Moermond & Mulligan adds two attorneys in Cincinnati and Dayton

Moermond & Mulligan, LLC has added attorneys Nick Surkala and Gracie Paluga to expand criminal defense coverage across its Cincinnati and Dayton offices. The hires add prosecutorial experience, multi-state licensing and broader capacity for DUI/OVI, felony and other criminal matters in Ohio.

Why it matters: - The additions expand Moermond & Mulligan’s capacity to handle DUI/OVI, felony and other criminal defense cases across Ohio. - The hires strengthen the firm’s presence in both Cincinnati and Dayton as criminal charges continue to drive demand for defense counsel with courtroom and prosecutorial experience.

What happened: - Moermond & Mulligan, LLC added attorneys Nick Surkala and Gracie Paluga to its team. - Surkala joined the Dayton office. - Paluga joined the Cincinnati office. - The firm announced the hires on August 25, 2026.

The details: - Surkala previously served as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney with the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office. - Surkala tried more than a dozen cases before Montgomery County juries. - Surkala also supervised the Consumer Fraud and Economic Crimes Unit, where he handled white-collar criminal investigations. - Surkala earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Akron School of Law. - Surkala is licensed to practice law in Ohio. - Clients have noted Surkala’s clear communication and attention to detail when negotiating with the government or advocating in court. - Paluga earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Dayton School of Law. - Paluga is licensed to practice law in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky. - Paluga holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and a Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies from Mount St. Joseph University. - Both degrees were earned summa cum laude. - Paluga belongs to the Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky bar associations, plus the Cincinnati Bar Association. - Paluga will handle criminal defense matters in the Cincinnati office.

Between the lines: - The firm is pairing prosecutorial experience with defense work, a mix that can help anticipate how the state may build criminal cases. - Paluga’s multi-state license broadens the firm’s reach beyond Ohio, while Surkala adds local courtroom experience in Montgomery County. - The announcement also signals continued hiring as Moermond & Mulligan builds out both offices rather than concentrating resources in one market.

What's next: - Surkala and Paluga will take on criminal defense matters as the firm continues representing individuals facing charges throughout the region. - The firm is likely to use the expanded team to deepen coverage in Dayton and Cincinnati and support more cases across Ohio.

The bottom line: - Moermond & Mulligan is adding bench strength with two new attorneys who bring courtroom, prosecutorial and multi-state credentials to its criminal defense practice.