Roetzel & Andress L.P.A. announced Monday that it has combined with Chicago-based law firm Lewis, Overbeck & Furman, L.L.P. Roetzel has offices in Florida, New York, Ohio, and Washington D.C. The merger was effective October 1, giving Roetzel its 13th office location, and adding eight lawyers for a total of 210.
Headquartered in Akron, Chicago has been a long sought after market place, and gives Roetzel their third acquisition since 2006. Timothy J. Ochsenhirt, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Roetzel, stated: “Entry into the Chicago market has been in our plans for several years and establishing a presence in one of the nation’s largest and most dynamic centers of business is a significant part of our firm’s strategic growth plan … the attorneys of Lewis Overbeck bring an outstanding reputation for client service and legal excellence, along with practice focuses that complement those of existing attorneys in our other offices.”
Among the attorneys joining Roetzel are Tim J. Emmitt, Ryan M. Holmes, Douglas A. Lindsay, John W. Loseman, F. Richard Skweres, and Robert A. Subkowsky. Two associates are also included: Brian T. Bedinghaus and Elizabeth A. Ward.
Roetzel is considered one of the fastest growing law firms in the U.S. and rates 191 out of 250 in the National Law Journal’s largest law firms. In September 2011, The Best Lawyers in America announced that 59 of Roetzel’s lawyers made their prestigious list, up from 49 the previous year.
The firm was founded in 1876 and specializes in more than 40 different areas of law. The firm practices in the U.S. and internationally. Roetzel boasts more than 20 published case studies including those dealing with non-compete agreements, land development, bank’s charge-back rights on returned checks, product liability, risk management, development and Environmental Protection Act issues, intentional tort, business succession, municipality regulation issues, distribution agreements, and emergency response and crisis management. The firm also has expertise handling a variety of litigation and toxic tort cases, managing more than 50,000 cases throughout its tenure.
Roetzel’s has a portfolio of clients that include: Carter Lumber Company; Dresser-Rand; Envirotest Systems Corporation; FedEx Ground; First Merit Bank, N.A.; GE Global Research; General Motors Corporation; Lockheed Martin; Marathon Petroleum Company, LLC; Pella Corporation; Pentair, Inc.; PNC Bank; Rite Aid Corporation; Ryder Truck Rental, Inc.; United Parcel Service; Waste Management, Inc.; and Wells Fargo Home Mortgage.
A technology leader, the firm has advanced document management, electronic data, and virtual binders as well as highly skilled lawyers and staff specializing in electronic discovery and computer forensics.
Mr. Ochsenhirt concluded his statement: “We plan to continue our growth in Chicago, and are looking to attract attorneys with entrepreneurial spirits.”