Robert A. Zimmerman Joins Benesch

CLEVELAND, OHIO – January 7, 2009 – Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP announced that Robert A. Zimmerman has joined the firm as a Partner and will be practicing in the Public Law and Litigation Practice Groups.

Mr. Zimmerman has litigated a wide variety of disputes in state and federal courts in the areas of employment, business, real estate, zoning and constitutional law. He represents public and private companies and individuals and has been appointed special counsel multiple times by both the Ohio Attorney General and the Cuyahoga County Prosecuting Attorney. He is a winning first chair jury trial lawyer and has successfully argued cases before the Ohio Supreme Court and numerous Ohio Appellate Courts.

Complementing his litigation practice, Mr. Zimmerman has over 20 years experience in state, county and local politics and government. He was elected to the Shaker Heights City Council in 2005, where he serves as Chairperson of the Safety and Public Works Committee and a member of the Finance Committee. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party and served as President of the Shaker Heights Democratic Club. Mr. Zimmerman worked in the administrations of Governor Richard F. Celeste and Attorneys General Anthony J. Celebrezze, Jr. and Lee Fisher. He has successfully managed political campaigns and has been elected a Delegate to the Democratic National Convention. Mr. Zimmerman has advanced economic development projects as an executive agency lobbyist.

Prior to joining Benesch, Mr. Zimmerman was a partner at another regional law firm and he served as an Assistant Ohio Attorney General from 1991-1995. As an Assistant Ohio Attorney General, he represented the Ohio Governor, Secretary of State, Ohio Elections Commission and other state agencies.

Managing Partner, Ira Kaplan, stated, “His reputation in litigation as well as public law is outstanding, and his legal experience will be an ideal fit to join our Public Law and Litigation Practice Groups. Rob is a highly regarded trial attorney, and we know his knowledge will be invaluable to our clients in both out-of-court and in-court settings.”

Mr. Zimmerman will maintain offices in Benesch’s Cleveland and Columbus locations.

About Benesch
Benesch is a six-time winner of the NorthCoast 99 Award – Best Places to Work. In 2008, Benesch ranked #9 in the nation and #3 among our non AmLaw peers by The American Lawyer Mid-Level Associate Survey which examines associate satisfaction. With offices in Cleveland, Columbus, Philadelphia, Shanghai and Wilmington, Benesch’s practice and industry groups include Business Reorganization, the China Group, Compensation & Benefits, Construction, Commercial Finance & Banking, Corporate & Securities, Litigation, Health Care, Intellectual Property, Labor & Employment, Polymer Industry, Private Equity, Public Law, Real Estate & Environmental, Tax, Transportation & Logistics, and Estate Planning & Probate. For more information, visit www.beneschlaw.com.