Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP is pleased to announce Joel W. Hyatt (Fort Myers), Sonja C. Rice (Cleveland), Joel S. Sonnenberg (Cleveland) and Andrew J. Wolf (Cleveland) have been elected to the firm’s partnership effective January 1, 2022 based on their professional achievements, depth of legal experience and commitment to their clients.
“This is an extraordinarily talented group of attorneys and we are excited to welcome them into our partnership,” said Stanley R. Gorom III, Hahn Loeser’s CEO and Managing Partner. “There are few more important moments in the life of any firm than when it makes decisions about who will become its future leaders. Having such a large and talented class of newly minted partners is a sign of real strength within our firm and a sure sign of a solid foundation for the future.”
Hyatt focuses his practice on commercial, construction, and real estate litigation. He works with local and national companies, community associations, and individuals to navigate through complex business and legal issues, including all manners of contract disputes, collections, construction liens, foreclosure, and covenant disputes. Hyatt was named among Best Lawyers in America® in 2022 for Real Estate Litigation and was named a Rising Star by Florida Super Lawyers for five consecutive years. He earned his J.D. from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, graduating cum laude in 2013. Hyatt earned a B.A. from Pennsylvania State University in 2004.
Rice counsels clients in commercial transactions and the development and negotiation of a wide variety of commercial contracts, including master services agreements, supply chain and manufacturing agreements, distributor and warehousing agreements, product development agreements, professional services contracts, intellectual property development and licensing agreements, and facilities management and real estate service outsourcing agreements. She is a member of Hahn Loeser’s Construction Law Practice Group with significant experience in the development and negotiation of construction contracts at all levels and the resolution of construction-related disputes. Rice is a frequent speaker on a variety of topics and regularly leads seminars for clients, focusing on the negotiation of contract terms and conditions and construction project contracts. She earned a J.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Law and a B.A. from Oberlin College.
Sonnenberg, a trained engineer, counsels clients on a wide range of intellectual property issues and has extensive experience researching patent, trademark, trade secret and copyright matters. Sonnenberg is a registered patent attorney well-versed in intellectual property procurement, enforcement, clearance, and agreements. A former project engineer and project manager in the construction industry, Sonnenberg worked with designers, engineers, and contractors on the smallest details of complex building components, including mechanical, electrical, civil, and structural systems. He is familiar with green design practices as he has been LEED® AP credentialed since 2008. With hands-on experience across numerous trades, Sonnenberg provides clients with approachable and uniquely qualified legal counsel. He has been named among Best Lawyers® Ones to Watch for Patent Law in each of the last two years and was named a Rising Star by Ohio Super Lawyers in 2018 and 2022. Sonnenberg earned his J.D. from Cleveland Marshall College of Law in 2013, graduating cum laude. He earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Toledo in 2002.
Wolf counsels clients in all aspects of labor and employment law. He defends employers in employment-based litigation, including allegations of wrongful termination under state law, employment discrimination under state and federal law, allegations of violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act, and allegations of minimum wage and overtime violations under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Andrew assists employers with matters before the Department of Labor, National Labor Relations Board, Department of Education, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Ohio Civil Rights Commission, Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, Ohio Industrial Commission and Ohio State Employment Relations Board. Wolf has been named among Best Lawyers® Ones to Watch in both Labor and Employment Law – Management and Litigation – Labor and Employment in each of the last two years. He was also named a 2022 Rising Star by Ohio Super Lawyers. Wolf earned his J.D. from William and Mary Law School, graduating cum laude in 2013 and his B.A., from Case Western Reserve University, where he graduated summa cum laude in 2010.
