Ulmer & Berne added George Hicks and Jennifer Rieker as counsel in its Consumer and Commercial Litigation practice. Based in the Cleveland office, both attorneys joined from Weltman, Weinberg & Reis.

Hicks focuses his practice on commercial litigation, particularly for clients operating in the consumer finance, commercial banking and commercial business sectors. He has substantial experience resolving consumer and commercial litigation and complex commercial foreclosure matters for clients in federal and state courts throughout the country. A retired U.S. Navy Captain, George began his legal career as in-house counsel at First Energy, where he was heavily involved with complex commercial litigation, line contact litigation, premises liability litigation, real estate litigation and electrical utility regulatory issues.

Rieker focuses her practice on consumer finance litigation and financial compliance matters. She successfully defends and resolves cases including alleged violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Truth in Lending Act and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act. Rieker also has deep experience with contested foreclosures, and in handling complex commercial matters for a broad range of clients. Rieker also provides in-depth compliance services to her clients, including preparing for regulatory reviews, drafting policies and procedures, developing training programs and compliance management systems, reviewing outside vendors and responding to regulatory examinations.

“George and Jennifer are outstanding attorneys with extensive experience in consumer finance litigation and financial regulatory matters, who will fill important needs of our clients in the financial services space,” said Frances Floriano Goins, head of Ulmer’s Consumer & Commercial Litigation practice.