Meet our Attorneys

THEODORE K. MANLEY
Partner

Ted Manley is a founder and partner in the law firm Manley Deas Kochalski LLC. Ted limits his practice to representing the firm's clients in bankruptcy and related state court proceedings. His bankruptcy experience ranges from routine matters involving servicers of credit card, automobile, and mortgage assets to more complex Chapter 11 workout and liquidation matters involving international government services providers, automobile parts suppliers, and commercial real estate developers.

Ted has spoken on bankruptcy and foreclosure law issues at continuing legal education seminars and national mortgage servicing conferences, including those hosted by the National Association of Credit Managers and the California Mortgage Bankers Association, among others. Before forming MDK, Ted was a director in a Seattle-based law firm that provided national creditor rights services. He is currently the executive vice president of The National Firm, LLC, a consortium of independently owned law firms that collaborate on process, compliance, and marketing issues.

Education
• Moritz College of Law, The Ohio State University, J.D., 1992
• Kenyon College, A.B., cum laude, 1986

Professional Affiliations
• Special Counsel to Attorney General Richard T. Cordray
• American Bankruptcy Institute
• American Financial and Legal Network
• Federal Bar Association
• The Ohio, Columbus, Kentucky, West Virginia Bar Associations
• Mortgage Bankers Association

EDWARD M. KOCHALSKI
Partner

Edward Kochalski is a partner in the law firm Manley Deas Kochalski LLC. Ed has 30 years of experience in the areas of complex real estate litigation and foreclosure matters, as well as counseling financial institutions, mortgage companies, and land developers on a variety of title-related issues. He is a licensed title agent representing First American, Land America, Fidelity, and Old Republic title companies. Ed has spoken at various seminars and judicial conferences related to title, real estate and foreclosure matters. Earlier in his career, he served as in-house counsel for Lawyers Title Insurance Corporation.

Education
• University of Toledo, College of Law, J.D., 1975
• State University of New York, Buffalo, B.A., 1972

Professional Affiliations
• Mortgage Bankers Association
• American Bar Association
• Ohio State Bar Association
• Columbus Bar Association

BRIAN T. DEAS
Partner

Brian Deas is a partner in Manley Deas Kochalski LLC. Following his graduation from law school, Brian served as a judicial clerk to the Honorable J. Craig Wright of the Ohio Supreme Court and to the Honorable John D. Holschuh of the United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio. Brian also spent five years with another Columbus law firm as an associate working in the business group advising mutual funds, investment advisors, and business entities on securities and other business matters before co-founding the firm with Ted Manley in 2002. A third partner, Edward Kochalski, joined the firm the following year when it became MDK.

Education
• The Ohio State University College of Law, J.D., 1993
• Miami University, BS, 1988

Professional Affiliations
• American Bar Association
• Ohio State Bar Association
• Columbus Bar Association

HOLLY N. WOLF

Holly Wolf is an associate in the firm's Columbus office and manages the bankruptcy department. She has 12 years of experience as a creditor's rights lawyer practicing in the areas of bankruptcy, foreclosure, real estate, consumer and commercial collections, and commercial litigation.

Education:
• The Ohio State University College of Law, J.D., 1997
• University of Dayton, B.A., 1994

Professional Affiliations:
• Ohio State Bar Association
• Kentucky State Bar Association
• Northern and Southern Federal Districts of Ohio
• Eastern and Western Federal Districts of Kentucky
• Columbus Bar Association, Bankruptcy Section

Published Opinions:
• GMAC Mortgage Corp. v. McElroy (Ohio App. 5 Dist, June 6, 2005); 2005 WL 1364580

REBECCA R. SHRADER

Rebecca Shrader is a member of the firm's home office in Columbus. Rebecca has more than five years of experience as a litigation attorney practicing in the fields of residential real estate, including foreclosure litigation, eminent domain and condemnation, and evictions litigation. She has also practiced in the areas of complex litigation, political subdivision immunity, insurance prosecution and defense, employment law, and professional liability. She is frequently involved in complex litigation matters as they relate to residential foreclosures and related proceedings. During her career, Rebecca has presented at several continuing legal education seminars on insurance prosecution and defense, and has contributed materials for several other seminars. She frequently mentors law students through the Capital University Law School Women's Law Association.

Education
• Capital University Law School, J.D. cum laude, 2003; Order of the Curia
• The Ohio State University, B.A., 1992

Professional Affiliations
• State Bar of Ohio
• United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio
• United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
• Ohio State Bar Association
• Columbus Bar Association

MELISSA N. MEINHART

Melissa Meinhart is an associate attorney at the firm's Columbus office. She passed the Ohio Bar in July 2008 and was admitted into practice in November 2008. Melissa has more than five years of experience working for creditor's rights law firms. She regularly represents financial institutions in connection with residential foreclosures, evictions, and collections. She is also a certified mediator, and completed a concentration of course work in alternative dispute resolution. Her past legal experience includes an externship for a federal district court judge, general litigation at the Capital University Law School Litigation Clinic, and assisting at a family law practice.

Education
• Capital University Law School, J.D., 2008
• Boston University, B.A., 2003

Professional Affiliations
• Ohio State Bar Association
• Columbus Bar Association

CHARLES R. (“BOB”) JANES

Bob Janes is an attorney in the firm’s Columbus office.  He represents major banks, mortgage servicers, and other financial institutions in all phases of contested real estate litigation and foreclosure actions, as well as litigation regarding title insurance disputes.  Before joining the firm, Bob acquired over 30 years of extensive trial and appellate court experience as lead trial counsel in a variety of litigation matters.  He also has extensive experience in representing insurance companies, as well as insureds, in numerous, contested insurance coverage lawsuits, and has handled a variety of commercial litigation.  Bob has had many speaking engagements over the years and has made numerous demonstrations on trial techniques and strategies at seminars throughout Ohio.  He has consistently earned the highest “AV” Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell for the past two decades.  Most recently, Bob was mentioned as one of the “Top Lawyers in Central Ohio” in the April 2009 issue of Columbus CEO magazine. 

Education
• Moritz College of Law at The Ohio State University, J.D., 1977
• The Ohio State University, B.A., 1974, cum laude
Professional Affiliations
• Ohio State Bar Association

MATTHEW R. RICHARDSON

Matt Richardson is an associate in the firm's Columbus office. Matt has practiced in the areas of complex commercial and financial services litigation. He focuses his current practice on representing mortgage loan servicers in contested foreclosures and on defending the same clients against consumer protection claims, both in the Ohio trial and appellate courts. Matt has defended his clients against claims under the Truth in Lending Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, and the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act. Before joining MDK, Matt was among several in a team that successfully represented the American Financial Services Association in challenging the state constitutionality of municipal predatory lending ordinances around Ohio.

Matt also devotes time and attention to scholarship and teaching, having written "Clarifying and Limiting Fraudulent Joinder", 58 Fla. L. Rev. 119 (2006). His experiences clerking for the Honorable Howell Cobb in the Eastern District of Texas served as the basis for this law review article, which has been cited in the Wright and Miller treatise, Federal Practice and Procedure. For the academic year 2009-2010, he will serve as an adjunct professor of law at the Moritz College of Law at The Ohio State University. At MDK, Matt conducts in-house seminars on consumer protection law and mortgage-backed securities.

Education
• The Moritz College of Law, The Ohio State University, J.D., 2003
• The Ohio State University, Ph.D., 2001
• The Ohio State University, M.A., 1994
• Stanford University, A.B., 1992

Professional Affiliations:
• Ohio State Bar Association
• Columbus Bar Association

Published Writings
• "Clarifying and Limiting Fraudulent Joinder", 58 Fla. L. Rev. 119 (2006)

DAVID F. HANSON

David Hanson practices in the Columbus office in areas of real estate litigation, foreclosure, and creditors' rights. He is currently in charge of the Cuyahoga County foreclosure section. Formerly an assistant state public defender, he has extensive litigation experience at the trial and appellate level in state courts throughout Ohio, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern and Northern Districts of Ohio, and before the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. He was certified by the Ohio Supreme Court to act as appellate and trial co-counsel in capital cases. David participates in meetings with, and offers written opinions to, Cuyahoga judges, local councils, and fellow practitioners regarding the new mediation program, changes to local rules of practice, and proposed changes in foreclosure law. David is also an adjunct professor for Wilmington College, having taught literature, business law, mathematics, and ethics classes in both men's and women's prisons in Ohio.

Education:
• The Ohio State University College of Law, J.D., 1992
• Kenyon College, B.A. with distinction, 1987

Professional Affiliations
• Ohio State Bar Association

CRYSTAL L. FORD

Crystal Ford is an associate in the firm's Cincinnati office. Crystal practices in the Commonwealth of Kentucky in the areas of real estate litigation, foreclosure, and bankruptcy. She has previous experience with civil litigation, estate planning, and domestic relations. She is actively involved in the Northern Kentucky Bar Association's Bankruptcy, Real Estate, and Women's Lawyer's Sections.

Education
• Salmon P. Chase College of Law, J.D., 2002
• University of Kentucky, B.A., 1999

Professional Affiliations
• Kentucky Bar Association
• Northern Kentucky Bar Association
• U.S. District Court-Eastern District of Kentucky
• U.S. District Court-Western District of Kentucky

KELLY A. LONG

Kelly Long is an associate attorney in the firm's Columbus office. Kelly has nearly 15 years experience as a transaction lawyer primarily in the areas of residential real estate, particularly in title insurance matters and title claims related to foreclosure actions. Kelly's primary responsibilities include operating and managing all title related matters. During her career, Kelly has been underwriting counsel for a multi-state title agency; unit manager for a large global credit risk management company, receiving the company's award for achievement; and operations manager for another title agency.

Education
• University of Dayton School of Law, J. D. , 2001
• Wright State University, B.A., 1996

Professional Affiliations
• Ohio State Bar Association, Real Estate Law Section
• Columbus Bar Association, Real Estate Law Committee
• License Title Insurance Agent-State of Ohio

JOHN R. CUMMINS

John Cummins is a member of the firm's Cincinnati office. John has more than 20 years of experience representing creditors. He regularly represents banks, credit unions, financial institutions, and mortgage servicing agents in connection with the repossession, sale, and divestiture of assets, including foreclosure, replevin, attachment, and collection suits. John has spoken on creditors' rights topics such as the FDCPA and foreclosure alternatives. He has been recognized by Martindale Hubbell as a BV Peer Review Rated lawyer.

Education
• The Ohio State University College of Law, J.D., 1986
• Northwestern University, B.A., 1982

Professional Affiliations
• Ohio State Bar Association
• Kentucky Bar Association
• Cincinnati Bar Association
• CARE?Credit Abuse Resistance Education

ANGELA KIRK

Angela Kirk is a member of the firm's Columbus office. A specialist in foreclosure litigation, her previous legal experience includes complex litigation, personal injury, and domestic law. She regularly represents financial institutions throughout all phases of litigated and non-litigated foreclosure actions, is actively involved in litigation regarding enforcement of title insurance policies, and has represented financial institutions in the appellate context. Angela's practice places an emphasis on settlement and she participates regularly in mediations throughout the state of Ohio.

Education
• Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, J.D., 2002
• Ohio State University, B.A., 1996

Professional Affiliations
• Columbus Bar Association
• Ohio State Bar Association

KEVIN L. WILLIAMS

Kevin Williams is an attorney in the firm's Columbus office. His 15 years of experience in professional ethics law and real estate litigation includes representing major financial institutions, investors, and servicing entities. During his career, he has served as law clerk to the Honorable Sandra S. Beckwith, United States district judge for the Southern District of Ohio, and to the Honorable Thomas J. Moyer, chief justice of the Ohio Supreme Court. Kevin is a former assistant disciplinary counsel of the Ohio Supreme Court and has extensive litigation experience both at the trial level and in oral argument before the Ohio Supreme Court. He was the only attorney in Ohio asked by both the Northern District and Southern District Courts of Ohio to consult on the establishment of foreclosure rules. He was appointed by the Southern District Court of Ohio to the Committee on Foreclosure Procedure. Kevin serves as a member of the Board on the Unauthorized Practice of Law of the Ohio Supreme Court. He has spoken extensively in professional seminars and before public and private organizations on the subjects of professional ethics law and the unauthorized practice of law.

Education
• The Ohio State University College of Law, J.D., 1993, with Honors in Law
• Managing Editor, Ohio State Law Journal
• Kenyon College, A.B., 1983, Magna Cum Laude

Professional Affiliations
• Federal Bar Association
• Ohio State Bar Association
• Columbus Bar Association

KYLE E. TIMKEN

Kyle Timken is a member of the firm's Columbus office and practices in the areas of real estate litigation, foreclosure, and creditors' rights. Kyle regularly represents mortgage lenders, servicers, banks, and other financial institutions in civil actions throughout the state of Ohio. As a former assistant state public defender, he has extensive litigation experience in all state and federal courts in Ohio. Kyle has argued several cases in front of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit, as well as appearing before the Supreme Court of Ohio.

Education
• The Ohio State University - Moritz College of Law, J.D., 1999
• Eastern Michigan University, B.S., honors program, 1994

Professional Affiliations
• Ohio State Bar Association
• Columbus Bar Association
• Federal Bar Association

Published Writings
• Philip T. K. Daniel & Kyle Edward Timken, "The Rumors of My Death Have Been Exaggerated: Hopwood's Error in 'Discarding' Bakke," 28 J.L. & EDUC. 391 (1999)

DAVID B. BOKOR

David Bokor is an associate attorney in the Cleveland office concentrating on foreclosure cases in the Ohio counties of Cuyahoga and Summit. He is back-up bankruptcy counsel for the firm in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Ohio. Upon joining the bar, David spent five years as a general practitioner and has extensive experience representing both creditors and debtors in the area of consumer bankruptcy. He has been an active fundraiser for the United Service Organizations, Muscular Dystrophy Association, and the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots, and spent four years as the president of the board of directors of a local humane agency.

Education
• Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, J.D., 1993
• Ohio University, B.B.A., cum laude, 1985

Professional Affiliations
• Ohio State Bar Association
• Cleveland-Metropolitan Bar Association

MATTHEW P. CURRY

Matthew Curry is an associate in the firm's Cleveland office. He represents mortgage servicers, mortgage lenders, and banks in residential mortgage foreclosures, mediations, evictions, and housing code violation matters. He is the firm's primary presence in Cuyahoga County, one of the strictest districts in the country regarding creditor's rights. Matthew attends foreclosure hearings and foreclosure mediation hearings on a daily basis.

Education
• Cleveland Marshal College of Law, J.D., 2004
• Youngstown State University, M.A., 2001
• Youngstown State University, B.A., 1999

Professional Affiliations

• Ohio State Bar Association

Awards

• 2010 Ohio Rising Stars

STACEY O' STAFY

Stacey O' Stafy is an associate attorney in the firm's Cleveland office. Stacey has more than 10 years of experience working in many areas of debtor-creditor law. While in law school, she worked with a Chapter 7 Panel Trustee and later conducted real estate closings statewide for a national bank. During her career, Stacey has also represented consumer debtors and has practiced commercial law primarily involving troubled debt restructuring. She currently represents mortgage creditors whose borrowers have filed bankruptcy. Stacey is actively involved in the Bankruptcy and Commercial Law Section of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association.

Education
• University of Toledo, College of Law, J.D., 1997
• University of Toledo, B.A., 1994

Professional Affiliations
• Ohio State Bar Association
• Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Bankruptcy and Commercial Law Section

RACHEL A. LEIER

Rachel Leier works in the firm's Columbus office. She has more than nine years of experience with commercial and consumer collections matters, real estate and bankruptcy litigation, and general creditors' rights issues. Rachel has defended financial institutions against claims arising under state and federal law and represented clients before state appellate courts, including the Ohio Supreme Court. Rachel has also represented creditors in Chapter 7, 11, 12, and 13 bankruptcy proceedings and numerous adversary proceedings.

Education
• The Ohio State University College of Law, J.D., 1999
• The Ohio State University, B.A., 1994

Professional Affiliations
• State Bar of Ohio
• United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio
• United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio
• Ohio Bar Association
• Columbus Bar Association

PAMELA S. PETAS

Pamela Petas is an attorney in the Litgation Group in the Cincinnati office and has practiced in the areas of creditor's rights, foreclosure, and real estate litigation for more than eight years. Pamela has extensive experience in the trial and appellate courts in Ohio and Kentucky. Her earlier law practice included eight years of personal injury and family law and membership in the Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers.

Education
• The University of Toledo College of Law, J.D. cum laude, 1991
• Technical Editor The Law Review
• The Ohio State University, B.A., 1984

Professional Affiliations
• Kentucky Bar Association
• Ohio State Bar Association
• Cincinnati Bar Association

LYNN A. BUSCH

Lynn Busch is an associate attorney in the firm's Cincinnati office, handling the Southern Ohio Counties. Lynn specializes in creditors' rights.

Education
• Northern Kentucky University, Salmon P. Chase College of Law, J.D., 2006
• University of Cincinnati, B.A., 2002

Professional Affiliations
• Ohio State Bar Association
• Cincinnati Bar Association

MELISSA J. WHALEN

Melissa Whalen practices in the Kentucky group in the firm's Cincinnati office. She has more than 10 years of experience in the area of creditor's rights, encompassing residential and commercial foreclosure, bankruptcy, and real estate litigation.

Education
• Salmon P. Chase College of Law, Northern Kentucky University, J.D., 1997, magna cum laude
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, M.Ed., 1992
• Centre College, B.A., 1989, cum laude

Professional Affiliations
• Kentucky Bar Association
• Northern Kentucky Bar Association
• Cincinnati Bar Association

JAMES E. TEBBUTT

Jim is an associate attorney at the firm’s Columbus office. Jim has experience in many areas of creditor’s rights law, primarily representing financial institutions in bankruptcy proceedings. Jim is also a certified mediator, and completed a concentration of course work in Alternative Dispute Resolution.

Education
• Capital University Law School, J.D., 2009, Order of the Barristers
• The Ohio State University, B.S., 2001

Professional Affiliations
• Ohio State Bar Association
• State Bar of Ohio
• United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio

MARY KRASOVIC

Mary Krasovic is an associate attorney at the firm’s Columbus office. Mary has experience as a creditor’s rights lawyer practicing in the areas of bankruptcy, foreclosure and consumer collections.

Education
• Capital University Law School, J.D., 2009
• Wittenberg University, B.A., 2002

Professional Affiliations
• Ohio State Bar Association
• State Bar of Ohio
• United States District Court, Southern and Northern districts of Ohio
• Columbus Bar Association