Singerman, Mills, Desberg & Kauntz Co., L.P.A.

01/27/2026

Singerman, Mills, Desberg & Kauntz Co., L.P.A. one of northeast Ohio’s premier real estate, business and litigation boutique law firms, proudly marks its 25th anniversary this year. In conjunction with this milestone, the firm announced a strategic leadership transition designed to support its continued growth and long-term vision.

Effective January 1, 2026, Ronald J. Teplitzky has concluded his tenure as President after six years of distinguished service in the role. Under his leadership, the firm continued to advance and provide elite legal services to all of its clients. Teplitzky will now devote all of his time to his legal practice.

As part of the transition, the Principals of Singerman Mills have elected Christopher O’Connell and Evan S. Hirsch to serve as Co-Presidents. O’Connell and Hirsch have complementary skillsets and a strong working relationship, which factored into the decision to move to a Co-President structure. Together, they will jointly oversee the firm’s strategic direction, operations, and client service initiatives, bringing their collective experience and perspectives to the role.

O’Connell added, “It is an honor to step into this role at such a meaningful moment in the firm’s history. We are committed to preserving the values that have defined Singerman Mills for 25 years while continuing to evolve to meet our clients’ needs.”

Hirsch echoed that sentiment, stating, “Our focus remains on delivering exceptional legal counsel, investing in our people, and continuing to be a premier mid-size law firm.”

O’Connell and Hirsch bring decades of legal expertise and leadership experience to their new roles as Co-Presidents. They both will continue to actively practice law while leading Singerman Mills. Paul J. Singerman will continue in his role as Chairman, providing continuity and strategic guidance as the firm advances its long-term objectives.

“Celebrating 25 years is both a moment of pride and an opportunity to position the firm for the long-term future,” said Singerman. “I am confident that Chris and Evan will continue to build on our strong foundation while leading the firm into its next chapter.”

01/22/2025

Singerman, Mills, Desberg & Kauntz Co., L.P.A., is pleased to announce that Cynthia K. Port has joined the firm as an Of Counsel attorney. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Port practiced at the Cleveland law firm of Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP.

Ms. Port assists individuals in developing complex estate, corporate succession, and asset protection plans. Ms. Port provides advice on the use of various wealth transfer mechanisms, including lifetime and post-death planning, in order to design and achieve plans that represent each client’s personal goals. Her experience extends to multifaceted estate and trust administration.

Ms. Port’s involvement in community and charitable organizations includes serving as a Trustee of Milestones Autism Resources Board of Directors since 2020. Prior to that she served as a Trustee for the Beachwood Schools Foundation, and spent three years as chair of the Mandel JCC, Festival of Jewish Books & Authors.

Ms. Port graduated from the University of Maryland and received her law degree, magna cm laude, from the Washington College of Law at American University in Washington, DC.

You can reach Ms. Port by email at [email protected] or by telephone at (216) 292-5807.

01/15/2025

Singerman, Mills, Desberg & Kauntz Co., L.P.A., would like to congratulate Gary S. Desberg, Evan S. Hirsch, Paul J. Singerman, and Ronald J. Teplitzky for their continuation on being named Ohio Super Lawyers. Three of our Super Lawyers have been included for more than 15 years. 2025 marks the 22nd year for Paul J. Singerman being recognized, the 20th year for Gary S. Desberg, and the 19th year for Ronald J. Teplitzky.

Our attorneys continue to provide experience and peace of mind to all of our clients in a variety of legal fields. We are proud of all of the attorneys in our firm, and we are honored that the above attorneys have achieved the distinction of Super Lawyers.

Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The patented selection process includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations.

Singerman, Mills, Desberg & Kauntz Co., L.P.A., would like to congratulate Gary S. Desberg, Evan S. Hirsch, Paul J. Singerman, and Ronald J. Teplitzky for their continuation on being named Ohio Super Lawyers. Three of

08/15/2024

The Best Lawyers in America© will showcase thirteen Singerman, Mills, Desberg & Kauntz Co., L.P.A., attorneys in 2025. Founded in 1983, The Best Lawyers™ has grown into one of the most respected publications in the legal profession. Candidacy for the publication is based upon extensive peer review surveys in which attorneys may nominate their peers.

The Best Lawyers in America© will showcase thirteen Singerman, Mills, Desberg & Kauntz Co., L.P.A., attorneys in 2025. Founded in 1983, The Best Lawyers™ has grown into one of the most respected publications in the legal profession. Candidacy

03/11/2024

As you may have heard, on March 1, 2024, the District Court for the Northern District of Alabama ruled that the Corporate Transparency Act of 2020 (“CTA”) is unconstitutional, and the U.S. Treasury Department is permanently enjoined from enforcing the CTA, but only against the two named plaintiffs in that case (Issac Winkles and National Small Business United dba National Small Business Association). National Small Business United, d/b/the National Small Business Association, et al. v. Janet Yellen, Case No. 5:22-cv-01448 (N.D. Ala. March 1, 2024). If you desire to read the court’s opinion, here is the link. In response to this decision, FinCEN issued a notice on March 4, 2024, confirming that it will not enforce the CTA against the named plaintiffs in this case.

It is likely that this case will be appealed by the government. However, in the meantime, the CTA continues to apply to all other entities subject to the CTA’s reporting requirements. As a reminder, all reporting companies formed in 2024 must file within 90 days after the formation date, and all reporting companies formed before 2024 must file by December 31, 2024.

If you have any questions, please contact Edmund G. Kauntz at [email protected] or Nathaniel D. Tucker at [email protected] or via telephone at 216-292-5807.

01/31/2024

Singerman, Mills, Desberg & Kauntz Co., L.P.A., would like to congratulate Gary S. Desberg, Evan S. Hirsch, Paul J. Singerman, and Ronald J. Teplitzky for their continuation on being named Ohio Super Lawyers. Three of our Super Lawyers have been included for more than 15 years. 2024 marks the 21st year for Paul J. Singerman being recognized, the 19th year for Gary S. Desberg, and the 18th year for Ronald J. Teplitzky.

Our attorneys continue to provide experience and peace of mind to all of our clients in a variety of legal fields. We are proud of all of the attorneys in our firm, and we are honored that the above attorneys have achieved the distinction of Super Lawyers.

Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The patented selection process includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations.

Singerman, Mills, Desberg & Kauntz Co., L.P.A., would like to congratulate Gary S. Desberg, Evan S. Hirsch, Paul J. Singerman, and Ronald J. Teplitzky for their continuation on being named Ohio Super Lawyers. Three of

08/18/2023

The Best Lawyers in America© will showcase thirteen Singerman, Mills, Desberg & Kauntz Co., L.P.A., attorneys in 2024. Founded in 1983, The Best Lawyers™ has grown into one of the most respected publications in the legal profession. Candidacy for the publication is based upon extensive peer review surveys in which attorneys may nominate their peers. We congratulate the following Singerman, Mills, Desberg & Kauntz Co., L.P.A., attorneys who have achieved The Best Lawyers ranking for 2024:

Stephen Byron, Municipal Law
Gary S. Desberg, Real Estate Law
Tom FitzSimmons, Real Estate Law
Jeffrey W. Gallup, Real Estate Law
Jeffrey Gorski, Real Estate Law
Evan Hirsch, Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Corporate Law, Real Estate Law
Edmund Kauntz, Tax Law
Chris O'Connell, Commercial Litigation
Paul Singerman, Real Estate Law
Mike Stavnicky, Litigation – Real Estate
Ronald Teplitzky, Banking and Finance Law

We also congratulate the following Singerman, Mills, Desberg & Kauntz Co., L.P.A., attorneys who have been awarded the distinction of Ones to Watch:

Jacqueline Hoelting-Van De Merwe, Banking and Finance Law, Real Estate Law
Nathaniel Tucker, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Nonprofit / Charities Law, Tax Law

It is a great honor to be included in The Best Lawyers™, and our attorneys have a long history of receiving top honors. In 2019 and 2021 Paul Singerman was the Cleveland Real Estate “Lawyer of the Year”. In 2015 Gary Desberg was the Cleveland Real Estate “Lawyer of the Year”, and Ronald Teplitzky was the Cleveland Banking and Finance “Lawyer of the Year”.

Firm President Ronald J. Teplitzky stated, “For a firm of our size to receive such outstanding recognition from Best Lawyers is a tremendous honor. Congratulations to all of our attorneys who received this much-deserved praise. It is a privilege to work with such a talented group of attorneys, paralegals and support staff on a daily basis.”

Inclusion in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America© signifies the continuing commitment of Singerman, Mills, Desberg & Kauntz Co, L.P.A. to provide the highest quality legal counsel to its clients.

04/11/2023

Singerman, Mills, Desberg & Kauntz Co., L.P.A., is honored to be included in the 2023 U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” rankings. Singerman, Mills, Desberg & Kauntz Co., L.P.A., has been regionally ranked in four practice areas:

Real Estate Law – Tier 1

Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law – Tier 1

Banking and Finance Law – Tier 2

Corporate Law – Tier 2

“To be recognized by our clients and colleagues across multiple practice areas is a tremendous honor for the Firm,” said Firm President, Ronald J. Teplitzky.

Singerman, Mills, Desberg & Kauntz Co., L.P.A., is honored to be included in the 2023 U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” rankings. Singerman, Mills, Desberg & Kauntz Co., L.P.A., has been regionally ranked

02/02/2023

Singerman, Mills, Desberg & Kauntz Co., L.P.A., is proud to announce that two of its principals were the recipients of the Rosewater Award. While this is a significant honor that is only given to one individual per year, it is notable that two attorneys from the same firm received the award in back-to-back years: Paul Singerman was the recipient of the award at the 2021 Real Estate Institute, and Gary Desberg was the recipient at the 2022 Real Estate Institute.

The Rosewater Award, named in honor of Bob Rosewater, is given by the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association to an individual who meets the following criteria:

Long-term commitment and service to the Real Estate Section.

Long-term commitment and service to the CMBA and its other sections.

Recognized leader and expert in her/his field.
Extra-ordinary accomplishments and community service related to real estate interests.

General community service.

Both Gary and Paul have been active members of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, and its Real Estate Section, having served in roles ranging from panel participants to organizers of the Real Estate Institute.

Congratulations to both Paul and Gary on this prestigious honor!

02/02/2023

Singerman, Mills, Desberg & Kauntz Co., L.P.A., is proud to announce that Gary S. Desberg, Evan S. Hirsch, Paul J. Singerman (all in the field of Real Estate), Ronald J. Teplitzky (in the field of Banking), and Michael R. Stavnicky (in the field of Business Litigation) have again been named Ohio Super Lawyers. While each of these individuals previously has been named an Ohio Super Lawyer, Mr. Singerman, Mr. Desberg, and Mr. Teplitzky have achieved that ranking for 20 years, 18 years, and 17 years, respectively.

Additionally, Stephen L. Byron has been named a Super Lawyer in the State, Local & Municipal field. Jacqueline A. Hoelting-Van de Merwe has been named a Rising Star for 2023 in the field of Real Estate.

Singerman, Mills, Desberg & Kauntz Co., L.P.A., is proud to announce that Gary S. Desberg, Evan S. Hirsch, Paul J. Singerman (all in the field of Real Estate), Ronald J. Teplitzky (in the field of