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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.

BMD Congratulates 2020 Ohio Super Lawyers and Ohio Rising Stars

BRENNAN, MANNA & DIAMOND is proud to announce RICHARD W. BURKE (Estate Planning and Probate),HAMILTON DeSAUSSURE, JR. (Business Litigation), ROBERT A. HAGER (Construction Litigation), DAVID J. HRINA (Business/Corporate), MICHAEL A. STEEL (Bankruptcy, Business) and RICHARD L. WILLIGER (Workers’ Compensation) have been selected as 2020 Ohio Super Lawyers by Law and Politics magazine, Northern Ohio Live magazine, and Cincinnati Magazine in their respective area of practice. BMD’s 2020 Rising Stars include: JUSTIN M. ALABURDA (Business Litigation), KYLE A. JOHNSON (Business Litigation), ALEX J. McCALLION (Business Litigation), CHRISTOPHER J. MEAGER (State/Local/Muni Law), BRANDON T. PAULEY (Business/Corporate) and DANIEL J. RUDARY (Business Litigation)

Ohio's "One Bite" Program Changes

The Ohio Medical Board has for some years had a “One Bite” program where a physician with a substance problem could undergo treatment. The treatment was private and not disclosed to the Medical Board. If the problem was later disclosed, the physician obtaining treatment would avoid sanctions from the Medical Board.

Jury Awards Care Center $225,000

Congratulations to Scott Sandrock on the jury verdict in favor of our client. The verdict stems from the lawsuit filed on behalf of our client against Spectrum Cable for fraud in connection with business services. The jury awarded Plaintiff $22,000 for compensatory damages, plus $225,000 in punitive damages and recovery of attorney fees in favor of our client.

BMD Beefs Up its Attorney Force with 7 New Hires

Founded in 2000 by three entrepreneurial and business-minded attorneys to provide a legal platform for companies and entrepreneurs in a wide variety of industries, Brennan Manna Diamond (BMD) has been in growth mode ever since. The firm, which began in Akron with just seven attorneys, now has three Ohio and two Florida offices as well as an international location in Shanghai, China through a joint venture with the law firm Jade & Fountain. BMD recently added seven more lawyers, six who are located in the Akron office.

Akron Devil Strip Becomes First US News Co-op

Starting Nov. 1, Akronites can become part owners of The Akron Devil Strip. With the legal guidance of BMD's legal team, Matthew A. Heinle, Esq. and Michael D. De Matteis, Esq., the arts and culture magazine is breaking ground as the first news co-op in the United States.