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More changes announced at Roetzel & Andress

SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter

Published: February 15, 2017

The new year continues to bring changes at Roetzel & Andress as firm leaders announce the promotion of two associates and a longtime attorney takes charge of the real estate practice group.

Cincinnati associate Zachary Prendergast and Orlando associate Mychal Katz became partners on Jan. 1 and Akron partner John Coyne III began overseeing the firm’s real estate attorneys.

“All three of these fine attorneys are most deserving of this recognition based on their professional achievements and their demonstrated commitment to our clients, our law firm and the communities in which we serve,” said Roetzel & Andress Chairman and President Robert Blackham. 

“As a firm, we are fortunate to be able to nurture and grow our firm’s future leaders from within, with attorneys such as these, that continue to be recognized and respected as great leaders by their colleagues.”

“It is an honor to be chosen to head the firm’s real estate group,” said Coyne. As real estate practice group manager, Coyne said he plans to create a platform for the group that will “provide the tools and resources that will assist all of the firm’s real estate attorneys in showcasing their expertise and problem-solving creativity for clients.

“Our real estate attorneys are among the best in their field, providing legal solutions that add value to a client’s real estate needs and I will do my part to help them continue to grow.”

Born in Cleveland, Coyne grew up on a farm in Medina County. He received a bachelor’s degree in business administration, majoring in finance, from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He went on to get a master’s of business administration from Cleveland State University and a juris doctor from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.

While attending the University of Tennessee, he was also a two-time All-American in the pole vault and a member of the 1991 NCAA track and field national championship team. 

He took a job as a summer associate at Roetzel & Andress in 1994 and was offered an associate position the following year. He made partner in 2001 and focuses on transactional real estate, condominium development and association law.

Coyne, who lives in the city of Medina with his wife Jennifer and three children, Jacqueline, Jessica and John IV, serves as president of the Medina City Council.

“Real estate is cyclical,” said Coyne. “It changes based on the economy and interest rates. Currently we have been in an active cycle with low interest rates driving refinances, acquisitions and development.”

“John is a perfect example of our efforts to grow the firm organically,” said Blackham. “He is a poster child for homegrown talent and leadership.

“He rose through the ranks and therefore understands our values and commitment to our clients,” said Blackham. “He can now carry those traditions to younger firm attorneys. He is an excellent attorney who thinks proactively outside the box and always puts client interests first.”

In the case of Prendergast, he received his juris doctor from The University of Toledo College of Law. He joined Roetzel & Andress about three years ago and represents secured and unsecured creditors in all stages of commercial loan transactions.

“Zack was a breath of fresh air in the Cincinnati office,” said Blackham. “He’s ambitious and aggressive and fits in with our firm’s culture very well because of his excellent client service and responsiveness.

“We hired him to serve in a support role and he quickly developed into a leader. I could not be happier with what he’s accomplished in a short time.”

Katz obtained his juris doctor from Stetson University College of Law in Florida. He joined the firm’s Orlando office at the end of January 2008 and handles commercial bankruptcy and creditors’ rights, commercial litigation and commercial real estate.

“Mychal is very hard working and diligent,” said Blackham. “He often travels throughout the South to litigate major cases on behalf of clients with successful results.

“He also makes it a point to give back to the community in which he practices, which is one of the firm’s most important values.

“Many people think of lawyers as calculating and as sharks but Mychal is just the opposite,” said Blackham. “He is good-hearted and does things for the right reason.”


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