Best Lawyers® - Purely Peer Review™
by Their Peers
Announcing
Best Law Firms® – United States
Read the Article
Introducing Premier Placement
Be Found First. Get Chosen First
Celebrating the 2027
Best Lawyers Honorees Across Chile, Colombia and Puerto Rico
Read the Article
Best Lawyers Member Benefits
Explore Best Lawyers' New Exclusive Affinity Program
Announcing
Best Law Firms™ – Canada
Read the Article
The Best Lawyers Digital Marketing Platform
Master your marketing and supercharge your SEO
"Lawyer of the Year" Honorees {{Geolocation}}
David DeVillers is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Corporate Compliance Law and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. David practices law in Columbus, Ohio Best Lawyers has recognized David DeVillers since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which David DeVillers is held by other lawyers.
James E. Arnold is recognized as one of Ohio's top trial lawyers. He was recognized by Best Lawyers as Central Ohio's "Securities Litigation Lawyer of the Year" in 2012, as the "Bet-The-Company Litigation Lawyer of the Year" in 2013, 2016, 2021, 2024 and 2026, and as the "Intellectual Property Litigation Lawyer of the Year" in 2014. Since 2001 he has consistently been recognized by Best Lawyers in multiple fields, including bet-the-company, personal injury (plaintiffs and defense), commercial...
Caryn A. Boyer is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Health Care Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Caryn A. practices law in Columbus, Ohio Best Lawyers has recognized Caryn A. Boyer since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Caryn A. Boyer is held by ot...
Brigid E. Heid regularly advises her clients on matters involving employment and how to cost effectively solve problems that arise. Her practice focuses on the protection of intellectual property and trade secrets from unfair competition, often by utilizing restrictive covenants (including agreements like noncompetition, non-disclosure/confidentiality, non-solicitation and work-for-hire). Resolving employment disputes encompasses matters faced by businesses such as employee discipline, discri...
Ms. McKinlay received her Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from the Capital University Law School, Columbus, Ohio, in 1996. While in law school, Ms. McKinlay was a Member of Order of the Curia and the Capital University Law School Law Review, and finished in the top ten percent of her graduating class. She also served as a judicial extern in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Division of Domestic Relations. Ms. McKinlay was admitted to the practice of law in the State of Ohio in 1996 an...
Eric Stoller is an attorney with Kayne Law Group LPA in Columbus, Ohio, focusing his practice on Banking and Finance Law and Real Estate Law . He represents lenders and borrowers in commercial lending and finance matters, including loan transactions, restructurings and workouts, as well as the acquisition, sale and financing of commercial real estate assets. Eric advises clients on a broad range of real estate matters, including leasing, development, acquisitions, dispositions and real estate...
Bill Nolan serves as managing partner of the firm’s Ohio office, which he opened in 2009. Bill works to bring attentiveness and clarity to bear on employment, contract and other disputes, but is most passionate about helping clients build teams, policies and processes to minimize the frequency, cost and severity of disputes. Bill's litigation and trial work includes covenant not to compete and trade secret cases in many states. He regularly represents employers in discrimination and dis...
Kevin E. Griffith practices primarily in the areas of business competition litigation and employment litigation. He has extensive litigation experience in cases involving corporate raiding and interference with contract claims, and enforcing and defending employment contracts, trade secrets and covenants-not-to-compete. He has defended hundreds of employment discrimination and wrongful termination cases, including several seminal cases before the Ohio Supreme Court. In addition, Kevin counsel...
Jennifer McDaniel represents employers in workers’ compensation matters. Jennifer has extensive experience handling every aspect of a workers’ compensation claim. She advises clients on how to improve their safety and risk management programs to help avoid workers’ compensation claims. When litigation is unavoidable, Jennifer works closely with clients and their Third Party Administrators to develop the right defense strategy that is best for the client and helps to reduce t...
Mary McWilliams Dengler is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Insurance, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants and Railroad Law. Mary McWilliams practices law in Columbus, Ohio Best Lawyers has recognized Mary McWilliams Dengler since 2021. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition refle...
Lawyers {{Geolocation}}
Peter W. Hahn is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Construction Law and Litigation - Construction. Peter W. practices law in Columbus, Ohio Best Lawyers has recognized Peter W. Hahn since 2017. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Peter W. Hahn is held by other lawyers.
An experienced and accomplished legal advocate, Benjamin L. Luftman is a founding partner at Luftman, Heck & Associates and has practiced law for thirteen years. His sole practice areas are in criminal law and traffic violations , having represented clients in cases ranging from serious felony charges , such as sexual battery and assault charges , to minor drug possession charges and other misdemeanors, with a particular concentration in the area of Ohio OVI law . In every case he takes o...
Michael T. Short represents management clients in a wide range of labor and employment matters. He also actively represents employers in workers’ compensation cases before the Industrial Commission of Ohio, the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation, and all levels of Ohio courts. He has extensive experience representing public sector clients in collective bargaining negotiations, arbitrations, and before the Ohio State Employment Relations Board. He regularly counsels employers on: Labor...
Anthony R. Auten is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Family Law. Anthony R. practices law in Columbus, Ohio Best Lawyers has recognized Anthony R. Auten since 2015. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Anthony R. Auten is held by other lawyers.
Eric Estadt joined Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP in 2022 and is a member of the firm’s Business Law Practice Group. He has experience supporting a wide range of clients, from Fortune 500 companies to individuals, protecting and enforcing their trademarks in a wide array of industries. Eric specializes in utility and design patents in the mechanical, medical device, pharmaceutical, and electronics industries.
Michael Smith practices business law and securities law at Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP. He concentrates on business, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, technology transactions, technology licensing, and banking and securities. Mike joined CPM in February 1991. He currently serves as Chairman of CPM’s Business Law Practice Group.
Bill Nolan serves as managing partner of the firm’s Ohio office, which he opened in 2009. Bill works to bring attentiveness and clarity to bear on employment, contract and other disputes, but is most passionate about helping clients build teams, policies and processes to minimize the frequency, cost and severity of disputes. Bill's litigation and trial work includes covenant not to compete and trade secret cases in many states. He regularly represents employers in discrimination and dis...
Position: Managing Attorney/Principal Born: Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada Admitted to bar,1981, Ohio. (Also a member of the Pennsylvania Bar) Education: The Ohio State University B.S., summa cum laude, 1978 J.D., cum laude, 1981. Best Lawyers in America from 1993 to present. Also named one of Ohio's Super Lawyers Listed in Columbus Monthly (Nov 2003) article Top lawyers The city's best & brightest Recipient, Judge Joseph M. Harter Memorial Award. Bar Memberships: Columbus Bar Association: C...
Laing P. Akers is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Real Estate Law. Laing P. practices law in Columbus, Ohio Best Lawyers has recognized Laing P. Akers since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Laing P. Akers is held by other lawyers.
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...
Latest Insights
Inside the 2027 Best Lawyers Awards in Chile, Colombia and Puerto Rico
by Jamilla Tabbara
A closer look at the research process, methodology and key statistics behind the 2027 editions.
Insights and Data From the 2027 Editions of Best Lawyers in Chile, Colombia and Puerto Rico
by Jamilla Tabbara
Discover the legal and regulatory developments influencing each market's most recognized practice areas.
Optimizing Your Law Firm for Google AI Overviews
by Bryan Driscoll and Everett Sizemore
Why a well-ranked firm can be missing from Google's AI-generated summaries, how to check the usual causes and what to fix first.
From Recruitment to Recognition: The Next Phase of Lateral Investment
by Elizabeth Petit
How law firms can support lateral hires beyond recruitment through professional recognition and strategic nominations.
Why Every Tech Trade Secret War Ends Up in the Same San Francisco Courtroom
by Justin Joffe
Is the Northern District of California becoming the de facto referee in Silicon Valley’s talent wars?
Sumitomo Chemical
Allen Matkins
Carestream Health, Inc.
ELD International LLC
The Rockefeller Group
