John R. Cernelich

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

Tom Robenalt’s interest in representing people dates back to his childhood. His father, an attorney, and mother, whose father and grandfather were lawyers, encouraged Tom to help those in need rather than work for the interests of big corporations. His over 20 years of practice have been devoted to litigation, specifically personal injury and professional malpractice cases, including medical malpractice and legal malpractice cases. In 1991, Tom began as a staff attorney in the court sys...

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...

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

Gus Kallergis, a Partner and Co-Chair of Calfee's Business Restructuring and Insolvency Practice Group, has significant experience with both large and middle market Chapter 11 and business restructuring and commercial matters. Gus focuses primarily on corporate restructuring, commercial and creditors’ rights, workouts, distressed sales and acquisitions and other insolvency-related matters. He has experience representing borrowers, debtors, directors, creditors, buyers of assets and busi...

Richard T. (“Ted”) Prasse has represented private and public sector employers in NLRB and SERB matters, labor negotiations, arbitrations, wage and hour issues (including employment class actions), equal employment litigation, employer counseling, OSHA, and Ohio Workers’ Compensation. His work has included representation of schools in constitutional and statutory issues in public, student and employee matters.

Corey N. Thrush is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Corey N., 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 Corey N. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Douglas C. Carlson has extensive experience in corporate, partnership, individual and estate tax matters. The primary emphasis of his practice is on transactional planning, including acquisitions and dispositions, reorganizations and limited partnership syndications, liquidations and executive compensation, including stock options and deferred compensation. He has substantial experience in compliance activities, controversy matters, and state and local tax matters. As a business law attorney,...

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.

James is a nationally recognized trial lawyer in products liability, automobile product safety, and other complex cases. He is the author of multiple texts and treatises and frequent national and international lecturer on products liability and motor vehicle defect cases. He has successfully tried cases in state and federal courts throughout the country, resulting in numerous million-dollar verdicts and has recovered tens of millions of dollars for his clients. Most recently, along with his p...