The Akron Legal News

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Brouse McDowell adds more legal power

SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter

Published: December 17, 2014

Like people, law firms need to plan for the future. That’s the reason Brouse McDowell gave in recently adding four more lawyers to its ranks.

In late November, the firm announced the addition of partner James Dixon and associates Amanda Parker, Laura Fryan and Kyle Shelton.

The regional business law firm has over 70 lawyers and offices in Akron, Cleveland and Lorain County.

“We plan to be around for a long time,” said Marc Merklin, managing partner at Brouse McDowell. “In order to ensure that we have a steady supply of good lawyers, we make it a point to develop our own talent. Our decision to bring in three new associates is simply part of that philosophy.

“Laura and Kyle were part of our summer associate program. They joined the firm as law clerks earlier this year and recently passed the Ohio Bar Exam.”

Shelton is a graduate of The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and will focus on litigation. Fryan graduated from The University of Akron School of Law and will handle both litigation and healthcare matters.

Parker joined the firm as an associate in the litigation practice group in the Akron office after working at The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company as a legal fellow from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law.

During her time at Goodyear, she worked alongside in-house counsel on potential contract disputes and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission charges among other things.She holds a master’s degree in business administration from The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business and a bachelor’s degree from Kent State University.

“It is important to our clients that we have an ample supply of junior lawyers with lower hourly rates who can handle routine matters,” said Merklin.

Dixon is a partner in the Cleveland office. He is a member of litigation and real estate practice groups.

The Case Western Reserve University School of Law graduate is a member of the Home Builders Association of Greater Cleveland and sits on the board of directors of the Northeast Ohio Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council, the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes and The Citizens League of Greater Cleveland.

“Jim is an experienced construction lawyer and was recruited in order to serve our clients who have construction law issues,” said Merklin.

“When we recruit attorneys we want to make sure that they are high quality lawyers and good people. I think we have been fortunate to achieve that with all of our hires.”


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