Awards & Recognition
The firm and our attorneys have been recognized in a number of forums, locally and nationally.
For more information on each attorney’s individual work and accomplishments, please review his or her biography.
American College of Environmental Lawyers
Gregory DeGulis was one of only 24 attorneys nationwide elected to the American College of Environmental Lawyers in July 2018. http://acoel.org/ This professional organization is comprised of distinguished private practitioners, government lawyers and academics who practice in the field of environmental law. Membership is by invitation only. Gregory is only the fifth lawyer in Ohio to receive the ACOEL invitation.
Chambers USA
McMahon DeGulis has been recognized as a Band One Law Firm for Natural Resources and the Environment by Chambers USA since 2012. Prior to that, the firm was recognized as a Band Two firm for Natural Resources and the Environment since the inception of Chambers USA in 2004.
Additionally, Gregory DeGulis, Wendlene Lavey, Louis McMahon, and Michael McMahon have been individually recognized by Chambers USA through the years. David Nash was named a Senior Statesman in 2019.
Read the 2021 Chambers USA Editorial.
The following quotes from Chambers USA highlight some of the successes of our firm:
- “Sources say ‘The team is very efficient and able to turn work around quickly. Their vast knowledge of environmental cases brings a comfort level that you are receiving the best information.'” (2021 Edition)
- “A client says: ‘It is well known as a top-tier firm for environmental matters. The team is also very well respected at all levels of the state and federal EPA.'” (2020 Edition)
- “Peers say: ‘They’ve got a good reputation and clients like working with them.” (2019 Edition)
- McMahon DeGulis is a “highly regarded boutique with expertise covering the full range of environmental law. Possesses particular strength in wastewater and brownfield matters, as well as integrated planning work related to the CWA.” (2018 Edition)
- “One appreciative source highlights the firm’s strengths as ‘deep experience in the field, familiarity with the law, and familiarity with the interested parties and governmental agencies.’” (2016 Edition)
Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year”
- 2021 – Michael S. McMahon, Cleveland Litigation – Environmental “Lawyer of the Year”
- 2021 – Louis L. McMahon, Cleveland Environmental “Lawyer of the Year”
- 2020 – Gregory J. DeGulis, Cleveland Environmental “Lawyer of the Year”
- 2019 – Michael S. McMahon, Cleveland Litigation – Environmental “Lawyer of the Year”
- 2018 – Louis L. McMahon, Cleveland Environmental “Lawyer of the Year”
- 2017 – Louis L. McMahon, Cleveland Litigation – Environmental “Lawyer of the Year”
- 2016 – Michael S. McMahon, Cleveland Environmental “Lawyer of the Year”
- 2015 – Louis L. McMahon, Cleveland Environmental “Lawyer of the Year”
- 2014 – Gregory J. DeGulis, Cleveland Litigation – Environmental “Lawyer of the Year”
- 2013 – David E. Nash, Cleveland Environmental “Lawyer of the Year”
- 2011 – Michael S. McMahon, Cleveland Environmental “Lawyer of the Year”
Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms”
McMahon DeGulis LLP received the following rankings:
- Metropolitan Tier 1: Cleveland Environmental Law (2013 – 2021)
- Metropolitan Tier 1: Cleveland Litigation – Environmental (2013 – 2021)
- Metropolitan Tier 1: Columbus-OH in Environmental Law (2013 – 2019)
- Metropolitan Tier 2: Columbus-OH Litigation – Environmental (2013 – 2019)
- National Tier 3: Environmental Law (2020 – 2021)
- National Tier 3: Litigation – Environmental (2020 – 2021)
Best Lawyers®
Five McMahon DeGulis attorneys were selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2021, across multiple practice areas:
- Gregory DeGulis: Environmental Law and Litigation-Environmental.
- Wendlene Lavey: Environmental Law.
- David Nash: Environmental Law, Litigation-Environmental, and Energy Regulatory Law.
- Louis McMahon: Environmental Law, Litigation-Environmental, and Water Law.
- Michael McMahon: Environmental Law and Litigation-Environmental.
Ohio Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Stephen Daniels, Gregory DeGulis, Wendlene Lavey, Louis McMahon, Michael McMahon, and David Nash were selected to the 2021 Ohio Super Lawyers list. Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor.
Erin McDevitt-Frantz was selected to the 2019 Ohio Rising Stars list. Each year, no more an 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor.
Green Certification
MD served as a pilot firm for the American Bar Association Model Sustainability policy in 2007. Since that time, we have maintained our commitment to sustainability and green initiatives.
In 2009, the firm obtained Green Certification from the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association. MD continues to identify and implement efforts to reduce the firm’s impact on the environment. Among other things, all paper used by MD is either FSC certified or contains more than 30% recycled materials.