Bricker & Eckler elects new partners

COLUMBUS, Ohio ... The law firm of Bricker & Eckler LLP recently elected J. Caleb Bell, Robert Castor, Daniel Gibson, Katherine Spies Giumenti, Gregory Lestini and Matt Warnock partners of the firm.

Based in the firm's Columbus office, J. CALEB BELL is a member of Bricker’s Public Finance group. Caleb has a statewide practice that emphasizes public finance and economic development matters. He has served as bond counsel in a wide variety of transactions. His clients include Ohio municipalities, counties, townships, school districts and public universities, as well as private developers and property owners. Caleb is well known for his representation of special purpose financing entities such as port authorities, new community authorities and special improvement districts. An Ohio native, Caleb graduated with honors from Otterbein College, majoring in economics and political science. He later graduated from Georgetown University Law Center, cum laude, and was dubbed “Best Negotiator” during his tenure as a law student.

Based in the firm's Columbus office, ROBERT CASTOR is a member of Bricker’s Commercial Finance and Real Estate groups. With a practice that focuses on financial institutions and other secured lenders, Bob represents clients in a variety of complex commercial transactions, including loan syndications, large corporate and middle-market loan transactions, tax credit financing, asset-based credit facilities, second lien and mezzanine facilities, and real estate secured lending facilities. Bob also focuses significantly on commercial real estate lending, representing lenders and developers in connection with construction and permanent loans, state and federal historic tax credit projects, solar tax credit projects and other general commercial real estate lending transactions. A good steward of his profession and community, Bob has taken on leadership roles throughout his career. Most recently, he was a 2013 graduate of Leadership Columbus and has been named a “Rising Star” by Ohio Super Lawyers since 2012. Bob graduated from Duke University with a major in political science and served as the captain of the Men’s Varsity Golf Team. He earned his law degree from The Ohio State University with honors and was the Managing Editor of The Ohio State Journal of Criminal Law.

Based in the firm's Columbus office, DANIEL GIBSON is a member of Bricker’s Litigation group. Dan’s practice focuses on appellate matters, complex and class action litigation, and general/commercial litigation with particular emphasis in the areas of consumer finance, Medicare reimbursement, energy, shale oil and gas, and insurance. He represents a broad array of clients in litigation at the trial and appellate stages in state and federal courts with a focus on motion practice, administrative appeals, and appellate brief writing and advocacy. Recently, Dan represented a large teaching hospital before the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in a challenge to the validity of agency regulations under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. He also represented a global financial institution before the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit regarding the construction of two federal consumer protection statutes. Prior to joining Bricker & Eckler, Dan served as Associate Director of the Civil Justice Reform Project at the Hudson Institute in Washington, D.C. Ohio Super Lawyers has recognized Dan as a “Rising Star” since 2013. Dan graduated from Davidson College with honors and earned his law degree from Stanford University. While at Stanford, Dan was the champion of the school’s Marion Rice Kirkwood Moot Court Competition.

Based in the firm's Columbus office, KATHERINE SPIES GIUMENTI is a member of Bricker’s Employment & Labor group. Katie advises employers on compliance with federal and state labor and employment laws, including issues with age and disability discrimination, wage and hour requirements, and FMLA leave. An experienced litigator, Katie defends employers in litigation and administrative charges involving claims such as harassment, retaliation, discrimination and breach of employment contracts. She helps clients with workplace practices and procedures, including sexual harassment policies, drug and alcohol testing, and terminations. Katie serves as Co-Chair of Bricker's Women In Networking (WIN) Group, which is dedicated to encouraging the talents and attributes that our women attorneys bring to the firm and supporting the needs of women and families in our communities. She also serves as a 2014-2015 Fellow to the Leadership Council for Legal Diversity, a national organization working to build a more open and diverse legal profession. Katie is a member of the Ohio and Columbus Bar Associations and the Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys. Katie is a long-time Fellow of the Columbus Bar Foundation. She earned her undergraduate degree cum laude and law degree with honors from The Ohio State University.

Based in the firm's Columbus office, GREGORY LESTINI is a member of Bricker’s Government Relations group. Greg focuses his practice on the connection between law and public policy, utilizing years of experience in state and local government. He advocates for trade associations, private business and not-for-profit interests before the Ohio legislature, state agencies and regulatory bodies – with an emphasis on insurance and land use issues. Greg also serves on Bricker & Eckler’s Southeast Ohio and Shale task forces. An early adopter of technology, Greg manages his own Twitter account (@GregLestini) along with the American Bar Association's Tort Trial and Insurance Practices Insurance Regulation Twitter account (@ABATIPSREG). Prior to joining Bricker, Greg served as Chief of Staff for the Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus and was a Legislative Analyst for the Office of the President Pro Tem of the Columbus City Council. Greg has a number of leadership roles with a variety of professional and community organizations. He serves on the Board of Trustees for the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission and the iBelieve Foundation. A native of southeast Ohio, Greg earned his undergraduate and law degrees from The Ohio State University. While in law school, Greg served as the Moot Court Chief Justice.

Based in the firm's Columbus office, MATT WARNOCK is a member of Bricker’s Energy & Public Utilities group and co-chair of the firm’s Shale Task Force. As part of the Shale Task Force, Matt focuses his practice on a wide range of energy issues, including oil and gas related litigation and transaction matters. Matt has extensive experience with mineral rights disputes under the Ohio Dormant Minerals Act and Ohio Marketable Title Act; negotiating oil and gas leases, pipeline rights of way, amendments to oil and gas leases, water use agreements, surface use agreements and seismic testing agreements; oil and gas litigation; and serving as local counsel for oil and gas companies. Matt is a frequently sought after speaker and is the founder and editor of the ShaleOhio (www.ShaleOhio.com) blog. He serves as Adjunct Professor at Capital University Law School, teaching oil and gas law. A good steward of his profession and community, Matt serves on the Ohio State Bar Association’s Natural Resources Law Committee and was named a “Rising Star” by Ohio Super Lawyers. An Ohio native, Matt earned his bachelor’s degree from Ohio Wesleyan University with department honors. He received his law degree with honors from Capital University Law School. While at Capital, Matt wrote for the Capital University Law Review.

About Bricker & Eckler LLP:

Bricker & Eckler is one of Ohio’s leading law firms. Located in Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati-Dayton, the firm represents a wide variety of clients, including businesses and corporations, nonprofit organizations, governmental agencies, health care entities, school districts, municipalities, banks and insurers. Connect with us online on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.