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Meet Brouse McDowell’s new managing partner
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: February 28, 2020
A new managing partner has taken the reins at the business law firm Brouse McDowell.
Dan Glessner officially began his new role on Jan. 23 after the firm’s partners voted to elevate him to the position. He replaced former managing partner Marc Merklin, who guided the firm for the past eight years.
“I want to thank Marc for his leadership and for seeing us through some very transformative times,” said Glessner, who focuses on health law, corporate and regulatory matters. “He has left us well positioned for the future.”
During Merklin’s tenure, Brouse McDowell grew from 65 lawyers in two offices to more than 80 attorneys across five offices, establishing a wider geographical footprint in northern Ohio and a presence in South Florida through two law firm combinations.
Merklin has returned to his full-time practice as a business restructuring, bankruptcy and commercial law attorney.
“Dan and I have been meeting regularly for the last year to ensure that there was a smooth transition and that he was fully integrated into this leadership role,” said Merklin.
“Since Dan has been a member of our executive committee for eight years, the transition has been seamless. Dan is a proven leader whose background and leadership in the military and as an in-house lawyer with a hospital system will serve him well in leading our law firm.
“I know I leave the firm in great hands and I look forward to working with Dan as we move Brouse McDowell forward,” Merklin said.
Raised in Cortland, Ohio, Glessner received his bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Dayton.
“I wanted to be a lawyer ever since I was in high school,” said Glessner.
While attending The University of Akron School of Law he began working as a legal assistant and manager of corporate tax for Akron General Medical Center (now Cleveland Clinic Akron General).
After obtaining his juris doctorate in 1993, Glessner was promoted to associate general counsel of Akron General. He left Akron General in 2008 to join Brouse McDowell as chair of the health care practice group.
In 2012, Glessner began serving on the firm’s management committee.
Glessner said he has several goals as managing partner.
“I plan to continue to maintain the firm’s team-oriented culture, while at the same time maintaining exceptional client service and remaining competitive in a very difficult legal industry,” said Glessner.
“I think the firm’s culture is one of its most attractive assets and why people stay as long as they do. For example, we have 32 employees who have been with the firm for more than 20 years.
“While growth is a part of the firm’s strategic plan, all opportunities will be carefully analyzed to make sure they are in the best interest of the firm and the firm’s clients.
“We have never grown for the sake of growing and that will not change,” he said.
Glessner said Brouse McDowell will also continue to encourage its attorneys to give back to their communities, as he has done for many years.
A fellow of the Akron Bar Foundation, Glessner is a member of the Medical Group Management Association, the Society of Ohio Healthcare Attorneys and the American Health Lawyers Association.
He currently serves as co-chair of The University of Akron School of Law’s Health Law Certificate program and is an adjunct professor at Widener University Delaware Law School.
A resident of Stow, Glessner has been on the executive committee of the Boy Scouts of America Great Trail Council for years.
In May 2019, he received the Boy Scouts of America Silver Beaver Award and the previous year he was given the William C. Zekan Outstanding Community Leader Award.
In addition to the Boy Scouts, Glessner sits on the board of Hattie Larlham, a nonprofit organization that provides medical, residential, recreational and work training services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Glessner is also an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran who retired in 2017 as a lieutenant colonel from the U.S. Army Reserve after 28 years of service. He remains active in the veterans advocacy and support organization, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.
“I plan to continue to maintain a full-time practice, while carrying out my management duties,” Glessner said.