Steven A. "Steve" Friedman

Margo Meola joined the firm as a Shareholder in July of 2015. Prior to joining BSPP, she was a partner with Davis & Young. Ms. Meola began her career as an Attorney Clerk for the Honorable Joseph J. Vukovich in the Seventh District Court of Appeals. She has extensive civil trial and appellate experience and has handled complex and mass tort litigation, as well as medical malpractice and insurance coverage matters. Mrs Meloa is licensed to practice in both Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Edward (Ed) Patton is a seasoned trial attorney with a focus on corporate and business law , civil litigation , insurance defense , toxic tort, and asbestos defense. He offers strategic counsel to clients on international import and export activities, including establishing corporate compliance programs for international trade and NAFTA initiatives. Ed boasts significant knowledge and experience in governmental compliance, encompassing licensing procedures for international exports, product m...

Paul J. Schumacher is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Paul J., who practices law in Cleveland, Ohio, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Paul J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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.

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 ...

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.

With over 40 years of legal experience, Patricia Ritzert focuses on governmental law, public finance, and business law as a member of the firm’s Corporate and Business Law group. Her extensive background includes serving as an assistant law director for the cities of Akron and Cuyahoga Falls, as well as various Ohio port authorities. Ms. Ritzert’s experience spans a wide range of local government issues, including employment, land use, taxation, finance, claims for and against tow...

John R. Mitchell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bet-the-Company Litigation and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. John R., who practices law in Cleveland, Ohio, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Diane Calta is a key member of the firm’s civil litigation and real estate and land use practice groups, bringing over 25 years of legal experience in municipal law, economic development, litigation, real estate, eminent domain, and probate and estate planning. She currently serves as Director of Law for Mayfield Village and as special legal counsel for the City of Independence. Her previous roles include serving as Director of Law for the cities of Beachwood and Green. Diane has also h...

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...