Tucker Ellis LLP is pleased to announce that it has promoted 10 of its attorneys to counsel effective January 1, 2020.

“Our clients reap the benefits of what we believe is a better system from the typical law firm’s associates and multiple-tier partnership system. Instead, at Tucker Ellis, we promote associates to counsel, and counsel to partners – with each promotion representing an important step in their career development,” said Managing Partner Joe Morford. “This remarkable group of talented and deserving new counsel consistently position our clients at the center of everything they do, and we look forward to their continued growth and success.”

Madeline Dennis defends medical device and pharmaceutical companies against product liability and personal injury claims. She serves as local and national counsel to manufacturers in individual cases, multidistrict litigation, and class actions. She also defends clients outside the healthcare industry in product liability and commercial matters. Ms. Dennis received her law degree magna cum laude from Case Western Reserve University School of Law and her undergraduate degree magna cum laude from Case Western Reserve University.

Joseph Ferraro focuses his practice on estate planning; trust and estate administration; charitable giving; and estate, gift, and income taxation. He uses trusts, business entities, and gifting strategies to assist clients in structuring estate plans and transferring assets to accomplish personal and tax savings objectives. Mr. Ferraro received his law degree from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and his undergraduate degree cum laude from Miami University.

Valeria Golodnitska represents clients in cases involving product liability, personal injury, and wrongful death in industries including electrical components, raw materials, construction materials, HVAC, refrigerators, pumps, valves, automotive parts, and elevators. She also defends clients in general commercial litigation matters. Ms. Golodnitska received her law degree from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles and her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Branden Gregory defends complex civil litigation in product liability, toxic tort, general liability and casualty, professional liability, transportation, and commercial matters. He is also experienced in defending construction, personal injury, employment, and criminal matters. Mr. Gregory received his law degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law and his undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Sarena Holder focuses on the national defense of product manufacturers in high-exposure product liability and premises liability matters. With an emphasis on asbestos litigation, she represents manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, premises owners, and employers in state and federal courts nationwide. She also defends non-asbestos toxic tort claims, including coal mine dust, talc, and silica exposures. Ms. Holder received her law degree cum laude from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and her undergraduate degree from Howard University.

Ludgy LaRochelle counsels businesses of all sizes through all phases of the business-life cycle. He specializes in advising private and public companies in complex commercial transactions, including M&A, joint ventures and strategic alliances, divestitures, capital markets transactions, technology licenses transfers, and supply distribution and manufacturing agreements. He works with directors and senior management on legal matters including fiduciary duties, compliance issues, and organizational issues. Mr. LaRochelle received his law degree from the University of Dayton School of Law. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan, and he holds an MBA from Cleveland State University.

Joseph Manno represents manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors – ranging from individuals and small businesses to Fortune 50 companies – in mass tort and product liability claims in state and federal courts throughout the United States. Mr. Manno received his law degree summa cum laude from The University of Akron School of Law and his undergraduate degree magna cum laude from The University of Akron.

Kelli Novak focuses her practice on health care law. She assists a variety of industry clients with their litigation, business, and regulatory needs, including the defense of malpractice actions, drafting and negotiating contractual terms, and advising on compliance issues. Ms. Novak received her law degree magna cum laude from The University of Toledo College of Law. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan.

Stephanie Rzepka represents clients in class action and complex commercial litigation matters across a variety of areas, including price premium, securities fraud, wage and hour, resale price maintenance, and pay for delay. Ms. Rzepka received her law degree from The University of Texas at Austin School of Law. She received her undergraduate degree magna cum laude from the University of Mary Washington.

Jay Shultz focuses on product liability and toxic tort matters, with an emphasis on defending industrial manufacturing clients in asbestos litigation. He also defends clients in general commercial, property damage, personal injury, and employment matters. Mr. Shultz received his law degree cum laude from the University of Illinois College of Law and his undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois.