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Division, in the U.S. and South Pacific during Different Names, Same Firm Over the last 15 years McDonald Hopkins
World War II. After his service, he earned a The first change to the firm’s letterhead came has expanded its footprint, first within Ohio,
Master of Law from Harvard Law School. in 1935 when Hood joined McDonald, opening a Columbus office in 2003. Since
The firm’s early dedication to education although not as an official partner. After going then, the firm added offices in West Palm
was demonstrated by McDonald’s 16 years of from McDonald, Hopkins, Hood & Hardy to Beach,(2004), Detroit (2006), Chicago (2007)
service on the Lakewood Board of Education McDonald Hopkins & Hardy, the firm’s name and Miami (2011). As the firm has grown,
(1934-49), Hopkins’ 13 years on the same wouldn’t undergo another change until 1990 its mission continues to focus on serving its
board (1957-70) and Hardy’s 10 years on the when Burke, Haber & Berick, a firm which clients as one firm, one team and one culture.
Bay Village Board of Education (1964-73). dated back to 1920, joined. Burke had served as The leaders of the firms that joined McDonald
Hopkins also became a trustee of The Cleveland’s mayor from 1945 until 1953, when Hopkins in the new markets have held
College of Wooster in 1940 and was active as he was appointed to the United States Senate to leadership roles at McDonald Hopkins.
an emeritus trustee until his death in 1993. fill the vacancy caused by the death of Robert A.
McDonald Hopkins honored the Hopkins Taft. The new firm name of McDonald, Hopkins, MH2020: Honoring The Past | Embracing
family’s commitment to the college in 1989 Burke & Haber would remain in place until 2003, The Future
by establishing the W. Dean and Harriet P. when the firm officially shortened its name to As McDonald Hopkins approaches 90 years
Hopkins Endowed Scholarship at the school. McDonald Hopkins Co., LPA. And since 2007, in business, its attorneys are well aware that
Continuing the tradition of recognizing the the firm has been McDonald Hopkins LLC. the firm has thrived because of its long-
importance of higher education, McDonald lasting relationships with clients who share
Hopkins current President Shawn Riley is a Continued Growth its entrepreneurial spirit — clients like
member of the Kent State University Board of While Hopkins’ specialty was tax law, he Malley’s Chocolates, Ohio CAT, Vitamix and
Trustees, while firm member David Gunning successfully argued a case in the late 1960s that many more.
is chair of the Cleveland State University became a catalyst for what is now the firm’s “Tim” McDonald, W. Dean Hopkins and
Board of Trustees. national Healthcare Practice Group. The May Guy Hardy would be pleased to know the
1, 1969 decision in the case of O’Neill v. United dedication to their clients, their community
The Entrepreneurial Spirit States by the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and the region’s educational system has
McDonald Hopkins has been an early adopter established the principle that the shareholder- endured and continues to prosper in the
of new technology ever since Tim McDonald employees of a professional corporation were McDonald Hopkins of today.
opened his practice in what was then known entitled to the same tax benefits (in particular,
as the Guardian Building on Euclid Avenue. related to qualified retirement plan contribution
McDonald’s son, Thomas D. “T.D.” McDonald, limitations) as the shareholder-employees of Shawn M. Riley joined McDonald
who joined the firm in 1953 and shared his general business corporations. Hopkins in 1995 and has been
father’s enthusiasm for new technology, was McDonald Hopkins became known as president of the firm since 2016. As
involved in one of the first cases in Ohio to use experts in the formation and operation of the founder of the Business
a lie detector test during a trial. And while the professional corporations, drawing physicians Restructuring Services Department,
first office was equipped with then state-of- and physician groups to the firm as new Shawn has 30 years of experience advising clients
the-art electric typewriters and an Ediphone clients. The resulting increase in business led on strategic alternatives, including acquisitions,
for dictation, the early move to a power typing to the necessity to add more staff. sales, mergers, affiliations, refinancings,
system from IBM with its magnetic tape During the 50 years since then McDonald recapitalizations, and restructurings. He has been
process in 1959 made the firm seem on the Hopkins has cultivated more than 50 other a member of CMBA since 1987. Shawn can be
cutting edge. specialized service and industry teams — all reached at (216) 348-5773 or sriley@
Longtime member John Mulligan focused on helping clients succeed and grow. mcdonaldhopkins.com.
remembers how the power typing system
made many other firms seem “almost sleepy”
while McDonald Hopkins’ eye on innovation
was indicative of a firm that had the future in
mind and was progressive. It was one of the Michael Jackson, Retired Judge
reasons he chose to join in 1974 – and has Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas
stayed ever since.
McDonald Hopkins continues to be Mediator Arbitrator Private Judge
an innovator, embracing change while 216-280-5502 mej@wowway.com
being creative in proposing alternative
fee arrangements for its clients; exploring
partnerships with third-party providers in Business / Public Sector
areas like electronic discovery, research and Malpractice / Injury
contract writing; and adding new practice Labor / Employment
groups in emerging industries such as
litigation finance.
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