Petra G. Bergman

Petra is a litigation associate in the Vorys Cincinnati office.  She has broad complex commercial litigation practice representing large corporations, small businesses and individuals in both state and federal courts, including extensive experience with consumer class actions.  She has in-depth experience in all major stages of the litigation process, including procedural and dispositive motions, including motions for class certification and appellate briefs, serving and responding to written discovery, taking and defending individual and corporate depositions, and representing clients in mediations and settlement negotiations. 

Career highlights include:

• Prevailed on a motion to dismiss a putative class action against life insurer alleging claims of fraud and violation of consumer protection and deceptive trade practices statutes
• Successfully defended national grocery retailer in putative class action alleging claims under consumer protection and deceptive trade practices statutes
• Defeated nationwide class action against life insurer cost-of-insurance and premium rate increases, policy administration and breach of contract claims
• Negotiated successful resolutions of nationwide and state-wide consumer class actions, in federal and state court, with millions of dollars in potential exposure
• Obtained summary judgment award of more than $10 million on behalf of a large institution in commercial loan dispute
• Successfully obtained dismissal of insurance-related disputes at both the pleading and summary judgment stage
• Obtained favorable results in multiple interpleader cases for life insurer
• Negotiated successful resolutions of pre- and post-lawsuit matters on behalf of clients ranging from individuals to national companies

Petra received her J.D. from the University of Cincinnati College of Law, where she was an associate member of the University of Cincinnati Law Review.  During her 1L summer in law school, she interned at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon in The Hague, Netherlands.  Prior to attending law school, she informally pursued her hobby of being a home chef by earning a Culinary Arts Certificate.  She received her B.A. from Wheaton College (MA), where she spent 12 months studying abroad at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand.

Outside of the courtroom, Petra enjoys cooking and baking, attending concerts and international travel.

Honors & Recognitions

The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch, Commercial Litigation, 2026–2027

Federal Bar Association, PLEDGE Emerging Leaders Award, 2023

Professional & Community Activities

Vorys Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Member, 2021–Present

Cincinnati Bar Association, Member

HRC Greater Cincinnati, Steering Committee, Member, 2023–Present

Adjunct Professor, Complex Civil Litigation, University of Cincinnati College of Law, Spring 2025