Jennifer Villyard

Aanchal Sharma is a Partner at the Firm and her multifaceted practice combines business and commercial litigation with real estate disputes and trust and estate litigation. These practice areas also make her uniquely suited in the more specialized area of trust, estate and probate litigation, often involving corporate or financial institutions as fiduciaries. In this area, she has experience in fiduciary litigation, during which she often assists in the prosecution and defense of clients invo...

Gary S. Desberg is a Principal in the Cleveland law firm of Singerman, Mills, Desberg & Kauntz Co., L.P.A., where he practices primarily in the areas of real estate law, business law and secured lending. Mr. Desberg has extensive experience in commercial real estate transactions through his representation of several national and regional chain store tenants, as well as his work for lenders, owners, and managers of office, retail, and multi-family residential properties. Mr. Desberg’...

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...

Attorney Janet L. Lowder has devoted her career to defining, promoting, and protecting the legal rights of the elderly and of persons with mental and physical disabilities. Janet's activities have encompassed individual representation, litigation on a local and state-wide scale, representation of agencies and county programs serving people with disabilities and the elderly, legislation, and publication in professional journals. Janet is a recognized authority on Medicaid issues and estate pla...

Donald J. Richardson is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Donald J. practices law in Cleveland, Ohio Best Lawyers has recognized Donald J. Richardson since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Donald J. Richardson is held by other lawyers.

Jennifer is a partner at Schneider Smeltz Spieth Bell LLP. She serves as a high net worth family counselor with knowledge and understanding of sophisticated estate planning techniques and the broader needs of high net worth families. Her strength lies in communicating complex matters in plain terms and working collaboratively as part of an advisor team to provide practical counsel to multigenerational families consistent with their risk tolerance, goals, family dynamics, and desire for comple...

A focused practice in the defense of various professionals including lawyers, accountants, and insurance agents and brokers for claims of malpractice, errors and omissions, as well as professional licensing issues. In addition to his professional liability practice, Joe has significant experience handling commercial trucking (long haul and short haul) as well as commercial coach carrier matters. His practice also includes litigation of insurance coverage and bad faith issues, various general ...

Timothy L. Zix is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Litigation - Labor and Employment, Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants and Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. Timothy L. practices law in Cleveland, Ohio Best Lawyers has recognized Timothy L. Zix since 2013. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Timothy L. Zix is...

Margaret W. Wong is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Margaret W. practices law in Cleveland, Ohio Best Lawyers has recognized Margaret W. Wong since 1995. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Margaret W. Wong is held by other lawyers.

John Polito (Of Counsel) is one of the founders of the firm. His practice is devoted to the defense of medical malpractice claims against physicians and hospitals. Mr. Polito has been the lead trial attorney in excess of seventy-five jury trials. His trial experience has covered almost all of the recognized medical specialties. Mr. Polito has been a frequent lecturer to medical residents on the subject of medical malpractice litigation. In addition, he has presented several continuing educati...