Michael A. "Mike" VanNiel

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...

EDWARD J. LEADER counsels clients in all aspects of the acquisition, disposition, financing, development, leasing, construction and exchanging of commercial, industrial, and multi-family real estate. Ed also serves as a business advisor to clients in structuring real estate and other investment transactions. Ed's experience includes commercial finance, loan workouts and foreclosures, real estate bankruptcy issues, tax valuation complaints, and the real estate aspects of corporate acquisitions...

Mark Mikhaiel’s practice focuses on litigation, encompassing a range of interconnected legal disciplines. He frequently represents clients in complex commercial and professional liability disputes, with a particular emphasis on non-medical professional malpractice; shareholder, fiduciary and business tort litigation; probate litigation; and employment-related disputes. He is driven by complex cases, striving to provide practical and efficient advice to his clients. Mark has handled over...

Christopher R. Mykytiak is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Christopher 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 Christopher R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Joe Gibbons joined the Firm in May 2005 and became a Partner in January 2006. Prior to joining the Firm, Joe spent the majority of his career with McGinty, Gibbons, Hilow & Spellacy Co., LPA, and Carney & Broadbent, both located in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. Over the years, Joe has represented a variety of individuals, businesses, institutions, and governmental entities. His primary practice areas include estate planning, estate and trust administration and related litigation, real est...

Tatyana is a key member of the firm’s Corporate and Business Services group, focusing her practice in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, commercial contracting, franchising , healthcare, and finance and banking. With extensive experience in corporate and transactional law, Tatyana leads mergers and acquisitions across various industries, particularly within the medical and dental sectors. Her proficiency extends to start-ups, restructuring, and reorganizations, representing both deb...

Rebecca focuses her practice on representation of management in all areas of labor and employment law, litigation and counseling, including claims involving employment discrimination under federal and state law. She is an experienced trial lawyer and has obtained defense verdicts, arbitration awards, dispositive rulings and favorable settlements on behalf of employers. Rebecca advises employers regarding personnel policies; discipline and discharge; affirmative action, federal and state anti-...

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...

David Skall is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs. David, 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 David is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Stephen J. Knerly, Jr. focuses his practice on matters involving art transactions, nonprofit corporate law, closely held and family-owned businesses and international commercial transactions. Josh serves as Co-Chair of the Firm’s Non-Profit Institutions section. In his art law practice, Josh has represented museums, foundations, trusts and collectors in the acquisition, disposition, lending and borrowing of and estate planning for works of art, including domestic and international trans...