John F. Kostelnik

David M. Paris, senior partner at Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy, started with the firm as a law clerk while attending the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. Over the past 40 years, he has appeared in more than 50 jury trials and has represented thousands of injured victims as well as 700,000 consumers in class actions. He has achieved in excess of 50 seven-figure and eight-figure settlements and verdicts for his clients with more than $250 million in total recoveries. Many of the ca...

Diane Calta is a key member of the firm’s civil litigation and real estate and land use practice groups, bringing over 25 years of legal experience in municipal law, economic development, litigation, real estate, eminent domain, and probate and estate planning. She currently serves as Director of Law for Mayfield Village and as special legal counsel for the City of Independence. Her previous roles include serving as Director of Law for the cities of Beachwood and Green. Diane has also h...

Terry Lardakis is a partner in the firm's Cleveland office. He has extensive experience in the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements and the representation of employers in union organizational campaigns and elections nationwide. Terry has represented employers in traditional labor matters including arbitrations, union decertification, craft severance, and unfair labor practice litigation across the country. He has also handled numerous matters involving wage and hour, family and med...

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

Meghan P. Connolly is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Meghan P., who practices law in Willoughby Hills, Ohio, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Meghan P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Scott Matasar is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Banking and Finance and Litigation - Securities. Scott, who practices law in Cleveland, Ohio, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Scott is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Veronica Garofoli focuses her practice in the areas of probate litigation, probate and estate administration, and estate planning. She provides representation for issues that can complicate the settling of an estate or trust, such as probate and trust disputes involving will contests, charges of undue influence, and breach of fiduciary duty actions. She also advises fiduciaries and families in guardianship, trust, and estate administrations. Veronica is experienced in reviewing, designing, an...

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

With impressive analytical skills, Jeff devises practical, effective, and creative options to achieve clients' objectives and mitigate their risks. Jeff has a unique ability to simplify very complex situations. Whether helping a business to navigate its way through unfamiliar, choppy financial waters, negotiating and preparing agreements for a restructured multimillion dollar loan, representing a bank or insurance company seeking to maximize its recovery from a troubled borrower, or assisting...

Jim Bright has been practicing law since 1976. He applies his considerable expertise to advising individuals and families on estate planning, tax planning (including income and estate, gift, and generation-skipping taxes), and charitable gift planning. He also provides counsel to trustees of private foundations on administration, initial formation, and tax qualification. Prior to the formation of SSSB, he served as President of Spieth, Bell, McCurdy & Newell Co., L.P.A. Jim is a Fellow of...