation in addition to alleged violations of leave laws, civil rights laws, wage and hour laws, OSHA standards and guidelines, claims alle...

John Paul Michaelson is the owner and managing partner of Michaelson Law. Since joining the firm in 2003, he has enjoyed helping thousands of clients build and protect their businesses and estates. John is an active member of WealthCounsel, ElderCounsel, and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys – all organizations that are dedicated to fostering excellence in the legal community or service. Previously, John also served as president of the Nevada WealthCounsel Forum and general co...

Patrick T. Zomer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law and Energy Regulatory Law. Patrick T., who practices law in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Patrick T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Robert B. Gibson is a partner at Heidell, Pittoni, Murphy & Bach. He represents some of the nation’s largest healthcare systems in high exposure malpractice cases. Mr. Gibson is a seasoned trial lawyer with more than 25 years of experience and has handled complex jury trials involving a wide scope of medical specialties. He has developed a particular focus in defending some of the most prominent orthopedic surgeons in the country including for what is widely considered the premier o...

James Gradel, a partner in the firm's Commercial Finance and Real Estate Finance practices, has more than 25 years of experience representing institutional and private lenders and borrowers in secured and unsecured debt financing transactions. He focuses his practice on senior and mezzanine financing of leveraged buyouts, construction and permanent real estate loans, multilender loan syndications and participations, intercreditor transactions, high yield note offerings, credit enhanced bond f...

Cole D. Bond is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Labor Law - Management. Cole D., 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 Cole D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Matthew K. Grashoff focuses his practice on construction law and commercial litigation and has experience in the areas of insurance coverage and appellate practice. Matt manages cases at all stages of the construction process, from bid disputes through project correspondence, scope disputes, change order disputes, alternative-dispute-resolution mechanisms such as dispute review boards and the ODOT step process, and lien and bond claims. He represents clients through all stages of litigation b...

Jordan Plitt is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law, Litigation - Insurance and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Jordan, who practices law in Phoenix, Arizona, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jordan is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Boris Bershteyn is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Antitrust Law. Boris, who practices law in New York, New York, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Boris is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michael Abcarian is the managing partner of the Dallas office of Fisher Phillips. In addition to national recognition as an elite labor lawyer, Michael is an exceptional defense trial lawyer with a track record to prove it. Michael represents employers in many complex lawsuits, some with “bet the company” and/or precedent-setting implications. These have included class actions and multiple-plaintiff cases. He often surprises clients with early, knock-out wins even when lengthy tri...