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News
August 25, 2025

Thirteen SMDK Co., L.P.A., Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch

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The Best Lawyers in America© will showcase thirteen Singerman, Mills, Desberg & Kauntz Co., L.P.A., attorneys in 2026. Founded in 1983, The Best Lawyers™ has grown into one of the most respected publications in the legal profession. Candidacy for the publication is based upon extensive peer review surveys in which attorneys may nominate their peers.

We congratulate the following Singerman, Mills, Desberg & Kauntz Co., L.P.A., attorneys who have achieved The Best Lawyers ranking for 2026:

  • Stephen L. Byron, Municipal Law
  • Gary S. Desberg, Real Estate Law
  • Thomas A. FitzSimmons, Real Estate Law
  • Jeffrey W. Gallup, Real Estate Law
  • Jeffrey A. Gorski, Real Estate Law
  • Evan S. Hirsch, Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Corporate Law, Real Estate Law
  • Edmund G. Kauntz, Tax Law
  • Christopher O’Connell, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Real Estate
  • Paul J. Singerman, Real Estate Law
  • Michael R. Stavnicky, Litigation – Real Estate
  • Ronald J. Teplitzky, Banking and Finance Law

We also congratulate the following Singerman, Mills, Desberg & Kauntz Co., L.P.A., attorneys who have been awarded the distinction of Ones to Watch:

  • Jacqueline A. Hoelting-Van De Merwe, Banking and Finance Law, Real Estate Law
  • Nathaniel D. Tucker, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Nonprofit / Charities Law, Tax Law

It is a great honor to be included in The Best Lawyers™, and our attorneys have a long history of receiving top honors. In 2019 and 2021 Paul Singerman was the Cleveland Real Estate “Lawyer of the Year”. In 2015 Gary Desberg was the Cleveland Real Estate “Lawyer of the Year”, and Ronald Teplitzky was the Cleveland Banking and Finance “Lawyer of the Year”.

Firm President Ronald J. Teplitzky stated, “For a firm of our size to receive such outstanding recognition from Best Lawyers is a tremendous honor. Congratulations to all of our attorneys who received this much-deserved praise. It is a privilege to work with such a talented group of attorneys, paralegals and support staff on a daily basis.”

Inclusion in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America© signifies the continuing commitment of Singerman, Mills, Desberg & Kauntz Co., L.P.A., to provide the highest quality legal counsel to its clients.

More News

August 17, 2026

2026 Best Places to Work in Ohio Selects SMDK for the Third Time

Singerman, Mills, Desberg & Kauntz Co., L.P.A., was recently named as one of the 2026 Best Places to Work in Ohio. This is the third time that SMDK has won this prestigious honor, having previously been recognized in 2021 and 2022. The annual list of the Best Places

August 13, 2026

Postscript On The Corporate Transparency Act

As promised, the U.S. Treasury Department issued a final rule regarding the Corporate Transparency Act on August 11, 2026, replacing the interim rule issued in March of 2025. Pursuant to that final rule: Companies formed in the United States are not required to file Beneficial Ownership Information Reports

January 27, 2026

Singerman, Mills, Desberg & Kauntz Co., L.P.A. Celebrates 25 Years of Providing Exceptional Legal Services and Announces Leadership Transition

Singerman, Mills, Desberg & Kauntz Co., L.P.A. one of northeast Ohio’s premier real estate, business and litigation boutique law firms, proudly marks its 25th anniversary this year. In conjunction with this milestone, the firm announced a strategic leadership transition designed to support its continued growth and long-term vision.

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