LOCAL LAWYERS
40 | COLUMBUS JEWISH NEWS | ColumbusJewishNews.com
MARCH 21, 2024
Local Lawyer Listings
Attorneys included in this section completed a questionnaire that was emailed to attorneys and/or firms. The questionnaire was also available at columbusjewishnews.com. Some opted not to answer all of the questions and some were edited for brevity. Compiled by Becky Raspe.
Mitchell Adel Law firm: Cooper, Adel, Vu and Associates Age: 49 Hometown: Columbus Undergraduate: Ithaca College Law school: Capital University Law School How has Judaism played a role in your career? Growing up in an extended Jewish family has helped me build a firm ethical foundation for my law practice. The teachings of my parents and grandparents guide me as I connect with clients, colleagues and the community. What would a client and/or your colleagues be surprised to learn about you? I was extremely shy all the way through my freshman year of College. I barely spoke to outside of my family. How do you strike a balance between work and home life? I have to admit that the law firm is the focus of most of my time. However, I am fortunate to have a close family and a network of friends who understand and support me with flexibility about spending the free time I have. Favorite legal movie or TV series: “Suits” Local restaurant you’re taking out-oftowners to: Villa Nova What advice would you give today’s law school students? Stay open-minded and network. Always stay dedicated to continuous learning, informed about legal developments and advocate for the importance of your discipline, whichever one you choose. Treasure those you meet and keep them close. You can never have enough people in your life. Sometimes you will need them if you have questions you cannot resolve and you should strive to be the person that others seek advice from when they are in similar predicaments.
Robert Bergman Law firm: Bergman & Yiangou Age: 79 Hometown: Dublin Undergraduate: The Ohio State University Law school: Capital University Law School How has Judaism played a role in your career? It has instilled the values of treating clients as I would want to be treated as well as being honest and fair with them. What would a client and/or your colleagues be surprised to learn about you? That I used to raise and show
Dalmatians and Havanese. How do you strike a balance between work and home life? My wife and I take short vacations to Florida during winter and spend our summers playing golf. Favorite legal movie or TV series: “Suits” Local restaurant you’re taking out-oftowners to: Valentina’s and La Tavola What advice would you give today’s law school students? To get as much practical experience as they can both before and during law school working with attorneys.
David Bressman Law firm: Bressman Law Age: 58 Hometown: Powell Undergraduate: University of Dayton Law school: The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law How has Judaism played a role in your career? Judaism provides a framework for moral behavior and ethical decisionmaking. What would a client and/or your colleagues be surprised to learn about you? That behind my stern exterior, I am gut-wrenchingly funny and very humble about it. How do you strike a balance between work and home life? What is home life? I work with my wife and both of my children. Favorite legal movie or TV series: “A Few Good Men” Local restaurant you’re taking out-oftowners to: Roadhouse Wings and Grille What advice would you give today’s law school students? Don’t feel so entitled, you have to work hard to succeed.
Jedidiah Bressman Law firm: Bressman Law Age: 31 Hometown: Columbus Synagogue: Temple Beth Shalom Undergraduate: Indiana Institute of Technology Law school: The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law How has Judaism played a role in your career? Judaism has influenced my legal career by providing a strong ethical foundation, guiding principles of justice and fairness, and a commitment to community service and social responsibility, all of which have been integral to my approach to
law and advocacy. What would a client and/or your colleagues be surprised to learn about you? I love to cook various types of cuisine ranging from Indian to Chinese. How do you strike a balance between work and home life? I do not. I work with my family. Favorite legal movie or TV series: “Suits” Local restaurant you’re taking out-oftowners to: Roadhouse Wings and Grille What advice would you give today’s law school students? Network with any lawyer you can.
Gwen Silverberg Callender Law firm: Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio, Inc. Age: 57 Hometown: Columbus Undergraduate: University of Wisconsin - Madison Law school: The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law How has Judaism played a role in your career? Sharing our traditions with coworkers who do not know anything about what being Jewish was all about. What would a client and/or your colleagues be surprised to learn about you? A significant part of my work wardrobe is from vintage and resale stores. How do you strike a balance between work and home life? By making sure I always have time for daily exercise. Favorite legal movie or TV series: “The Verdict” Local restaurant you’re taking out-oftowners to: Lindey’s, Sycamore or Ginger Rabbit for drinks and jazz What advice would you give today’s law school students? Find work you are passionate about, you will be much happier doing what you love than working countless hours doing work you do not find fulfilling.
Robert Cohen Law firm: Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP Age: 72 Hometown: Columbus Synagogue: Congregation Tifereth Israel Undergraduate: Miami University Law school: University of Cincinnati How has Judaism played a role in your career? It has informed the values that I
have applied to my immigration practice. Favorite legal movie or TV series: “Suits” Local restaurant you’re taking out-oftowners to: Cafe Istanbul What advice would you give today’s law school students? Trust your instinct and don’t be afraid to decline a case that you think will compromise your ethics.
Gary Cowan Law firm: Elk + Elk Hometown: Shaker Heights Undergraduate: University of Ottawa Law school: Cleveland State University College of Law How has Judaism played a role in your career? Judaism has taught me to be empathetic to my clients, to be respectful, and to be charitable. What would a client and/or your colleagues be surprised to learn about you? That I played competitive curling in high school and college. How do you strike a balance between work and home life? I try to keep ahead of my docket and work diligently throughout the workday. Favorite legal movie or TV series: A book – “The Runaway Jury” by John Grisham Local restaurant you’re taking out-oftowners to: Cafe Istanbul at Easton Town Center What advice would you give today’s law school students? I would advise law school students to take “trial advocacy” and “evidence” courses as they will come in handy once they become trial lawyers.
Jacob Dobres Law firm: Rolfes Henry Co., LPA Age: 51 Hometown: Columbus Synagogue: Temple Beth Shalom Undergraduate: The Ohio State University Law school: The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law How has Judaism played a role in your career? Judaism puts a premium on doing what is right and just. I practice law with the mindset of always acting with those tenets of Judaism in mind. What would a client and/or your colleagues be surprised to learn about you? I am a true crime podcast junkie. How do you strike a balance between work and home life? I’ve never regretted making