Law

McCarthy partner quits private judge gig
Last year saw civil litigants in Cuyahoga County take advantage of a little-known Ohio statute that allows them to hire retired judges to preside over civil trials. Robert Glickman, a partner with McCarthy, Lebit, Crystal and Liffman Co. LPA and a former Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge, presided over six such trials. Despite glowing reviews from the litigants involved, 2005 closed with some local judges openly protesting the practice on grounds it detracted from public resources and also encouraged “judge-shopping.”

In the wake of that uproar, Glickman ceased acting as a private judge. However, in addition to his litigation practice, Glickman currently presides over a thriving mediation caseload.

“I have a unique perspective from both sides of the table,” Glickman says. “It certainly helps me resolve difficult disputes.”

Thompson Hine adds construction services

Thompson Hine is branching out of the law business, and in the process they’re helping to reshape America’s urban landscape. Jeff Applebaum, a partner of the Cleveland-based law firm, is managing director of Project Management Consultants (PMC). PMC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Thompson Hine, is a one-stop consulting shop for those looking to complete large-scale construction projects, and the skyline of America is changing with its assistance.

In addition to helping the Ohio School Facilities Commission build more than $4 billion of schools throughout Ohio since 1999, Applebaum and the PMC recently completed construction of the St. Louis Cardinals new $325 million baseball stadium. “Even though we’re this little consulting business based in Cleveland, we have billions of dollars in projects going on nationwide,” says Applebaum. Information on PMC can be found at www.aboutpmc.com.

Benesch grows private equity practice

With billions of dollars flowing into private equity funds the past few years, it’s only natural one would find the nation’s top law firms and lawyers lining up to help these cash cows achieve their lofty financial goals.

But rather than sit idly by and let the big city firms have all the fun, Jim Hill, managing partner of Cleveland’s Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP, is at the forefront of helping these funds navigate the often-hectic leveraged buyout waters.

The key to growing their burgeoning private equity practice is to differentiate themselves from the rest of the pack. “We try to be a little more fleet of foot than the next guy; a little more responsive maybe,” Hill says.

Roetzel opens Orlando office

Akron-based Roetzel & Andress LPA has expanded its rapidly growing Florida presence with the opening of an office in Orlando.

In addition to its presence in five Ohio cities and in Washington, D.C., the firm also has offices in Naples, Fort Myers and Tallahassee, Fla. “Expansion into the Orlando market is tangible evidence of our overall growth strategy to better serve the needs of our clients statewide,” says Timothy J. Ochsenhirt, chairman and CEO of Roetzel & Andress. “While the firm has been in the Florida market for more than 15 years and has maintained a consistent presence in Orlando for some time now, this move confirms our commitment to the region and to our clients.”

The Orlando office is currently led by Michael Yashko, managing partner, and Tom Wert, partner. Yashko’s practice focuses on real estate development, real estate finance and general corporate matters. Wert practices in the civil litigation arena, focusing on general commercial law and construction law. Wert was elected president of the Orange County Bar Association in May.

The firm says it will increase the office’s scope of practice areas and number of attorneys by the end of the year.