"If Deana is involved, we are in good hands." - Benesch client
"Deana has been a consummate pro in her thorough and expeditious handling of this matter for us. We appreciate the support." - Benesch client
"Deana, thank goodness I have you! Thank you for always looking out for us!" - Benesch client
Deana is a trial lawyer and focuses her practice on complex commercial litigation and dispute resolution, with an emphasis on transportation and logistics.
Deana has extensive experience representing third party logistics companies, transportation brokers, and commercial shippers in connection with litigation arising out of shipment of goods nationally and internationally, as well as contractual disputes among carriers, brokers, and agents. In addition to working with clients to resolve pending litigations, she advises on pre-suit negotiations and routinely assists clients implementing measures intended to avoid future litigation. Deana also has experience in products liability suits, including defending manufacturer of off-road vehicles in personal injury suits involving claims that the products were defectively designed and manufactured, as well as resolving contract disputes between product manufacturers and suppliers. Deana also has experience litigating and arbitrating commercial business disputes involving business dissolution, contract disputes, insurance/reinsurance, commercial landlord-tenant issues, labor and employment, and workers’ compensation related disputes.
Licensed in three states and several federal District Courts, Deana is an experienced, well-rounded litigator, from taking and defending depositions to arguing motions before state and federal trial courts to jury trials. Deana has also argued before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Deana has significant experience managing all aspects of electronic discovery, including negotiating and implementing ESI protocols, supervising preservation and collection of documents, and overseeing multiple levels of document review for production.
Representative Experience
- Represented inventor and product development company against overseas manufacturing partner in contract, tort, and trade secrets claim, resulting in nearly $4 million in damages awarded following jury trial.
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Represented owner of warehouse in lawsuit brought by shipper concerning the non-delivery of goods to the warehouse’s tenant, resulting in complete and full dismissal at pleading stage.
- Defended motor carrier in Carmack dispute and obtained dismissal of lawsuit on summary judgment, including successfully defending dismissal on appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
- Obtained a Temporary Restraining Order in Nassau County Supreme Court for a home healthcare provider, preventing the New York State Department of Health from enforcing an expulsion sanction and ensuring continuity of care for thousands of patients.
- Represented manufacturer in Carmack and breach of contract dispute against logistics company and motor carrier following destruction of its cargo in train crash.
- Defended freight logistics and brokerage company in breach of contract dispute and obtained dismissal on jurisdictional grounds.
- Defended freight logistics and brokerage company in tort claim brought by shipper of cargo damaged during rail transportation.
- Represented freight logistics and brokerage company in various breach of contract actions against shipping customers and motor carriers.
- Successfully negotiated contractual disputes between freight logistics and brokerage companies and motor carriers.
- Represented healthcare company in business dissolution lawsuit.









