Cleveland office adds Workers' Compensation services and team

Cleveland office adds Workers’ Compensation services and team

Cleveland office adds Workers' Compensation services and team

Perez Morris announced today the launch of workers’ compensation services in the law firm’s Cleveland, Ohio office. This addition to the firm’s current offerings includes two specialized workers’ compensation attorneys in Cleveland to help Ohio businesses navigate an influx of claims across the state. This is an important expansion of Perez Morris’ already strong workers’ compensation team, historically based in Columbus.

“The Ohio worker’s compensation system is complex, and the Perez Morris Cleveland office now has the resources to meet all workers’ compensation needs,” says Sarah Perez, firm managing partner. “Our lawyers represent state fund and self-insured employers in administrative hearings before the Industrial Commission of Ohio, in writ of mandamus matters before the Ohio Tenth District Court of Appeals, and in appeals before Ohio Courts of Common Pleas. We also handle workplace intentional tort actions.”

The Cleveland workers’ compensation group will counsel the largest healthcare organization in Ohio as well as construction, skilled nursing facilities, staffing agencies, and a variety of small businesses on their immediate and future workers’ compensation matters. The team brings more than three decades of experience to the firm and believes that now more than ever no business is immune to claims.

According to Workers’ Compensation Attorney Mark Gottfried, “given the direct impact that efficient and effective handling of these claims has on the workforce, the better businesses handle and manage these claims, the more productive they will be.

Workers’ compensation claims have evolved during the pandemic. With the great resignation and labor shortages, claims are becoming more lengthy, resulting in delays in employees returning to work. In addition, Gottfried expects that businesses will start to see an increase in remote claims in the coming year. Legislation in the pipeline will likely provide ground rules for such claims.

Gottfried suggests that claims create a moment for leaders to consider better ways to support employees and a checkpoint to make sure employees are in the right roles, accomplishing the right tasks to support company and personal growth. Perez Morris encourages businesses to proactively address workplace risks, incident protocols, and ways to collaborate and engage with employees from day one.

Sarah Perez Lawyers Quarterly screenshot of feature

Sarah Perez writes article for Lawyers Quarterly

Sarah Perez Lawyers Quarterly screenshot of feature

In an article published by the Columbus Bar Lawyers Quarterly, managing partner Sarah Perez discusses the lessons learned from COVID-19 and why they should stay in a post-pandemic world. “The pandemic has forced firms to develop a workplace culture that aligns with our attorney’s needs. We now embrace that people have families, and those families are important not just to our employees, but to the health of our communities.” – Sarah Perez

Read more on page 36 in the Spring issue here: https://issuu.com/columbusbarlawyersquarterly/docs/cblq-spring-2022.

Perez Morris Forbes

Managing partner Sarah Perez in Forbes

Perez Morris Forbes

In an article published by Forbes, managing partner Sarah Perez discusses her millennial perspective and building a culture of community and inclusivity that recognizes that today’s lawyers have different needs and values than previous generations. “We’re sticklers for making sure our acquisitions align with our values. We have a warmth at Perez Morris that you don’t always feel at other firms.” – Sarah Perez

Read the full article in Forbes.

Managing partner Sarah Perez interviewed by The Playbook

Managing partner Sarah Perez interviewed by The Playbook

Managing partner Sarah Perez interviewed by The Playbook

Managing partner Sarah Perez was interviewed by The Playbook, a section of The Business Journals, in an article examining challenges, particularly surrounding Covid-19 vaccines, faced by employers as employees return to the office. Sarah emphasized the importance for employers of having clearly documented processes and policies that are widely available to employees, as well as providing flexibility for employees concerned about working with unvaccinated colleagues, and shared best practices for employers with and without vaccine mandates.

Ty West, “As employees return to the office, companies grapple with vaccine tensions,” The Business Journals, April 3, 2022.

Perez Morris expands Ohio footprint with Cleveland-based team, photo showing new attorneys

Perez Morris expands Ohio footprint with Cleveland-based team

Perez Morris expands Ohio footprint with Cleveland-based team, photo showing new attorneys

Perez Morris announced today its expansion into the Cleveland area with an office space and partnership with attorneys from Cleveland-based law firm, Giffen & Kaminski. Perez Morris’ Cleveland office will open April 1, 2022, in the heart of downtown to house six attorneys joining the Perez Morris team, including managing partners Karen Giffen and Kerin Lyn Kaminski. The expansion will make Perez Morris the largest woman-owned law firm in Ohio.

“We are pleased to welcome Karen Giffen and Kerin Lyn Kaminski and other lawyers and staff to the Perez Morris family,” said Perez Morris’ Managing Partner, Sarah Perez. “Bringing the new Cleveland based team into the fold means we have the opportunity to leverage the talent and experience of our lawyers for the benefit of our clients across more regions of the state.”

The strong group of seasoned litigators and trial lawyers will allow Perez Morris to build upon and expand its services in Business Litigation, Labor & Employment Litigation, Financial Services Litigation, Investigations, and Real Estate Litigation including Title Litigation.

In addition to their expertise, the new team embodies Perez Morris’ commitment to top-quality, strategic, and focused client service, as well as investment in the community and are a natural fit when it comes to the firms’ strategic growth. Both Karen and Kerin jointly operated a woman-owned law firm for 18 years and they share the common goal of championing diversity in law and business. Adding to Perez Morris’ culture, the attorneys have long-term relationships with clients, focus on community engagement, and bring a collaborative approach to service.

“It is amazing how closely we align in terms of values and services,” said Karen Giffen. “I look forward to joining this vastly talented team to accomplish even more meaningful work in Ohio and across the country.”

Perez Morris’ Cleveland Office will be located at 1215 Superior Ave., Suite 225, Cleveland, Ohio 44114. The Cleveland office team will include lawyers Kerin Lyn Kaminski, Karen Giffen, Kathleen A. Nitschke, Jan L. Roller, Jo A. Tatarko, and Courtney L. Bow.

 

About Perez Morris

Perez Morris is a woman-owned business law firm headquartered in Columbus, Ohio with offices in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, and attorneys licensed to practice across the country.  We guide our business clients to manage their risks and make deals happen. We provide general counsel, business litigation, and commercial transactional services nationwide with a focus on cost-effective, practical, industry-savvy advice that allows our clients to continue to grow and thrive.

 

About Giffen & Kaminski

Giffen & Kaminski is a women-owned law firm committed to the idea that diversity brings better results for its clients and a more fulfilling work experience for its lawyers and staff. We actively strive to achieve a team at Giffen & Kaminski that reflects our community. We value excellence, teamwork, loyalty, responsiveness, and dependability. We believe in collaboration with our clients, our lawyers, our colleagues, and the business community.

Perez Morris Super Lawyers and Rising Stars graphic

Seven Perez Morris attorneys named to 2022 Ohio Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Perez Morris Super Lawyers and Rising Stars graphic

Perez Morris is proud to announce that seven of its attorneys have been named to the 2022 Ohio Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists. Congratulations to Juan J. Perez, Elizabeth Weeden, and Kevin Murch for being named to the Super Lawyers list and to Sarah C. Perez, Celia M. Kilgard-Schnupp, Anne Marie Schloemer, and Michelle Thompson for being selected to the Rising Stars list.

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

Perez Morris is delighted to sponsor the mobile app for the 2022 NAMWOLF Driving Diversity & Leadership Conference

Perez Morris to sponsor the mobile app for the 2022 NAMWOLF Driving Diversity & Leadership Conference

Perez Morris is delighted to sponsor the mobile app for the 2022 NAMWOLF Driving Diversity & Leadership Conference

National business law firm Perez Morris is delighted to sponsor the mobile app for the 2022 NAMWOLF Driving Diversity & Leadership Conference! The woman-owned firm, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, is proud to support the National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms. Perez Morris attorneys Kevin Murch, Anne Marie Schloemer, Mony Yin, and David Bronstein will attend the DDLC conference, to be held in San Antonio, Texas, from March 5 – 8, 2022.

The DDLC conference will be the organization’s first in person meeting since February 2020, and will feature continuing legal education, networking opportunities and career development for both in-house counsel and law firm members.

Vista Village logo with a sketch of the land

Vista Village Tiny Home Community Designed for Homeless in Columbus

Vista Village logo with a sketch of the land

Perez Morris Founding Partner John Perez was featured in an article published by Columbus Business First for leading a group of business leaders in planning a tiny home development on Columbus’ southeast side that will serve formerly homeless residents. John and his wife Joan purchased 15 acres of land last fall to bring their vision of Vista Village to life.

“It’s a different and innovative way to provide housing for people who are homeless,” John said. “It’s going to be a quality place to live. The idea is to provide residents dignity where they live, as opposed to crowding them together.”

We are so proud of John and his vision to make an impact for the homeless community in Central Ohio. Click here to read the full article.

Perez Morris Columbus Eagles FC announcement

Perez Morris Announced as Presenting Sponsor of Columbus Eagles FC

Perez Morris Columbus Eagles FC announcement

Perez Morris is proud to announce its sponsorship of women’s soccer team Columbus Eagles FC. Headquartered in Columbus and being a women-owned law firm, the partnership is a perfect fit.

“Our firm is passionate about being deeply involved in our community,” said Managing Partner Sarah Perez. “Supporting the Eagles FC aligns with our values of teamwork, dedication, and uplifting women.”

One of Perez Morris’ core values is giving back to the community in which it does business. In addition to its sponsorship of the Eagles FC, the firm has deep roots in various Columbus charities including the Overcomer Foundation and Vista Village.

Since the Eagles FC’s inception in 2014, the club has brought a high level of play to women’s soccer in Columbus.

Today, the Columbus Eagles FC is proud to announce Perez Morris as the club’s presenting sponsorship partner. Their support allows the Eagles to work toward our goal of bringing the absolute best soccer to Central Ohio,” says Mark Wise, Owner of Eagles FC. “We are grateful for their business connections, and being woman-owned and led is a plus for us. We will work hard for them to be the best we can be.”

The club has continuously grown in strength and fans – even with a whole season being cancelled due to Covid. Through the partnership, Perez Morris and Eagles FC have a shared commitment to continued contribution to the team’s success, the growth of women’s sports in Central Ohio, and the creation of an expanded fan base.