Michele L. Connell

Stephen Byron is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Municipal Law. Stephen, 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 Stephen is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Adrian D. Thompson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Education Law, Labor Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Adrian D., who practices law in Cleveland, Ohio, has been recognized since 2012. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Adrian D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Chuck Adler joined the Firm in 1993 and became a Partner in 1995. He has a special interest in planning for individuals, families, and closely held businesses. Chuck counsels individuals and families on complex estate, charitable, financial, and retirement planning matters; on estate, gift, and generation-skipping taxes; and on the organization and operation of private foundations. He also works with owners of closely held and family businesses on succession planning. Before joining the Firm,...

John Gerak routinely advises employers on all aspects of the employment relationship. John has developed a reputation as a true business partner, assisting employers to avoid litigation through highly focused custom training, human resource policy and process improvement and legal compliance. In the event litigation cannot be avoided, John has extensive experience litigation sing-plaintiff employment cases as well as class action discrimination and wage and hour cases.

An elected Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), Kyle has years of experience counseling multi-generational families, business owners, fiduciaries, entities, family offices and beneficiaries regarding: Administration of estates and trusts (including tax compliance, selection of investment counsel, discretionary distributions and fiduciary accountings) Asset protection and titling Beneficiary representation Business succession Charitable giving (including private ...

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...

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...

Christopher Hubbert is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Christopher, who practices law in Cleveland, Ohio, has been recognized since 2025. 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.

Lawrence E. Oscar, former CEO and managing partner of Hahn Loeser & Parks and currently the firm’s Ohio Regional Coordinating Partner, and Business Enterprises Practice Area Co-Chair, serves as a key advisor to executive management at NYSE and Fortune 1000 companies. He provides counsel for a wide range of situations and issues, including overall strategy, dispute resolution, employee relations, mergers and acquisitions, political developments and pricing strategies, among others. R...