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Northeast Ohio Notable Women in Law


May 16, 2018

 

Congratulations to Walter | Haverfield partner Christina Peer, who is featured in a special section of Crain’s Cleveland Business titled, “Northeast Ohio Notable Women in Law.” Crain’s recognized Peer for her strong education law practice as she and her team now represent nearly 15% of school districts in Ohio.

Walter | Haverfield’s Partnership Grows


March 2, 2018

 

Sara Ravas Cooper and Shelly LaSalvia are Walter | Haverfield’s two newest partners. The additions bring Walter | Haverfield’s partnership to 38 members.

“I am very proud of both Sara and Shelly’s accomplishments,” said Ralph Cascarilla, Walter | Haverfield’s managing partner. “They work extremely hard in their respective fields, and I look forward to their continued participation in the growth of the firm.”

 

Cooper focuses her practice on litigation as well as labor and employment. She has extensive experience with white-collar criminal defense, corporate investigations and the discovery of electronically stored information (ESI).

LaSalvia represents a wide range of commercial clients in complex finance, business and real estate transactions. She also has significant experience representing financial institutions as creditors in collection litigation and Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.

“I am truly grateful for the opportunity to be integrally involved in shaping the future of the firm,” said Cooper. “Walter | Haverfield is already an excellent place to work, and I’m eager to build on our success.”

“Walter | Haverfield embodies everything I look for in a firm – skilled attorneys, a range of practice areas, substantial bench strength and an entrepreneurial spirit,” said LaSalvia. “Partnership allows me to be even more invested in a place I’m very proud to work at, and for that, I’m thankful.”

Cooper joined Walter | Haverfield in 2009. LaSalvia joined in 2015. Both are members of the Ohio State Bar Association and the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association. Cooper is also a member of the Federal Bar Association. LaSalvia is a member of the International Women’s Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation (IWIRC).

Chambers USA 2018


February 5, 2018

Congratulations to Ralph E. Cascarilla, Irene M. MacDougall and Russell C. Shaw who have been selected for inclusion in the 2018 edition of Chambers USA. Designated as “Leaders in their Field” by the London-based publisher, Chambers and Partners, they were recognized for their accomplishments in the following areas of practice:

Chambers USA selects their honorees on the basis of submissions put forward by legal practices, interviews during the course of research and the publication’s own database resources. According to Chambers, rankings are based upon, “…criteria that include technical ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial awareness/astuteness, diligence, commitment, and other qualities that the client considers relevant.”

Walter | Haverfield Attorney Named Labor and Employment Specialist


January 11, 2018

 

The Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) has certified Walter | Haverfield Attorney Max Rieker as a labor and employment specialist. Rieker is one of two newly certified labor and employment specialists in the state.

Attorneys seeking certification must devote at least 25 percent of their practice to their particular field of law, submit five professional references, complete a minimum of 36 hours of specialized continuing legal education and pass a written exam.

“I have every reason to believe that being a certified labor and employment specialist will further my practice for years to come,” said Rieker, who spent eight years as in-house counsel for the Ohio’s Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association. “Plus, the process has given me a whole new respect for those who have been certified previously.”

Attorneys who have earned specialty certification must file annual reports showing they comply with program requirements. They must also be recertified every four to seven years.

There are currently 121 OSBA-certified labor and employment specialists in the state.

Walter | Haverfield Attorney Named Fellow in the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation


January 9, 2018

 

Walter | Haverfield Attorney Brendan Healy is the firm’s newest fellow in the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation (CMBF). Healy, who practices labor and employment law as well as public law, joins an elite group of five other Walter | Haverfield attorneys who are also fellows.

The CMBF extends nominations only to select members of the legal community who have at least 10 years of experience. The Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association (CMBA) approves the nomination. The nominees must demonstrate the highest standards of integrity and professionalism. They must also contribute significantly to the advancement of justice in the Greater Cleveland community.

“It’s an honor to be selected as a CMBF fellow,” said Healy, who represents cities, villages, townships and government agencies throughout Ohio. “I am passionate about the work I do, and I look forward to expanding my service to the community in this new role.”

The CMBF funds the CMBA’s “Justice For All” programs, which promote education and workforce development, social justice, the arts and non-profits through volunteer service.

For the past four years, Ohio Super Lawyers has named Healy to its “Rising Stars” list.

In addition to representing public entities, Healy practices litigation in the areas of land use and zoning, civil rights, and employment and labor law.

Walter | Haverfield’s Irene MacDougall Receives Prestigious Leadership Award


December 13, 2017

 

The Commercial Real Estate Women, Inc. of Cleveland (CREW) recently awarded Irene MacDougall the Deborah Rocker Klausner Leadership Award. MacDougall, a partner at Walter | Haverfield in the public and structured finance group, is the sole recipient of this 2017 award, which is granted annually.

MacDougall received the recognition on the basis of her professional excellence and integrity, her legal expertise and innovative skills, and her commitment to diversity in the commercial real estate industry.

“Irene’s exceptional talent and positive values embody the qualifications that our leadership award recognizes,” said Cecilia Hyun, president of CREW Cleveland. “We are proud to honor her for her many professional and personal accomplishments and contributions to the community.”

MacDougall’s award is named after the late Deborah Rocker Klausner, who was the founding president of CREW Cleveland in 1988.

MacDougall manages complex, multi-party finance and development transactions in real estate, healthcare lending and public finance. Her many accomplishments include her work as developer’s counsel on the first phase of the Flats East Bank project. That phase, which totaled $275 million, consisted of 33 sources of funds, which MacDougall managed. MacDougall’s success on the project earned her the National Impact Award from CREW Network in 2011.

Since then, Crain’s Cleveland Business named MacDougall an influential woman in finance. And Super Lawyers included her in its “Top 50 Women” as well as its “Top 25 Women-Cleveland Area” Ohio attorneys lists for 2018.

“I’m so grateful to be honored for the work I love to do,” said MacDougall. “And it gives me great joy to know that my efforts inspire the next generation of commercial real estate attorneys.”

MacDougall has been a member of CREW Cleveland for the past seven years and is a past president of the Cleveland chapter.

“Best Law Firms” Rankings Released!


November 1, 2017

On November 1, 2017, U.S. News – Best Lawyers announced their 2018 “Best Law Firms” rankings. This is the eighth consecutive year that these rankings have been issued, and Walter | Haverfield was pleased to learn that this year the firm was recognized for its achievements in 17 areas of practice.

NATIONAL TIER 3

  • Land Use and Zoning Law

METROPOLITAN TIER 1
Cleveland

  • Commercial Litigation
  • Criminal Defense: White-Collar
  • Education Law
  • Environmental Law
  • Litigation – Land Use and Zoning
  • Litigation – Municipal
  • Municipal Law
  • Real Estate Law

METROPOLITAN TIER 2
Cleveland

  • Land Use and Zoning Law
  • Litigation – Construction
  • Litigation – Environmental
  • Tax Law

METROPOLITAN TIER 3
Cleveland

  • Banking and Finance Law
  • Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
  • Litigation – ERISA
  • Litigation – Labor and Employment

According to U.S. News – Best Lawyers, firms included in this year’s listing “…are recognized for professional excellence with persistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. Achieving a tiered ranking signals a unique combination of quality law practice and breadth of legal expertise.” This year’s ratings were based upon a high number of participating firms and a large number of client ballots. More than 13,000 attorneys provided over one million law firm evaluations, and over 7,500 clients also participated in the evaluation process.

U.S. News – Best Lawyers also explained that, “Ranked firms, presented in tiers, are listed on a national and/or metropolitan scale. Receiving a tier designation reflects the high level of respect a firm has earned among other leading lawyers and clients in the same communities and the same practice areas for its abilities, its professionalism, and its integrity.”

Ralph Cascarilla Recognized as Top Criminal Defense Lawyer in Ohio


October 20, 2017

 

Walter | Haverfield’s Ralph Cascarilla has been named one of the top 100 criminal defense litigators in Ohio by America’s Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys. The organization chose Cascarilla, who represents individuals and corporations in government white-collar criminal investigations, via third-party research and ranking data. The search process took into account Cascarilla’s criminal defense success, ethical standards, client satisfaction and community impact.

“With these extremely high standards for membership, less than one-half percent of attorneys in the United States will ever receive this award,” said Kevin Wieser, membership director for America’s Top 100 LLC. “Ralph certainly deserves to be recognized among this group.”

Saluting the Best of the Best


August 18, 2017

We are pleased and honored that 15 of our attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 24th edition of The Best Lawyers in America. First published in 1983, Best Lawyers based its 2018 listing upon the results of an exhaustive peer review survey, in which attorneys cast their votes regarding the legal abilities of other lawyers in their practice areas. Those who will be honored in the 2018 edition include:

In addition, both Ralph E. Cascarilla and John W. Waldeck, Jr. were selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America’s 2018 “Lawyer of the Year” listing in the Cleveland metro area. Ralph was recognized for his “Litigation-Environmental” practice, while Jack Waldeck was listed for his “Real Estate Law” practice.

Cleveland bar association has new leader, same challenges


June 4, 2017

Clay Named President of Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association – Partner at Walter | Haverfield to help Association implement new strategic plan


June 1, 2017

Darrell A. Clay, a partner in the litigation services group of Walter | Haverfield, will assume the position of president of Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association (CMBA) at the organization’s annual meeting on Friday, June 2. Clay, who has been practicing law since 1994, has been an active member of CMBA for 20 years.

In addition to helping guide the operations of CMBA for the next 12 months, Clay will direct the continued implementation of the organization’s new strategic plan. Key objectives of the new plan include strengthening membership by enhancing the overall value proposition for members, promoting the organization as a go-to source for thought leadership in law and justice, and repositioning the organization to be more relevant and appeal to changing demographics, including younger members.

“I am excited about the opportunity to be in the driver’s seat to help make this new strategic vision a reality,” said Clay. “Although it won’t be wrapped up by the end of my term, I hope to have the overall direction and foundation for growth in good shape for my successor. I want people to experience CMBA in a new way and promote the idea that this isn’t your father’s bar association.”

Clay has a long history of active participation in CMBA. Among other services, he has served on the membership (recruitment), admissions and grievance committees. He is a Fellow of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation, as well as the Ohio State Bar Foundation.

“I believe attorneys should give back to their profession,” said Clay. “Despite the jokes often targeted against lawyers, I am proud to be in this field. Lawyers help protect rights and liberties, and CMBA can impact the community in meaningful ways relative to law and justice issues.”

The upcoming CMBA Annual Meeting is significant as it marks the 10th anniversary since the Cleveland and Cuyahoga County bar associations came together. The Cleveland Bar Association traces its roots back to 1873.

“I believe in the CMBA and am confident that I’m a better leader and a better lawyer because of being a member,” said Clay.

Although Clay began his legal career in New Orleans, he has been practicing law in Cleveland with Walter | Haverfield since 1997. He serves as vice-chair of the firm’s litigation services group, with a personal practice focused on complex civil and white collar criminal matters covering a wide variety of subjects, including antitrust, construction, unfair competition, First Amendment, and other matters. In addition, drawing on his experience as an instrument-rated commercial pilot and airplane owner, Clay has an active aviation law practice that includes advice, counseling and representation of pilots, aircraft owners and aviation companies in transactional, administrative and litigation matters.

“In addition to being an excellent lawyer, Darrell’s outstanding leadership skills and ability to build consensus make him particularly well-suited to lead the CMBA as its president,” said Ralph Cascarilla, managing partner at Walter | Haverfield.

Clay is licensed to practice law in Ohio and Louisiana. He graduated magna cum laude from Tulane University School of Law and received his M.A. and B.A. from the University of South Florida. He has been selected to Ohio Super Lawyers list for the past eight years in the areas of business litigation, criminal defense, white collar, and aviation law and was named a Leading Lawyer by Inside Business in the area of antitrust law. Clay currently resides in Strongsville.

Hurtuk recognized by Crain’s Cleveland Business


April 24, 2017