Best Lawyers® - Purely Peer Review™
by Their Peers
Introducing Premier Placement
Be Found First. Get Chosen First
Celebrating the 2027
Best Lawyers Honorees Across Australia, Japan & Singapore
Read the Article
Best Lawyers Member Benefits
Explore Best Lawyers' New Exclusive Affinity Program
The Best Lawyers Digital Marketing Platform
Master your marketing and supercharge your SEO
"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.
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...
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.
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Lawyers {{Geolocation}}
Mark A. Shaw represents employers in workers' compensation, litigation and employment matters. He has represented both private and public sector employers before state courts and at all administrative levels before the Industrial Commission. He is a frequent speaker and guest lecturer at seminars regarding workers' compensation and employment law topics. Mr. Shaw is a member of Eastman & Smith, practicing in the Firm's Columbus, Ohio, office, and is listed in Best Lawyers in America®....
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...
Misty Aldrich concentrates her entire practice on trust and estate planning law, including the formation, implementation, and administration. She has more than 30 years of experience, and before entering private practice, Misty spent six years at the Huntington National Bank as Trust Counsel in the personal trust department. At CPM, she steers her clients through all aspects of trust and estate planning. Misty assists clients in drafting all appropriate legal documents and structuring financi...
Laing P. Akers is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Laing P., 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 Laing P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Tracy A. Younkin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Tracy A., who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Tracy A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Kathryn S. Wallrabenstein is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Kathryn S., 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 Kathryn S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
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...
A Partner in Hahn Loeser’s Cleveland office since 2007 and current Chair of the Firm’s Labor and Employment Group, Steven E. Seasly has nearly 30 years of labor and employment law experience – exclusively representing and counseling employers across the country on the wide variety of employment and labor law issues. His breadth of experience includes complex employment law litigation, collective and/or class action wage and hour litigation, labor arbitrations, union avoidanc...
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 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...
Latest Insights
The Unconventional CEO Reinventing Law Firm Leadership
by Justin Smulison
April Bogard Pinder never planned to be a lawyer, a banker or a risk manager—but every detour led her to the C-suite of one of the Southeast’s most storied civil law firms.
How to Start a Nonprofit: A Step-by-Step Guide
by Bryan Driscoll
Everything you need to know about turning your mission into a registered nonprofit, from your first board meeting to 501(c)(3) approval.
The Legal Teams Behind the Blake Lively–Justin Baldoni Settlement
by Grace Greer
A closer look at the legal teams and attorneys involved in the Blake Lively–Justin Baldoni litigation and its resolution.
Bass, Berry & Sims PLC
Mutual of Omaha
Spok
Office Depot
Sumitomo Chemical
