R. Eric Gaum is a partner with Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP. He focuses his practice on complex intellectual property litigation involving patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and related business torts and unfair competition. Mr. Gaum has practiced exclusively in the area of intellectual property for more than 20 years and has extensive experience litigating and trying cases across the country. A licensed patent attorney with a background in electrical engineering and software development, he has experience in litigation, prosecution matters and licensing related to technologies as varied as smart phones, building column protection devices and cheese slice processing equipment. Mr. Gaum has litigated copyright infringement matters related to product labels, books, photographs, websites, software, databases, blue prints and architectural works. He has litigated trademark and trade dress infringement matters in state and federal courts across the country, and has handled opposition and cancellation proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB).

Steven K. Kelley is a partner with Mazanec, Raskin & Ryder Co., L.P.A. Mr. Kelley’s primary career focus has evolved over the years beginning with an extensive general liability and insurance defense practice. He has considerable experience handling several specialty claim areas including professional liability, product liability, construction negligence, construction defect, commercial trucking, employer intentional tort and community association claims.
Mr. Kelley defends architects, engineers, surveyors, accountants, realtors, insurance agents, appraisers, home inspectors and other professionals against malpractice claims. Prior to joining the firm, he served as assistant vice president in CNA Insurance Company’s litigation department, in addition to his role as managing trial attorney for over 12 years. He is an active member of professional associations including: the Ohio State Bar Association, Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM), the Cleveland Association of Civil Trial Attorneys (former president), and theDefense Research Institute (DRI).

Mr. Pempus has been a risk manager for more than 18 years, with experience in architecture, engineering, land use, law and professional liability insurance, and a unique and well-rounded background in the construction industry. Prior to risk management, he has 25 years of experience in the practice of architecture and engineering, and as an adjunct professor teaching professional practice courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels for the last 37 years. As a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and AIA National Ethics Council 2021 chair, he has demonstrated his impact on the architectural profession. He is a licensed architect, attorney and property and casualty insurance agent.