Firm overview
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Ulmer & Berne LLP takes pride in understanding our clients’ businesses from the ground up, and the firm provides comprehensive legal services to an international client base from our locations in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago, Columbus, New York, Washington D.C., and Boca Raton. Our attorneys represent dynamic companies of all sizes across a wide spectrum of industries, including publicly traded and privately held companies, financial institutions, pharmaceutical companies, emerging businesses, and nonprofits. Since the firm’s founding in 1908, Ulmer has had just four managing partners, which speaks to the consistency of our mission — solving our clients’ issues with pragmatic counsel of the highest quality.
Our firm is built on understanding our clients’ legal and business objectives and helping them achieve their goals. We are a leader in the legal industry, providing the competency and breadth of larger firms infused with the client-centric service and efficiency of smaller firms. We work tirelessly to create unique and innovative solutions to address our clients’ ever-changing needs. We are passionate client advocates who deliver practical, effective legal strategies while never losing sight of our clients’ goals. Our objective is to deliver exceptional value and exceed expectations.
Litigation Overview: With more than 75 attorneys dedicated to litigation matters, Ulmer’s Litigation Department and resources are comparable to those of larger firms, and are augmented by our efficient staffing practices, flexibility, and unwavering focus on delivering top-tier services. Our unique positioning allows us to direct attorneys with the right mix of substantive expertise to each matter, customizing our service to fit the particular needs of each client. In addition to class actions, complex commercial litigation, mass torts, and regulatory proceedings, Ulmer regularly represents clients in internal investigations, white collar matters, bankruptcies, and ADR proceedings. The firm maintains nationally respected practices in multiple areas, including:
Business Litigation: We recognize the amount of distraction and dislocation that can result from complex business litigation, and we work with our clients to minimize such effects. Ulmer’s business litigators are problem solvers and accomplished trial lawyers adept at successfully handling business disputes of all kinds including complex commercial cases, M&A, shareholder and investor disputes, contract, business torts, cybersecurity and privacy, business ownership, accountant and attorney malpractice, property disputes, insurance coverage, restrictive covenants, and trade secret-related matters.
Construction Litigation: Our construction litigation team starts by understanding our clients’ vision for success and then draws on its significant experience and expertise in the construction industry to turn that vision into a reality. Throughout the country, our attorneys partner with owners, architects, engineers, contractors, and developers to create smart solutions to complex problems, including managing disputes through mediation, arbitration, and litigation. We assist clients with a variety of claims including but not limited to construction defect, delay, and lien claims, and defend against construction site accidents and workers’ compensation claims.
Employment and Labor Litigation: We understand human capital is one of the most valuable resources and biggest expenses for businesses. We provide the full spectrum of employment and labor representation, ranging from strategic counseling to the defense of complex litigation matters. We have substantial experience in: employee discipline and termination; unlawful discrimination; unfair labor practice allegations; extensive internal investigations; affirmative action plan development and implementation; wage and hour issues; employment contracts; FLSA, OSHA, and ERISA compliance and defense; collective bargaining negotiations; immigration challenges; and workers’ compensation claims.
Financial Services and Securities Litigation: Ulmer attorneys have the deep knowledge and broad experience required to guide clients safely through an evolving regulatory and economic landscape. The group represents financial institutions of all sizes nationwide in complex court and arbitration actions and in regulatory investigations and enforcement proceedings brought by regulatory agencies including FINRA, the CFTC, the OCC, and the SEC. We routinely litigate claims involving breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, common law and statutory consumer violations, UCC, lending violations, unsuitable investments, and churning and other securities claims.
Intellectual Property Litigation: In the high-stakes world of intellectual property, industry disputes involving business critical technology can threaten the viability of businesses. Ulmer attorneys use their technically diverse backgrounds to provide counsel in complex cases concerning a wide variety of technologies and scientific processes. We provide core IP litigation services to clients in cases involving: patent infringement, ownership, and validity; copyright, trademark, and trade dress infringement; unfair competition and false advertising claims; software and licensing disagreements; and disputes regarding e-commerce and internet domain names, disclosure or theft of trade secrets, and breaches of confidentiality agreements.
Product Liability Defense: Ulmer is a leader in defending class action, multidistrict, and mass tort litigation involving drugs, medical devices, and dietary supplements. Our attorneys have served as lead national defense counsel in high-impact litigation matters involving: antidepressants; contraceptives; testosterone replacement therapy; ADHD, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, oncology, and pain medications; cardiovascular and diabetes management devices; biologic products; weight management products; and performance training supplements. They also counsel pharmaceutical, medical device, and dietary supplement companies on regulatory and risk management matters. The practice is strengthened by its many attorneys who have degrees in various scientific disciplines. Every day, we put our clients first. We are committed to providing practical, meaningful solutions that make sense for you, and focus on delivering outstanding results.
Updated Sep 2023
