Michael E. "Mike" Smith

Benjamin Cooke is a partner in Hahn Loeser’s Business Practice Area. He has a wide range of experience representing both private sellers and buyers in M&A transactions and has advised numerous buyers in management group buyouts, corporate divestitures, and spin-offs. Benjamin represents private equity and independent deal sponsors and serves as outside general counsel to private companies both in Ohio and nationally, where he handles all contract and transactional matters including ...

Kathleen J. St. John brings more than 30 years’ experience to Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy. A vital part of our legal team, Kathleen is the head of the firm’s Appellate Department; and has been a partner of this firm since 2001. Focusing her practice on Appellate Law, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, and Medical Malpractice Law, Class Actions, and Complex Tort Litigation. “In working on any case, I focus on three things: the quality of the briefing, the integrity ...

Sonja C. Rice is a partner in the firm’s Business Law Area, member of the firm’s Construction Law Practice Group, chair of the firm’s Women’s Leadership Initiative, and member of the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Sonja’s practice focuses on commercial transactions and the development and negotiation of a wide variety of commercial contracts, including master services agreements, supply chain and manufacturing agreements, professional services co...

Jeffrey W. Gallup is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Jeffrey W., 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 Jeffrey W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Christopher B. Ermisch is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. Christopher B., 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 Christopher B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kevin R. Keogh is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law and Trusts and Estates. Kevin R., 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 Kevin R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Donald J. Richardson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Donald J., 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 Donald J. 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...

Michael Quinlan is an experienced trial and litigation attorney with a background in criminal prosecution and civil litigation . His practice areas encompass insurance defense , products liability, probate litigation, criminal defense, toxic tort, state and federal civil litigation, and estate planning . He holds the position of co-chair of the estate planning and probate group. Mr. Quinlan is licensed in the State of Ohio and is admitted to the U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Dist...

With 20 years of experience representing clients both inside and outside of the courtroom, Sean provides targeted, creative, and assertive legal strategy. He has represented clients both large and small, such as one of the top tier health insurers in the country, one of the most recognized hospital systems in the world, North America’s largest flat-rolled steel producer and supplier of iron ore pellets, a fortune 500 company that provides title insurance and settlement services to the r...