Seventy-Four Keating Muething & Klekamp Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2027
Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL (KMK Law®) congratulates the firm’s 74 attorneys included in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence.
Lawyers on The Best Lawyers in America lists are divided by geographic region and practice areas. They are reviewed by their peers on the basis of professional expertise, and undergo an authentication process to make sure they are in current practice and in good standing.
Six KMK Law attorneys have been recognized by Best Lawyers as “Lawyers of the Year”, a designation that reflects the high level of respect a lawyer has earned among other leading lawyers in the same communities and the same practice areas for their abilities, professionalism, and integrity.
- Cole D. Bond was named the Best Lawyers 2027 Labor Law – Management "Lawyer of the Year" in Cincinnati.
- R. Daniel (Dan) Fales was named the Best Lawyers 2027 Tax Law "Lawyer of the Year" in Cincinnati.
- Alan S. Fershtman was named the Best Lawyers 2027 Mergers and Acquisitions Law "Lawyer of the Year" in Cincinnati.
- Lisa Wintersheimer Michel was named the Best Lawyers 2027 Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law "Lawyer of the Year" in Cincinnati.
- Julie T. Muething was named the Best Lawyers 2027 Corporate Law "Lawyer of the Year" in Cincinnati.
- Adrienne J. Roach was named the Best Lawyers 2027 Family Law "Lawyer of the Year" in Cincinnati.
Sixteen KMK Law attorneys were included in the 2027 edition of the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, which recognizes associates and other lawyers who are earlier in their careers for their outstanding professional excellence.
- Matthew M. (Matt) Allen – Commercial Litigation (2024)
- Nicole E. Cloyd – Corporate Law and Intellectual Property Law (2024)
- Kellan H. Coffey – Commercial Litigation (2027)
- Clarke D. Cotton – Transportation Law and Workers' Compensation Law - Employers (2022)
- Christian D. Gateskill – Corporate Law, Securities/Capital Markets Law, and Securities Regulation (2024)
- Michael W. Goldman – Corporate Law and Entertainment and Sports Law (2024)
- Thomas W. (TW) Langevin – Tax Law (2024)
- Carson E. Miller – Commercial Litigation (2027)
- Rachel M. Pappenfus – Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law (2026)
- Edward I. (Eddie) Rivin – Corporate Law (2024)
- Collin L. Ryan – Commercial Litigation (2024)
- James M. (Jim) Schirmer – Labor and Employment Law - Management (2026)
- James A. (Jamie) Stagnaro – Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Law, Real Estate Law, Trusts and Estates (2024)
- Owen P. Walsh – Corporate Law (2027)
- W. Matthew (Matt) Weigel – Corporate Law and Securities Regulation (2024)
- Jerad T. Whitt – Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law (2024)
The list below includes the 74 KMK attorneys recognized in the 2027 Best Lawyers in America publication, along with the year the attorney was first recognized and the practice areas for which each attorney is recognized.
Ross J. Bextermueller (2021)
- Corporate Law
Cole D. Bond (2026)
- Employment Law – Management
- Labor Law – Management
Kasey L. Bond (2016)
- Employment Law – Management
- Litigation – Labor and Employment
Christopher S. (Chris) Brinkman (2026)
- Corporate Law
James H. (Jim) Brun (2016)
- Trusts and Estates
- Litigation – Trusts and Estates
James E. (Jim) Burke (2006)
- Bet-the-Company Litigation
- Commercial Litigation
- Corporate Law
- Litigation – Securities
Amanda Stubblefield Burton (2027)
- Commercial Litigation
- Litigation - ERISA
Adam J. Centner (2027)
- Trusts and Estates
Steven C. (Steve) Coffaro (2011)
- Commercial Litigation
- Litigation – Banking and Finance
- Litigation – Intellectual Property
- Litigation – Real Estate
Stacy A. Cole (2025)
- Litigation – Intellectual Property
John J. Cranley (2026)
- Government Relations Practice
Richard L. (Rich) Creighton, Jr. (2013)
- Commercial Litigation
R. Daniel (Dan) Fales (2025)
- Tax Law
Alan S. Fershtman (2008)
- Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
- Corporate Law
- Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- Tax Law
Sarah Vonderbrink Geiger (2027)
- Commercial Litigation
- Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
Gregory P. (Greg) Hartmann (2025)
- Commercial Litigation
- Government Relations Practice
Jonathan M. (Jon) Hiltz (2021)
- Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
- Corporate Law
- Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- Land Use and Zoning Law
- Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs
- Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
- Real Estate Law
J. Michael (Mike) Hurst (2014)
- Advertising Law
- Copyright Law
- Trademark Law
Kevin E. Irwin (2001)
- Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
- Litigation – Bankruptcy
Daniel E. (Dan) Izenson (2012)
- Commercial Litigation
- Litigation – Construction
- Litigation – Real Estate
James M. (Jim) Jansing (2010)
- Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
- Corporate Law
Andrew J. (Andy) Kaminski (2027)
- Corporate Law
- Real Estate Law
James C. Kezele (2025)
- Environmental Law
- Real Estate Law
William N. (Bill) Kirkham (2013)
- Corporate Law
Jody T. Klekamp (2024)
- Land Use and Zoning Law
- Real Estate Law
Kenneth P. (Ken) Kreider (2009)
- Construction Law
- Land Use and Zoning Law
- Litigation – Real Estate
- Real Estate Law
Shannon D. Lawson (2027)
- Corporate Law
Geoffrey G. (Geoff) Leder (2022)
- Land Use and Zoning Law
- Real Estate Law
Robert C. (Rob) Lesan III (2024)
- Corporate Law
- Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Mary Ellen Malas (2020)
- Family Law
James R. (Jim) Matthews (2013)
- Insurance Law
Robert W. (Bob) Maxwell II (1997)
- Employment Law – Management
- Labor Law – Management
- Litigation – Labor and Employment
James J. (Jim) McGraw, Jr. (2017)
- Corporate Law
- Economic Development Law
John F. Meisenhelder (2015)
- Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Joseph P. (Joe) Mellen (2018)
- Tax Law
Lisa Wintersheimer Michel (2010)
- Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Brian P. Muething (2026)
- Commercial Litigation
- Litigation – Labor and Employment
Julie T. Muething (2020)
- Corporate Law
- Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Paul V. Muething (2007)
- Corporate Law
- Securities / Capital Markets Law
Caroline K. Musekamp (2024)
- Employment Law – Management
- Labor Law – Management
Mark E. Musekamp (2027)
- Litigation – Intellectual Property
Claire V. Parrish (2019)
- Trusts and Estates
William J. (Bill) Patterson (2019)
- Corporate Law
- Land Use and Zoning Law
- Real Estate Law
William A. (Bill) Posey (2011)
- Commercial Litigation
- Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants
- Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs
- Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
- Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
- Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
F. Mark Reuter (2011)
- Securities / Capital Markets Law
- Securities Regulation
Jacob D. Rhode (2025)
- Commercial Litigation
Adrienne J. Roach (2013)
- Family Law
Joseph P. (Joe) Rouse (2010)
- Litigation – Trusts and Estates
- Trusts and Estates
Rachael A. Rowe (2010)
- Commercial Litigation
- Litigation – Labor and Employment
- Litigation – Securities
Robert G. (Bob) Sanker (2007)
- Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
- Litigation – Bankruptcy
Michael L. (Mike) Scheier (2015)
- Commercial Litigation
- Litigation – Banking and Finance
- Litigation – ERISA
- Litigation – Labor and Employment
- Litigation – Securities
Richard D. (Rick) Siegel (2012)
- Venture Capital Law
Mark E. Sims (2001)
- Tax Law
Peter M. Slater (2026)
- Trusts and Estates
P. Andrew Spoor (2020)
- Public Finance Law
- Real Estate Law
Richard D. (Dick) Spoor (2008)
- Municipal Finance Law
- Public Finance Law
- Real Estate Law
Carey K. Steffen (2024)
- Real Estate Law
Kalman (Kal) Steinberg (2015)
- Banking and Finance Law
- Real Estate Law
Benjamin G. (Ben) Stewart (2024)
- Commercial Litigation
- Litigation – Securities
Jason V. Stitt (2026)
- Litigation – Bankruptcy
Ross D. Taylor (2026)
- Commercial Finance Law
Thomas M. (Tom) Tepe, Jr. (2011)
- Land Use and Zoning Law
- Litigation – Land Use and Zoning
- Litigation – Real Estate
- Real Estate Law
Kelley Brandstetter Tracy (2024)
- Banking and Finance Law
- Business Organization (including LLCs and Partnerships)
- Commercial Finance Law
- Corporate Law
- Equipment Finance Law
Joseph L. (Joe) Trauth, Jr. (2007)
- Land Use and Zoning Law
- Litigation – Land Use and Zoning
- Litigation – Real Estate
- Real Estate Law
Taylor V. Trout (2027)
- Commercial Litigation
Barrett P. (Bear) Tullis (2022)
- Real Estate Law
Daniel P. (Dan) Utt (2007)
- Project Finance Law
- Real Estate Law
Anthony M. (Tony) Verticchio (2027)
- Commericial Litigation
Darcy A. Watt (2027)
- Commercial Litigation
Herbert B. (Herb) Weiss (1983)
- Real Estate Law
Allison A. (Allie) Westfall (2027)
- Securities Regulation
Bryce J. Yoder (2024)
- Commercial Litigation
About Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
The law firm of Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL (KMK Law®), based in Cincinnati, Ohio, is a nationally-recognized law firm delivering sophisticated legal solutions to businesses of all sizes—from Fortune 50 corporations to start-up companies. KMK Law has been awarded a Top Workplaces honor by The Enquirer Media since 2012. Chambers USA: America’s Leading Business Lawyers® 2026 recognized KMK as a leading law firm in Ohio in Banking & Finance and in Ohio: South Central in Corporate/Mergers & Acquisitions. KMK Law earned four National Rankings in Corporate Law, Land Use & Zoning Law, Project Finance Law and Venture Capital Law and 43 Metropolitan Rankings in the Best Lawyers publication of its 2026 “Best Law Firms” Report. Founded in 1954, KMK has approximately 140 lawyers and a support staff of 120 employees. Additional information is available at www.kmklaw.com.
