John Patrick

Margo Meola joined the firm as a Shareholder in July of 2015. Prior to joining BSPP, she was a partner with Davis & Young. Ms. Meola began her career as an Attorney Clerk for the Honorable Joseph J. Vukovich in the Seventh District Court of Appeals. She has extensive civil trial and appellate experience and has handled complex and mass tort litigation, as well as medical malpractice and insurance coverage matters. Mrs Meloa is licensed to practice in both Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Michael R. Stavnicky is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Real Estate. Michael R., 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 R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jim Vail joined the Firm in 1979 and has been a Partner since 1986. He served as the Firm's Managing Partner from 1996 through 2019. Jim primarily counsels businesses, nonprofit and health care organizations in all aspects of their operations, including formations, mergers and organizations, joint ventures, contracting, and succession planning. Jim argued a case before the United States Supreme Court where he obtained a unanimous favorable decision. Spectrum Sports, Inc. v. McQuillan, 506 U.S...

Jeffrey A. Gorski is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Jeffrey A., who practices law in Cleveland, Ohio, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jeffrey A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

As a Partner in the Firm’s Trusts and Estates Practice Group, Justin provides estate planning solutions to high-net-worth individuals and families. This includes preparing full estate plans, from Wills to Revocable and Irrevocable Trusts, as well as handling probate and tax matters. Prior to joining the Firm, he worked at one of America’s largest financial institutions, where he spearheaded a team of experts in investment management, financial and estate planning, lending and depo...

Forrest A. Norman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Railroad Law. Forrest A., who practices law in Cleveland, Ohio, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Forrest A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Bruce J. L. Lowe is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation - Bankruptcy. Bruce J. L., who practices law in Cleveland, Ohio, has been recognized since 2011. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Bruce J. L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Christopher B. Wick chairs the firm’s Commercial Services & Restructuring Practice Group. Chris specializes in corporate restructuring and bankruptcy and focuses his practice on corporate reorganizations, workouts, debtors’ and creditors’ rights and corporate transactions across the United States. He has represented parties in the restructuring, reorganization or sale of complex business in various industries, including energy, automotive, agriculture, telecommunications...

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...

I have been a trial attorney for more than 40 years, and I’ve devoted my professional life to finding justice for victims of roadway, premises, and medical negligence. I take great pride in successfully representing victims of birth trauma (newborns) suffering from brain injuries across the country, from Maine to Hawaii, as well as Ohio. I firmly believe that in order to deliver full justice for clients, a personal injury attorney can’t just settle cases, and must be willing and a...