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BMD Names Kathryn Hickner to Cleveland Office Managing Partner, the Firm’s First Female Attorney Appointed to Role

News Article

Business law firm, Brennan, Manna & Diamond (BMD) has announced that Kathryn (Kate) Hickner has been named as the first female office managing partner for the firm. Hickner is one of only eight women to hold the title of law firm partner-in-charge or managing partner, in Northeast Ohio, according to data from the 2022 Crain’s Cleveland Top Law Firm list. Hickner will head the Cleveland office.

Hickner is a healthcare attorney focused on transactional matters and compliance related to federal and state healthcare regulations. Her years of experience advising clients on a wide range of healthcare matters has helped her clients stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly changing, extraordinarily complex industry. She represents physician groups, hospitals, health systems, pharmacies, nursing homes, medical device companies and other industry providers in compliance and complex healthcare business matters. Hickner is passionate about helping clients expand access to healthcare. She is licensed in Ohio, Michigan and New York.

She was recognized as a Crain’s 2022 Notables in the Law and has been named to The Best Lawyers in America© Health Care Law list every year since 2019. Additionally, Hickner serves as a member of the board for the McGregor Foundation and the Case Western Reserve University Inamori International Center for Ethics and Excellence.

“Kate has been integral in growing BMD’s healthcare practice, has been a valuable addition to the firm and we are excited for what’s to come as she leads the Cleveland office,” said Matt Heinle, President, Brennan, Manna & Diamond.

BMD’s Cleveland office opened in 2016 and is located at 200 Public Square. Having outgrown its space due to the addition of several new attorneys and staff, BMD will relocate within the building to a larger space in January 2023  – a build out that is pursuing WELL Certification to achieve a designation for thoughtful and intentional workspace design that enhances human health and well-being.

The Cleveland office also includes attorneys Robert Hager, arbitration, mediation and construction litigation member, who serves on the firm’s Executive and Finance Committees; Mathew Doney, construction litigation partner; L. William Erb, commercial banking and finance partner; Cassandra Manna, estate planning and wealth management partner; Marlon Primes, former AUSA and civil litigation partner; Shalini Bhatia, healthcare attorney; Abigail Peabody, commercial litigation attorney; new associate attorney Nathan Altstadt and eight staff, including paralegals and operations team members.

The announcement of Hickner’s new role comes as progress ramps up for BMD Partner, Cassandra Manna, and BMD client, Signet, LLC, in the redevelopment project at League Park (at E 66th and Lexington) in Cleveland’s Hough neighborhood. Signet, BMD, Ozanne Construction and Bob Zimmer of the Baseball Heritage Museum are working on a revitalization plan on a site next to League Park.

Click here and here to learn more about BMD's partnership development project for which plans were approved by the city of Cleveland early in 2022.


Brennan, Manna & Diamond (“BMD”) is an entrepreneurial business law firm founded in 2000. With more than eighty-five attorneys and eight offices in Ohio, Florida and Arizona, BMD’s access to a network of successful entrepreneurs, consultants and developers allows its attorneys to provide innovative solutions, symbiotic partnerships, and sound legal and business advice consistent with our commitment to Listen.  Solve.  Empower.

BMD serves clients of all types and sizes in numerous industry sectors nationwide, including the areas of Banking and Finance, Business and Corporate, Cannabis, Construction, Cybersecurity and Privacy, E-Discovery, Employment & Labor, Family Wealth Management, Government Affairs, Healthcare, Immigration, Intellectual Property, International, Litigation, Mergers & Acquisitions, Real Estate, Start-Up/Ventures, Tax, Estate Planning and Asset Protection, and more. For additional information, please visit www.bmdllc.com.

Recent Litigation Challenges the Affordable Care Act Preventive Services Requirement

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has been met with numerous legal challenges. The most recent legal challenge, Braidwood Management Inc. v. Becerra, could affect millions of people covered by private health insurance.

BMD’s Director of Marketing Jennifer Shankleton Elected as President of the LMA Midwest Region for 2023

Congratulations to Jennifer Shankleton, BMD’s Director of Marketing, on her recent election to President of the Legal Marketing Association (LMA) Midwest Region for 2023!  LMA is a premier professional association focused on empowering marketing, business development, and client service professionals.

Brennan Manna & Diamond Attorneys Featured in The Best Lawyers in America© and Ones to Watch™ 2023 Report

Brennan Manna & Diamond (BMD) is pleased to announce 17 BMD attorneys have been voted by their peers as The Best Lawyers in America© and Ones to Watch in America™.

Physician Non-Competition Agreements 2022

Contract provisions with restrictions on physicians practicing in the same area should they change employment have been around for decades. In Ohio, courts continue to state that while provisions are generally disfavored, non-competition provisions remain enforceable. Specifically, as to physician non-competes, the courts note that such agreements are further scrutinized regarding the adverse effect on the public interest to keep healthcare professionals in a community. Courts have continued in more cases than not to enforce restrictive covenants against physicians.

Immigration Attorney Talks Crisis in Ukraine (published by Community Legal Aid, 4/6/22)

Duriya Dhinojwala interview with Community Legal Aid