PEREZ MORRIS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Professional Staff Member
- Executive Assistant / Marketing & Events Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Professional Staff Member
- Legal Administrative Assistant
Amanda Morris joined Perez Morris in 2018 and focuses her practice on business litigation, employment, logistics & transportation, property loss & subrogation, and premises liability.
Prior to entering private practice, Amanda served as a judicial extern to the Honorable Chief Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. She also served as a legal intern for the Enforcement Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission in Washington, D.C. Before joining the firm, she worked for a Columbus, OH Fortune 500 organization.
Amanda lives in Columbus, Ohio, and enjoys participating in charitable fun runs and attending OSU sporting events.
Amy K. Cooper joined the Perez Morris Columbus office in 2022. Prior to joining the firm, Amy was a staff attorney to the Honorable Kimberly Cocroft in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, where she managed civil litigation cases in diverse areas, including contracts, real property, foreclosure, professional liability, products liability, personal injury, subrogation, and workers' compensation. Amy continues to practice in these areas at Perez Morris.
Amy served as a law clerk for the Honorable William H. Harsha in the Fourth District Court of Appeals for the State of Ohio. During her time working for Ohio's trial and appellate courts, Amy examined and analyzed multifaceted legal issues including breach of contract, premises liability, real estate, violations of non-compete covenants, and product liability. Amy's prior experience in Ohio courts has given her a unique insight into the judicial system. At Perez Morris, Amy is a passionate advocate who anticipates her clients' needs and works with them to reach an effective resolution.
Amy graduated magna cum laude from The University of Toledo College of Law, where she was an associate member of The University of Toledo Law Review and a member of the Order of the Coif.
Amy lives in Hilliard, Ohio with her husband and two children.
Job Titles:
- Lead Attorney
- Lead Attorney - Transportation, Global Supply Chain & Logistics
Angela Alexander Savino joined Perez Morris in 1998. A veteran attorney, she focuses her practice on business litigation in the global supply chain & logistics, transportation/trucking and commercial real estate industries. In addition, she has broad practice area expertise including labor and employment, administrative, business and real property litigation, liquor regulation, corporate commercial transactions and cargo law.
A registered nurse for more than 10 years, Angela brings a unique perspective to her practice. She understands illness and bodily injury allegations as well as care protocols and expectations. She was a member of nursing associations for many years and served on national committees shaping polices and standards applicable to American nurses.
Angela was an Ohio Senate appointee to The Public Employment Risk Reduction Advisory Commission where she served for five years and actively participated in the development of the program's administrative practices to protect Ohio's public workplace employees from dangers and disease.
Angela and her husband own an historic diner in Canal Winchester, Ohio, called Canal Wigwam. She has three children and two grandsons.
Anne Marie focuses her practice at Perez Morris on Labor & Employment, Business Litigation and Workers' Compensation. Her labor and employment expertise regularly requires her to defend employers in matters pertaining to Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA and various state discrimination laws. Though an aggressive litigator when warranted, Anne Marie works strategically with clients to decrease the risk of employment-related litigation by ensuring that they have the proper policies and procedures in place. She also regularly counsels clients through complicated discipline and leave-related issues, including work-related challenges presented by COVID-19.
Anne Marie zealously defends her business litigation clients from case inception through resolution in matters frequently involving breach of contract, negligence, and property loss/damage disputes. Additionally, she routinely defends clients in workers' compensation matters; representing self-insured and state-funded clients throughout the course of administrative proceedings and appeals to court.
While attending law school at The Ohio State University, Anne Marie was a managing editor for the Ohio State Journal on Dispute Resolution. She also studied abroad for a summer at St. Anne's College at the University of Oxford. During her time as an undergraduate at Syracuse University, Anne Marie spent a semester at the University of Wollongong in Australia studying politics in international media.
Anne Marie lives in Worthington with her husband, Mark, and two daughters, Quincy and Eliza.
Job Titles:
- Professional Staff Member
- Legal Administrative Assistant
Celia Schnupp joined Perez Morris in 2019. She serves as a strategic legal partner for large corporations, small businesses and medical practices of all sizes. Celia effectively manages her clients' litigation, compliance, employment and general business needs. As an advocate for her clients in a variety of settings, she delivers creative and effective solutions, while balancing business needs with each client's definition of a successful outcome.
Celia is an experienced trial and appellate attorney; trying cases at all levels of state and federal courts. Her background includes complex business litigation, employment defense, and most frequently the defense of claims alleging discrimination, healthcare fraud and billing violations, HIPAA violations, trade secret/non-compete disputes, and contract disputes involving fraud, misrepresentation and bad faith.
Prior to entering private practice over a decade ago, Celia served as a staff attorney to the Honorable Richard A. Frye in Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, working on the specialized Commercial Docket. Prior to joining Perez Morris, Celia was an attorney with the Columbus office of Taft Stettinius & Hollister.
Celia enjoys "passing the torch" by helping girls and women develop their interests and create a foundation for a successful career. She also loves spending time with her children and large extended family.
Job Titles:
- Managing Attorney and Chief Diversity Officer
Charity Hyde has extensive experience successfully defending Fortune 500 and other corporate clients in a variety of areas including aviation, premises liability, insurance fraud investigation, motor vehicle liability, product liability, and environmental and toxic tort litigation. Charity has a long history of leading multi-attorney teams in the representation of airlines, airports, financial institutions, retailers, restaurants, food manufacturers, municipalities, and large manufacturing clients in complex, high-exposure, and multi-district litigation. Her extensive defense litigation expertise spanning over two decades includes arbitrations and mediations, as well as trying bench and jury trials successfully to verdict. Charity also served as national coordinating counsel for a large, international manufacturing company for over a decade. Charity's favorite part of litigation is the client relationships she builds and maintains throughout her career. Prior to joining Perez Morris, Charity was an equity partner at a large Philadelphia-based defense litigation firm.
Charity is an active champion of diversity and inclusion in the legal profession and within her community. She is an active member of the Defense Research Institute's (DRI) Diversity and Inclusion Steering Committee, as well as the DRI Diversity for Success Seminar and Corporate Expo Planning Committee. She serves as the Marketing Chair for both. Charity also serves as a mentor for the DRI Diverse Rainmaker Mentoring Program in which ten attorneys with no more than ten years of civil litigation experience are selected for the program. Each mentee is paired with a corporate counsel mentor, as well as a DRI Diversity & Inclusion senior committee member mentor. Charity is also an active member of the National Retail and Restaurant Defense Association's (NRRDA) Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee, as well the National African American Insurance Association (NAAIA), the National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF) - where she serves on the Insurance PAC Committee, the National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL), the International Aviation Women's Association (IAWA), the Association of Professional Insurance Women (APIW), and the Women in Insurance Global Network.
Charity believes that community service is an important part of a lawyer's life and is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation (ABF). The ABF Fellows serve as stewards of the American Bar Foundation, a nonprofit research organization with a mission to serve the legal profession and the public, through empirical research, publications, and programs that advance justice and the understanding of law. The Fellows comprise a global honorary society of lawyers, judges, law faculty, and legal scholars who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in the profession and service to society. Membership requires nomination and vetting, and is limited to one percent of the lawyers admitted to practice in the United States and its territories and to a limited number of lawyers in international jurisdictions.
Outside of work, Charity enjoys traveling with her husband Matthew, spending time with their rescue dogs and cats, as well as at their second home in Anguilla, BWI.
Job Titles:
- Institute Continuing Legal Education, Organizer and Co - Chair, April 2019
An established trial attorney, Christine Santoni has successfully tried numerous complex cases over the years. She focuses her practice on medical malpractice matters including the defense of physicians, hospitals, pharmacists and other health care professionals.
Christine has tried over 65 jury trials and is a member of the prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), a national and invitation-only organization of experienced trial lawyers and judges. She is a frequent speaker on trial skills and litigation topics, as well as medical malpractice and professional liability matters. Prior to joining Perez Morris, Christine was an attorney at Reminger Co., LPA.
Christine has been honored by her peers as a leading attorney for Medical Malpractice-Defendants by The Best Lawyers in America® since 2001, as well as a Super Lawyer since 2016 by Ohio Super Lawyers Magazine. She has been recognized by Crain's Cleveland "Notable Women in Law" series and was honored as a "Woman of Professional Excellence" by the YWCA of Greater Cleveland.
Job Titles:
- Chamber of Commerce, Member
Job Titles:
- Chamber of Commerce, Member
Job Titles:
- Professional Staff Member
- Legal Administrative Assistant
Courtney L. Bow joined Perez Morris in 2022, where she handles business litigation, and motor vehicle and premises liability matters. Prior to joining Perez Morris, Courtney worked at women-owned law firm Giffen & Kaminski.
Courtney was inspired to practice law by her desire to serve the community and have a positive impact on those around her. While working for her law school's Criminal Justice Advocacy Clinic, Courtney successfully advocated for her client, a survivor of domestic violence, under a newly enacted New York law addressing sentencing of domestic violence survivors whose crimes were related to their abuse.
Outside of work, Courtney enjoys spending time with her cats, being outdoors and learning local history.
Job Titles:
- Professional Staff Member
- Paralegal
Job Titles:
- Managing Attorney - PA & NJ
- PA & NJ Managing Attorney
David R. Bronstein is a seasoned and experienced trial attorney, and his practice focuses on high-exposure cases involving catastrophic loss. He typically handles aviation, construction, product liability, premises and commercial/personal transportation matters and claims. David represents general contractors, construction managers, owners, engineers and architects, subcontractors, and construction material manufacturers and suppliers on both public and private projects. He also is a member of NRRDA (National Retail and Restaurant Defense Association) and has successfully defended many retail and restaurant businesses. David is counsel of choice for an award-winning, second-generation full-service construction firm serving the Delaware Valley since 1962.
David's insurance defense experience is extensive. He has arbitrated hundreds of cases involving product liability, construction accident, premises liability, insurance fraud investigation and motor vehicle liability claims. He has also tried many cases successfully to verdict.
David regularly serves as an arbitrator in various matters as well as a Judge Pro Tempore for the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. He also gives back to the community by frequently handling cases for Philadelphia's Volunteers for the Indigent Program (VIP).
He presents seminars and lectures for clients and continuing legal education providers. David, a life-long resident of Center City Philadelphia, enjoys travel and serves as a restaurant reviewer for the greater Philadelphia area.
Job Titles:
- Professional Staff Member
- Billing Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Professional Staff Member
- Director of Firm Operations
Job Titles:
- Professional Staff Member
- Paralegal
Beth Weeden joined Perez Morris in 2018. With more than 30 years' experience, she counsels employers in all aspects of their workers' compensation and risk management programs. She represents both self-insured and state-funded employers including national and regional retail distribution centers, retail stores, staffing services, restaurants, manufacturing facilities and home health care providers. Beth also represents state agencies and public employers. She advises on effective risk management and defense strategies to resolve clients' matters with the goal of reducing costs and exposure.
Her practice includes representation of employers at all administrative hearing levels before the Industrial Commission of Ohio and the adjudicating bodies of the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation. She counsels clients on effective defense strategy, hearing preparation, policy coverage issues and violations of specific safety requirements.
Beth advises clients regarding appeals in the Ohio court system. She has appeared at all levels of the Ohio courts including preparation of appeals, briefs and has twice argued to the Ohio Supreme Court. Beth is a frequent speaker on workers' compensation topics and provides training to employers regarding supervisory level strategies to effectively defend workers' compensation claims.
Beth lives in Bexley, Ohio, with her husband, two children and two dogs. Her hobbies include gardening, hiking and reading.
Frank W. Baer joined Perez Morris in 2021 as a seasoned trial attorney whose experience spans more than 30 years. Prior to joining Perez Morris, he practiced at the firm of Gibley and McWilliams since 2003; focusing his litigation career primarily in areas of automobile liability, construction litigation, medical malpractice, product liability and worker's compensation. Prior to joining Gibley and McWilliams, he practiced with the firm of Reagoso, Paul and Baer in Media, PA. Mr. Baer has represented leading retailers and national food chains and has been instrumental in developing training materials for his automobile liability insurance carriers. He has tried numerous cases to verdict in courts throughout Pennsylvania and has significant experience in successfully mediating and arbitrating cases in an ADR setting.
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant
- Professional Staff Member
Job Titles:
- Professional Staff Member
- Paralegal
Ildiko A. Szucs joined the Perez Morris Cleveland office in 2022 and focuses her practice on workers' compensation law. Prior to joining Perez Morris, Ildi was an associate attorney with Nager, Romaine & Schneiberg Co., L.P.A., where she handled workers' compensation matters. Ildi's prior experience representing people injured at work has given her a unique and broad perspective on defending workers' compensation claims.
Job Titles:
- Executive Assistant, Cleveland Office
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- of Counsel
- Member of the Prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates
Jan L. Roller is a trial lawyer with over thirty-five years of experience specializing in medical malpractice and personal injury litigation. She has successfully handled cases involving catastrophic injury for both the plaintiff and defendants, and allegations of wrongful death, defamation and employer intentional torts. She also serves as a mediator in these fields.
An experienced trial attorney with an outstanding trial record, Jan is a member of the prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and the International Society of Barristers.
Jan joined Perez Morris in 2022, where she handles premises liability, professional liability, personal injury, and mediations. Prior to joining Perez Morris, Jan was a Partner at Giffen & Kaminski, where she defended public and private organizations in tort, personal injury and insurance matters. Prior to Giffen & Kaminski, Jan was a Partner at Davis & Young LPA and was an Assistant District Attorney for both Plymouth and Suffolk Counties in Massachusetts.
A dedicated civic leader, Jan is passionate about protecting civil rights, the advancement of women and the economic development of Cleveland. She has served on the boards of over a dozen non-profit organizations, foundations, and political organizations in Cleveland. Jan was the first woman Chair of the Cleveland-Cuyahoga Port Authority and served as President of the Board of the City Club of Cleveland. She is the recipient of the Lutheran Metropolitan Ministries Faith and Friendship Award, the Smart Business Nonprofit Executive of the Year Pillar Award and was recognized as a Crain's Cleveland Business, Woman of Note.
Outside of her work and community service efforts, Jan enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.
Jason T. Whitehead II joined the Perez Morris Cleveland office in 2023, where he focuses his practice on workers' compensation matters. Prior to joining Perez Morris, Jason was an Assistant Prosecutor for the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office. He previously worked as an associate attorney at an Ohio workers' compensation law firm.
Jason takes pride in his clear communication skills and ability to build strong relationships with his clients and colleagues. He understands that legal issues can be complex and overwhelming, and is committed to providing his clients with the guidance they need to navigate the legal process with confidence. He is most passionate about helping others craft strategies to assist them in increasing productivity and decreasing liability, while creating a safe and enjoyable work environment.
Jason obtained his law degree from DePaul University College of Law in 2019. During law school, Jason served as Treasurer for the Midwest Region of the National Black Law Student Association and as the Business Manager for the DePaul University Journal of Health Care Law. Jason also served as a legal extern for both the Seventh District Court of Appeals for the State of Ohio and the Department of Health & Human Services Office of General Counsel.
In his free time, Jason actively participates in community involvement efforts aimed at giving back to those in need. He also enjoys traveling and spending time with his family and friends.
A trial attorney with a stellar track record of defense verdicts and favorable outcomes for her clients, Jeanne Mullin's practice focuses on the defense of medical malpractice and professional negligence cases, including representation of physicians, pharmacists, hospitals, and long-term care facilities. She also serves as National Coordinating Counsel for a major Fortune 500 company.
Jeanne is admitted to practice law in both Ohio and Michigan, and has been sought out to handle complex cases in other states on a pro hac vice basis, including Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Jeanne has secured countless medical malpractice and professional liability defense verdicts. She has argued matters on appeal at both the state and federal levels, and has successfully presented a case to the Ohio Supreme Court. Twenty-seven of her matters have resulted in published opinions.
Prior to joining Perez Morris, Jeanne was a Shareholder at Reminger Co., LPA, where she served on the firm's management and executive teams, as well as on the firm's Women's Leadership Council.
Jeanne is frequently invited to present on a range of topics, including medical malpractice and risk prevention. She is committed to community service and has been recognized by John Carroll University as an Alumni who is personally, professionally and philanthropically "making a difference in her community." Jeanne has served as a board member for local non-profits since 2005. She currently serves on the board of GiGi's Playhouse Cleveland where she works to further the mission of changing the way people in the world see Down syndrome, and helping individuals who live with Down syndrome achieve and realize their potential.
Jeanne's reputation as an outstanding trial lawyer is reflected in recognition by her peers and community. Jeanne has been named the 2023 Lawyer of the Year in Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants for Cleveland, Ohio, by The Best Lawyers in America® and was previously named as their Lawyer of the Year in Medical Malpractice law - Defendants for Toledo, Ohio in 2016. She has been ranked by Best Lawyers since 2012 and has been named to the Ohio Super Lawyers List by Ohio Super Lawyers Magazine since 2014. Jeanne has been named a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, and has been recognized by the YWCA of Greater Cleveland as a "Woman of Professional Excellence," and by Smart Business Magazine with a "Progressive Woman" award.
Jeanne loves being in a courtroom and fighting for her clients. Her personal life has plenty of chaotic moments as the mother of five children. Fortunately, that has taught her the importance of being organized, proactive, and decisive - traits that drive her success as a trial lawyer.
Jian (Philip) Jiao focuses his practice on business litigation, labor and employment, property loss and subrogation, global supply chain and logistics, and the transportation and trucking industry. Prior to joining Perez Morris in 2021, Philip worked in the woodworking industry and developed experience in manufacturing and supply chain management.
During law school, Philip served as the Chief Online Editor for the Ohio State Business Law Journal and worked as a legal extern for the Office of Compliance at The Ohio State University where he gained experience with university compliance operations and systems.
Jo A. Tatarko focuses on business litigation, creditor's rights and collections, and workers' compensation. She represents clients in breach of contract matters, probate disputes, employment defense, and business disputes. Jo joined the Perez Morris Cleveland office in 2022.
Prior to joining Perez Morris, Jo worked at Dworken & Bernstein, where she practiced business litigation, probate litigation, and workers' compensation. Jo's previous representation of individuals who were injured at work gives her a strategic edge in understanding how a plaintiff's attorney assesses and builds a case.
Before attending law school, Jo worked in the public sector where she assisted children who were abused and neglected. She also worked in a pilot project advocating for the needs of survivors of domestic violence from the time the crime was reported through the prosecution of the offender. Through her work in these positions, Jo was inspired to become an attorney.
Jo lives in Chesterland, Ohio with her family. She enjoys Cleveland's cultural scene, especially attending performances by the Cleveland Orchestra.
Job Titles:
- Professional Staff Member
- Paralegal
Joseph W. Gibley joined Perez Morris in 2021 and focuses his practice principally in construction litigation. Prior to joining Perez Morris, Mr. Gibley was a founding member of Gibley and McWilliams, which he founded with Kelly McWilliams in 1997. Prior to entering private practice, he worked for 11 years in the insurance industry as a litigation claims professional with Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, Prudential Property and Casualty Insurance Company, and the AIG companies. Mr. Gibley is an experienced trial lawyer and has represented multiple heavy highway contractors, general contractors, subcontractors, and owners in construction site litigation during his career. He also has tried cases to verdict defending property owners, insurance companies and automobile operators. Much of Mr. Gibley's construction litigation experience involves the prosecution and defense of contractual indemnity claims in wrap-up and standard construction agreements. He has also served as National Coordinating Counsel for nationwide litigation in the pharmaceutical industry.
Job Titles:
- Founding Member
- Founding Partner
- Firm Founding Partner
Juan Jose (John) is a founding member of the firm. Prior to opening the firm in 1997, John was General Counsel and Vice President of Administration for a $150 million publicly-traded international corporation where he supervised all domestic and international counsel as well as the corporate human resources, risk management and home office administrative functions.
Profiled by Crain's as "brilliant, meticulous," and a "fierce litigator," Karen L. Giffen is known for taking complicated matters to trial. Her preparation for trial involves deep dives into diverse subject areas from aviation to bridge design. With over thirty years of experience, Karen focuses her practice on business, employment, securities, financial services and premises liability litigation for Fortune 500 and other corporate clients.
Prior to joining Perez Morris in 2022, Karen was managing partner of women-owned law firm Giffen & Kaminski. Along with co-founder Kerin Kaminski, Karen founded the Cleveland firm in 2004 to handle business litigation, employment litigation and counseling, tort and insurance defense, financial services litigation, and investigations. In addition, Karen worked for ten years as a Field Examiner for the National Labor Relations Board, an experience that ignited her interest in the law.
Karen enjoys helping those in need of legal representation through her work with the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, where she served as President, Treasurer and Board Member. An advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion, Karen is an active member of the National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms, where she served as Treasurer and as a member of the organization's Board of Directors. She frequently speaks on employment law and general litigation topics for organizations such as the Association of Corporate Counsel and the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.
Outside of the law, Karen enjoys traveling and digital photography, as well as spending time with her border collie and three cats.
Kathleen A. Nitschke has twenty years of experience representing corporations, financial institutions and other businesses in commercial, real estate and probate matters. Kathleen joined Perez Morris's Cleveland office in 2022, where her practice focuses on business litigation, financial services litigation, real estate and transactions. In addition, Kathleen is an experienced Title IX investigator for colleges and universities. A seasoned strategist, Kathleen finds creative solutions to complicated legal issues involving uncharted areas of the law.
Prior to joining Perez Morris, Kathleen was an attorney at women-owned Cleveland law firm, Giffen & Kaminski, where she regularly handled a variety of litigation and transactional matters for financial institutions, insurance companies, and other commercial enterprises.
Kathleen is passionate about mentoring young attorneys and is an active leader in Cleveland and the broader legal community. She serves as the Co-chair of the Financial Services Practice Area Committee of the National Association of Minority and Women-Owned Law Firms, and previously served on the Board of Directors for the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association.
Kathleen is a frequent speaker on real estate, probate, and commercial litigation.
A battle-tested trial attorney, Kelly Grigsby Jones has represented clients in over 60 jury trials, dozens of bench trials and hearings or mediations in state and federal courts across Ohio. Kelly has more than 20 years of experience in premises liability, personal injury, and insurance matters. Kelly joined the Perez Morris Columbus office in 2022.
Prior to joining Perez Morris, Kelly worked at Williams, Moliterno & Scully Co., L.P.A., where she practiced corporate, personal injury, and insurance defense litigation. She represents several top national insurance companies, self-insured corporations, municipal entities, medical, charitable and educational institutions, and businesses and individuals in various civil matters.
Kelly frequently lectures on trial skills as a member of the American Board of Trial Attorneys (ABOTA) and the Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys, and previously served as an adjunct professor for first and second year law students in a CORE Lawyering Skills course at Case Western Reserve University. She also served as a judicial staff attorney for the Honorable Lillian J. Greene for the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court.
Kelly lives in Westerville, Ohio with her husband Tony. She enjoys ballroom dancing, book clubs, international travel, and biking on the amazing trails Columbus has to offer.
Kerin Lyn Kaminski is an experienced trial lawyer with a demonstrated history of solving complex problems in commercial and civil litigation. Kerin has over thirty years of experience handling trust, employment, real estate, and financial services litigation for Fortune 500 companies and other corporate clients.
Prior to joining Perez Morris in 2022, Kerin was managing partner of women-owned law firm Giffen & Kaminski, which was named by Crain's as one of the top 19 businesses in Northeast Ohio that successfully focused on diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Along with co-founder Karen L. Giffen, Kerin founded the Cleveland firm in 2004, which was quickly established as a go-to law firm for business litigation, employment litigation and counseling, tort and insurance defense, financial services litigation, and investigations.
Kerin is passionate about leveling the playing field for women in the legal profession and beyond and believes that community service is an important part of a lawyer's life. Kerin served as the third female President of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, and past Chair of the organization's Commission on Women in the Law. She is a recipient of the Greater Cleveland YWCA Women of Achievement Award and is a past President and Board Member of the Hitchcock House for Women.
Kerin served as the past Chair of the Financial Services Litigation Practice Area Committee for the National Association of Minority & Women Owned Law Firms. She was a Cleveland Faculty member of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy and is a frequent author and presenter on topics ranging from attorney-client privilege to deposition and trial skills.
Kevin L. Murch joined Perez Morris in 2016. With more than 20 years' experience, Kevin focuses his practice on product liability litigation, commercial litigation, employment and civil rights litigation, restrictive covenants, trade secrets, and business torts.
In addition, he spent a considerable part of his career in private practice serving as the lead attorney in matters before both state and federal courts and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), formerly National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD).
Kevin also has extensive experience representing manufacturers, distributors and suppliers in product liability cases involving pharmaceuticals, heavy machinery, chemicals, industrial equipment, agricultural equipment and HVAC systems. He advises companies on risk management and litigation avoidance.
He resides in New Albany, Ohio, with his wife and two children.
Job Titles:
- Professional Staff Member
- Legal Administrative Assistant
Job Titles:
- Legal Administrative Assistant
Job Titles:
- Controller
- Professional Staff Member
Job Titles:
- Professional Staff Member
- AR & Billing Manager
Job Titles:
- Professional Staff Member
- Business Development
Matt focuses his practice on medical malpractice and healthcare professional liability, long-term care liability, and general liability. He successfully represents his clients throughout all stages of litigation, including pleadings, motion practice, discovery, trial, and post-trial motions. Matt is passionate about representing healthcare providers because he enjoys advocating for people who work extremely hard and selflessly to help others in need.
Matt graduated from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in 2018, with a concentration in health law. While attending Case, he served as an Associate Editor for the Health Matrix: Journal of Law-Medicine and clerked in the legal departments at both University Hospitals and Summa Health, where he gained exposure to the inner workings of two major health systems. Prior to joining Perez Morris in 2023, Matt obtained invaluable litigation experience as an attorney at Reminger Co., L.P.A.
Matt lives in Mentor, Ohio, with his wife and two children. Outside of work, Matt enjoys learning about American presidential history and spending time with his family.
Job Titles:
- Professional Staff Member
- Paralegal
Michelle M. Thompson joined Perez Morris in 2021. As an experienced trial attorney, she handles cases from inception to jury and bench trials, and has a robust motion and appellate practice. Michelle's extensive litigation background includes complex business litigation, labor and employment, special investigations and fraud, premises liability, real estate and construction industry litigation, and Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act matters on behalf of businesses throughout the U.S. Michelle enjoys being an aggressive litigator when warranted. Whether she is defending ADA Title III claims, defending business disputes, or subrogating property loss claims, her goal always is to achieve the best possible outcome for her clients by strategizing options and risks with them throughout the litigation process.
While attending the University of Dayton School of Law, Michelle interned for Chief Magistrate Sharon L. Ovington, United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio and served as staff writer for the Dayton Law Review. She also worked for a Fortune 500 insurance company; handling insurance defense and subrogation cases. Upon entering private practice, she immersed herself in both the legal and non-legal communities. Michelle received the Ohio State Bar Foundation District 2 Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under in 2018 and was a recipient of the Dayton Business Journal's Forty Under 40 Award in 2019.
Michelle enjoys volunteering in her community, spending time with her family and her dog Bailey, and is a supporter and avid fan of all women's sports
Job Titles:
- CT, MA, NY Managing Attorney
- Managing Attorney - NY, CT
Mony B. P. Yin has extensive litigation experience in the construction and aviation industries as well as product liability, New York Labor Law, premises liability, and insurance fraud investigation across various U.S. industries. Her practice focuses on defense of commercial entities, healthcare entities and professionals, restaurants, retailers and professionals in complex, high-exposure litigation. Mony also defends employers and insurance carriers in Workers' Compensation matters. Prior to joining Perez Morris Hyde, Mony handled complex litigation claims for private law firms and major insurance companies, where she frequently defended clients in jury and bench trials, mediations and arbitrations in state and federal courts.
Prior to beginning her legal career, Mony attended Tufts University, where she served as an intern for the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, Austria, and studied non-military use of nuclear energy. She is fluent in Khmer and proficient in Spanish and Mandarin Chinese.
A leader in her field, Myra Barsoum Stockett has a wide range of experience in workers' compensation, labor and employment law, and insurance coverage matters. Myra is a dedicated advocate for her clients, and works to find the right resolution for each matter. She maintains a strong motion practice and has resolved workers compensation and legal malpractice claims by summary judgment.
Myra handles administrative hearings before the Industrial Commission of Ohio and the adjudicating bodies of the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation. She has successfully defended against death claims, Violation of Specific Safety Requirement (VSSR) applications, and prevailed on continuing jurisdiction matters that have led to previously allowed conditions and claims being reversed on behalf of employers. She also has broad experience with workers' compensation appeals in the Court of Common Pleas in addition to vast appellate experience, including the handling of mandamus proceedings.
Job Titles:
- Professional Staff Member
- Legal Administrative Assistant
Job Titles:
- Title Association, Publications Committee Chair
Job Titles:
- Life PAC Treasurer, 1998 - 2008
Oliver L. Herthneck focuses his practice on business litigation, labor and employment, and premises liability. Prior to joining Perez Morris in 2022, Oliver was a Litigation Attorney at Cordell & Cordell where he successfully tried multiple cases as first chair and defended matters on appeal.
Oliver previously served as general counsel for a national production and distribution company where he advised on a variety of operations including mitigating unwanted litigation, firm formulation into various markets, and the negotiation of licensing agreements with retailers, which directly impacted the company's financial growth.
Oliver is passionate about trial work and was inspired to practice law by his desire to continually learn while helping people.
Job Titles:
- Professional Staff Member
- Asset Recovery Manager
Paul Neel provides insightful and creative legal solutions for his clients, drawing on his unique background in both law and academia. A dedicated advocate who helps his clients navigate complex legal issues, Paul has experience working on a wide range of legal matters, including employment law, business law, financial services, and real estate matters, as well as Title IX investigations for colleges and universities.
Prior to joining Perez Morris, Paul served as a Judicial Attorney for the Honorable Mary Jane Boyle at the 8th District Court of Appeals and was an Associate Attorney at Giffen & Kaminski in Cleveland, Ohio. At Cleveland State University College of Law, where he graduated magna cum laude, Paul earned multiple CALI Excellence Awards and was a recipient of the Law Fellows and McMonagle Scholarships. During law school, he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Global Business Law Review.
In addition to his legal work, Paul has a distinguished academic background, having earned a Master's Degree in English from Case Western Reserve University and a Ph.D. in English from Kent State University. He is an Associate Professor of English at Cuyahoga Community College, where he teaches writing, literature, and paralegal classes.
Outside of work, Paul enjoys spending time with his family and reading.
R. Mark Gottfried, a seasoned workers' compensation lawyer, joined Perez Morris' Cleveland office in 2022. Mark is passionate about helping employers develop and manage their workers' compensation programs, and his experience enables him to simplify complex issues so that common sense solutions can be identified and implemented.
Mark encourages employers to view claims as an opportunity to engage and collaborate with their workforce, to address workplace risks and incident protocols and to ensure employees are placed in the right roles to support company and personal growth. Mark works to prevent abuses of the workers' compensation system via a range of strategies to limit liability, from legal challenges to uncovering key evidence through video surveillance and independent medical examinations.
Mark represents employers in all aspects of workers' compensation litigation, including death claims, safety and OSHA violations, Medicare compliance, fraudulent claims and Violations of Specific Safety Requirement (VSSR) investigation and defense. His practice focuses on representing employers before the Industrial Commission of Ohio as well as claims management, working closely with employers and third-party administrators from the onset of an injury to final resolution of a claim. Mark represents both self-insured and State-funded employers throughout Ohio.
Mark has a wide range of civil litigation experience representing employers in workers' compensation matters in the Ohio Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Common Pleas Court.
Mark is married and has two children.
Rachel E. Sorrentino focuses her practice on business litigation, labor & employment, motor vehicle liability, and premises liability. Rachel attributes her success as a dedicated advocate and problem solver for her clients to her hard work and determination.
Prior to joining Perez Morris, Rachel worked as an Associate Attorney at Rebar Kelly managing a variety of insurance matters, including coverage disputes in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Rachel earned her Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from Widener University Delaware Law School, where she earned Dean's Honors for numerous semesters. In addition to her studies, she served as Editor-in-Chief of Widener Law Review from 2019 - 2020. During law school, Rachel also served as an Intern to the Honorable Gary F. Traynor, Delaware Supreme Court Justice, and gained experience preparing for oral arguments, reviewing briefs, writing memoranda, and helping draft opinions and orders.
Rachel lives in Secane, Pennsylvania, with her husband, daughter, and two dogs.
Rebecca J. Johnson joined Perez Morris in 2020. An experienced trial lawyer, she defends businesses in general liability and general litigation matters. Her practice is concentrated in complex commercial litigation and construction matters, property and casualty litigation, premises and product liability investigation and litigation, general liability claims investigation and litigation, malpractice defense, and workers' compensation matters.
Rebecca is an expert in all aspects of the litigation process from inception to disposition, including pleadings and discovery preparation, depositions, motion practice, case valuation, pretrial management, and trial. She is skilled in pre-litigation investigations, alternative dispute resolutions and negotiations. Rebecca regularly presents on emerging construction and general litigation issues impacting her clients. She also has a thorough understanding of federal regulations and statutes concerning creditors' rights.
Before becoming an attorney, Rebecca spent 10 years in business management; business practices; and corporate growth, development and formation strategies.
Rebecca lives on and runs a small private farm which houses a non-profit native tree nursery which grows and distributes native Ohio trees to local communities. She is passionate about land and environment preservation and conservation.
Job Titles:
- Professional Staff Member
- Operations & Office Manager, Columbus Office
Job Titles:
- Certified Workers' Compensation Specialist
- Lead Attorney
Rick Hernandez joined Perez Morris in 2017. He is a proactive, strategic and dedicated workers' compensation defense attorney with more than 30 years' experience. Rick has represented self-insured and state-funded private employers, state agencies, and public and private universities in proceedings before the Industrial Commission of Ohio and at all levels of court within the state of Ohio.
He has represented national trucking companies, major hospital organizations, nursing home consortiums, national utilities and industry-leading retailers and restaurants. He routinely advises on workers' compensation program administration, company policy drafting, including return-to-work and workplace safety policy, and effective risk management strategy. His goal is to lower workers' compensation costs for his clients.
Rick has conducted as many as 18 jury trials in workers' compensation-related litigation, and for the majority he served as lead trial counsel. He also represented employers in mandamus actions in the Tenth District Court of Appeals and in the Supreme Court of Ohio. He successfully argued before the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation Adjudicating Committee and Self-Insured Review Board.
Rick is a certified workers' compensation specialist through the Ohio State Bar Association and has been since its inception.
Prior to joining Perez Morris, he worked in the Office of the Ohio Attorney General, Executive Agencies Section, representing state agencies and universities across Ohio. Prior to that, Rick was a partner in the workers' compensation practice areas of two large law firms in Central Ohio for more than 15 years, cumulatively.
Rick resides in New Albany, Ohio, with his wife, Gigi, and their three children.
Job Titles:
- Professional Staff Member
- Paralegal
Sarah Crabtree Perez joined Perez Morris in 2010 and is the firm's managing partner. She handles commercial litigation, employment, civil rights, supply chain and logistics, and transactional matters. She is an experienced litigator in state and federal courts and in administrative agencies and regulatory bodies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, state Civil Rights/Human Rights Commissions and the Trademark Trial and Appeals Board.
She oversees litigation in civil rights defense and Americans with Disabilities accessibility claims nationwide in addition to employment and general litigation for clients ranging from Fortune 100 companies to small- and mid-sized regional companies.
Sarah works closely with risk and compliance departments on various insurance and regulatory issues as well as strategies for effective litigation management across the country.
She served as outside general counsel for a national transportation and logistics company. Litigation matters that Sarah handles range from multimillion-dollar class action lawsuits to employment, personal injury and contract disputes. She has negotiated commercial contracts for client customer companies and their vendors as well as revamping company transportation agreements currently in place for more than 1,000 motor carriers.
Sarah is regularly asked to speak on topics related to women's leadership, business management and strategies for leveraging business for community impact. Sarah is an active champion of diversity and inclusion in the legal profession and within her community.
She lives in Worthington, Ohio, with her husband and three children. Sarah is also fluent in Spanish.
Job Titles:
- Professional Staff Member
- Legal Administrative Assistant
Job Titles:
- Professional Staff Member
- Operations Specialist