Justin S. Abbarno

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...

John Slivka, an attorney and certified public accountant, has a practice that consists in large part of providing advice with regard to tax, business, and succession planning and consulting for privately-owned businesses and their owners. Since being admitted to the Ohio Bar in 1981, he has handled matters involving mergers and acquisitions, C and S corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies, passive activities, ownership succession, estate/gift issues, other individual tax matte...

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.

Donald Switzer (Of Counsel) is one of the founders of the firm. He has devoted his practice almost exclusively to the defense of physicians, hospitals and other healthcare professionals for over thirty years. Mr. Switzer’s caseload frequently consists of many high profile and high exposure lawsuits, including wrongful death, quadriplegia and other neurological impairments and cases involving significant economic damages. He has successfully defended physicians and hospitals in many coun...

Mr. Teplitzky has extensive experience in documenting commercial loan transactions and general business law. He represents numerous financial institutions in connection with the documentation and restructuring of commercial lending transactions. He also represents corporate clients in mergers and acquisitions as well as general business matters. Mr. Teplitzky also has extensive experience in business divorces involving closely held businesses. Mr. Teplitzky is a member of the Cleveland Metrop...

Timothy S. Anderson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Timothy S., who practices law in Cleveland, Ohio, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Timothy S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

A Partner in the Litigation Area, Eric B. Levasseur is a commercial litigator and trial attorney who represents clients in business disputes around the country. A trusted advisor and creative advocate, Eric strategically guides his clients from the pre-litigation planning stage through trial and the highest levels of appeal. In over twenty years in practice, Eric has earned a reputation for cutting to the core of disputes to deliver a successful result, whether inside or outside the courtroom...

Jeff Smith is a partner in the Cleveland office and a member of the firm's Employee Benefits Practice Group. He works with clients to create, implement and maintain their retirement and health plans. He also advises employers on the impact of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), as well as Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangements (MEWAs) and Voluntary Employer Beneficiary Associations (VEBAs). While in la...

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.

Paul J. Singerman is the Chairman of the Cleveland law firm of Singerman, Mills, Desberg & Kauntz Co., L.P.A., where he practices primarily in the areas of real estate law, secured lending, and business law. Mr. Singerman has extensive experience in real estate and business transactions. Mr. Singerman represents residential and commercial developers in connection with all aspects of their real estate acquisitions and development in his real estate practice. Mr. Singerman counsels develope...