Blake’s practice focuses on estate planning and business advisory services for individuals and small businesses. He works closely with clients to develop tailored planning strategies and prepares wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and advance directives. He also advises on business succession planning, entity restructuring, real estate transactions, and tax considerations, recognizing that effective planning often requires coordination across multiple areas of law.

As an addition to the Trusts & Estates group, Blake brings a well-rounded and strategic perspective, shaped by his experience in estate and trust administration, business matters, and litigation. His ability to proactively identify potential challenges allows him to guide clients toward practical and comprehensive outcomes aligned with their goals.

Blake earned his undergraduate degree in Political Theory from Michigan State University and his law degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law and was admitted to practice in 2019. Over the course of his career, Blake has handled personal injury matters resulting in multiple six-figure settlements, as well as contested hearings and bench trials in family law and commercial disputes. This experience informs his proactive and strategic counsel.

“I am excited to join McCarthy Lebit and take the next step in my career. I look forward to working alongside such an exceptional team of attorneys and professionals,” added Blake Benson.

If you are interested in learning more about Blake, click here to visit his professional bio.

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Anthony represents clients across a broad range of civil and commercial matters, bringing a well-rounded perspective to each engagement. He has developed a particular focus in securities litigation, representing clients in arbitration proceedings before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and the National Futures Association (NFA). Anthony has represented clients in disputes involving options trading, suitability, selling away, non-conventional and alternative investments, Ponzi schemes, and Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI).

As an addition to the Litigation group, Anthony will leverage his extensive experience in securities and commercial litigation while also handling a broad range of civil and commercial matters beyond his prior focus. He will represent clients in complex disputes, provide strategic guidance on regulatory and compliance issues, and contribute to the firm’s commitment to delivering exceptional legal services across diverse litigation matters.

Anthony earned his B.S. in Business Management from Case Western Reserve University, with minors in Economics and Leadership. As an undergraduate, he captained the varsity basketball team and participated in Spartan Sustained Dialogue, an initiative fostering cross-cultural understanding among student-athletes. He earned his J.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Law, where he served as an assistant coach for the university’s basketball program, was an active member of the Black Law Student Organization, and participated in the Street Law program, educating youth at the Cuyahoga County juvenile detention center. Anthony also gained practical legal experience as a law clerk at the Cuyahoga County Public Defender’s Office.

“I am excited to join McCarthy Lebit and join a team of talented and dedicated professionals who provide top-notch services to their clients. I look forward to learning and continuing the excellent reputation the firm has earned,” shared Anthony Duckett.

If you are interested in learning more about Anthony, click here to visit his professional bio.

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For three decades, the ORT Jurisprudence Award has honored attorneys and jurists who exemplify integrity, dedication to the profession, and sustained civic involvement. The award has become a cornerstone event in the Cleveland legal community, celebrating individuals whose careers reflect both professional achievement and a deep commitment to service.

Ann-Marie and Larry have demonstrated extraordinary leadership and vision throughout their careers. Their accomplishments and community engagement reflect the enduring values upon which the Jurisprudence Award was founded.

“We are thrilled to honor Ann-Marie and Larry with the ORT Jurisprudence Award during this milestone year,” said Todd Gurney, President of ORT America- Midwest Region. “Their accomplishments and commitment to service embody the spirit of this award and reflect the strength and integrity of our legal community.”

Event co-chairs are Kenneth B. Liffman, McCarthy Lebit Crystal & Liffman Co., LPA; Jill G. Okun, Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP, and Shawna L. Rosner, Direct Recruiters, Inc. Legal Solutions Group. Ken Liffman was instrumental in establishing the Jurisprudence Award in 1996, and his leadership and vision helped lay the foundation for what has become a proud thirty-year tradition of recognizing legal excellence in Cleveland.

Honorary Co-Chairs are James Graham, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., Kenneth B. Liffman, McCarthy, Lebit, Crystal & Liffman Co., LPA, Catherine O’Malley Kearney, Key Private Bank, and Dan Zelman, Immediate Past Chairperson Jewish Federation of Cleveland.

The award ceremony will take place on June 17, 2026 at 5:30pm at The Union Club and will bring together leaders from across the legal and civic communities. The event also serves as a key fundraising initiative supporting ORT’s global mission to advance education, vocational training, and career development opportunities around the world.

For more information about sponsorship opportunities or to attend the event, please contact ORT America- Midwest Region at 216-464-3022 or email midwest@ortamerica.org. Visit www.ortamerica.org/midwest.

About the Honoree: Ann-Marie Ahern

Ann-Marie Ahern is Co-Managing Principal and head of the Employment Law group at McCarthy, Lebit, Crystal & Liffman Co., LPA. She is a dedicated, tireless advocate, and trusted advisor and has successfully litigated hundreds of employment disputes on behalf of her clients. As a Certified Specialist in Labor & Employment Law, Ann-Marie is knowledgeable of all facets of employment law and represents employees at each stage of the employment relationship. She approaches her practice with the understanding that a career is more than a paycheck, and that the loss of a job can be devastating.

Ann-Marie is an award-winning advocate and a top Labor & Employment Specialist in Ohio. Ann-Marie has been recognized repeatedly for her professional excellence, including multiple “Lawyer of the Year” honors from The Best Lawyers in America in labor and employment litigation and employment law for individuals. She has also been consistently named among Ohio’s top attorneys by Super Lawyers. A respected voice in her field, she is frequently invited to speak and provide commentary on employment law issues.

Ann-Marie has tried cases involving age, sex, race, and disability discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful discharge, non-compete issues, breach of contract, and illegal retaliation.  She has been at the forefront of the #MeToo and sexual harassment awareness movement and has been a steadfast supporter of victims of all forms of illegal discrimination. During her career, she has obtained verdicts and settlements on behalf of her clients in excess of $70 million.

Beyond her legal accomplishments, Ann-Marie has demonstrated a deep and sustained commitment to education and mentorship. For many years, she has served on the Visiting Committee for Cleveland State University College of Law, where she also led the Job Placement Workgroup. She currently serves on the Board of St. Joseph Academy, an all-girls school in the City of Cleveland dedicated to empowering young women to achieve academic excellence and inspiring lives of compassionate leadership and service in a global society. The school fosters unity and service to the “dear neighbor,” and all creation. As a member of the Executive Committee and Chair of the Governance Committee, she plays a key role in guiding the school’s leadership and mission. This year, she is also serving as an advisor to the school’s Mock Trial team.

Ann-Marie’s dedication to young people extends beyond the classroom. She has coached girls youth soccer for many years, working with athletes ranging in age from eight to eighteen, and has served as a mentor with College Now, supporting students as they pursue higher education opportunities.

Her career reflects a steadfast belief in dignity, opportunity, and the power of using one’s voice to uplift and protect others. Through her leadership in the legal profession, her mentorship of students, and her service to community and educational organizations, she has created lasting impact both professionally and personally.

_____

ORT is a global education network driven by Jewish values and innovation, preparing people and communities for meaningful, self-sufficient futures. The ORT network reaches more than 200,000 people a year in schools, universities, and vocational training programs in more than 30 countries. We bridge the gap between ability and opportunity by providing leading science and technology education. ORT America consists of thousands of people throughout the United States who share a common, binding interest in supporting ORT, Israel and the Jewish people. ORT America is headquartered in New York, with regional offices in California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio. For more information, please visit www.ortamerica.org.

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Jenna continues to develop her legal practice concentrated in the area of family law. She counsels her clients in the areas of divorce, dissolution, establishment of child support and custody, post-decree matters, and prenuptial agreements.

As a newly elected Principal, Jenna remains committed to delivering a high level of client service and trusted legal counsel. She is particularly passionate about helping her clients navigate complex financial and custody issues with professionalism and thoughtful advocacy.

Richard Rabb, a Principal at McCarthy Lebit and head of the firm’s Family Law group, shared, “Jenna is an exceptional individual with a unique legal talent for objectivity, enabling her to serve as both a skilled problem-solver and a thoughtful advocate who can reframe issues to better appreciate the matters at hand. She is an outstanding thinker with remarkable poise and professionalism, qualities that both her colleagues and clients truly value. Jenna is also deeply understanding and empathetic to client concerns. Her straightforward approach, combined with her strong grasp of complex issues, allows her to effectively manage, guide, and bring resolution to sophisticated family law matters. I am incredibly excited for her, for our practice group, and for the Firm that she has been nominated to be my partner. We are all fortunate to have her.”

Since 2024, Jenna has been honored with inclusion on the Ohio Super Lawyers® Rising Stars list in the area of “Family Law,” a distinction awarded to attorneys who demonstrate exceptional professional achievement and peer recognition early in their careers.

Jenna is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, and the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association. Within the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, she is an active participant in the Family Law Section. She previously served as a Co-Chair for the 2024-2025 term and continues to take part in the Section’s initiatives.

After graduating from Rutgers University, where she obtained her bachelor’s degree, Jenna earned her Juris Doctor from Case Western Reserve University School of Law. After graduation, she remained in the Cleveland area, where she now calls home.

“I am incredibly grateful for the trust my clients and colleagues have placed in me, and I’m excited to take this next step as a Principal of McCarthy Lebit,” Jenna Sholk shared. “I’m proud to continue advocating for my clients through some of the most challenging and pivotal moments in their lives.”

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As Ann-Marie Ahern and Chuck Nemer wrap up their first year as Co-Managing Principals, their collaborative leadership has driven meaningful progress across the firm, strengthening operations, enhancing client service, and positioning McCarthy Lebit for continued growth.

2026 Attorney & Staff Promotions

The firm is pleased to announce the election and promotion of Jenna C. Sholk to Principal of the firm, effective January 1, 2026. Jenna joined McCarthy Lebit in 2023 as an Associate in the firm’s Family Law group, where she has dedicated her practice to helping clients with a wide range of matters pertaining to domestic relations.

Julia Martinez joined McCarthy Lebit as an Operations Assistant. This year, she was promoted to Legal Assistant, where she now supports the firm’s Trusts & Estates practice group. She is currently continuing her education in paralegal studies.

This Year’s New Attorneys

We proudly welcomed six talented attorneys to our ranks – three of counsel and three associates – each bringing unique experience, energy, and perspective that further strengthen the firm’s depth and enhance the services we provide to our clients.

Christine N. Townsend joined the firm’s Taxation and Transactions groups as Of Counsel. Christine possesses a diverse legal background and extensive tax experience, advising corporate and individual clients on a wide range of transactional matters, with a primary focus on mergers and acquisitions, business structuring, and tax planning.

Sami Z. Farhat joined the firm’s Litigation group as Of Counsel. His practice spans a broad spectrum of general litigation, with a primary focus on business, commercial, real estate, and construction litigation. With more than 10 years of experience, Sami is committed to delivering practical, results-oriented counsel, whether advising on business transactions, navigating construction disputes, or mitigating risk.

Alexandra C. Eckrich joined the firm’s Litigation group as Of Counsel. Her litigation practice covers a broad range of areas, including intricate commercial litigation, management of extensive discovery and electronically stored information (ESI), business, labor and employment disputes, and insurance disputes.

José A. Nuñez joined the firm’s Transactions group as an Associate attorney after passing the February Ohio Bar Exam. His practice focus spans the Banking & Finance, Business & Corporate, Litigation, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Real Estate & Construction practice groups. José earned a bachelor’s degree from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania and went on to complete his Juris Doctor, Master of Business Administration, and Business Law Certificate at the University of Akron.

Michael P. O’Neil joined the firm’s Employment group as an Associate attorney. He passed the July Ohio Bar Exam, and he supports both litigation and advisory matters related to employment law. Michael earned his bachelor’s degree from Miami University in Oxford, OH, before obtaining his Juris Doctor from Cleveland State University College of Law.

This Year’s New Staff

In addition to expanding our team of attorneys, we also welcomed new staff members to the firm. Their skills and experience play a vital role in supporting our attorneys, enhancing our operations, and continuing to provide exceptional service.

Brian A. Korsberg joined McCarthy Lebit as the firm’s Controller. With over 10 years’ experience in accounting, Brian has brought a wealth of knowledge to his role in managing the day-to-day accounting and finance functions within the firm.

Jeanne A. Gombeda joined McCarthy Lebit as Firm Administrator. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience in administration and human resources within the legal industry, she oversees the firm’s professional staff and leads key initiatives that drive organizational success.

Annmarie Buckingham joined McCarthy Lebit as a Legal Assistant. In her role, she is responsible for providing support to a team of attorneys within our Transactions group.

Olivia Makofsky joined McCarthy Lebit as Operations Assistant. She provides administrative and operational support to ensure the firm’s day-to-day functions run efficiently and effectively.

Jessica Lambert joined McCarthy Lebit as Operations Assistant. She plays a key role in supporting the firm’s daily processes and internal workflows.

Awards & Recognitions

The exceptional skill, professionalism, and dedication of our attorneys reflect the high standards we hold as a firm and our commitment to providing outstanding legal service. Their achievements are a testament to the culture of excellence we strive to uphold each day. The following awards and recognitions illustrate that commitment in action.

Crain’s Cleveland Business announced the 2025 Notable Litigator & Trial Attorney Honorees, spotlighting Cleveland’s exceptional litigators and trial attorneys whose expertise, dedication, and pursuit of justice set them apart in the legal community. Christian Patno was among those honored this year for his outstanding contributions as a distinguished legal advocate. Follow the link to read more about this recognition.

McCarthy Lebit was named the 2024 recipient of Kaufman Container’s Partnership of Excellence Award – a distinguished recognition presented to a trusted partner for their invaluable contributions to the well-being of the business. Kaufman Container, a leading packaging solutions provider, is a client of the firm, and this recognition served as a reflection of the strength and depth of our decades-long partnership. We take immense pride in being a key advisor through their continued growth and innovation, and we are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to their ongoing success. Follow the link to read more about this recognition.

Crain’s Cleveland Business announced the 2025 Women of Influence Honorees, celebrating women who defy conventions and inspire future generations. Ann-Marie Ahern was among those honored this year for her impact not only in the courtroom but throughout the community she serves. Follow the link to read more about this recognition.

Seven attorneys have been recognized as 2025 Leading Lawyers by Ohio Business Magazine, an annual distinction that honors the top legal talent across the state of Ohio. The recognized attorneys and their area of practice include Ann-Marie Ahern (Labor & Employment), David Cuppage (Business, Insurance), Brian Farnan (Banking & Finance), Rob Glickman (Construction, White Collar), Jennifer Hallos (Estate Planning, Tax), Christian Patno (Personal Injury), and Carianne Staudt (Business, Tax). Follow the link to read more about this recognition.

In the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, 28 McCarthy Lebit attorneys were recognized. 22 attorneys were honored as Best Lawyers®, and six attorneys were included as Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch®. Of the 28 attorneys recognized in the 2026 Edition, two attorneys were named “Lawyer of the Year.” Ann-Marie Ahern was honored as the Cleveland, OH “Lawyer of the Year” for Litigation – Labor and Employment, and Jack Moran was honored as the Cleveland, OH “Lawyer of the Year” for Employment Law – Individuals. In addition to Ann-Marie and Jack, Hugh Berkson, David Cuppage, Brian Farnan, Danielle Garson, Rob Glickman, Jennifer Hallos, Tobias Hirshman, Kimon Karas, Robert Kracht, Kenneth Liffman, David Lum, Michael Makofsky, Charles Nemer, Christian Patno, Andrew Perry, Richard Rabb, David Schaefer, John Seich, E. Roger Stewart, and Mark Wallach also received Best Lawyers® recognition. Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® included Alexandra Eckrich, Frank George, Adam Glassman, Taylor Mehalko, Ryan Palko, and Colin Ray. Follow the link to read more about this recognition.

McCarthy Lebit was featured in the 2026 Chambers USA Spotlight Guide. The firm was recognized in three practice areas, including Corporate/Commercial, Labor & Employment, and Trusts & Estates, making McCarthy Lebit the only firm to be ranked in three practice areas. Follow the link to read more about this recognition.

McCarthy Lebit earned national and regional rankings across 30 practice areas in the 2026 Edition of Best Law Firms®. These rankings reflect the firm’s long-standing commitment to excellence, client service, and achieving exceptional results across a broad range of legal disciplines. Follow the link to read more about this recognition.

In the 2026 Edition of Ohio Super Lawyers®, 24 McCarthy Lebit attorneys were recognized. 18 attorneys were honored as Ohio Super Lawyers®, and six attorneys were included as Ohio Super Lawyers: Rising Stars®. Of the 24 attorneys recognized in the 2026 Edition, three attorneys have been named to multiple “Top Lists.” Christian Patno has advanced to the #2 ranking of all Super Lawyers® in Ohio, rising from the #3 position he held for several years. Ann-Marie Ahern has ranked on the Top 100 Ohio, Top 50 Women Ohio, and Top 50 Cleveland “Top Lists.” David Schaefer has ranked on the Top 100 Ohio and Top 50 Cleveland “Top Lists.” In addition to Christian, Ann-Marie, and David, Hugh Berkson, David Cuppage, Danielle Garson, Rob Glickman, Robert Kracht, Kenneth Liffman, David Lum, Michael Makofsky, Jack Moran, Charles Nemer, Andrew Perry, Richard Rabb, Colin Ray, John Seich, and Mark Wallach also received Ohio Super Lawyers® recognition. Ohio Super Lawyers: Rising Stars® included Alexandra Eckrich, Sami Farhat, Frank George, Adam Glassman, Ryan Palko, and Jenna Sholk. Follow the link to read more about this recognition.

Organizational Leadership Appointments

Through active involvement in professional organizations and meaningful engagement in the community, our attorneys contribute their time, experience, and leadership to help shape the legal profession and support the communities we serve. Many of our attorneys maintain long-standing involvement in a variety of external organizations, and in 2025, two attorneys stepped into formal leadership roles, extending the same dedication and professionalism they bring to their legal practice. The following leadership appointments reflect that dedication to service.

Principal Colin Ray was sworn in as the new Vice President of the Cleveland Academy of Trial Attorneys (CATA), Ohio’s largest and most active local trial organization. He was sworn in by former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio, Maureen O’Connor, alongside Secretary Katie Harris and Treasurer Thomas Ryan.

Principal Christian Patno was sworn in as President of the Ohio Chapter of ABOTA (American Board of Trial Advocates), a national association of highly accomplished trial lawyers selected for their professional excellence and dedication to preserving the constitutional right to a civil jury trial. Christian has been a long-standing and active member of the organization, most recently serving as the chapter’s Vice President.

Community Philanthropy

In the spirit of the late Dan McCarthy and in keeping with the culture of the firm, McCarthy Lebit continued its long-standing commitment to community service through robust charitable involvement throughout the year. The firm proudly supported a wide range of nonprofit and community organizations across Northeast Ohio through financial contributions and corporate sponsorships, including the Cleveland Food Bank, Cleveland Legal Aid, Harvest for Hunger, the American Heart Association, InMotion for Parkinson’s Disease, the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation, ORT-Ohio, NAMAT USA, The Keepers Foundation, numerous educational institutions, and many other worthy causes.

Looking ahead to 2026, we are energized by the possibilities the future holds. With a steadfast focus on innovation, growth, and service excellence, our leadership team is dedicated to building on MLCL’s proud legacy of success. We remain deeply committed to strengthening client relationships, expanding our capabilities, and setting new standards of value and impact in the legal industry. As always, our guiding principle is clear: Expect More. Get More.

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David is a Principal attorney with extensive litigation and trial experience in complex business and tort matters, addressing a diverse spectrum of personal and business grievances. Today, he focuses the majority of his practice on serving as a mediator and adjudicating arbitration disputes. David’s ADR success as a neutral is attributed to his significant career as a courtroom litigator.

In this year’s Edition of Ohio Super Lawyers®, David was ranked on the following “Top Lists” in the practice area of Civil Litigation: Defense in the state of Ohio.

• Top 100: 2026 Ohio Super Lawyers

David was ranked on the following “Top Lists” in the practice area of Civil Litigation: Defense in the Cleveland, Ohio metropolitan area.

• Top 50: 2026 Cleveland Super Lawyers

David’s reputation as a distinguished litigator and a fair-minded neutral has earned him recognition and admittance into multiple exclusive, invitation-only professional organizations. He was selected as a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, an honor awarded to a highly select group of accomplished trial attorneys; he is a member of the International Association of Defense Counsel, an invitation-only organization comprising leading corporate and defense attorneys; he is a Life Member of the Eighth District and Sixth Circuit Judicial Conferences; and he is a member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals, an invitation-only alternative dispute resolution professional association.

Read more about the Super Lawyers® methodology for selection.

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Ann Marie, Co-Managing Principal and head of the firm’s Employment Law group, has devoted her entire career to representing people in employment disputes. She has successfully litigated hundreds of employment disputes and has obtained verdicts and settlements in excess of $70 million.

In this year’s Edition of Ohio Super Lawyers®, Ann-Marie was ranked on the following “Top Lists” in the practice area of Employment Litigation: Plaintiff in the state of Ohio.

• Top 100: 2026 Ohio Super Lawyers
• Top 50: 2026 Women Ohio Super Lawyers

Ann-Marie was ranked on the following “Top Lists” in the practice area of Employment Litigation: Plaintiff in the Cleveland, Ohio metropolitan area.

• Top 50: 2026 Cleveland Super Lawyers

As an Ohio State Bar Association Certified Specialist in Employment & Labor Law, Ann Marie is knowledgeable about all facets of employment law. She approaches her practice with the understanding that a career is more than a paycheck and that the loss of a job can be devastating. Above all, her clients know her as both a tireless advocate and a trusted counselor.

Read more about the Super Lawyers® methodology for selection.

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In this year’s Edition of Ohio Super Lawyers®, Christian has advanced to the #2 ranking of all Super Lawyers® in Ohio, rising from the #3 position he held for several years.

With over three decades of distinguished, complex trial experience, Chris oversees the Personal Injury & Wrongful Death practice at the firm. He is nationally recognized for his work on catastrophic personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death, and defamation matters.

When lawyers, judges, business owners, and doctors are seeking to refer a family member or close friend to a trusted catastrophic injury/wrongful death attorney in Ohio, Christian has been at the top of their consideration for over 35 years. With well over 100 jury trials to verdict and numerous jury verdicts and settlements in excess of $1 million, “Patno” has become the Ohio “go-to” attorney.

Follow the link to read Christian Patno’s 2026 Ohio Super Lawyers feature, “Driving Force – Chris Patno goes flat-out for every injured client.”

Read more about the Super Lawyers® methodology for selection.

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Each year, Super Lawyers® recognizes the top lawyers in Ohio via a patented multiphase selection process involving peer nomination, independent research, and peer evaluation. The Ohio lawyers who receive the highest point totals during this selection process are further recognized in Ohio Super Lawyers® “Top Lists.”

The following lawyers have been recognized on the 2026 Ohio Super Lawyers® “Top Lists” in their respective practice areas.

• Ann-Marie Ahern – Top 100 Ohio, Top 50 Women Ohio, Top 50 Cleveland
• Christian R. Patno – Ranked #2 on Top 10 Ohio out of all lawyers in the state of Ohio
• David A. Schaefer – Top 100 Ohio, Top 50 Cleveland

Ann-Marie, Christian, and David have each earned longstanding recognition from Ohio Super Lawyers®. Christian and David have been honored every year since the inaugural edition in 2004, while Ann-Marie has been named to 18 consecutive editions. In addition, all three attorneys have consistently appeared on Ohio Super Lawyers® “Top Lists” for several years, a distinction reserved for the state’s legal community leaders. Follow the link to read Christian Patno’s 2026 Ohio Super Lawyers feature, “Driving Force – Chris Patno goes flat-out for every injured client.”

In addition to the impressive annual “Top Lists” rankings secured by Ann-Marie, Christian, and David, McCarthy Lebit is proud of the strong annual presence our attorneys maintain in Ohio Super Lawyers®. Each year, we consistently represent a significant share of the state’s most highly regarded attorneys across multiple practice areas, demonstrating the talent and reputation of our firm as a whole.

The following lawyers have been recognized in the 2026 Edition of Ohio Super Lawyers®.

• Ann-Marie Ahern – Employment Litigation: Plaintiff, Employment & Labor: Employee
• Hugh D. Berkson – Securities Litigation
• David M. Cuppage – Business Litigation
• Danielle G. Garson – Real Estate
• Rob Glickman – General Litigation
• Robert R. Kracht – Business Litigation
• Kenneth B. Liffman – Real Estate
• David A. Lum – Closely Held Business
• Michael D. Makofsky – Banking
• Jack E. Moran – Employment Litigation: Plaintiff
• Charles A. Nemer – Closely Held Business
• Christian R. Patno – Personal Injury General: Plaintiff
• Andrew S. Perry – Real Estate
• Richard A. Rabb – Family Law
• Colin R. Ray – Personal Injury General: Plaintiff
• David A. Schaefer – Civil Litigation: Defense
• John S. Seich – Estate & Probate
• Mark I. Wallach – Business Litigation

The following lawyers have been recognized in the 2026 Edition of Ohio Super Lawyers: Rising Stars®.

• Alexandra Eckrich – Business Litigation
• Sami Farhat – Construction Litigation
• Frank T. George – Employment Litigation: Plaintiff
• Adam Glassman – Real Estate
• Ryan M. Palko – Tax
• Jenna Sholk – Family Law

Read more about the Super Lawyers® methodology for selection.

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These rankings reflect the firm’s long-standing commitment to excellence, client service, and achieving exceptional results across a broad range of legal disciplines. McCarthy Lebit is proud to be recognized for its dedication to delivering practical, results-oriented counsel to individuals and businesses alike.

The firm’s national rankings in the 2026 Edition of Best Law Firms® include:

National Tier 3

• Banking and Finance Law
• Commercial Litigation
• Corporate Law
• Litigation – Mergers and Acquisitions

The firm’s regional rankings in the 2026 Edition of Best Law Firms® include:

Metropolitan Tier 1 – Cleveland

• Banking and Finance Law
• Bet-the-Company Litigation
• Commercial Litigation
• Corporate Law
• Employment Law – Individuals
• Employment Law – Management
• Litigation – Bankruptcy
• Litigation – Construction
• Litigation – Insurance
• Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Mediation
• Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
• Real Estate Law
• Tax Law
• Trusts and Estates

Metropolitan Tier 2 – Cleveland

• Commercial Finance Law
• Criminal Defense: General Practice
• Family Law
• Litigation – Trusts and Estates
• Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs

Metropolitan Tier 3 – Cleveland

• Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
• Criminal Defense: White-Collar
• Litigation – Mergers and Acquisitions
• Litigation – Real Estate
• Litigation – Securities
• Mergers and Acquisitions Law

Learn more about the Best Law Firms® methodology for selection.

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