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National Law Firm Lewis Brisbois Expands to Akron with New Powerhouse Team

Akron, Ohio (April 16, 2020) - Lewis Brisbois is pleased to announce the opening of its new downtown Akron, Ohio office with the addition of seven corporate transactional and litigation attorneys, strengthening the firm’s dynamic nationwide trial and merger and acquisition teams.

Akron Managing Partner David Kern, a tax and corporate transactional attorney with three decades of experience, will lead the new office comprised of Partners John Hill, Greg Amend, and Andrew J. Pullekins, and Associates Meleah Kinlow, Casey Davis, and Anna Luczkow, as well as Paralegal Kim Dornack. 

All are joining from local firm Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, LLC and each brings a unique and varied skill set to Lewis Brisbois, with an emphasis on strategic business-focused transactional and trial work.

“We are very excited to be a part of Lewis Brisbois’ national team and its growing complex business and commercial litigation practice,” said Mr. Kern. “I have known and worked on deals alongside several Lewis Brisbois partners over the years, and have always been impressed with the level of attention and business foresight they provide their clients. Given the emphasis that we place on legal excellence and client service, this is where we felt we could provide greater value to our clients and complement the firm’s impressive attorney roster and culture.”

While the greater Akron community is home to several Fortune 100 companies, only regional law firms have developed a physical presence in the city, until now. As the needs of these large organizations continue to evolve and expand and the myriad legal issues facing smaller businesses continues to evolve at an accelerated pace, Lewis Brisbois aims to provide them with strong local resources backed by a national platform.

“Akron has a thriving business community that we have partnered with and represented for many years” said Mr. Kern. “Now our clients will have the benefit of Lewis Brisbois’ national network of talent and resources.”

Mr. Kern, along with Mr. Davis and Ms. Luczkow, not only manage large transactions for corporate and private equity clients, they also serve as outside counsel to their clients, helping them build value and manage risk.

The new Akron team also includes a group of skilled trial attorneys who have developed a strong reputation in Northeast Ohio and track record of success. Seasoned trial lawyers John Hill and Greg Amend are routinely called on by organizations – sometimes only weeks before trial – to present complex, high stakes cases to juries throughout Ohio and elsewhere. Akron’s impressive trial team also includes Mr. Pullekins, Ms. Kinlow, and Ms. Dornack.

“As trial attorneys, we handle our clients’  most sensitive and high risk matters,” said Mr. Hill. “This move helps us to provide clients with greater resources, advanced technologies and a deeper bench of talent to support all of their litigation needs.” 

“We value the client relationships that we have built here in Northeast Ohio and across the country” said Mr. Amend. “We look forward to showing our clients, new and old, the value a larger firm can provide, without sacrificing the level of service and sophisticated guidance that they have come to expect from us.”

Now, with over 1,600 colleagues across the country working in dozens of practice areas, the Akron team is looking forward to expanding their current office. The new Akron location brings Lewis Brisbois’ total office count to 52 across 29 states. It is also the firm’s third location in Ohio, with well-established offices in both Cleveland and Cincinnati.

Partner Overviews
 
David Kern works with clients to develop and execute business savvy legal and tax strategies for businesses from early stage through maturity and sale or merger, with a view towards maximizing benefit to their owners and investors. His specific industry experience includes aviation, aerospace, HVAC, e-business, manufacturing, and healthcare. He has negotiated and closed several hundred transactions including partnerships, business sales and acquisitions, and corporate finance in technology, distribution, aviation, aerospace, manufacturing, and healthcare. Mr. Kern received his law degree from Capital University Law School and an L.L.M. from Georgetown University Law Center. He is admitted to practice before the state courts of Ohio and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.
 
John Hill is known for his uncommon level of jury trial experience for a commercial litigator, having tried dozens of complex cases to jury verdicts, involving claims of fraud, fiduciary duty, business interference and breach of contract, amongst other issues. He has served as a “last minute” trial consultant to lawyers and their clients, and regularly represents hospitals, physicians, lawyers, and other professionals in litigation in state and federal courts. Mr. Hill also serves as a board room advisor to companies of all sizes, helping them to resolve corporate governance issues and to manage business problems that could result in litigation. He received his law degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law and frequently teaches law students and practicing lawyers about jury selection and other trial techniques. Mr. Hill is admitted to practice before the state courts of Ohio and Pennsylvania, United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court.
 
Greg Amend is a commercial litigator and trusted business adviser to his clients, helping a wide array of business owners, from locally owned entities to Fortune 500 companies avoid and resolve disputes. He has handled numerous arbitrations, depositions, bench trials, jury trials, and appellate work in state and federal courts, as well as a variety of alternative dispute resolution forums. Mr. Amend takes a holistic approach to helping businesses avoid legal issues by developing an understanding of the business, identifying and managing risk, and guiding clients through every stage of the business cycle. He works to develop long-term relationships with his clients and provide increasing value to their businesses. Mr. Amend received his law degree, magna cum laude, from Syracuse College of Law. He is admitted to practice before the state courts of Ohio, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Ohio, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

Andrew J. Pullekins is a seasoned trial attorney who serves as a trusted advisor and dedicated advocate to his clients. He represents businesses and professionals in disputes involving misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of restrictive covenants, tortious interference, and unfair competition. Understanding the value his clients receive by avoiding litigation, Mr. Pullekins regulary negotiates swift resolutions before lawsuits are filed. When lawsuits occur, he uses his skill and experience to protect his clients’ interests. His aggressive, yet practical, approach to litigation has proven successful time and time again. Mr. Pullekins has been selected for inclusion in Ohio’s Super Lawyers Rising Stars each year since 2015. He also serves as an Advisory Board Member for the Walsh Jesuit High School Alumni Association. Mr. Pullekins received his law degree from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. He is admitted to practice before the state courts of Ohio, the Ohio Supreme Court, the United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
 


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