SUPER ATTORNEYS
January 27, 2017
CJN.ORG | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | 81
LOCAL LAWYERS / SUPER ATTORNEYS Meet some noteworthy Jewish attorneys* Name: Fred. J. Arnoff Name of firm: Weston Hurd LLP Field of specialty: Business law, commercial law, real etstate, bankruptcy, employment law, estate planning Years as attorney: 41 Years as U.S. Best Lawyer: 8 (2010-17) Other: “Who’s Who in American Law,” 17 years ed Why I became an attorney: A career as a lawyer is a special calling. As lawyers, we are in an extraordinary position to assist individuals, business organizations and promote the public good. More than 41 years of practice, my clients have constantly challenged me with problems that are almost always different, intellectually stimulating and never boring. Name: Richard Bain Name of firm: Buckley King LPA Field of specialty: Business litigation / corporate counseling Years as attorney: 37 Years as Super Lawyer: 3 (2015-17) Years as U.S. News Best Lawyer: 1 (2017) Years Inside Business Leading Lawyer: 1 (2010) Other: Mayor of Pepper Pike Why I became an attorney: Assisting people, businesses and community has always been motivation for me to be involved. Being an attorney affords that opportunity to be of value to others. It is stimulating to creatively address challenges and find solutions to problems. Name: Todd Behrens Name of firm: Medley, Behrens & Lewis, LLC Field of specialty: Intellectual property Years as attorney: 12 Years as Rising Star: 1 (2010) Why I became an attorney: As a patent attorney, I am in a position to work with extremely creative and talented people, which provides me the opportunity to learn about new technologies every day. I greatly enjoy helping out clients secure rights in new advances across various technology fields.
Name: Virginia “GiGi” D. Benjamin Name of Firm: Calfee Halter & Griswold LLP Field of specialty: Public finance law Years as attorney: 41 Years as U.S. News Best Lawyer: 13
Name: Howard Bobrow Name of firm: Taft Stettinius & Hollister, LLP Field of specialty: Private equity and venture capital, business and finance, mergers and
Name: Hugh D. Berkson Name of firm: McCarthy Lebit Crystal & Liffman Field of specialty: Securities litigation and arbitration Years as attorney: 22 Years as Super
acquisitions Years as attorney: 21 Years as U.S. Best Lawyer: 5 (2013-17) Years as Rising Star: 3 (2005-06, 2009) Years as U.S. News Best Lawyer: 11 (2007-17) Other: Best Lawyers Lawyer of the Year for venture capital law– Cleveland, 2017; Why I became an attorney: I became a lawyer because I am a builder. I enjoy helping people accomplish their business objectives, whatever they may be. That adversarial stuff was never for me.
(2005-17)
Lawyer: 5 (2013-17) Other: Martindale-Hubbel AV rating; Avvo 10.0 superb rating Why I became an attorney: I became an attorney because the intellectual challenge was appealing. While I have certainly enjoyed that aspect of the work, the opportunity to help people get back on their feet has been more rewarding than I ever thought it could be. Name: Matthew D. Besser Name of firm: Bolek Besser Glesius LLC Field of specialty: Employment discrimination, civil rights and appellate Years as attorney: 12 Years as Super Lawyer: 4 (2014-17) Years as Rising Star: 2 (2005-6) U.S. News Best Lawyer: 6 (2012-17) Other: Martindale-Hubbell’s highest rating, AV preeminent since 2005 Avvo’s highest rating, superb; In June 2017, will be sworn in as president of the Cleveland Academy of Trial Attorneys; adjunct law professor at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. Why I became an attorney: People come to me because they are facing a challenging time and need justice. The change to help them repair their lives, and to make a positive, lasting impact – not only of their lives – but in the community as a whole, is fulfilling beyond words.
Name: Cathleen Bolek Name of firm: Bolek Besser Glesius LLC Field of specialty: Employment litigation Years as Attorney: 24 Years as Super Lawyer: 6 (2009-11, 2015-17) Why I Became an Attorney: I’ve always wanted to help the less fortunate. I was drawn to employment law because some employers abuse the power they have and non-union employees have very little protection and often don’t know how to enforce their rights. Name: Seth P. Briskin Name of firm: Meyers, Roman, Friedberg & Lewis, LPA Field of specialty: Labor and employment law Years as attorney: 21 Years as Super Lawyer: 3 (2015-17) Years as Rising Star: 4 (2005-07, 2009) Other: Cleveland Jewish News 18 Difference Makers, 2016 Why I became an attorney: In labor and employment law, it is all about a company or organization’s most costly and interesting asset, its people. People continue to fascinate and surprise me.
Name: Alvin Brouman Name of firm: Brouman Law Field of specialty: Personal injury Years as attorney: 62 Why I became an attorney: To interact with people as a legal professional is an honor relatively few can enjoy. To experience and share the client’s pleasure with a successful outcome of a complex matter can be especially rewarding. Name: Sandra J. Buzney Name of firm: Sandra J. Buzney Co., LPA Field of specialty: Elder law, Medicaid planning and applications, estate planning, probate administration Years as attorney: 16 Years as U.S. News Best Lawyer: 9 (2009-17) Why I became an attorney: Even though clients are often facing difficult situations when they need my services, I have the opportunity to meet very special individuals and develop long-term professional relationships with them. Name: Robert E. Chudakoff Name of firm: Ulmer & Berne LLP Field of specialty: Intellectual property Years as attorney: 29 Years as Super Lawyer: 5 (2013-17) Why I became an attorney: Being a lawyer is both challenging and gratifying. My practice area, IP litigation, presents interesting problems in a variety of technologies and businesses. I enjoy the challenge of solving complex legal issues while at the same time helping clients achieve their goals. Name: David R. Cohen Name of firm: David R. Cohen Co., LPA Field of specialty: Special master Years as attorney: 23 Years as Super Lawyer: 2 (2016-17) What I like about being an attorney: As a federal special master and mediator, I help judges and parties resolve their most complicated cases. This is very gratifying and endlessly interesting.