Attorney Intel is pleased to announce the Top 25 Attorneys of Ohio for 2024. The state of Ohio continues to produce recognized legal talent with its large, nationally-ranked law schools. With its industrial cities and diverse population, large corporations are also drawn to establish headquarters and seek legal counsel in Ohio. In fact, Ohio ranks in the top 5 in the US for the number of Fortune 500 and 1000 companies headquartered in the state. The need for exceptional corporate counsel has never been greater in Ohio, and the state’s attorneys have been rising to the occasion.
Among this year’s awardees is Erik Rikard, a Partner at Barnes & Thornburg. He focuses his career on real estate and finance and has a distinguished legal master's in international and comparative law. Caitlin Gauss is also featured and is the Senior Attorney for Bath and Body Works, a commonly known household brand. Gauss advises this retail chain on regulatory compliance, marketing, and contracts. Finally, Daniel Hoying is serving as General Council for the Cincinnati Public Schools. This position requires him to advise on topics that affect the youth and potentially future legal professionals in the state.
In reviewing this year’s finalists, it was very difficult to narrow down the selections. The finalists’ career track records in corporate law were extremely competitive and they all offered impressive credentials. Please join us in recognizing the accomplishments of the Top 25 Attorneys of Ohio for 2024.
1. Erik Rickard
Partner, Barnes & Thornburg
Erik Rickard is a Partner at Barnes & Thornburg. He joined the company in 2014. Barnes & Thornburg LLP is a national, full-service law firm representing clients ranging from Fortune 500 corporations to entrepreneurial growth companies. It provides services in more than 50 areas, including litigation, labor and employment, global services, healthcare, governmental services and finance, intellectual property, environmental, business, construction, white-collar crime, life sciences, real estate, energy, telecommunications, transportation, and utilities; and finance insolvency and restructuring.
Rikard focuses his career on real estate law and issues relating to finance, equity funds, and joint ventures. Earlier in his career, he worked with Squire Patton Boggs as an associate. Rickard earned a J.D. and an LL.M. in international and comparative law from Duke University School of Law and an undergraduate degree in political science and psychology from Denison University.
2. Mark Hatcher
Managing Partner, Baker & Hostetler
Mark Hatcher is a Managing Partner at Baker & Hostetler. Baker & Hostetler advises its clients on their business and regulatory issues. With six core practice groups – Business, Digital Assets and Data Management, Intellectual Property, Labor and Employment, Litigation, and Tax – the firm has lawyers in offices coast to coast.
Hatcher is a business lawyer, trusted counselor, and strategic advisor to corporations, boards of directors, and senior executives on matters ranging from corporate governance, real estate development, affordable housing, health care, and higher education. Hatcher focuses on corporate and commercial law transactions and has extensive experience with corporate formation, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory compliance, and data privacy matters. Hatcher received an LL.M. in business and taxation, with honors, from Capital University Law School, a J.D, cum laude, from Capital University Law School, where he was the business editor of the Capital University Law Review; a Master of Criminal Justice from Tiffin University and his bachelor’s from The Ohio State University.
3. Richard Gurbst
Senior Partner, Squire Patton Boggs
Richard Gurbst began his professional career 53 years ago. Today, he is a Senior Partner at Squire Patton Boggs. Squire Patton Boggs is a global law firm with a multidisciplinary team of over 1,500 lawyers in over 40 offices across four continents.
Gurbst has over forty years of experience in matters related to unfair competition, trade secrets, and trademark issues, bankruptcy litigation including state liquidation proceedings, and a wide range of health law litigation. Also, he currently serves as one of the Co-Partners for pro bono projects at the firm. Gurbst started his career in 1971 as a staff attorney at The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland. Gurbst graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School with a J.D. and from Brandeis University with an undergraduate degree.
Richard Gurbst's Insight
“I have always thought of myself as the luckiest person. Since I was about nine, the only thing I ever wanted to do was to be a lawyer. I watched every episode of every television show about lawyers. I had no idea that lawyers did things other than go to court to represent clients and I locked in on courtroom work after seeing To Kill a Mockingbird. When I graduated from law school, I was awarded a Reginald Heber Smith Poverty Law Fellowship and found my way to the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, recognized as one of the best legal aid programs in the country, where I worked from 1971 to 1982. In 1982, I changed paths and was fortunate enough to spend the next 40 years at Squire Patton Boggs, as a trial lawyer in the Litigation Department in the Cleveland office. At Squire, I was fortunate to find a home where diversity of background, viewpoint, and perspective were valued as positive attributes, cultivated and encouraged. The variety of cases and clients I have represented provides me the opportunity and background to embark on the next phase of my adventure, to serve as a Mediator. So, as I said at the beginning, the luckiest person.”
4. Caitlin Gauss
Senior Attorney, Bath & Body Works
Caitlin Gauss is the Senior Attorney of Bath & Body Works. She joined the company in 2002. Bath & Body Works was founded in 1990 in Ohio and is a specialty retail company that produces hundreds of personal care and home fragrance products commonly used in households across the country.
Gauss has focused her career on issues relating to the retail industry such as regulatory compliance, marketing, and contract negotiation. Previously, Gauss was senior legal counsel at Abercrombie & Fitch Co. and before that, a contract specialist, in contracts lifecycle management at Alliance Data card services - Know More Sell More. Gauss earned a J.D. from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and an undergraduate degree in economics and psychology from the University of Michigan.
5. Daniella Vespoli
Partner, Kirkland & Ellis
Daniella Vespoli is a Partner at Kirkland & Ellis. Kirkland & Ellis is an international law firm that has focused on corporate transactions and litigation since it was founded in 1909. The firm serves a broad range of clients in corporate transactions, litigation, restructurings, and intellectual property matters.
Vespoli began her career in 2013. At Kirkland & Ellis, Vespoli concentrates on advising, structuring, and negotiating transactions for private companies and private equity investors. She also handles general corporate governance matters as well. Before joining Kirkland & Ellis, Vespoli was an associate at Jones Day, and before that a research assistant for professor Martha Chamallas at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. Vespoli graduated from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law with a J.D. and The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business with an undergraduate degree in finance.
6. David Kopans
Partner, DLA Piper
David Kopans began his professional career 16 years ago. Today, he is a Partner at DLA Piper. DLA Piper is a global law firm with lawyers in over 40 countries, providing legal solutions to businesses worldwide throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific. The firm’s practice areas include employment, energy, hospitality and leisure, insurance, intellectual property, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, and it has developed key teams in pensions, private equity, real estate, tax, and technology.
Kopans advises clients on regulatory matters as well as contracts and business transactions relating to the healthcare industry. Kopans has represented regional and national health insurers and has assisted with formation, licensures, and government compliance. Kopans started his career in 2008 as an associate at Schottenstein Zox and Dunn. From there, he went on to Lathrop & Gage LLP, before eventually rising to of counsel at JONES DAY®, his most recent position before joining DLA Piper. Kopans graduated from Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law with a J.D., from The Ohio State University with a master’s in history, and from Bowling Green State University with an undergraduate degree in classical civilizations.
7. Brian Pero
General Counsel, At-Home Solutions, Cardinal Health
Brian Pero is General Counsel for At-Home Solutions of Cardinal Health. He joined the company in 1999 as assistant general counsel, finance & real estate. Cardinal Health is a distributor of pharmaceuticals, a global manufacturer and distributor of medical and laboratory products, and a provider of performance and data solutions for healthcare facilities. Cardinal Health has more than 50 years in business, operations in more than 30 countries, and approximately 48,000 employees globally.
In this position, Pero supervises the company’s legal department and handles corporate legal issues like governance, negotiations, compliance, and transactions. Previously, Pero was senior corporate counsel at CoBank and before that, a regional general counsel at KeyBank. Earlier in his career, he worked with Arter & Hadden LLP. Pero earned a J.D. from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and an undergraduate degree in finance from Miami University.
8. Aaron Granger
General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, American Freight Furniture and Mattress
Aaron Granger is General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of American Freight, Appliances & Furniture. Serving on the Executive Leadership Team, he guides other legal professionals in navigating business priorities. American Freight Furniture and Mattress is a discount retailer selling quality furniture, mattresses, and home appliances.
Granger started his career in 2000 as a trial attorney with Ice Miller, LLP with a focus on employment discrimination defense, collective bargaining negotiations, and labor arbitrations. He went on to become assistant general counsel in 2012 with various responsibilities including leading the labor and employment function for DHL Supply Chain North America and supporting the Automotive, Engineering, Manufacturing, Chemical, and Engineering business units. Next, he served as the global head of legal for Williams Lea, a back office service provider for legal, financial, and accounting firms where he managed lawyers in the U.S., U.K., India, and Asia. Granger graduated from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law with a J.D. and from Ohio Wesleyan University with a bachelor’s in political science and religion.
Aaron Granger's Insight
"What I like the most about the practice of law is solving real problems using logic, creative thinking, visual language, strategic processes, and interpersonal relationships. Nothing gets done without me using some of these skills every single day, and no two days are exactly alike.”
9. Devin Schaffer
General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, GeneDx
Devin Schaffer is General Counsel & Corporate Secretary of GeneDx. GeneDx is focused on delivering personalized, actionable insights that improve health outcomes. The company’s exome and genome testing are among the best in the industry. Schaffer is a proven healthcare executive and leader with more than 15 years of legal experience. As General Counsel, Schaffer is responsible for all legal, compliance, and regulatory activities at GeneDx.
Before joining GeneDx, Schaffer was vice president and associate general counsel at Cardinal Health. In this role, he successfully led the company’s legal department responsible for corporate governance, securities, mergers and acquisitions, treasury, risk management, shareholder engagement, labor and employment, and bankruptcy. He also served as an advisor for Cardinal Health’s Human Resources/Compensation and Governance and Sustainability Committees and advised the Executive Committee and Board of Directors on strategic transactions. Before Cardinal Health, Schaffer held previous roles as a private equity associate at Jones Day and an associate at Ice Miller, LLP. Schaffer received his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and later his master’s degree in business administration from Indiana University, Kelley School of Business. Schaffer also received his J.D. from Indiana University.
Devin Schaffer's Insight
“I've had the fortunate opportunity to work at great law firms and corporations. More importantly, as my career progressed, I gained excellent mentors and sponsors. I am excited about paying it forward to developing professionals and continuing to contribute to the cultural principles at GeneDx."
10. Bryan Prosek
Partner, Steptoe & Johnson
Bryan Prosek began his professional career 33 years ago. Today, he is a Partner at Steptoe & Johnson. Steptoe & Johnson PLLC is a law firm nationally recognized for its strengths in energy law with more than a century of experience in the areas of business, employment, and litigation. Steptoe & Johnson has over 400 attorneys and other professionals practicing in 18 offices in Colorado, Kentucky, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and West Virginia.
Prosek started his career in 1991 as a partner at Eastman & Smith Ltd., before eventually rising to partner at Schottenstein Zox & Dunn Co., LPA, his most recent position before joining Steptoe & Johnson. Prosek graduated from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law with a J.D. and an undergraduate degree in accounting.
Bryan Prosek's Insight
Clients say that Bryan Prosek is easy to work with and shares their drive to get the deal done, and to get it done right. During complex, fast-paced business transactions, he acts both as the keeper of the details and the ringmaster, making sure that critical tax, securities, employee benefits, labor and employment, and operational elements are addressed. As team leader of the Corporate and M&A group, Bryan advises clients on securities offerings, federal and state securities compliance, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, contracts, license agreements, corporate governance, banking and finance, corporate and partnership tax planning, and non-profit tax-exempt matters. Bryan’s clients work in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, food service, technology, professional services, and financial institutions. He also writes science fiction and thriller novels, three of which have been published. “As a business attorney, in addition to doing great legal work, it’s imperative to understand the client’s business and what economic issues drive the company as well as what motivates the owners and management, personally.”
11. Jessica Beringer
Partner, Keller Postman
Jessica Beringer is a Partner at Keller Postman, a national law firm regularly advising on the rights of consumers, employees, and veterans against powerful adversaries. With a network spanning the United States, Keller Postman works across a broad range of legal domains.
Since joining the firm in 2023, Beringer has led efforts in antitrust litigation against major corporations such as Amazon and has handled biometric privacy cases against Meta on behalf of the State of Texas. Beringer's practice centers around consumer rights, with a special focus on the intersection of technology and privacy. She is skilled in addressing the intricacies of antitrust issues and in advocating for the protection of personal data from misuse by large tech companies. Beringer earned her J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law and a bachelor’s in commerce from the University of Virginia's McIntire School of Commerce.
Jessica Beringer's Insight
“I am honored to receive the Top 25 Attorneys of Ohio award among the talented and distinguished attorneys who have also been recognized. I am proud to fight against corporate overreach to achieve justice for those harmed by corporate wrongdoing. What makes my practice unique is my years of experience representing corporate defendants, which gives me insight into the defense playbook and allows me to craft effective strategies against sophisticated adversaries. I take a pragmatic and creative approach in leading day-to-day teams comprised of my colleagues and accomplished co-counsel to provide excellent results for our clients.”
12. Molly Stolmeier
General Counsel, Gilbane Building Company
Molly Stolmeier is General Counsel at Gilbane Development Company, where she provides legal advice, interpretation, and counsel to the company’s executive leadership teams in all aspects of real estate development, including structuring, due diligence, documenting, negotiating, and closing financial transactions. She also advises on relevant industry and regulatory developments. She represents Gilbane Development Company with external parties, collaborates with in-house teams in litigation matters, and engages and oversees outside legal counsel. Gilbane provides a full slate of construction and facilities-related services for clients across various markets.
Stolmeier has 25 years of experience as a practicing corporate/transactional attorney, with extensive knowledge and experience in real estate law, zoning and permitting, construction contracts, affordable housing, community development finance, tax credits, policy, leasing, and general corporate and corporate governance matters. Before joining Gilbane Building Company, earlier in her career she worked with Godfrey & Kahn, S.C. as an attorney. Stolmeier is a Member of the American Bar Association, the Illinois Bar Association, and the Wisconsin Bar Association. She holds a J.D. degree from the University of Michigan and a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Notre Dame.
13. Daniel Hoying
General Counsel, Cincinnati Public Schools
Daniel Hoying began his professional career 19 years ago. Today, he is General Counsel for Cincinnati Public Schools. The Cincinnati City School District, also known as Cincinnati Public Schools serves about 36,000 students in over 66 schools spread across southwest Ohio. CPS is Greater Cincinnati's largest, and Ohio's second-largest school district. CPS offers families high-quality educational choices and a variety of academic programs.
In this role, Hoying’s areas of focus include advising the district on legal issues relating to worker’s compensation, safety/environmental services, and special school district projects like “Kids in School Rule.” Hoying started his career in 2005 as a labor and employment associate at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, his most recent position before joining Cincinnati Public Schools. Hoying graduated from the University of Chicago Law School with a J.D. and from Loyola University Chicago with an undergraduate degree in history.
14. Yvette Brown
Partner, Jones Day
Yvette Brown is a Partner at Jones Day. She joined the company in 2013. Jones Day provides legal counsel across multiple disciplines and jurisdictions. The firm has more than 2,400 lawyers in 40 offices located in major centers of business and finance across five continents. In her current position, Brown advises clients on matters relating to corporate misconduct, discrimination, and internal investigations. Brown has experience providing counsel on highly sensitive matters such as corruption and even constitutional challenges. Brown spends her time in both pre-trial investigations and all stages of litigation.
Previously, Brown was a justice at the Ohio Supreme Court and before that a president at the Center for Child and Family Advocacy, Nationwide Children's Hospital. Earlier in her career she worked with Franklin County Court of Common Pleas as a judge. Brown earned a J.D. from The Ohio State University and an undergraduate degree in journalism from Ohio University.
15. Tulsi Karamchandani
Attorney, Baker McKenzie
Tulsi Karamchandani, an Associate in Baker McKenzie's Employment & Compensation Practice, has over 10 years of experience advising clients in U.S. and international employee benefits and executive compensation issues. Baker McKenzie has clients across more than 70 global offices. They currently employ more than 13,000 people, including over 6,500 lawyers and tax professionals.
Karamchandani regularly advises multinational companies on issues related to tax, securities law, labor law, and foreign exchange controls. She focuses her practice on international equity compensation programs and mobile employment arrangements. Karamchandani advises companies of all sizes in designing, implementing, and ongoing compliance of their retirement and equity compensation plans, including data privacy and exchange control. She also counsels clients on the effects of mergers, reorganizations, spin-offs, or other corporate adjustments concerning their benefit and equity compensation programs. Previously, Karamchandani was a consultant at Ernst & Young. Karamchandani earned a J.D. from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law and an undergraduate degree in accounting from The Ohio State University.
Tulsi Karamchandani's Insight
"Partnering with multinational companies on how to ensure their rewards programs are competitive to attract and retain top talent is a career focus of mine. To balance my clients' global strategies, including the operational, business change, and administrative issues that arise in the workplace, while ensuring they comply, allows me, with the support of our full Global Equity Services team at Baker McKenzie to serve as a one-stop shop for our clients."
16. Elizabeth Hodder
Attorney, CPS Solutions, LLC
Elizabeth Hodder is an Attorney at CPS Solutions, LLC (CPS), a company with more than 50 years of experience providing pharmacy support and operations services for healthcare facilities and organizations. As an organization with over 800 healthcare clients across the country and 2,500 employees, CPS aids the implementation of optimized pharmacy best practices and innovative technology solutions.
As an integral member of CPS’ Legal Team, Hodder provides legal support and counsel to corporate leadership, operational teams, and sales initiatives. In this role, she dedicates a majority of her work towards supporting contract negotiations for the company’s specialty pharmacy and technology businesses to help achieve organizational goals while mitigating risks. Previously, she served as a judicial law clerk for the Madison County Court of Common Pleas where she materially contributed to the authoring of numerous decisions and orders for civil litigation matters. She graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor’s, cum laude, in history of art and The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law with a J.D.
17. Devan Flahive
Partner, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough
Devan Flahive is a Partner at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough. Established in 1897, Nelson Mullins is a full-service firm of more than 1,000 attorneys, policy advisors, and professionals in 33 offices across the states, serving clients in more than 100 practice areas.
Flahive is part of the firm’s Midwest Commercial Litigation Team. She has appeared before both state and federal court venues and even the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission of Ohio. Before joining Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, Flahive was a partner at Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP and before that an associate & attorney at Robinson & McElwee. Earlier in her career she worked with Cargill as a dairy business consultant. Flahive graduated from Cornell University with an undergraduate degree in animal science.
18. Susan Seaman
Partner, Husch Blackwell
Susan Seaman began her professional career 17 years ago. Today, she is a Partner at Husch Blackwell. Husch Blackwell was formed after the 2008 merger of Husch & Eppenberger and Blackwell Sanders. The firm focuses its counsel on its clients’ industries. With more than 20 offices across the United States, it also offers a virtual office, called The Link.
Seaman has an extensive background in banking, consumer financial services, and small business funding including federal and multi-state compliance. She routinely advises depository and nondepository financial institutions, service providers, fintechs, and other companies. Seaman’s regulatory practice covers the full range of her clients’ operations from product offerings to collections. She regularly engages in strategic planning, performs regulatory reviews of programs, conducts due diligence of vendors, reviews policies and procedures, aids in regulatory responses, and drafts and revises contracts. Seaman’s past roles include law clerk at Luper Neidenthal & Logan, before eventually rising to attorney at Dreher Tomkies LLP, her most recent position before joining Husch Blackwell. Seaman graduated from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law with a J.D. and from Wake Forest University with an undergraduate degree in business and German.
19. Lori Sieron
Attorney, LexisNexis
Lori Sieron is an Attorney at LexisNexis. She joined the company in 1998 as senior director of editorial. LexisNexis Legal & Professional is a provider of legal, regulatory, and business information and analytics that help customers increase productivity, and improve decision-making and outcomes. LexisNexis Legal & Professional, which serves customers in more than 130 countries with 10,000 employees worldwide, is part of RELX Group, a global provider of information and analytics for professional and business customers across industries. At LexisNexis, Sieron is responsible for advising on legal matters as well as training other attorneys at the company.
Previously, Sieron was a news manager, news director, producer, anchor, and reporter at WKEF/WRGT-TV (NBC-FOX). Earlier in her career she worked with the University of Dayton as a lecturer. Sieron earned a J.D. from Northern Kentucky University—Salmon P. Chase College of Law, an undergraduate degree in journalism and communications from Duquesne University, and an undergraduate degree in meteorology/geology, earth & mineral sciences from Penn State University.
20. Emilie Vassar
Attorney, Ogletree Deakins
Emilie Vassar is an attorney for Ogletree Deakins. Ogletree Deakins is one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management in all types of employment-related legal matters. Ogletree Deakins' labor and employment practice is complemented and supported by related practice groups in the areas of business immigration, litigation, employee benefits, occupational safety and health, and construction law. The firm currently employs attorneys at offices throughout the United States and in Europe, Canada, and Mexico.
In her employment practice, Vassar has represented public and private sector employers across many industries, including manufacturing, government, healthcare, schools and universities, and the performing arts. Vassar focuses her practice on employment litigation and defending employers before administrative agencies. She also has extensive experience conducting workplace investigations, as well as training for supervisors, employees, and human resources professionals. Before joining Ogletree Deakins, Vassar practiced employment and education law for several years in Toledo, Ohio, and worked in-house for an educational institution serving Northwest Ohio’s K-12 school districts and charter schools. Vassar graduated from Boston University School of Law with a J.D. and from Bard College with an undergraduate degree in American studies.
21. Kimberly Cuccia
General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, NiSource
Kim Cuccia serves as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for NiSource Inc. NiSource is one of the largest fully-regulated utility companies in the United States, serving nearly 4 million natural gas and electric customers across six states through its local Columbia Gas and NIPSCO brands. Its business plan is focused on proactively investing in their energy infrastructure–approximately $1.4 billion a year–to ensure the company meets and improves upon its customer commitments.
Cuccia provides leadership and oversight for all legal matters related to NiSource’s gas and electric utility operating companies in its six-state service area. Her service in NiSource’s legal department spans over 14 years. Her previous roles include vice president and deputy general counsel, legal regulatory at Nisource, and general counsel for Columbia Gas of Massachusetts.
Since joining NiSource, Cuccia has held positions of increasing responsibility, including serving as chief counsel for all Columbia Gas Companies and leading the company’s safety management system (SMS) deployment. Cuccia is a member of the American Gas Association, serving on the executive legal committee. Cuccia earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Florida and a J.D. from Valparaiso University.
22. Mike Ensminger
General Counsel, FlightSafety International
Mike Ensminger serves as General Counsel of FlightSafety International. FlightSafety International is the world’s premier professional aviation training company and supplier of flight simulators, visual systems, and displays to commercial, government, and military organizations. FlightSafety engages expert professionals, and the service the company provides is comprehensive and tailored to its clients’ needs.
Ensminger leads the Legal, Ethics & Compliance, and Global Trade Compliance functions for the company and its subsidiaries. Before joining FlightSafety, Ensminger was part of the Business Ventures unit of Crawford Hoying, a Columbus-based real estate developer. Before that, Ensminger held positions at L Brands, Jones Day, and Cooley, and spent several years on Capitol Hill as a senior legislative aide after starting as a business consultant in Deloitte’s Federal Practice. Ensminger earned his bachelor’s degree in political science. He went on to receive his J.D. from George Mason University School of Law.
23. Robin Amlin
Senior Attorney, Victoria's Secret
Robin Amlin is the Senior Attorney for Victoria's Secret. Victoria’s Secret & Co. through Victoria’s Secret and Victoria’s Secret PINK, is one of the world’s leading specialty retailers with over 1,400 stores globally. Victoria’s Secret & Co. provides numerous products and experiences for their customers and is a common household name.
Amlin began her career in 1999, and in her current role, she focuses on marketing and retail compliance as well as the negotiation of talent contracts and supplier agreements, among other various corporate legal issues. Before joining Victoria's Secret, Amlin served as corporate counsel at Big Lots Stores, and before that, she was a corporate and finance attorney at Vorys, Sater, Seymour, and Pease LLP. Earlier in her career, she worked with the Ohio Department of Transportation as a public information officer. Amlin graduated from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law with a J.D. and received his undergraduate degree in journalism and public relations from The Ohio State University.
24. Bailey Roese
Partner, Dentons Bingham Greenebaum
Today, Bailey Roese is a Partner at Dentons Bingham Greenebaum. The firm has more than 1100 lawyers and professionals across the United States, across 33 offices. The firm has created global solutions for its clients, including rules, regulations, and law trackers, and an overview of Environmental, Social, and Governance rules worldwide.
Roese started her career in 2013 as an associate at Dentons Bingham Greenebaum. She has nearly a decade of experience representing taxpayers in federal, state, and local tax controversies. Roese regularly advocates for clients in state courts, administrative tribunals, the United States Tax Court, and U.S. federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. Roese also has broad experience working with the Internal Revenue Service, including IRS appeals, and state and local tax departments to settle disputes on behalf of taxpayers. She also assists clients with their tax planning, compliance, and collection needs. Her expertise encompasses income tax, captive insurance taxation, sales tax, property tax, trust and estate tax, excise tax, and others. Roese graduated from William & Mary with a J.D. in law and from Boston University with a master's in political science and an undergraduate degree in political science.
25. Michael Bocik
Attorney, State Farm
Michael Bocik is an Attorney for State Farm. He joined the company in 2014. State Farm is one of the largest property and casualty insurance providers in the United States. The company was founded in 1922, currently, employing over 70,000 employees with over 80 million insurance policies.
In this role, Bocik works with the legal department to advise State Farm on a variety of corporate legal issues like contracts, compliance, and negotiations. Previously, Bocik was an associate attorney at Hewson & Van Hellemont P.C. and before that an associate attorney at Van Belkum & Felty PC. Earlier in his career, he worked with the 35th District Court of Michigan as a law clerk. Bock earned a J.D. from the Ave Maria School of Law and an undergraduate degree in history and psychology from the University of Notre Dame.
