METZ LEWIS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Creative and Pragmatic Legal Counsel
Adam Diaz delivers creative and pragmatic legal counsel to clients on a wide range of complex commercial real estate transactions. Adam represents commercial and institutional clients in connection with the purchase, sale, development, leasing and financing of mixed-use, office, commercial, retail, and industrial properties. He has particular expertise in drafting and negotiating build-to-suit and triple net office, industrial and retail space leases on[...]
Alison Viola is a highly motivated and dynamic commercial litigator with experience in a broad range of litigation matters. At Metz Lewis, Ali focuses her commercial litigation practice on breach of contract and warranty claims, business torts, shareholder disputes and oppression claims, directors and officers liability, and litigating restrictive covenant and trade secret matters. Ali is also an experienced Estate & Trusts litigator and is involved[...]
Allyson Kreps is a corporate lawyer who focuses her practice on mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, commercial contracts, and advising clients on strategic and regulatory matters. Allyson started her career in private practice as a mergers and acquisitions attorney. She then served as Senior Attorney for ATI Inc. where she led negotiations of long term agreements with key aerospace and defense customers, and[...]
Prior to joining the firm, Anna worked as a Deputy Attorney General for the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General in the civil litigation section. There, Anna represented the Commonwealth and countless public officials and employees against civil rights claims brought under Section 1983. Anna also represented Commonwealth agencies in many employment litigation matters. Before her time as a Deputy Attorney General, Anna served[...]
Practice Areas
Litigation and Dispute Resolution
Barry Friedman is a patent and technology lawyer specializing in the acquisition, distribution, licensing and protection of digital technologies and related business assets. His practice includes a focus on the ongoing transformation of business systems, processes and software, including remote information processing services, data security and privacy, as well as traditional Intellectual Property concerns. Building upon over thirty years of experience relating to the development[...]
Brian Golias counsels lenders and banking clients with respect to structuring and closing asset-based and leverage-based loans, workouts, and restructuring of non-performing loans, including advising clients of Uniform Commercial Code and secured transaction issues. Brian has extensive experience representing clients in complex operational and joint venture projects in both the United States and in foreign jurisdictions. He represented a trading company in connection[...]
Charles Lipp is an Associate Attorney in the firm's Corporate group. Charles focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, private equity, and in the areas of general corporate law and related corporate matters. Charles represents clients in multiple industries and of varying sizes in connection with their acquisitions and divestitures and other corporate matters. He has experience representing private companies and[...]
Christian Stoffan advises clients on a wide variety of real estate transactional matters. Chris routinely represents purchasers and sellers of commercial real estate assets and a significant part of his practice includes the representation of landlords and tenants in commercial leasing matters (including office, industrial/flex and retail spaces). Chris also represents borrowers and lenders in finance transactions which are secured by real estate[...]
Christopher Brodman is a founding member of Metz Lewis. He is the President of the Firm, a member of the Firm's Executive Committee and a member of the Corporate Group. His diverse client base values him as a dedicated, practical, and experienced business advisor and general counsel. He has a wealth of business experience which allows him to help clients identify and achieve[...]
David Horvitz became extensively involved in loan documentation near the outset of his career, and he's been in that arena ever since. His banking practice involves secured lending, debt and equity financing, mergers and acquisitions, and other business transactions. Working with lenders and borrowers, Dave provides advice and representation in a wide variety of finance transactions. He routinely represents commercial lenders in the[...]
David Jaffe is a business transactions lawyer whose practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, growth capital investments, corporate finance, corporate governance, private placements and distressed company transactions. For more than 20 years, he has counseled middle market businesses, emerging growth companies, public corporations and boards of directors in these transactions and has served as an advisor on general corporate and commercial matters. His[...]
Job Titles:
- Paralegal
- Paralegal With MLBMO
- Professionals
Dawn has been a paralegal with MLBMO since the firm was established in 1998 and is a member of the Corporate and Banking Groups.
Dawn has extensive experience in business transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate reorganization, and secured lending. She routinely handles the formation and foreign qualification of business entities, entity conversions, domestications and dissolutions, corporate governance matters and the maintenance of business and stock records.
Education
Westminster College
Job Titles:
- Counsel
- Member of the Firm
Diana Leech is a member of the firm's Corporate Group. Diana focuses her practice in the areas of business transactions, corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, and business and succession planning. She also has a wide range of experience in drafting and negotiating transactions and agreements and advising clients on general corporate matters.
Doug concentrates his practice in the areas of mineral/energy law and real estate, with a focus on issues related to the development and purchase of oil, gas and other minerals in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. He prepares certified title opinions for E&P companies, manages due diligence projects, assists senior attorneys with litigation, and handles various real estate matters. His real estate experience[...]
Eli Wynkoop is a business transactions lawyer who focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, corporate finance, and regularly advises clients in connection with a variety of commercial matters. Eli previously served as Senior Counsel, Corporate, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Finance for NOVA Chemicals where he led all legal support for all mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and other related activity,[...]
Job Titles:
- Commercial Real Estate Attorney and a Member
Eric Bradley is a commercial real estate attorney and a member of the firm. Eric's practice consists of commercial real estate acquisitions and dispositions; commercial real estate finance (construction, permanent, and refinance); commercial real estate development; commercial real estate leasing (office, retail, and industrial); and commercial real estate title insurance.
George serves as the chairperson of the Firm's Corporate Group. He has a national practice focused on structuring and negotiating mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures. He represents private equity firms and independent sponsors, strategic buyers, and closely held businesses across a wide range of industries, bringing a pragmatic, solutions-oriented approach to complex transactions. In addition to his deal work, George serves as a trusted[...]
Jay Ginsburg's practice primarily consists of real estate leasing, real estate financing, and real estate acquisitions and sales throughout the United States and Canada in various industries. Additionally, Jay provides clients with general corporate guidance.
Jessica Hauth Mozingo is an intellectual property lawyer and registered patent attorney. Her practice focuses on the strategic protection of technology and business assets through patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, licensing and agreements, both domestically and internationally. Her practice includes: Preparing and prosecuting patent and trademark applications at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office Coordinating with associates outside the United States for obtaining[...]
John's years of experience in representing management covers employer/employee disputes, equal employment arguments, unions, labor contracts, negotiations, and worker's compensation. After considering architecture, marine biology, and teaching as professions, he wound up in a corporate human relations department, which led quite naturally into the legal field. Being a labor and employment attorney yields satisfaction "in achieving goals for employers and doing what I[...]
John has dedicated his career to advising and problem solving for high net worth clients and businesses. His expertise often involves solving business ownership and succession problems, assisting clients with formulating their estate, tax and insurance planning, and developing and implementing strategies for wealth preservation. John also is counsel for private equity firms active in M&A, particularly around financial services businesses. John has[...]
John O'Keefe is involved in two practice areas at Metz Lewis and is the co-chair of the banking group. He has experience in commercial loan documentation, creditor's rights, workouts, bankruptcy and bank litigation, and he is also involved in commercial and business litigation. He provides counsel to clients from the financial, banking, business and real estate sectors in diverse matters. An experienced commercial[...]
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Firm 's Real Estate Practice Group
Jonathan Altman is the Chair of the Firm's Real Estate Practice Group, and an active member of the Firm's Corporate and Banking Practice Groups. He specializes in counseling companies, private equity funds, family offices, banks, and individuals with respect to a broad range of transactional matters. Jon has particular expertise in mergers, acquisitions, commercial real estate transactions, and financing transactions. Jon is recognized[...]
Joshua Baker has a diverse practice and represents individuals, entrepreneurs, businesses, and corporate clients in all types of business disputes. His vast experience includes: breach of contract and warranty, real estate matters, product liability, shareholder disputes and oppression claims, and directors and officers liability. He has significant experience representing employees and employers in restrictive covenant and trade secret matters. Josh is also involved[...]
Justin Tuskan is a Member of the firm's Banking and Litigation practice groups. Justin provides counsel to banks, credit unions, investors, and other lenders in a wide variety of loan workout, enforcement, and finance matters. He represents creditors in connection with mortgage foreclosures, receiverships, confessions of judgment, replevin actions, loan modifications and forbearances, and Chapter 7, 11, 12, and 13 bankruptcies. Justin also[...]
Larry Blair, an attorney and Certified Public Accountant, practices tax, business, estate and financial planning law, providing counsel to corporate executives, high net worth individuals, and businesses and their owners. He has extensive experience in the complex tax and wealth preservation situations facing high net worth individuals who are corporate executives or business owners. He represents both individuals and businesses in a broad[...]
Job Titles:
- Senior Tax Manager
- Member of the Firm
Lauren is a member of the firm's Tax, Trusts, and Estates Group. She primarily prepares individual, trust, and foundation tax returns for the firm's high net worth and ultra-high net worth clients. Prior to joining Metz Lewis, Lauren was a senior tax analyst at large accounting firms specializing in trust tax compliance and reporting.
Leilani is one of the founding lawyers of Metz Lewis. She is the firm's Transaction Director and brings over 20 years of experience to the Corporate Group, with a focus on our Mergers and Acquisitions Practice. Leilani also has Big Four experience, having previously worked as a CPA for Deloitte's Pittsburgh Office in the tax and audit departments. Leilani concentrates her practice on[...]
LeRoy Metz practices tax, business, and estate planning law. He also manages the business end of the firm. He takes pride in working with some of the finest people he knows, people who set the standard for professional ability and ethical conduct. LeRoy is on the Board of Trustees of the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. He has seen ballet companies all over the country,[...]
Linda Barent's practice consists primarily of commercial real estate matters including acquisitions and sales, leasing and development. Linda has significant experience with negotiation and documentation of acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, subleasing, development and due diligence, and was previously engaged for over 10 years as Vice President and Senior Real Estate Counsel at one of the largest post-secondary education providers in the country with over[...]
In her role at the firm, she manages all accounting functions including time/billing, accounts payable, accounts receivable, benefits and financial reporting.
Prior to her current position, Marian served in the Professional Services Industry as the Controller for Monaloh Basin Engineers, Zimmer Kunz PLLC, and Alpern Rosenthal (currently BDO USA). Marian is a member of the Pittsburgh Legal Administrators Association (PLAA) and recently served as Treasurer for this organization.
Marian also served in the Treasurer role for the Professional Services Marketing Association (PSMA), Pittsburgh Chapter, Pink Ribbon Round-Up (a breast cancer not for profit), and the Mars Cheerleading Boosters.
Marian received her B.S. in Accounting from LaRoche University and has over 40 years of experience in various accounting roles.
Marisa is an Associate in the Corporate Group. She focuses her practice on corporate and transactional law, working with clients in a wide array of legal matters including contractual drafting and negotiations, capital and private equity transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and public and private company securities. She provides strategic business counsel to meet the many needs of these companies, leveraging her business acumen[...]
Matt Urso is a Member of the firm's Corporate Group. Matt previously served as Senior Corporate Counsel for ERIKS North America where he provided legal support in the areas of commercial contracts, corporate governance, employment matters, acquisitions and divestitures, and other related activity. Matt and his wife, Kellee, live in the South Hills with their son and daughter. Matt enjoys spending his free[...]
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Patent Attorney
Matthew Borges is a Patent Attorney in the firm's Intellectual Property and Corporate groups. Matthew focuses his practice in the areas of general intellectual property law and related corporate matters. He has experience prosecuting patent applications regarding mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemistry, life sciences, and medical devices. Matthew gained practical experience with molecular biology research during college, focusing on heme transport mechanisms in[...]
Matthew D'Ascenzo is a Member of the firm's Corporate Transactions and Securities Practice. He draws from his extensive practical legal experience and knowledge to structure transactions that facilitate clients' business goals. During his over 20 years of practice, Matt has assisted clients in numerous private securities offerings (including for private equity and venture capital clients), mergers and acquisitions, and recapitalizations and restructurings. Matt
Meghan is an Associate in the firm's Real Estate Group. Her real estate experience includes acquisitions and dispositions for various asset classes and leasing of mixed-use, office, commercial, retail, and industrial properties. While earning her law degree, Meghan served as a law clerk and summer associate at Metz Lewis Brodman Must O'Keefe LLC and as a legal intern with the Nashville Predators. Meghan
Melanie is a member of the firm's Tax, Trusts, and Estates Group. Her primary practice focus is estate planning and estate administration for a variety of clients, with a focus on high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals and families regarding tax planning, intergenerational wealth transfers, and asset protection. Melanie recognizes that every client is different, implementing an individualized approach to the
Mike Herzog is a Member in the firm's Corporate Group. He concentrates his practice on a variety of tax matters and employee benefits counseling. His tax practice is informed by his experience as a CPA. Prior to practicing law, he served as a tax consultant for a Big Five accounting firm. He assists clients with the tax implications of business restructurings, international transactions,[...]
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate in the Pittsburgh Office of Metz Lewis Brodman Must O'Keefe LLC
Michael Hutter is a corporate associate in the Pittsburgh office of Metz Lewis Brodman Must O'Keefe LLC. Michael's practice focuses on mergers & acquisitions, equity investments and general corporate matters. He has transactional experience across a broad range of industries, including manufacturing, banking, medical device, healthcare, automotive, transportation and insurance.
Job Titles:
- Senior Tax Manager
- Member of the Firm
- Professionals
Monika is a member of the firm's Tax, Trusts, and Estates Group.
She primarily prepares individual, trust, and foundation tax returns for the firm's high net worth and ultra-high net worth clients.
Prior to joining Metz Lewis, Monika was a Fiduciary Tax Manager with Charles Schwab Trust Company, but a majority of her wealth management tax experience was gained during her time with two of the big four accounting firms.
Monika and her husband James live East of Pittsburgh with their two children, Otto and Duke.
Job Titles:
- Senior Tax Manager
- Member of the Firm
- Professionals
Natalie is a member of the firm's tax, trusts, and estates group.
She primarily prepares pass through and individual tax returns for the firm's high net worth and ultra-high net worth clients.
Prior to joining Metz Lewis, Natalie was a Tax Manager with Schneider Downs & Co., Inc. specializing in tax compliance for passthrough entities.
Nelson Crichton is an attorney in the firm's Banking Group. He thinks it's a good day in the office when he solves a difficult problem for a client that at the beginning of the day seemed impossible. Regional and national financial institutions appreciate his head for numbers and business acumen. Nelson's responsive, efficient, and reasonable approach to transactions makes him an ideal choice[...]
Neva is a member of the firm's Corporate Practice Group focusing on labor, employment and benefits as those matters impact our corporate clients in the their day to day operations and during the acquisition process. She has decades of experience assisting public and private sector employers navigate the challenges that come with having people work for you. Regardless of the number of employees[...]
Job Titles:
- Member of the Firm 's Executive Committee
Nicholas Holland is a member of the firm's Executive Committee, the firm's Chief Financial Officer, and Practice Group Leader of the Tax, Trusts, and Estates Group at Metz Lewis. His primary practice focus is individual tax planning, estate planning and estate administration for high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals. Nick concentrates his practice on providing practical advice with the goal of
Nkechi is an Associate in the firm's Corporate Practice Group. She assists clients with a broad range of corporate matters, including mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions, and general corporate counseling. She works closely with senior attorneys to help navigate clients through complex deal structures across various industries. Her experience includes assisting on both buy-side and sell-side transactions for privately held businesses. Nkechi[...]
Rachel Felton focuses her practice in the area of employment law where she advises companies on a wide variety of employee-related matters. Rachel frequently counsels companies on issues such as hiring, discipline, leave, accommodations, wage and hour law, and termination. Rachel also regularly defends clients in federal and state administrative proceedings and in court against discrimination and wrongful discharge claims. In addition to[...]
Robert Thompson is a highly motivated litigator who thrives in fast paced environments that call for hard work and creativity. Robert focuses his practice on commercial litigation where he assists clients with complex litigation and handles all stages of the process to and through trial. Robert is currently a commissioned officer in the West Virginia Army National Guard, where he has served since[...]
Job Titles:
- Director of Title Services
- Paralegal and Title Agent
- Professionals
Rosanna is an experienced Paralegal and Title Agent with a demonstrated history of working in all aspects of commercial real estate transactions.
Rosanna currently supports the firm's Real Estate Practice Group as well as coordinates all efforts for the firm's title agency Smithfield Settlement Services, LLC.
She believes that in order to serve our clients well, it is important to understand both sides of any transaction. She has worked with both lenders and developers in connection with construction loans and acquisitions.
Job Titles:
- Chief Administrative Officer
- First Chief Administrative Officer
- Professionals
Shelli Arnold is the first Chief Administrative Officer at the firm.
In her role, Shelli manages all administrative, accounting, and human resource functions firmwide.
Shelli has an extensive background managing shared service functions as she served as the Chief Operating Officer at the Graduate Management Admission Council, an international non-profit organization best known for owning the GMAT exam and most recently as the Director of Human Resources for Washington County, PA.
Shelli and her husband Jim live in the South Hills of Pittsburgh and have two children.
Stephen (Rick) Ban's practice ranges from estate planning and administration to antitrust litigation, and includes mergers and acquisitions as well as estate and commercial litigation. His niche at Metz Lewis is his estate work, and he finds it especially rewarding helping worried people solve their tough problems. Throughout his career, Rick has counseled individuals, families, and businesses in the creation of succession plans.[...]
Steven Petrikis is in commercial litigation, having represented both plaintiffs and defendants in a variety of commercial and complex civil cases. This civil cases include breach of contract claims, shareholder disputes, merger and acquisition disputes, restrictive covenants claims, civil rights issues, zoning and property disputes, bank-related and financial services claims, and breach of warranty claims. Additionally, Steve has substantial experience in commercial tax
Tom Freyvogel is an experienced corporate and securities transactional attorney, specializing in mergers & acquisitions, joint ventures, private equity, venture capital and general corporate matters. Tom advises clients on sophisticated private equity-sponsored and strategic domestic and cross-border transactions. He represents private equity and venture capital funds, corporate venture capital groups, family offices and angel investors, as well as founders and emerging growth companies,
Zachary Bell is an Associate in our Real Estate Practice Group. His real estate experience includes acquisitions, dispositions, and leasing for various asset classes. He has represented many types of clients including educational institutions, REITs, and public and private companies in the retail industry.