Annual Firm Update 2026

As 2026 begins, Calfee is excited to introduce our new firm and practice leaders, recently elected partners, and the attorneys and professionals who joined the firm during the past year.

Firm Leadership

• Leah Pappas Porner, member of the firm's Management Committee, Partner-in-Charge of Calfee's Columbus office, and Co-Chair of the Government Relations Practice Group has been elected Firm Vice Chair.
• Mark W. McDougall, Co-Chair of the Intellectual Practice Group, has been elected to serve as a member of the Management Committee.

Practice Leadership

• Michael B. Hurley will serve as Vice Chair and Ann Z. Seger will serve as Co-Chair of the Corporate and Finance Practice Group joining Co-Chairs John J. McGuire and Brent M. Pietrafese.
• Jason A. Rothman will serve as Co-Chair of the Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Practice Group joining Co-Chair Robert A. Miller.

New Partners 

Calfee congratulates our newly elected partners (effective January 1, 2026): 

• Matthew B. Barbara was elected Partner with our Energy and Utilities practice group (Cleveland office).
• Jennifer Walwyn Colvin was elected Partner with our Labor and Employment practice group (Cincinnati office).
• Daniel Reinhard was elected Partner with our Government Relations and Energy and Utilities practice groups (Columbus office).

Introductions

We are pleased to introduce the following attorneys and professionals who joined the firm in 2025: 

1. Musa Abdul-Basser, Senior Counsel with our Investment Management practice group (Cleveland office)
2. Nicholas J. Bagnolo, Associate Attorney with our Intellectual Property practice group (Cleveland office)
3. Allyson M. Benton, Associate Attorney with our Corporate and Finance practice group (Cincinnati office)
4. Daniel D. Briggs, Associate Attorney with our Corporate and Finance practice group (Cleveland office)
5. Phillip A. Casey, returned to Calfee as Of Counsel with our Energy and Utilities practice group (Indianapolis office)
6. Brian P. Cook, Associate Attorney with our Corporate and Finance practice group (Cleveland office)
7. Casey Fisher, Associate Attorney with our Intellectual Property practice group (Cleveland office)
8. Michael E. Glennon, Associate Attorney with our Intellectual Property practice group (Cincinnati office)
9. Fred A. Hilow, Partner and Leader with our Health Care Litigation practice group (Cleveland office)
10. Justine M. Kidwell, Chief Compliance Officer with our Investment Management practice group (Indianapolis office)
11. Annabelle J. Lincoln, Associate Attorney with our Intellectual Property practice group (Cleveland office)
12. Laura C. McBride, Of Counsel with our Corporate and Litigation practice groups (Cleveland office)
13. Seth J. Niemi, Associate Attorney with our Intellectual Property practice group (Cleveland office)
14. Daniel J. O'Malley, Associate Attorney with our Corporate and Finance practice group (Cleveland office)
15. Andrew W. Owen, Partner with our Litigation practice group (Columbus office)
16. Payal R. Patel, Associate Attorney with our Corporate and Finance practice group (Cincinnati office)
17. Sarah B. Saadeh, Staff Attorney with our Investment Management practice group (Cincinnati office)
18. Erin E. Shick, returned to Calfee as Partner with our Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation practice group (Cincinnati office)
19. Jodi D. Spencer, Senior Counsel with our Insurance Coverage and Insurance Recovery practice groups (Cleveland office)
20. Lauren A. Stenger, Associate Attorney with our Government Relations and Legislation practice group (Columbus office)
21. Kimberly G. Sweeney, Associate Attorney with our Litigation practice group (Cleveland office)
22. Emma M. Tomsick, Associate Attorney with our Labor and Employment practice group (Cleveland office)
23. Daniella C. Vespoli, Partner with our Corporate and Finance practice group (Cleveland office)
24. Karey A. Williams, Chief Compliance Officer with our Investment Management practice group (Cincinnati office)

The diverse skills, experiences, and viewpoints represented across our leadership teams, practice groups, industries, and offices will help ensure that our talented professionals are well-positioned to continue to deliver innovative legal solutions and exceptional value to our clients well into the future. 

On behalf of our partners and colleagues, we wish you the very best and look forward to serving you in the New Year!

Thomas M. Welsh
Managing Partner