News

Mansour Gavin proudly welcomes our 2022 summer associates: Kelley Murray, Savannah Gordon, and Natalie Browning*. Mansour Gavin invites talented second-year law students to participate in a Summer Associate Program. Candidates are selected based on their outstanding academic performance and character, proven leadership and interpersonal skills, dedicated development of advocacy and legal skills, passionate commitment to the legal profession and community.

Summer associates become “part of the team” at Mansour Gavin. A designated mentor attorney provides personal guidance for each of them, while they work on a variety of projects with attorneys across multiple practice areas. Summer associates receive daily opportunities to acquire hands-on litigation and transactional skills that may include conducting legal research, drafting motions, memoranda of law, legal opinions, correspondence, motions, jury instructions, reports, case evaluations and articles, attending state and federal court proceedings, assisting with and attending depositions, and preparing for, participating in and observing trials.

The program is designed to introduce law students to the challenges of working in a law firm and to identify the skills entry-level lawyers need to launch a successful legal career.

Mansour Gavin LPA is an established law firm founded in 1954 with offices in Cleveland and Independence, Ohio. Comprised of 45+ employees, including 22 lawyers, the firm provides a wide range of legal services to individuals and many successful privately held and publicly traded corporations.

*Natalie Browning is now known as Natalie Paolucci.

Mansour Gavin is pleased to welcome Natalie Browning* to the firm’s Estate Planning and Probate and Real Estate practice groups. Prior to joining the firm as an associate, Natalie spent over a year working as a law clerk at Mansour Gavin where she impressed everyone with her intellect and work ethic.

Natalie earned a B.A. in political science from the University of Akron and a J.D. from the University of Akron School of Law, where she graduated magna cum laude, was the recipient of the Board of Trustees Scholarship, an Honors Scholar, and earned the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in UCC Sales. During law school, she served as the Executive Editor of Production for the Akron Law Review and worked as a summer associate for the Community Legal Aid Services in Akron. Before attending law, she interned for the Ohio Judicial Conference.

Mansour Gavin LPA is an established law firm founded in 1954 with offices in Cleveland and Independence, Ohio. The firm provides a wide range of legal services to individuals and many successful privately held and publicly traded corporations.

*Natalie Browning is now known as Natalie Paolucci. 

Mansour Gavin LPA has been ranked in the 2026 Chambers Spotlight Ohio Guide, earning recognition as a leading litigation firm in the Cleveland market. The firm was selected for its excellence among small and mid-sized law firms delivering high-impact litigation services across Ohio.

Mansour Gavin regularly represents closely held businesses and corporations in complex litigation, including shareholder, member, and partnership disputes; municipal and public entity matters; contract and labor and employment litigation; unfair competition matters; class actions; and product and professional liability defense.

The firm’s real estate practice is a cornerstone of its litigation work. Mansour Gavin is among the most active eminent domain/land use law firms in Northeast Ohio and represents clients in matters involving zoning and planning, municipal and township law, and administrative appeals from governmental bodies. The firm’s real estate experience also includes commercial and residential leasing, acquisitions and sales, landlord-tenant disputes, boundary and title issues, entitlement and development projects, manufactured home park law, county tax valuation complaints and appeals, and construction-related litigation, including defect and warranty claims and mechanics’ liens.

The 2026 Chambers Ohio Spotlight Guide recognized 63 firms across 8 regions and 12 practice areas, highlighting leading small and mid-sized firms with fewer than 75 attorneys that demonstrate deep regional knowledge, exceptional client service, and a meaningful impact in their markets.

About Chambers and Partners
Chambers and Partners is an independent professional legal research company operating across 70 countries and 200 jurisdictions worldwide. The organization delivers detailed rankings and insight into the world’s top lawyers, legal departments, and law firms.

About Mansour Gavin
Founded in 1954, Mansour Gavin LPA is a full-service law firm with offices in Cleveland and Independence, Ohio, providing trusted counsel to individuals and privately held and publicly traded companies across a broad range of practice areas, including corporate and business law, civil litigation, real estate and land use, labor and employment, intellectual property, estate planning and probate, and environmental law.

Mansour Gavin LPA is proud to announce that 13 of our lawyers have been included in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, and four additional lawyers honored as Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America.

Published annually since 1983, Best Lawyers is widely regarded as a leading source for identifying outstanding legal talent, based entirely on peer review. Tony Coyne, President and Managing Partner of Mansour Gavin, added, “We are incredibly proud of our attorneys who received this distinction. Their dedication, integrity, and legal skill reflect the values we uphold as a firm.”

Mansour Gavin congratulates the following lawyers named to the 2026 Best Lawyers in America® list:

Cleveland, OH

• Timothy A. Boyko
  – Corporate Law
  – Elder Law
  – Real Estate Law
  – Trusts and Estates

• Charles T. Brown
  – Litigation – Trusts and Estates
  – Trusts and Estates

• James A. Budzik
  – Litigation – Labor and Employment

• Diane A. Calta
  – Commercial Litigation
  – Litigation – Real Estate
  – Municipal Law
  – Real Estate Law

• Anthony J. Coyne
  – Corporate Law
  – Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
  – Land Use and Zoning Law
  – Real Estate Law

• Brendon P. Friesen
  – Corporate Law

• Daniel J. McGuire
  – Trusts and Estates

• John W. Monroe
  – Corporate Law
  – Land Use and Zoning Law
  – Litigation – Real Estate
  – Real Estate Law

• Edward O. Patton
  – Commercial Litigation
  – Corporate Law
  – Litigation – Insurance

• Tatyana Pishnyak
  – Corporate Law

• Michael P. Quinlan
  – Litigation – Insurance
  – Trusts and Estates

• Patricia M. Ritzert
  – Public Finance Law
  – Real Estate Law

• Kenneth E. Smith
  – Litigation – Labor and Employment

We would like to congratulate the following lawyers recognized in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America.

• Tyler M. Berry
  – Litigation – Real Estate
  – Real Estate Law

• Katie E. Epperson*
  – Insurance Law
  – Labor and Employment Law – Management
  – Litigation – Labor and Employment

• Adam R. Uth
  – Commercial Litigation

• Kathryn E. Weber
  – Corporate Law
  – Litigation – Real Estate
  – Real Estate Law

About Best Lawyers
Best Lawyers is the oldest and most respected attorney ranking service in the world. For over 40 years, it has helped individuals and businesses identify top legal talent across a wide range of practice areas and jurisdictions. Best Lawyers accolades are recognized globally and featured in prominent local, regional, and national publications.

About Mansour Gavin
Founded in 1954, Mansour Gavin LPA is a full-service law firm with offices in Cleveland and Independence, Ohio, providing trusted counsel to individuals and privately held and publicly traded companies across a broad range of practice areas, including corporate and business law, civil litigation, real estate and land use, labor and employment, intellectual property, estate planning and probate, and environmental law.

*Katie Epperson is now known as Katie Tinnel.

We are pleased to share that, as of May 1, Mansour Gavin’s Independence office has relocated to a new location:

6133 Rockside Road, Suite 301
Independence, Ohio 44131

Please note that our phone and fax numbers remain unchanged. Our downtown Cleveland office is unaffected by this move.

We look forward to continuing to serve our clients from this updated space.

Should you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

About Mansour Gavin
Founded in 1954, Mansour Gavin LPA is a full-service law firm with offices in Cleveland and Independence, Ohio, providing trusted counsel to individuals and privately held and publicly traded companies across a broad range of practice areas, including corporate and business law, civil litigation, real estate and land use, labor and employment, intellectual property, estate planning and probate, and environmental law.

Diane A. Calta has been elected Secretary to the Board of the Northeast Ohio Law Directors Association. Diane is a key member of the firm’s civil litigation and real estate and land use practice groups, bringing over 25 years of legal experience in municipal law, economic development, litigation, real estate, eminent domain, and probate and estate planning.

Diane currently serves as Director of Law for Mayfield Village and special legal counsel for the City of Independence. Previously, she was Director of Law for the City of Beachwood and the City of Green. Diane has also held public sector roles as Assistant Director of Law for several Northeast Ohio communities, including Pepper Pike, Chagrin Falls, and Bentleyville. Additionally, she has served as an assistant prosecutor for the Village of Bratenahl.

The Northeast Ohio Law Directors Association is a professional organization that brings together municipal law directors, legal counsel, and attorneys from Northeast Ohio who specialize in representing local governments. The association focuses on providing continuing legal education (CLE) opportunities, facilitating networking among municipal legal professionals, and addressing legal issues pertinent to municipal governance. Members often include city solicitors, law directors, and attorneys engaged in public sector law. The association frequently collaborates with other legal organizations, such as the Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association, to host seminars and presentations on topics relevant to municipal law.

About Mansour Gavin
Founded in 1954, Mansour Gavin LPA is a full-service law firm with offices in Cleveland and Independence, Ohio, providing trusted counsel to individuals and privately held and publicly traded companies across a broad range of practice areas, including corporate and business law, civil litigation, real estate and land use, labor and employment, intellectual property, estate planning and probate, and environmental law.

Mansour Gavin is pleased to welcome Marisa Moody to the firm.

Marisa is a results-driven legal professional with experience supporting attorneys in litigation, estate planning, and trust administration. At Mansour Gavin, she assists in researching legal matters, drafting pleadings, and preparing documentation to meet client needs. She is proficient in WealthCounsel, LexisNexis, and other legal tools, and is skilled at maintaining detailed case records and ensuring confidentiality across all matters.

Before joining Mansour Gavin, Marisa gained experience at several law firms, where she managed complex caseloads, coordinated discovery, and supported attorneys through all phases of trial preparation. Her work has spanned probate, immigration, and estate planning, giving her a well-rounded understanding of diverse legal processes and client needs.

Marisa holds a Master’s in International Security from the University of Denver and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Law and Social Thought from the University of Toledo. While at Toledo, she studied abroad in London, focusing on British Constitutional and Criminal Law and EU Politics, served as President of the Law and Social Thought Society, and mentored first-year students in the program.

We’re thrilled to have Marisa on board and look forward to her contributions to the firm and our clients.

About Mansour Gavin
Founded in 1954, Mansour Gavin LPA is a full-service law firm with offices in Cleveland and Independence, Ohio, providing trusted counsel to individuals and privately held and publicly traded companies across a broad range of practice areas, including corporate and business law, civil litigation, real estate and land use, labor and employment, intellectual property, estate planning and probate, and environmental law.

Mansour Gavin LPA has once again been recognized for legal excellence, earning multiple regional and national rankings in the 2026 edition of Best Law Firms^®. The firm received recognition in 11 practice areas regionally and achieved a National Tier 3 ranking in Litigation – Real Estate.

Selection to Best Law Firms reflects a firm’s commitment to professional excellence and client satisfaction. To be eligible, at least one lawyer in the firm must be recognized in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America^®, a distinction earned this year by 13 Mansour Gavin attorneys, with four named to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America.

“We are proud to be recognized among the 2026 Best Law Firms,” said Tony Coyne, Mansour Gavin President and Managing Partner. “This honor reflects the trust of our clients and the strength of our legal team. It’s a testament to our firm’s deep bench of talent, collaborative culture, and commitment to delivering results.”

Best Law Firms evaluates more than 75 national and 127 metropolitan practice areas. The process combines client and peer feedback with quantitative analysis, to produce a tiered system of industry-led rankings of the top 4% of the industry.

Mansour Gavin LPA received the following rankings in the 2026 Best Law Firms:

National Tier 3

• Litigation – Real Estate

Regional Tier 1 – Cleveland

• Commercial Litigation
• Corporate Law
• Land Use and Zoning Law
• Litigation – Real Estate
• Real Estate Law

Regional Tier 2 – Cleveland

• Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
• Litigation – Insurance
• Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Trusts and Estates

Regional Tier 3 – Cleveland

• Elder Law
• Litigation – Trusts and Estates

About Best Law Firms
Best Law Firms^®, ranked by Best Lawyers^® and respected for over 14 years, is the most credible ranking of exceptional law firms globally. It is rooted in a rigorous, peer-to-peer, industry-driven evaluation. A ranking from Best Law Firms signifies a high-quality practice and a breadth of legal expertise. Ranked firms, presented in three tiers, are recognized on a national and metropolitan scale, providing legal professionals with an elevated stature from the Best Law Firms recognition. For more information, visit www.bestlawfirms.com.

About Mansour Gavin
Founded in 1954, Mansour Gavin LPA is a full-service law firm with offices in Cleveland and Independence, Ohio, providing trusted counsel to individuals and privately held and publicly traded companies across a broad range of practice areas, including corporate and business law, civil litigation, real estate and land use, labor and employment, intellectual property, estate planning and probate, and environmental law.

Mayor Kirsten Holzheimer Gail has reappointed John Monroe to a six-year term on the City of Euclid’s Planning and Zoning Commission. The Commission serves as an administrative body that reviews and makes recommendations to City Council regarding changes, amendments, or alterations to the city’s zoning map, as well as regulations affecting use districts.

John is a shareholder and member of the firm’s Executive Committee. A lifelong resident of Euclid, he previously served on the Planning and Zoning Commission as both Chairman and Vice Chairman. John also served as City Council President from 2016-2017.

About Mansour Gavin
Founded in 1954, Mansour Gavin LPA is a full-service law firm with offices in Cleveland and Independence, Ohio, providing trusted counsel to individuals and privately held and publicly traded companies across a broad range of practice areas, including corporate and business law, civil litigation, real estate and land use, labor and employment, intellectual property, estate planning and probate, and environmental law.

Brendon P. Friesen, Mansour Gavin Shareholder, Executive Committee Member, and Chair of the Corporate and Business Services Group, has been elected Board President of Legal Netlink Alliance (LNA), North America effective January 1, 2024.  Brendon has served as LNA’s Vice-President since 2022 and as a Director since 2015.

Mansour Gavin President Tony Coyne stated “Brendon’s commitment to LNA’s leadership team is commendable and his efforts have been recognized, leading him to the position of President. We are incredibly proud of Brendon’s achievements and look forward to seeing what he will accomplish in this role.”

Through LNA, our offerings as a full-service law firm allow us to extend our reach worldwide and provide additional resources to our clients.

About Legal Netlink Alliance
Legal Netlink Alliance (LNA) is a global association of small and medium-sized, independent law firms that offers members and their clients access to top-notch legal representation around the world. The network’s membership consists of over 1500 lawyers throughout 35 countries.

About Mansour Gavin
Founded in 1954, Mansour Gavin LPA is a full-service law firm with offices in Cleveland and Independence, Ohio, providing trusted counsel to individuals and privately held and publicly traded companies across a broad range of practice areas, including corporate and business law, civil litigation, real estate and land use, labor and employment, intellectual property, estate planning and probate, and environmental law.