COLUMN BAR FOUNDATION

Rock the Foundation We are delighted to recognize Ms. example — are working to strengthen the Paganini because she exemplifies Greater Area. With your help Stephanie Dutchess Trudeau is a partner at Ulmer ‘Landmark Celebration’ leadership and engagement in the and generosity, I’m sure we can surpass our & Berne LLP, a member of the trial lawyer honorary community through her efforts to restore fundraising goal to continue to promote the society of the Litigation Counsel of America, and a to Honor Karen Paganini our city’s historical buildings, her support Foundation’s important community service. Certified Specialist in employment law including of local charitable organizations, and her termination, severance pay, executive compensation, of the K & D Group promotion of the vitality of downtown Party with a Purpose trade secrets, non-competes, discrimination, Cleveland. I hope that you will be able • Saturday, February 9, 2019 at the Music harassment, retaliation, whistleblower, and leaves of to join us at the Rock the Foundation Box Supper Club absence. She is President of the Cleveland Metropolitan fundraiser, where together we can celebrate • Beautiful nighttime views of Cleveland’s Bar Foundation and a Fellow, and formerly was Chair Stephanie Dutchess Trudeau Ms. Paganini’s impact on Cleveland and iconic landmarks from the West Bank of of the Labor and Employment Law Section of the raise critical dollars that are essential in the Flats CMBA, a Top 25 Women Attorneys in Cleveland, supporting the volunteer efforts of more • Live entertainment and dancing with The and judicial law clerk to a United States District Court CMBF President than 1,200 attorneys who commit their Sunrise Jones Band, acoustic guitarist judge. She has been a CMBA member since 1985. time and legal skills in ways that positively Joshua Robert, and the Transportation Stephanie can be reached at [email protected]. very year, we host the Rock the became involved in the historic restorations of investment into , and serves impact our community. We are so proud Boulevard Jazz Trio Foundation fundraising gala to Cleveland’s noteworthy buildings. This includes as a Vice Chair on DCA’s Board of Directors. that our programs ­— like The 3Rs, mock • Gourmet food stations, premium open benefit our nationally-recognized the transformation of the Hanna Annex She also ensures that K&D supports numerous trials, and the Louis Stokes Scholars for bars, and incredible raffle prizes Photo credit: Tom Song Photography public outreach programs that work building in , the East Ohio Gas charitable and community organizations to improve the lives of Cleveland Building, the Halle department store building, through the company’s double or even triple Eyouth, grow the next generation of legal the Cleveland Leader newspaper building, the matching of employee donations, participation BAR FOUNDATION professionals, and support our nonprofit and Residences at 1717 and the Residences at 668. in local food drives, support of animal protection arts communities. As part of our celebration, we K&D owns and manages a diverse portfolio organizations, and donation of ticket sales from honor a deserving member of our community that spans 39 properties and nearly 11,000 the Observation Deck, to name with the Richard W. Pogue Award for a few. “It’s important to me to Excellence in Community Leadership engage our employees and residents and Engagement. This year, we will in charitable giving, and also to present the award to Karen Paganini, teach my son to give back,” she said. President and Chief Operating “I would love to focus on my charity Officer of The K&D Group. work even more in the future.” Ms. Paganini is the “K” in The Ms. Paganini describes herself K&D Group, Northeast Ohio’s as a true Clevelander, who is largest privately owned property committed to the success of our management and development city. She loves everything about firm. Currently, she is involved Cleveland — from the sports teams, with the redevelopment of the to Playhouse Square, to being out Terminal Tower, a prominent on the lake — and appreciates part of our city’s beautiful skyline, everything the city has to offer. into residential suites. “I truly love “People ask us about opportunities and cherish the opportunity to elsewhere all the time,” she said. “I work on and restore underutilized could live anywhere, but I choose to buildings,” she said. “Every building be here. Cleveland is home and this has its own story and feeling, is where we focus our business.” and I take pride in restoring and We are so pleased to be preserving Cleveland’s history.” able to honor Ms. Paganini’s This year’s Rock the Foundation Karen Paganini exceptional community leadership theme, “A Landmark Celebration,” and dedication to preserving is fitting as we honor Ms. Paganini, whose residential units. The historic Beau-Arts- Cleveland’s history by giving her the company is known for its extensive involvement style Keith Building, which houses the Palace Foundation’s most prestigious service award in the renovation and redevelopment of some of Theater, and the art deco Post Office Plaza at our Rock the Foundation event. She does Cleveland’s most iconic landmark buildings. are part of K&D’s portfolio of more than one not seek the spotlight and, when I contacted A Cleveland native, she built The K&D million square feet of commercial properties. her about presenting her with this award, her Group with her business partner Doug Price In addition to her real estate endeavors, humble nature made her reluctant to be the from a small, family business into the dynamic, Ms. Paganini is dedicated to giving back to focus of attention. She shifted our conversation 400-person company that it is today. Along the community. She is actively involved with away from herself and, beaming with pride as the way, K&D began acquiring underutilized the Downtown Cleveland Alliance (DCA), a she spoke about her son, said “Being a good properties in downtown Cleveland and nonprofit committed to enhancing and attracting mom” is what brings her the greatest joy.

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