Best Lawyers® - Purely Peer Review™
by Their Peers
"Lawyer of the Year" Honorees {{Geolocation}}
Courtney Hanna is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Collaborative Law: Family Law and Litigation - Real Estate. Courtney, who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Courtney is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Patrick D. Cornelius is a thoughtful, creative adviser, whether regarding strategic transactions or general business counseling. Pat makes it a priority to understand his clients’ goals, objectives and concerns and offer practical advice to help them solve problems, realize and execute on advantageous opportunities, and balance risk and reward. Pat has extensive experience leading M&A transactions for acquirers and targets, as well as advising clients on joint venture, capital raisi...
Troy Terakedis counsels clients on federal income tax matters and in the structuring and formation of venture capital, leveraged buyout and other private equity funds, as well as other business entities. He also advises on partnership, limited liability company and general corporate law. In addition, Troy works with closely-held businesses, their owners, and other high-net worth individuals and executives, advising them on federal income tax, corporate succession, estate and gift tax and asse...
Shawn Dominy is a criminal defense attorney, and the primary focus of his practice is representing clients charged with OVI/DUI and serious vehicular crimes like Vehicular Homicide and Vehicular Assault. Shawn is a leader in professional organizations. He is the past President of the Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (OACDL), the state delegate for the National College for DUI Defense (NCDD), and the recipient of the NCDD Leadership Award. Shawn is a founding member of the national...
Joseph R. Durham is a member of Eastman & Smith and has represented cities, counties, local health districts, solid waste management districts, townships and villages in environmental law and litigation and public health law. Mr. Durham has represented clients before the Ohio Department of Health, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Review Appeals Commission, Ohio Department of Commerce, Ohio Board of Pharmacy, Ohio Real Estate Commission, county boards of revision (real e...
Matthew R. Wilson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs. Matthew R., who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Matthew R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Marc J. Kessler is an experienced trial lawyer who is widely regarded as one of the nation’s preeminent business litigators. He has extensive experience with large scale, “bet-the-company” matters and is widely recognized for his ability to handle the most complex and critical litigation issues . Marc’s expertise includes complex commercial transactions, procurement, healthcare, trade secrets and non-competition, product liability, business torts, real estate, intellec...
Scott Friedman is an OSBA Board Certified Specialist in Family Relations Law. Mr. Friedman is also licensed to practice law in the State of Florida. Mr. Friedman was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio and attended The Columbus Academy. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Miami University and his Juris Doctorate from Capital University Law School, where he was honored with the Order of the Curia. Scott served as President Chair of the American Bar Association Family Law Section for 2013-2014 ...
Joseph J. Golian is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law and Transportation Law. Joseph J., who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Joseph J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Jane Higgins Marx joined Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP in August 2000 and practices estate and business planning, probate, probate litigation, business succession planning and elder law. Jane counsels individuals, business owners, executives and caregivers on matters of estate planning, estate and gift taxation, income taxation of trusts and estates, charitable giving, business succession and probate. She provides comprehensive planning for disability, including counseling on special needs...
Lawyers {{Geolocation}}
Matthew R. Wilson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs. Matthew R., who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Matthew R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Geoffrey Kunkler joined Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP in 2014 and has been a Partner since 2018. His practice is centered around estate planning for individuals and business owners, as well as asset protection planning for retirees. He focuses primarily on the areas of estate planning, elder protection, estate administration, charitable and philanthropic planning and special needs planning. He also has extensive experience in conducting educational seminars on legal topics related to his e...
Jeffrey E. Kaman is a partner with Kaman & Cusimano LLC and serves as Chair of the Administration Department and the firm’s Columbus Office. He is based in Columbus, Ohio, where his practice is focused on Community Association Law. Jeff earned his Juris Doctor from Cleveland Marshall College of Law after graduating with honors from Loyola University Chicago with degrees in Honors History and Political Science. Since joining Kaman & Cusimano, Jeff has worked extensively with cond...
Patrick D. Cornelius is a thoughtful, creative adviser, whether regarding strategic transactions or general business counseling. Pat makes it a priority to understand his clients’ goals, objectives and concerns and offer practical advice to help them solve problems, realize and execute on advantageous opportunities, and balance risk and reward. Pat has extensive experience leading M&A transactions for acquirers and targets, as well as advising clients on joint venture, capital raisi...
Katrina M. Thompson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Katrina M., who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Katrina M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Paul Garinger is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law. Paul, who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Paul is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
J. Thomas “Tom” Nocar is a partner in the firm’s Litigation Practice Area in the Columbus office. Tom dedicates his practice to construction law and construction businesses. Before becoming a construction lawyer, Tom spent 26 years managing construction projects. This experience provides him with a unique set of skills to offer his clients—broad technical knowledge of the commercial construction industry and a practical approach to dispute avoidance and resolution. Tom...
Jerry has been successfully trying cases since he received his law licence. His career with the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office in 1974 as an Assistant Prosecutor, where he tried over 75 cases in a three-year period. In less than two years, he was lead counsel in a death penalty case and obtained a conviction under Ohio's new death penalty statute. He entered private practice in 1977 after taking courses in gross anatomy and clinical pathology at The Ohio State University School of ...
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