Tucker Ellis LLP is pleased to announce that it has promoted five of its attorneys to counsel effective January 1, 2019.

“While many law firms have associates and a multiple-tier partnership, our clients benefit from what we believe is a better system,” said Managing Partner Joe Morford. “At Tucker Ellis, we promote associates to counsel, and counsel to partners – with each promotion representing an important step in their career development. We’re exceptionally proud of these five talented and deserving new counsel, and we look forward to their continued success here at Tucker Ellis.”

Justin Eddy counsels developers, investors, public and private companies, municipalities, townships, and individuals in matters involving property acquisition and assembly, financing, development, zoning and entitlements, divestiture, ownership and management, and real estate joint ventures. He has experience with issues involving environmental diligence and compliance, conservation easements, and title and survey matters and leasing, as well as real estate litigation experience in receivership matters, land use, and eminent domain. Mr. Eddy received his law degree cum laude from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and his undergraduate degree from Ohio University.

Scott Hunsaker focuses on complex civil litigation matters, including product liability, premises liability, and toxic and mass tort, as well as corporate motor vehicle accidents. He represents individuals, small businesses, and Fortune 500 companies in state and federal courts across the country. Mr. Hunsaker has experience in all aspects of civil litigation, from pre-suit investigations to jury trials, along with the intermediate stages of written discovery, depositions, and motion practice. He received his law degree from Saint Louis University School of Law and his undergraduate degree from the University of Dayton.

Melissa Kelly practices in the Appellate & Legal Issues Group. She draws on her years of service as a federal clerk to provide clients realistic and practical advice on a variety of legal issues. She has experience in state and federal courts and has drafted briefs and motions addressing the constitutionality of tort reform statutes, the application of sovereign immunity statutes, and the admissibility of expert testimony in medical malpractice and pharmaceutical liability cases. Ms. Kelly received her law degree cum laude from The University of Akron School of Law and her undergraduate degree magna cum laude from New York University.

Faustina Lee practices in all areas of intellectual property law. She has worked with clients in industries including electronics, telecommunications, aerospace, medical devices, academic research, entertainment, apparel, jewelry, and the arts. In addition to advising clients on patent matters, Ms. Lee assists clients with securing and enforcing trademark rights for their brands. She also has handled Internet law matters involving e-commerce and domain name disputes and obtaining and enforcing rights in creative content under applicable copyright laws. Ms. Lee received her law degree from the University of Southern California, Gould School of Law. She received a Bachelor of Science cum laude in electrical engineering from Loyola Marymount University.

Chelsea Croy Smith concentrates on the national defense of product manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors. As part of a Tucker Ellis trial team, she manages product liability cases in federal and state courts throughout the country. An accredited Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI) certified by the National Association of Fire Investigators, Ms. Smith attends scene inspections and laboratory examinations, working closely with origin and cause experts to determine defense strategies. She also defends class actions and has experience with the administration of class action settlements. Ms. Smith received her law degree cum laude from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and her undergraduate degree magna cum laude from The College of William & Mary.