Peter A. Rome

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...

Woods King III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law and Trusts and Estates. Woods, 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 Woods 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.

Ashton Bizzarri is a Partner in the Firm’s Trusts & Estates Practice Group. She focuses her practice in the areas of estate planning and trust and estate administration, while also representing clients in trust and estate litigation. Prior to joining the Firm, Ashton was an Associate Attorney at two Akron law firms, focusing exclusively on estate planning and trust and estate administration. She was also a Trust Officer at Key Private Bank, where she handled trust administrations, w...

Stephanie E. Harley is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Stephanie E., 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 Stephanie E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Andrew J. Natale devotes his practice solely to construction law, where he represents general contractors, design/builders, surety companies, subcontractors, specialty trades, suppliers, manufacturers, developers, lenders, owners, and design professionals in all aspects of construction law, including arbitration, mediation and complex commercial litigation. Andy has extensive experience with construction-related litigation, mediation, arbitration, claims management and avoidance, insurance co...

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,...

Publications: City of Cleveland v. Deusche Bank Trust Co., et al. , LexisNexis Expert Commentaries (February 2008). Consumer Credit: Law, Transactions and Forms , author, Matthew Bender & Company, six volumes (1984-present). Banking Law , contributing principal author, Matthew Bender & Company, four volumes, part of a 13-volume treatise (1980-present). Rabkin & Johnson Current Legal Forms , contributing author, Matthew Bender & Company (1979-1999). Credit Union Law Service , c...

JILL FRIEDMAN HELFMAN is a partner in the Cleveland office of Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP. She concentrates her practice in the area of family law. Ms. Helfman's experience includes both analysis and litigation of complex business valuation issues, treatment of retirement assets in divorce, tax considerations involved in the payment and receipt of spousal support, and custody issues. She is a frequent presenter at continuing legal education programs. Ms. Helfman received her undergrad...