Buckingham Making Big Strides Despite Pandemic
December 23, 2020 • 3 min read
Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, LLC is pleased to announce significant growth with six new attorneys joining the regional business law firm in January – Christopher Niekamp, Stephen Pruneski, Carmen Roberto, Wade Doerr, Thomas Delventhal, and Justin Tjaden. This is in addition to many other recent additions who have joined in the past 18 months. Buckingham is also pleased to announce its return to downtown Akron with the opening of a new office in the historic Nantucket Building.
A longstanding legal powerhouse in the Akron community since 1913, with offices also located in Cleveland and Canton, Buckingham met the headwinds of 2020 by responding with sound strategic planning and determination to continue to build the Firm’s breadth and bench strength. As other firms are shrinking or dissolving, Buckingham is growing.
“We’re extremely proud of the efforts of our entire Buckingham family,” said Steve Dimengo, Buckingham’s Managing Partner. “We knew early on in the pandemic that, like many businesses, 2020 would be an extremely challenging year financially and culturally. I’m very happy to report that through careful management of expenses and the continued influx of new clients, we have been able to avoid layoffs or furloughs. We’ve also been able to continue to invest in our infrastructure and service our clients without missing a beat. This includes adding attorneys throughout the year – from new associates to some of the most reputable and experienced attorneys in the region.”
The six new attorneys are joining Buckingham’s litigation practice group. “This is a very exciting time for our team,” said Jude Streb, the Firm’s litigation practice group Chair. “We are fortunate to have litigators of this caliber coming to Buckingham. This influx of talent takes our already solid team and makes it even stronger for the benefit our existing and future clients.”
Chris Niekamp is joining forces with Buckingham after serving as Managing Partner for Niekamp, Weisensell, Mutersbaugh & Mastrantonio, LLP for many years. He will be part of the Firm’s business practice group in addition to the litigation group. “I am honored and thrilled to join the legendary firm of Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs,” said Niekamp. “I have worked with many Buckingham attorneys over the years and have always been impressed by their professionalism, collegiality and legal acumen. Being a part of their firm is an excellent fit for me, my practice, my team and the clients I will continue to serve.” Niekamp has a diverse commercial and corporate law practice, representing national and local banking institutions; large corporations and small businesses; and debtors and creditors in all phases of bankruptcy and collection matters. He serves as the President of the Board of Advisors for the Kohl Family YMCA in downtown Akron and Treasurer of the Akron Bar Association.
Thomas Delventhal is a seasoned business attorney with a wide range of experience as both an in-house and outside counsel, with a strong background in real estate transactions and finance.
Steve Pruneski brings more than three decades of litigation experience, including dozens of jury trials and bench cases. He handles business disputes for clients including public utilities, hospitals and large corporations on issues involving contract disputes, property damage and employment matters. Pruneski also served as the Law Director for Green from 2000 – 2016. Wade Doerr is an experienced commercial real estate and banking attorney, specializing in foreclosures, bankruptcy creditors’ rights, evictions, receiverships, real estate transfers, tax appeals and more. Justin Tjaden has experience working with clients on a wide array of civil and criminal matters.
Carmen Roberto is well known and respected in Ohio and beyond with a preeminent practice in courtroom hearings and trials, often referred to him from other law firms due to the complexity of the cases. He has handled zoning and administrative cases before federal, state and local agencies. He is a published author and sits on several boards including the American Bar Association House of Delegates and the University of Akron Law School Advancement Council. He is a past Akron Bar President and Ohio State Bar President.
About Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs:
Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, LLC is a corporate law firm that counsels middle-market executives and business leaders all over Ohio and beyond. With offices in Canton, Akron, and Cleveland, Buckingham offers clients sophisticated and practical legal services. Serving the region for more than 100 years, Buckingham’s mission is to deliver meaningful experiences through the practice of law, exceed expectations in terms of service, counsel and business sense, and to offer continuous value to the industries, communities and clients they serve. For more information, news and updates, visit bdblaw.com.
