Retired January 1, 2001
- College of Wooster
- Cleveland State University, BA in 1956
- Cleveland Marshall College of Law, LLB in 1960
Of Counsel
Admitted in Ohio
rmcnellie@carlisle-law.com
- Case Western Reserve University, BA in 1970
- Cleveland Marshall College of Law, JD in 1975
- Admitted to practice by Ohio Supreme Court in 1975 and U.S. District Court in 1976
- Member of American Bar Association, Ohio State Bar Association and Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association and the Ohio Land Title Association
- Lecturer on foreclosures for Professional Education Systems, Inc., National Business Institute, Inc., and Ohio State Bar Association
- Licensed Title Insurance Agent
Mr. McNellie joined our law firm as a law student in 1970 examining real estate titles for foreclosure matters. After graduating law school, Mr. McNellie joined the law firm as an associate handling foreclosure matters throughout Ohio. In 1978 Mr. McNellie became a Shareholder and managed the foreclosure, eviction, home retention and REO departments of our firm. In 2016, after spending his entire career at the firm, Mr. McNellie became of counsel to the firm. Mr. McNellie maintains an office at the firm and remains committed to the continued success of the law firm. Mr. McNellie will continue to be available to our clients and will continue to mentor the firm’s employees.
Of Counsel
Admitted in Ohio
wrini@carlisle-law.com
- Baldwin Wallace College, BA in 1971
- Cleveland Marshall College of Law, JD in 1975
- Admitted to practice by Ohio Supreme Court in 1975 and U.S. District Court in 1975
- Member of American Bar Association, Ohio State Bar Association, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, American Trial Lawyers Association and Ohio Trial Lawyers Association
Mr. Rini started his career as a prosecutor prior to joining our firm in 1983. In 1990, Mr. Rini became a Shareholder and has represented mortgage lenders in hundreds of litigated matters to the bench and juries throughout Ohio while managing the firm’s litigation department. In 2016, Mr. Rini became of counsel to the firm. Mr. Rini maintains an office and remains committed to the continued success of the law firm. Mr. Rini will continue to mentor and provide consulting services to our Litigation Department.
Shareholder
Admitted in Ohio
pulrich@carlisle-law.com
- University of Akron, BA (magna cum laude) in 1988
- University of Akron College of Law, JD in 1991
- Admitted to practice by Ohio Supreme Court in 1991, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio in 1991, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Appellate Circuit in 1993, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio in 1995, and United States Supreme Court in 1996
- Member of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association (Chair, 2011-2012, Bankruptcy and Commercial Law Section; Chair, 2011 to 2013, Subcommittee on Vacant Properties; Co-Chair, 2013 to 2017, Sections and Committees Oversight Committee; Chair, 2015 – present, Golf Outing Committee), American Bankruptcy Institute, National Association of Chapter Thirteen Trustees, and International Women’s’ Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation
- Served a three-year term on the Board of Trustees for the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association (2012 to 2015)
- Lecturer on bankruptcies for numerous groups, including the American Bankruptcy Institute, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Akron Bar Association, Ohio State Bar Association and Credit Education Coalition
- Active member of the Corporate Leadership Committee for the Hattie Larlham, a non-profit organization that creates opportunities for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities
- Named a 2018 Top 25 Women of Law Honoree by DSNews Blackbook
- 2018 AV Preeminent Rated through Martindale-Hubbell
Mrs. Ulrich started her career representing secured lenders in Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases and acting as special counsel for Chapter 7 Trustees in Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases. In 1994, she joined our firm as a senior associate in our Bankruptcy Department and changed her focus primarily to representation of secured lenders in consumer bankruptcy cases. In 2001, she became a shareholder and currently manages our Bankruptcy Department.
Shareholder
Admitted in Ohio
jsassano@carlisle-law.com
- Bowling Green State University, BA in 1988
- Cleveland Marshall College of Law, JD in 1993
- Admitted to practice by Ohio Supreme Court in 1993, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio in 1998
- Member of Ohio State Bar Association and Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
Mr. Sassano was a staff attorney from 1994 to 1997 to two judges of the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas. He joined our law firm in 1997 as an associate practicing real estate law with an emphasis on creditor representation in foreclosure actions. Mr. Sassano was instrumental in gathering a coalition of lenders and various Cuyahoga County politicians, including several suburban mayors, to provide a source of funding for the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas to expedite the foreclosure process. He became a Shareholder 2007 and currently manages our foreclosure, mediation and loss mitigation departments.
Admitted in Ohio
edeighton@carlisle-law.com
- Wheeling Jesuit College, BA in 1996
- Case Western Reserve College of Law, JD in 1999
- Admitted to practice by Ohio Supreme Court in 1999, U.S. District Court for the Northern and Southern District of Ohio in 2000
- Member of Ohio State Bar Association and Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
- Trustee of the Marc Deighton Scholarship at Walsh University
Mr. Deighton joined our law firm in 1998 assisting in our foreclosure department. In 1999, he became a licensed attorney and has since practiced in the areas of foreclosure, eviction, title claim defense, real estate contracts and creditor’s rights. Mr. Deighton has appellate victories in every Ohio appellate court, including the Ohio Supreme Court, Ohio Federal District Court and the United States 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. His current position is the senior litigation associate. Mr. Deighton has presented on the issues of foreclosure litigation, appellate practice and evictions before various attorneys’ education seminars and banking conferences.
Admitted in Ohio and the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
ckennedy@carlisle-law.com
- Bowling Green State University, BA in 1992
- University of Akron College of Law, JD in 2001
- Admitted to practice by Ohio Supreme Court in 2002; U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio in 2003; U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio in 2005, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania and United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- Member of Ohio State Bar Association, Akron Bar Association and Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
Mr. Kennedy joined our law firm in 2005 as an associate. Mr. Kennedy’s practice focuses on creditor representation in consumer bankruptcy cases filed in the United States Bankruptcy Court in the Northern District of Ohio and Southern District of Ohio. Mr. Kennedy also has experience practicing in the areas of domestic relations, guardianships, juvenile law and criminal law.
Admitted in Ohio
btoman@carlisle-law.com
- College of Wooster, BA in 1986
- Cleveland Marshall College of Law, JD in 1989
- Admitted to practice by Ohio Supreme Court in 1989 and U.S. District Court in 1989
- Ohio State Bar Association Certified Residential Real Estate Specialist
- Lecturer on Real Property Law for Cuyahoga County Bar Association
- Arbitrator: Cuyahoga County Alternative Dispute Resolution Department, 1996 through 2003
- Magistrate: Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, Foreclosure Department, (2006)
- Member of Ohio State Bar Association
- Black belt and marathon runner
Mr. Toman joined our law firm in 2007 following his service as a Magistrate. Mr. Toman’s primary practice focuses on title insurance defense. Mr. Toman has been defending title insurance claims for over 20 years on behalf of lenders and property owners. He has obtained million-dollar settlements for personal injury clients. Mr. Toman is an experienced litigator in numerous areas of real property law.
Admitted in Ohio
rross@carlisle-law.com
- Miami University, BS in 1990
- University of Dayton, JD in 1993
- Admitted to practice by Ohio Supreme Court in 1994, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio in 1994, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Appellate Circuit in 1995, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio in 1998
- Member of Ohio State Bar Association and Dayton Bar Association
- Past Chairman of Real Property Committee of Dayton Bar Association
- Past President of Miami Valley Land Title Association
Mr. Ross began practicing law in 1994, concentrating his practice in the areas of foreclosure, bankruptcy, eviction, collections and general real estate matters. Mr. Ross has a wide range experience in these areas including litigation and appellate work primarily throughout southern Ohio. Mr. Ross has also acted as advisor and claims counsel for an Ohio based Title Insurance Underwriter. Mr. Ross joined our law firm in 2011.
Admitted in Ohio
wcostello@carlisle-law.com
- Miami University, BS in 1985
- Case Western Reserve University, School of Law, JD (Cum Laude) in 1988
- Admitted to Practice by the Ohio Supreme Court 1988 and United States District Court for the Northern District Of Ohio in 1991
- Member of the Ohio State Bar Association; Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association and National Creditors Bar Association
Mr. Costello practices in the area of creditor’s rights. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Costello operated his own firm, Wm. L. Costello Co., L.P.A., in which he represented various clients in a variety of creditors’ rights and regulatory compliance issues. Mr. Costello joined our law firm in 2012 as the senior associate in our Collection Department.
Admitted in Ohio
mzink@carlisle-law.com
- Wittenberg University, BS (Cum Laude) in 2005
- Capital University School of Law, JD in 2008
- Admitted to practice by Ohio Supreme Court in 2008; U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio in 2009
- Member of the Ohio State Bar Association and the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
Ms. Zink started her career in the area of bankruptcy, representing debtors in both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases. Prior to joining the firm, she represented tax certificate purchasers in Cuyahoga, Summit, Franklin and Hamilton County Ohio foreclosure cases. She joined our firm in 2013 as an associate attorney working primarily on tax certificate foreclosure cases and after a leave of absence, returned in July 2014 and continues to practice in the field of foreclosures.
Admitted in Ohio and Kentucky
chill@carlisle-law.com
- Thomas More College, B.A. in1979
- University of Kentucky College of Law, J.D. in 1982
- Admitted to practice by Kentucky Supreme Court 1982; Ohio Supreme Court 2002
- Admitted to practice before U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. Court of Appeals, Third and Sixth Circuits; U.S. District Courts, Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky, Northern District of Ohio, Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana and Eastern District of Tennessee
- Editorial Associate, Kentucky Law Journal, 1981-82
- Recipient, Second National Prize Winner, 31st ASCAP Nathan Burkan Memorial Competition, 1982.
- Chairman, Small Firm Group, American Legal & Financial Network, 2011
- President, Frankfort Area Chamber of Commerce, 2012
- Author: “Copyright Protection for Historical Research: A Defense of the Minority View,” ASCAP Copyright L. Sym, No. 32 (1981-82); “Can the Death Penalty Be Imposed on Juveniles: The Unanswered Question in Eddings v. Oklahoma,” 20 Criminal Law Bulletin 5 (1984)
- Member: Franklin County, Kentucky bar Associations
Mr. Hill has worked in the area of mortgage default for his entire 38 year legal career. He founded Chirstopher M. Hill & Associates PSC in 1999 with the goal of providing first-class legal services to banks and mortgage lenders in a small firm setting. He joined Carlisle Law in 2018. He lectures frequently on subjects of interest to mortgage servicers and has been lead counsel on numerous significant appellate decisions in the mortgage default area.
Admitted in Kentucky
rmcdonald@carlisle-law.com
- Morehead State University, B.A. (Summa Cum Laude) in 2006
- Northern Kentucky University, Chase College of Law J.D. in 2010
- Member of the Franklin County, Pike County and Kentucky Bar Associations
Ms. McDonald is an associate with the firm with significant responsibility in the areas of foreclosure and consumer creditor litigation. She joined Carlisle Law in 2018. Prior to that, she was an associate with Christopher M. Hill & Associates PSC in 2014 and prior to that, she was in private practice in Pikeville, Kentucky, where she gained a wide range of experience, including real estate law and creditor’s rights.
Admitted in Ohio and Kentucky
- Northern Kentucky University, BS in 1989; Salmon P. Chase College of Law, JD in 1993.
- Admitted to practice by Ohio Supreme Court in 1993; Kentucky Supreme Court in 2014; U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio in 1995 and U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio in 2012.
- Court Appointed Registered Land Examiner in Hamilton County, Ohio since 2012; advising the Common Pleas Court and County Recorder on real estate matters.
- Member of American Bar Association, Ohio State Bar Association, Cincinnati Bar Association, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Columbus Bar Association, Kentucky Bar Association, Northern Kentucky Bar Association, Ohio Land Title Association, Southwestern Ohio Land Title Association and Ohio Creditor’s Attorneys Association.
Mr. Kearns started his career in 1990 working with Attorney David E. Gerner at the law firm of Gerner & Kearns Co., L.P.A. in Cincinnati, Ohio. Their firm was a full-service real estate law firm representing buyers, sellers, lenders, builders and developers of real estate. While there, Mr. Kearns handled thousands of residential and commercial title examinations; thousands of residential, commercial and REO real estate closings; and thousands of mortgage foreclosure actions. In addition, Mr. Kearns made thousands of court appearances assisting other lawyers and law firms with their court cases in the Cincinnati, Ohio area. He served as local counsel for numerous lawyers and law firms over the years and has generally been regarded as the go-to-guy for court hearing coverage in Cincinnati for the past couple decades. He continuously practiced law at Gerner & Kearns Co., L.P.A. until Mr. Gerner’s unexpected passing in 2019 (law clerk 1990-1993; associate attorney 1993-2004; partner 2004-2019). Between 2019 and 2022, Mr. Kearns handled real estate transactions and prepared closing documents while maintaining his local counsel court appearance practice. He joined our firm in August of 2022.