LEWIS BRISBOIS BISGAARD & SMITH - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner
- Attorney Bio
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner / Northwest Indiana
- Partner in the Northwest Indiana
Ami T. Anderson is a partner in the Northwest Indiana office of Lewis Brisbois and a member of the General Liability Practice. Ms. Anderson joined Lewis Brisbois in December 2019 after spending several years with a Chicago-based national law firm.
Ms. Anderson has an extensive and diverse litigation practice, and she frequently appears before both Indiana state and federal courts as well as the Indiana Workers' Compensation Board. Ms. Anderson represents defendants in a variety of matters including general liability, medical malpractice, legal malpractice, professional liability, products liability and workers' compensation matters. Ms. Anderson has tried numerous cases to verdict before both juries and the bench. She has also successfully handled multiple appeals before both the Indiana Court of Appeals and the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Ms. Anderson lives in Crown Point, Indiana with her two children.
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner
- Attorney Bio
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate / Los Angeles, CA
- Associate in the Los Angeles
Anora Abramova is an associate in the Los Angeles office of Lewis Brisbois and a member of the Products Liability and Toxic Tort & Environmental Litigation Practices.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner / Atlanta, GA
- Partner in the Atlanta
Audrey Berland is a partner in the Atlanta office of Lewis Brisbois and a member of the firm's Products Liability Practice. With three decades of legal experience, she successfully litigates complex, high-exposure, and multi-party matters on behalf of Fortune 100 companies, small businesses, and individuals. Ms. Berland regularly defends manufacturers, distributors, and sellers against design and manufacturing defect claims in state and federal courts, with a particular focus on cases involving automotive, heavy equipment, and component parts.
In addition to helping clients achieve their business objectives in the products liability arena, Ms. Berland handles a variety of business and commercial litigation matters, including cases involving noncompete and non-solicitation agreements, and well as claims of breach of contract and tortious interference.
As a certified mediator and court appointed special neutral, Ms. Berland also effectively uses her litigation experience to counsel and facilitate resolution of matters outside of the courtroom for clients seeking to avoid or minimize litigation-related risks.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Attorney Bio
- Partner / Chicago, IL
- Partner in the Chicago
Cameron Ash is a partner in the Chicago office of Lewis Brisbois and a member of the General Liability and Labor & Employment Practices.
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner
- Partner
- Attorney Bio
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner
- Partner
- Attorney Bio
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner
- Attorney Bio
Denver Case No. 2022CV30751, LG Cherry Creek II, LLC v. MEP Engineering, Inc. (Second Chair). Joseph successfully defended his mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering firm client in this jury trial against a professional negligence claim. This case involved professional negligence and contract claims focused on the design of a hot water return plumbing system for a luxury apartment complex.
Denver Case No. 2021CV32525, Dave et al. v. Park Place Association (Second Chair). Joseph represented his homeowners' association client in this bench trial, which involved eleven claims related to Colorado's Common Ownership Interest Act ("CCIOA") and the construction, interpretation, and application of the homeowners' association corporate governance documents.
El Paso Case No. 2019CV031596, LC CO, LLC d/b/a Little Caesars Pizza v. Robinson Construction, LLC. (Second Chair). Joseph prevailed in this jury trial by successfully prosecuting his out-of-state client's breach of contract claim against a local general contractor, who was represented by a well-respected, local law firm, while simultaneously defending his client against the opposing party's breach of contract claim. This case involved dueling breach of contract claims regarding the scope of work and costs associated with the build out of a restaurant.
Eagle Case No. 2022CV030181, Martin J. Mullally Credit Trust et al. v. Selby et al. (First Chair). Joseph prevailed in this jury trial by receiving a full defense verdict in favor of his homeowners' association president and director client in response to breach of fiduciary duty allegations. Before trial, Joseph also obtained the dismissal of one of the claims asserted against his client via dispositive motion. This case involved issues related to Colorado's Common Ownership Interest Act ("CCIOA") and the construction, interpretation, and application of the homeowners' association corporate governance documents.
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner
- Attorney Bio
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Attorney Bio
- Partner / Akron, OH
- Partner in the Cleveland
Greg P. Amend is a partner in the Cleveland office of Lewis Brisbois and a member of the Complex Business & Commercial Litigation Practice. He is a commercial litigator and trusted business adviser to his clients. Mr. Amend helps a wide array of business owners, from locally owned entities to Fortune 500 companies, avoid and resolve disputes. He has handled numerous arbitrations, depositions, bench trials, jury trials, and appellate work in state and federal courts, as well as a variety of alternative dispute resolution forums.
Mr. Amend takes a holistic approach to helping businesses avoid legal issues. He develops an understanding of the business, identifies and manages risk, and guides clients through every stage of the business cycle. Mr. Amend's goal is to assist clients in avoiding the time, hassle, and expense of litigation. However, if litigation proves necessary, he has the experience and proven ability to represent and protect clients' interests. Mr. Amend strives to develop a long-term relationship with, and provide increasing value to, his clients and their businesses.
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner
- Partner
- Attorney Bio
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner
- Attorney Bio
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner
- Attorney Bio
Job Titles:
- Attorney Bio
- Co - Managing Partner
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner / Chicago, IL
Jill Anderfuren is a partner in the Chicago office of Lewis Brisbois and a member of the Intellectual Property & Technology and Antitrust & Competition Practices. Ms. Anderfuren advances and protects the interests of clients in the insurance, consulting, medical, and consumer products industries. Working together, she builds and maintains successful trademark protection strategies for clients, both in the United States and internationally. They rely on her knowledge, based on over 20 years of international experience in the analysis, prosecution, clearance, licensing and litigation of trademarks. Ms. Anderfuren's extensive background along with her experience in inter partes proceedings and her involvement with INTA committee work, affords her clients keen perspectives and a thorough understanding of their issues.
Jill Anderfuren has been recognized in the World Trademark Review 1000 - The World's Leading Trademark Professionals, an editorial which focuses exclusively on trademark practices and practitioners for those seeking world-class legal trademark expertise, every year since 2019. The WTR undergoes an exhaustive qualitative research project to identify firms and individuals that are deemed outstanding in this critical area of practice. Factors such as depth of expertise, market presence and the level of work are all taken into account, alongside positive peer and client feedback.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate / Denver, CO
- Associate in Lewis Brisbois 's Denver Office
Joseph Apisdorf is an associate in Lewis Brisbois's Denver Office and is a member of the Labor & Employment and General Liability Practice Groups. Joseph manages a diverse federal and state court caseload that includes: (1) employment litigation involving claims of discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, retaliation, and alleged violations of non-competition and non-solicitation agreements; and (2) general liability litigation involving complex business and commercial disputes, construction defect, professional liability, products liability, premises liability, and real estate disputes.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate / Chicago, IL
- Associate in the Chicago
Joshua Arenson is an associate in the Chicago office of Lewis Brisbois and a member of the General Liability Practice.
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner
- Attorney Bio
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner
- Attorney Bio
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner
- Partner
- Attorney Bio
Job Titles:
- Co - Chair
- Partner
- Partner / Boston
Kip Adams is a partner at Lewis Brisbois and one of the founding members of the firm's Boston office. He handles an array of civil litigation matters for clients in Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire state and federal courts. Kip primarily represents businesses, insurance companies, and their insureds in complex products liability, premises liability, toxic tort, asbestos, environmental, professional liability, transportation, and general liability litigation matters. Among Kip's current and former representations are:
Beyond the above civil litigation experience, Kip is the Co-Chair the firm's OSHA Safety and Health nationwide practice group. Kip is OSHA 511 certified, having completed the training and requirements of OSHA's program for competency in understanding the Standards for General Industry. In August 2021 and January 2022, Kip represented firm clients in multi-week trials before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Kip has consulted clients on matters involving specific OSHA abatements, posting requirements, citation interpretation, reclassification, penalty reduction, expert witness development, the employee misconduct defense, and the single employer doctrine.
Kip joined Lewis Brisbois from the Boston office of a multinational law firm, where he was a member of the insurance and reinsurance department and aviation practice group.
Job Titles:
- Office Administrator / Regional Recruiter
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner
- Attorney Bio
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate / Houston, TX
- Associate in the Houston
Mehak Ahmed is an associate in the Houston office of Lewis Brisbois and a member of the General Liability Practice. Mehak began her career as a prosecutor and prior to joining Lewis Brisbois she worked as in-house counsel for an international insurance carrier.
Mehak focuses her practice on trucking accidents, auto accidents, premises liability, dram shop, intentional torts, and other areas dealing with general negligence. She represents a variety of clients, including individuals, family-owned businesses, and large national corporations operating across various industries such as trucking, agriculture, tire manufacturing, retail, hospitality, health, and fitness. She has successfully defended clients involved in complex cases alleging bodily injuries, automotive liability, and insurance subrogation litigation. Mehak is repeatedly recognized for her superior customer service.
During law school, Mehak served as a Public Defender and completed a judicial internship with the Honorable Judge Rosemarie Aquilina, 30th circuit court in Ingham County, Michigan.
In her free time, Mehak enjoys cooking, and spending time with her husband and their three cats.
Mehak is fluent in Urdu and Hindi.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate / Atlanta, GA
- Associate in the Atlanta
Melissa Austin is an associate in the Atlanta office of Lewis Brisbois and a member of the Products Liability and Toxic Tort & Environmental Litigation Practices.
Melissa was raised in metro-Atlanta. She earned her B.S. in Environmental Studies from the University of West Georgia, where she developed a strong foundation in environmental science and policy. She then pursued her Juris Doctorate at the University of Colorado Boulder, concentrating on environmental law.
During her time in law school, Melissa interned with a non-profit environmental preservation organization, gaining valuable experience in conservation efforts and environmental policy advocacy. Additionally, she worked with the University's environmental law clinic, where she provided legal support for various environmental protection initiatives.
After law school, Melissa worked as an independent environmental consultant, conducting compliance audits for clients to identify potential violations or risks related to pertinent environmental regulations. She provided guidance to clients following the audits and developed strategies to address and rectify compliance issues, ensuring they met all regulatory requirements. Prior to joining Lewis Brisbois, Melissa was an associate at an Atlanta based bankruptcy law firm.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner / Akron, OH
- Partner in the Akron
Michael Altvater is a partner in the Akron office and a member of the Corporate Practice.
Mr. Altvater is an accomplished advocate in both federal and state courts, representing clients in commercial litigation, including contract disputes, trade secret litigation, shareholder disputes, and probate litigation.
Mr. Altvater also served as a Magistrate for the Summit County, Ohio, Court of Common Pleas for six years. As Magistrate, he managed all aspects of the trial court's civil cases from their inception through trial or settlement, with many cases involving multimillion-dollar claims. He authored numerous judicial opinions resolving complex business disputes, shareholder derivative claims, partnership disputes, contract disputes, and employment claims. His professional background also includes criminal law experience related to cybercrime, fraud, and professional licensure issues.
Mr. Altvater became a lawyer because he likes to help people solve problems. When working with him, you can expect client-focused service with clear and timely communication throughout the resolution of your case.
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner
- Partner
- Attorney Bio
Job Titles:
- Office Administrator
- Regional Director of Administration
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner
- Attorney Bio
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner
- Attorney Bio
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner
- Partner
- Attorney Bio
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner
- Attorney Bio
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner / Los Angeles, CA
- Partner in the Los Angeles
Richard Acosta is a partner in the Los Angeles and Kansas City office of Lewis Brisbois and a member of the Healthcare Practice Group.
Richard has been involved in the representation of long-term care providers and other healthcare providers for more than 20 years in all aspects of litigation from case inception to arbitration or trial. He prides himself on working with his clients to make early case assessments which assists clients in achieving the best result at all stages of litigation.
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner
- Attorney Bio
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner
- Attorney Bio
- Co - Managing Partner
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner
- Partner
- Attorney Bio