NewsRoom Archives - Perez Morris

April 18, 2024

Navigating New Minimum Wage Laws: Insights From Partner Anne Marie Schloemer

Anne Marie Schloemer offers crucial insights on adapting to minimum wage increases. Her latest article breaks down the essential strategies for ensuring legal compliance and maintaining profitability amid evolving wage standards.

Read the full analysis for expert advice on managing these economic changes effectively: https://attorneyatlawmagazine.com/public-articles/business-law/how-businesses-can-prepare-for-minimum-wage-increases

At Perez Morris, we empower businesses with the knowledge to thrive in complex legal landscapes.

March 12, 2024

Perez Morris Celebrates Christine Santoni’s Induction into the American College of Trial Lawyers

Perez Morris is proud to announce that Christine Santoni has been inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, widely recognized as one of the premier legal associations in North America. The induction ceremony took place on Saturday, March 2, 2024 before an audience of over 600 attendees during the 2024 Spring Meeting of the College in Phoenix, Arizona.

Founded in 1950, the College is composed of the best trial attorneys from the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico with a minimum of 15 years of trial experience. Fellowship in the College is extended by invitation only to experienced trial lawyers with diverse backgrounds, who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility and collegiality. Membership in the College cannot exceed one percent of the total lawyer population of any state or province. There are currently approximately 5,800 members in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, including active Fellows, Emeritus Fellows, Judicial Fellows and Honorary Fellows.

The College maintains and seeks to improve the standards of trial practice, professionalism, ethics, and the administration of justice through education and public statements on independence of the judiciary, trial by jury, respect for the rule of law, access to justice, and fair and just representation of all parties to legal proceedings. The College is thus able to speak with a balanced voice on important issues affecting the legal profession and the administration of justice.

Chris is an established trial attorney who has tried over 65 jury trials. Her induction as a Fellow of the College reflects her exemplary work as a trial attorney. She is a frequent speaker on trial skills and litigation topics, as well as medical malpractice and professional liability matters. Chris focuses her practice on medical malpractice matters including the defense of physicians, hospitals, pharmacists and other health care professionals.

Congratulations to Chris on her induction as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers!

February 22, 2024

Perez Morris Elevates Kevin Murch to Partner-in-Charge, Columbus Office

Strategic vision, client-centric approach, and legal expertise drive advancement to expanded leadership role.

Business law firm Perez Morris proudly announces the promotion of Kevin L. Murch to Partner-in-Charge of its Columbus office. With over two decades of legal experience and a proven track record of success, Murch’s elevation underscores the firm’s commitment to nurturing and empowering top talent while delivering exceptional legal services to its clients.

Since joining Perez Morris in 2016, Kevin Murch has been instrumental in the firm’s growth trajectory, demonstrating exemplary leadership qualities, and fostering strong relationships both within the firm and with clients. His extensive experience in business litigation, product liability, labor and employment, financial services, and ADA Title III/accessibility and civil rights positions him as a trusted advisor and a formidable advocate for the firm’s clients.

“Kevin has been a driving force behind our firm’s success, embodying our core values of excellence, integrity, and client satisfaction,” said Sarah Perez, managing partner of Perez Morris. “His promotion to Partner-in-Charge is a testament to his exceptional leadership skills, breadth of expertise, and dedication to advancing our firm’s mission. I am confident that under Kevin’s guidance, our Columbus office will continue to thrive and exceed expectations.”

Throughout his career, Kevin has distinguished himself as a leader in the legal community, serving as lead counsel in complex matters before state and federal courts and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). His representation of manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers in product liability cases spanning pharmaceuticals, heavy machinery, chemicals, industrial equipment, agricultural equipment, and HVAC systems further underscores his depth of experience and legal acumen.

“I am honored and excited to assume the role of Partner-in-Charge of Perez Morris’s Columbus office,” said Murch. “I am deeply committed to the firm’s success and look forward to leveraging my skills and experience to further enhance our client service initiatives, foster collaboration within our team, and drive continued growth and excellence.”

In addition to his legal practice, Kevin advises companies on risk management and litigation avoidance strategies, earning numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. His nomination for Litigator of the Year in 2022 is a testament to his exceptional advocacy and dedication to client success.

As Partner-in-Charge, Murch will play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of the Columbus office, driving growth initiatives, continuing to recruit top talent, and upholding Perez Morris’s reputation for excellence in the legal community.

About Perez Morris
Perez Morris is a women-owned business law firm with offices in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, and attorneys licensed to practice across the country. The firm guides its business clients to manage their risks and make deals happen. The firm’s attorneys provide general counsel, business litigation, medical malpractice, pharmacy liability, and commercial transactional services nationwide with a focus on cost-effective, practical, industry-savvy advice that allows its clients to continue to grow and thrive. Learn more here: https://www.perezmorris.com/.

January 19, 2024

Perez Morris welcomes trial attorney Stacy Starcher to Medical Malpractice Team

Perez Morris is excited to introduce Stacy A. Starcher as our newest team member in an Of Counsel role. She brings with her a wealth of experience in medical malpractice, healthcare professional liability, and pharmacy liability, covering a wide range of medical fields. An accomplished trial attorney, Stacy has tried dozens of medical malpractice and medical negligence cases to verdict across Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Stacy’s practice centers around providing strong advocacy for doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers in malpractice cases. Her approach, characterized by a deep understanding of the substantial impact these cases have on healthcare providers, combines thorough preparation and persistence.

Stacy is board certified in Trial Advocacy and Civil Procedure from the National Board of Trial Advocacy. She also brings her experience in advising medical professionals and institutions in pre-trial investigations and risk management.

We are thrilled to have Stacy on board and are confident that her unique perspective, skills, and dedication will contribute significantly to the success of our healthcare industry clients.

January 18, 2024

Perez Morris marks two significant trial wins in medical malpractice defense

Perez Morris spotlights the exceptional trial practice of its medical malpractice department. Attorneys Jeanne Mullin and Christine Santoni each achieved a unanimous defense verdict in separate wrongful death cases in Ohio this past Friday, Chris in Lake County and Jeanne in Cuyahoga County. Their vigorous defense not only led to successful results, but also earned the genuine appreciation of the firm’s physician clients.

Congratulations to Jeanne and Chris!

January 9, 2024

Perez Morris announces of counsel collaboration with women-owned law firms

Perez Morris has launched a unique collaboration of women-owned law firms, in a continued expansion of its national footprint for providing unmatched defense, business litigation, general counsel and commercial transaction services.

Perez Morris, the largest certified women-owned law firm in Ohio, with offices in CT, MA, NJ, NY, OH and PA, has entered into an Of Counsel agreement with two other women-owned law firms: The Royal Law Firm and Sobel Pevzner. This Of Counsel collaboration further bolsters Perez Morris’s business litigation, medical malpractice, pharmacy liability, labor and employment, workers’ compensation and transactional practices and extends the firm’s reach into new jurisdictions including New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.

Through these strategic relationships, Perez Morris can leverage the deep experience of these women-owned firms for the benefit of the clients. Likewise, by sharing resources, each firm in the collaboration will be able grow its practice area and geographic coverage. This collaboration will also enable new opportunities for clients to increase their diverse legal spend with women-owned law firms.

Perez Morris client relationships will continue to be managed by the firm, with integrated billings. All of Perez Morris’s rate structures and client agreements will remain the same. The goal is a seamless expansion of the firm’s bench, with the top quality service and case administration our clients have come to expect. The collaborating firm’s attorneys are seasoned counsel in their jurisdictions and will share knowledge and resources such as forms, best practices and office space for witness interviews, depositions, mediations and other needs.

About our Collaborators:

The Royal Law Firm is a certified woman-owned law firm that exclusively represents and counsels businesses throughout the New England states and New York. The firm, headed by experienced litigator Amy Royal, is headquartered in Springfield, MA with offices in Hartford, CT, Providence, RI and Bennington, VT, and handles labor and employment litigation and advice, workers’ compensation, business litigation, human resources and transactional matters. The Royal Law Firm is a member of NAMWOLF.

Sobel Pevzner, LLC, is a woman-owned defense firm serving clients in New York, New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania, which, for more than 25 years, has been engaged in all aspects of negligence defense litigation. Since its inception, the firm has consistently and successfully represented prominent members of the insurance, hospitality, retail, transportation, habitation and construction industries in the greater New York Metropolitan area. The firm remains committed to providing the highest quality defense in the most cost effective manner. Managing Partner Bella Pevzner has significant experience in the defense of civil lawsuits as well as Workers’ Compensation matters in New York and New Jersey and oversees the day-to-day operations of the firm’s New York and New Jersey offices.

About Perez Morris

Perez Morris is a women-owned business law firm with offices in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, and attorneys licensed to practice across the country. The firm guides its business clients to manage their risks and make deals happen. The firm’s attorneys provide general counsel, business litigation, medical malpractice, pharmacy liability, and commercial transactional services nationwide with a focus on cost-effective, practical, industry-savvy advice that allows its clients to continue to grow and thrive.

December 29, 2023

Seventeen Perez Morris attorneys named to 2024 Ohio Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Perez Morris is proud to announce that seventeen of its attorneys have been named to the 2024 Ohio Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists. Congratulations to John Perez, Elizabeth Weeden, Kevin Murch, Karen L. Giffen, Kelly Grigsby Jones, Kerin Lyn Kaminski, Jeanne Mullin, Jan L. Roller, Rick Hernandez, Kathleen A. Nitschke, Christine Santoni, Myra Barsoum Stockett, and Jo Tatarko for being named to the Super Lawyers list and to Sarah C. Perez, Anne Marie Schloemer, Michelle Thompson, and Amanda M. Morris for being selected to the Rising Stars list.

Super Lawyers uses a patented multiphase selection process, including peer nominations, evaluations and independent research.

November 2, 2023

Perez Morris ranked among “Best Law Firms” by Best Lawyers®

Perez Morris is proud to announce that Best Lawyers® has ranked the firm in the 2024 edition of “Best Law Firms.” The firm is ranked in fourteen practice areas and celebrates three new rankings in Cleveland for Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants, as well as Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants and Insurance Law.

Best Law Firms has a sophisticated rankings process consisting of a rigorous evaluation of client and lawyer feedback, peer reviews, and information provided by law firms as part of the formal submission process.

Perez Morris received the following rankings:

Metropolitan Tier 1 – Cleveland, OH

Commercial Litigation
Employment Law – Management
Litigation – Labor & Employment
Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants

Metropolitan Tier 2
Columbus, OH

Commercial Litigation
Workers’ Compensation Law – Employers

Cleveland, OH

Insurance Law
Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants

New York City

Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants

Metropolitan Tier 3 – Cleveland, OH

Banking and Finance Law
Litigation – Insurance
Mediation
Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Real Estate Law

October 27, 2023

John Perez Led Vista Village Project Breaks Ground

On October 26, the Vista Village project took a significant step forward with a groundbreaking ceremony in Columbus, OH. Led by Perez Morris co-founder John Perez, this initiative aims to support individuals experiencing homelessness. The project introduces a unique model of community-centric living, providing residents with their own 420 sq. ft. modular built micro homes.

John Perez encapsulates the essence of this initiative, stating, “Vista Village is not merely about providing shelter. It aims to foster a nurturing community where individuals can find stability, grow, and work towards self-sufficiency. I am very excited about the potential of this project to positively impact our future residents’ lives.”

The project aims to empower residents to build on their strengths and transition into stable, permanent housing, while also laying a foundation for economic independence and self-sufficiency. Through strategic partnerships with social service agencies, residents will have access to essential services like primary care, mental health treatment, substance abuse recovery programs, GED programs, and vocational training, addressing the diverse challenges faced by individuals transitioning from homelessness.

The groundbreaking event symbolizes the commencement of construction and the forging of a community bound by shared aspirations of stability and growth.

Learn more about the Vista Village project at: https://www.vistavillage.org/

Read media coverage here:

Columbus Business First (October 27, 2023) – Southeast Columbus tiny home community starts construction

September 28, 2023

Charity Hyde Elected as Vice Chair of the Aviation Section of the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel

Perez Morris is pleased to announce the appointment of Charity Hyde, Chief Diversity Officer and Managing Attorney, as the Vice Chair of the Aviation Section of the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel (FDCC). This role is a testament to Charity’s outstanding legal acumen and her unwavering dedication to the profession.

The Aviation Law Section, where Charity will serve, is committed to enhancing the expertise of FDCC members who represent corporate entities, insurance companies, and their policyholders in aviation-related legal matters. As Vice Chair, Charity joins an elite group within the FDCC, a selective organization limited to 1,300 US attorneys in private practice. Charity has vast experience defending corporate clients in the aviation industry and is also a member of the International Aviation Womens Association (IAWA).

The FDCC, composed of recognized leaders in the legal community who have achieved professional distinction, is dedicated to promoting the knowledge, fellowship, and professionalism of its members as they pursue the course of a balanced justice system.

Congratulations, Charity!