Best Lawyers® - Purely Peer Review™
by Their Peers
"Lawyer of the Year" Honorees {{Geolocation}}
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...
David J. Butler is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs. David J., who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2014. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
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...
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...
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...
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...
Caryn A. Boyer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Health Care Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Caryn A., 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 Caryn A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Greg Foliano has been defending professionals for his entire career. He has represented physicians, nurses, hospitals, lawyers and nursing homes throughout Ohio. Greg's career began in 1990 with a law firm dedicated exclusively to the defense of professional malpractice lawsuits. He tried his first case to verdict within months after receiving his law license and had his first solo case tried to verdict within a year of practice. Since that time, Greg has continued to try lawsuits throughout ...
Mary McWilliams Dengler is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Insurance, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants and Railroad Law. Mary McWilliams, 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 Mary McWilliams is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic ...
David DeVillers is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Compliance Law and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. David, 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 David is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Lawyers {{Geolocation}}
Michael R. Reed handles a wide range of complex commercial litigation – from class action defense to construction disputes to will contests. Mike is well versed in all aspects of complex business litigation, including breach of contract, commercial leases, employment/non-competition agreements, intellectual property disputes, advertising space leases, commercial real estate transactions, securitization of subprime loans, breach of fiduciary duties, and professional fee claims. As part o...
Mr. Schneider has defended individuals, businesses and public officials in a myriad of criminal matters that include public corruption and matters involving tax, health care, securities and mortgage fraud. In addition, he has defended individuals and businesses before licensing boards, regulators and in professional liability litigation. He has: defended against federal and state prosecutions involving charges of bribery, public corruption, money laundering and fraud. defended business profes...
Paul-Michael La Fayette is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Municipal Law and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Paul-Michael, 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 Paul-Michael is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Part of the White Collar Crime and Investigations Practice Group, Mr. Long has represented businesses, business professionals, public officials, medical professionals and educators in matters involving fraud, embezzlement, tax controversies, public corruption, regulatory enforcement matters and business litigation. He manages matters in both federal and state courts as well as before government regulatory entities. His experience includes dealing with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Fed...
Peter W. Hahn is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law and Litigation - Construction. Peter W., who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2017. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Peter W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
In October 2015, Grier joined the ATWF team, bringing with him many years of experience in all areas of medical litigation, including cardiovascular, neurologic, neursurgical, radiology, oncology, obstetric-gynecologic and hospital administration issues. Grier’s litigation immersion began with his employment as a staff attorney at the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas in Columbus. His next position with Earl Warburton & Adams lasted over 25 years. Starting as an associate and wo...
Kevin Stanek brings nearly a decade of experience working in the executive and legislative branches of Ohio state government, including as Gov. John R. Kasich's assistant director of policy for asset management and assistant chief counsel. Kevin’s hands-on government experience supports him in providing practical solutions and comprehensive plans of action for clients. Kevin represents governmental clients on policy matters and other legal issues before the Ohio General Assembly, execut...
Jim Abrams represents clients in civil litigation matters with a focus on commercial litigation and appellate practice. Based in Columbus, Ohio, Jim works with businesses and individuals involved in complex disputes in state and federal courts. He draws on decades of business and financial leadership experience to help clients address litigation challenges with practical, business-minded counsel. Before entering the legal profession, Jim held executive leadership positions at both publicly tr...
James J. Chester is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Law and Real Estate Law. James J., who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
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