Jones, Skelton & Hochuli, PLC is pleased to announce Derek Graffious, Clarissa Reiman, Brian Ripple, and Nate Stuart were recently elevated to the position of partner.

Meet each of the firm’s newest partners below (names linked above to full bios):

Derek Graffious represents governmental entities, correctional institutions, and their employees in all aspects of governmental liability, including law enforcement defense, correctional intuitions defense, and employment law. He defends clients facing allegations of civil rights and Section 1983 violations, false arrest and excessive force, unlawful prison conditions, negligent hiring, defamation, and wrongful death and personal injury.

Clarissa Reiman has devoted her more than 18-year legal career to the defense of insurers, third-party administrators, and their insureds. She has significant experience in all areas of civil litigation, specifically in matters involving auto liability, product liability, insurance coverage, UM/UIM valuation, bad faith, premises liability, wrongful death and personal injury. She is also experienced in the areas of medical malpractice, appeals and motions, alternative dispute resolution, and complex commercial litigation matters.

Brian Ripple works in the firm’s General Liability and Auto Trial Group, focusing in the areas of general civil defense, wrongful death, catastrophic personal injury, premises liability, first and third-party auto, and products liability. He has represented both small and large corporations in complex litigation, and has obtained favorable outcomes through motion practice, settlement negotiations, and trial. He is part of the Firm’s Recruitment Committee, helps lead the Firm’s Summer Associate Program, and sits on the New Lawyer Training committee for young associates at the Firm.

Nate Stuart focuses his practice in matters involving product liability, insurance bad faith, UM/UIM issues, catastrophic injury, breach of contract, commercial litigation, construction defect, and professional liability. He has successfully defended applications for injunctive relief and represented clients on appeal.