Lateral Partners - Testimonials

Michelle W. Cohen- Washington, D.C.- Partner

I joined Thompson Hine after 13 years with a large international law firm. Many people ask me about the transition. My reply is always the same: my transition was seamless, I felt very welcome, clients were incredibly receptive to the change and I haven't regretted my decision for a minute. The firm culture is wonderful -- I have interacted with colleagues in many of the firm's offices and found firm lawyers and staff to be dedicated, bright, and caring individuals. The firm has an especially positive culture for women attorneys -- several women are heads of practice groups and our "Spotlight on Women" program is designed to mentor, train, and advance women at all stages in their careers. If you want sophisticated work in a collegial environment where people really do practice law and have lives outside of the office, this is the firm.

Megan D. Dortenzo- Cleveland- Partner

I chose to join Thompson Hine for the exciting challenges and opportunities of a strong firm with high quality clients and a growing national practice. Coming from an excellent regional firm, I recognized the personal and professional limitations of an intellectual property practice inherent to a smaller market. At Thompson Hine, I have the opportunity to challenge myself with a broader, more sophisticated client base and the limitless potential to grow that base. Since joining Thompson Hine, I have discovered that my colleagues, across all practice groups, are multi-talented, extremely dedicated, and honestly eager to contribute their expertise. This collegial atmosphere along with the breadth, reputation and professionalism of the practice have made Thompson Hine a perfect home for me.

Beth J. Freemal- Cincinnati- Partner

Relocating home after six years at a large Chicago firm, I was looking for a firm with an excellent client base, a sophisticated practice and a collegial atmosphere. Much to my surprise, I found all of these at Thompson Hine. I was able to continue my structured-finance practice without missing a beat after my relocation. Since joining the firm, I have been invited to work on complex financing projects with colleagues across the offices. Additionally, I have found my colleagues to be generous and eager with their legal expertise and support. All of these factors build on one another to create an incredibly dynamic and exciting environment in which to practice law.

Elizabeth Dallas Gobeil- Atlanta- Partner

Thompson Hine encourages my entrepreneurial spirit, but supports it with the resources of a multinational firm. I look forward to work each day with such an impressive and enjoyable group of professionals.

Bruce G. Hopkins- Washington, D.C.- Partner

I came to Thompson Hine from a 'sole practitioner'-type format. Thompson Hine's team focused first on my relationships with my clients, understanding that client experience in my transition was crucial. I was provided ample staff so that, from the start, my clients experienced better capability and better service, with work of continued high quality. Thompson Hine developed a detailed integration plan specific to me and my clients, and had several staff members regularly follow up. Document systems, billing, and staffing were in place from the first week. Thompson Hine also identified specific additional practice areas that would be logical for my clients. My practice at Thompson Hine depends on using lawyers from several different cities on a regular basis, and the culture emphasizes a 'one firm' approach, making this an excellent ongoing experience for my clients and increasing their confidence in our depth. Since I've joined Thompson Hine, my practice has grown significantly, reflecting my clients' experience that capacity is greater than before, and quality and service are better than ever.

Beverly A. Lyman- Cincinnati- Partner

I was recruited to Thompson Hine as a lateral partner in the Intellectual Property and Life Sciences practice groups after practicing with a boutique firm for over a decade.

My interest in the firm was piqued by its culture of recognizing women, without any "cute" or "smarmy" overtones. Thompson Hine fit the bill for me. In other work environments, I was definitely singled out as a woman - labeled a "lady lawyer." At Thompson Hine, being a woman is not just about gender, it is an advantage in mentoring, networking, integrating my practice, pitching to clients, etc. I work with my female colleagues on women-focused issues, but these issues are core business issues (e.g., negotiation strategies). Thompson Hine fosters an atmosphere in which women are recognized as business professionals - a dynamic culture in which one can grow a practice.

John R. Mitchell- Cleveland- Partner

Coming to Thompson Hine has a been a wonderful experience. My colleagues have done everything in their power to make me feel welcome and assimilate me into the firm. Moreover, the experience I developed prior to joining the firm has been used in a way that brings the greatest benefit to our clients. Thompson Hine's focus is on the successful representation of our clients. The firm appreciates and embraces those individuals who help it achieve that purpose.

Sharen Swartz Neuhardt- Columbus- Partner

We value our women attorneys, first and foremost, because they are great lawyers. What sets Thompson Hine apart from many other large law firms is that it recognizes the leadership potential in its women attorneys and gives us the opportunity to demonstrate that we can be great attorneys and strong leaders as well.

Douglas D. Roberts- Cincinnati- Partner

I had been an attorney for almost 20 years with several medium to large law firms in California and Ohio before I joined Thompson Hine. Over the years, I learned that the two most important things that keep me excited about working at a law firm are the type of work that I'm able to do and the firm culture. The trick has been to find the right combination of those two factors and I believe that I have finally done that here at Thompson Hine. Some smaller firms have a great culture but aren't large enough to attract larger corporate clients or to provide the resources and bench strength needed to service those clients. Some larger firms provide good work opportunities but each office is so large that there is no camaraderie and it feels more like you're punching a time card each day. Thompson Hine has been the perfect choice for me because the firm is large enough to attract exciting client projects and to provide enough other lawyers that you can turn to for assistance but no one office is so large that you feel like you're getting lost in the shuffle.

Anthony C. White- Columbus- Partner

What impresses me the most about Thompson Hine is the firm's dedication to recognizing and rewarding talented lawyers, no matter how long they have been with the firm. I came to Thompson Hine in January, 2004, in large part due to the firm's outstanding reputation, regional footprint, and sophisticated practice. In just over a year and a half, I became Partner-in-Charge of the Columbus office. This is just one example of Thompson Hine giving all of its attorneys, home grown or lateral hires, the chance to succeed on an equal playing field. No partner or associate could ask for more from his or her firm.

Michael V. Wible- Columbus- Partner

Prior to joining Thompson Hine, I spent 10 years as in-house counsel for a major corporation and five years with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Thompson Hine recognizes and welcomes experiences and expertise acquired outside the law firm environment, and appreciates the value of that expertise in building and sustaining client relationships.

Alexander P. Woollcott- Atlanta- Partner

Leaving a large Atlanta-based firm for a branch office of a firm with roots in the Midwest was something of a leap of faith for me, but Thompson Hine offers unique strengths to lateral partners interested in an entrepreneurial move.  Our firm's commitment to making lateral moves successful is evidenced by the diligence in which the firm's leadership works with laterals over an extended period of time to help mesh the lawyer's practice with the firm's.  As part of my lateral integration plan, I recently completed a "road trip" to our firm's other offices and despite a dramatically sinking economy I returned with an excellent sense of how my practice connects with my colleagues' practices and I am feeling very much a part of this great law firm.