Insight

Introducing Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch Honorees

Meet the next wave of top legal talent.

Published: August 19, 2020

What does the future of the legal industry look like? With the inaugural release of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, our newest ranking for attorneys early in their careers, we'd say it's looking diverse, passionate, multi-talented, and multi-dimensional.

We reached out to the newest class of Best Lawyer honorees to find out more about what makes this generation of lawyers so unique.

What Made You Become a Lawyer?

From serving in the armed forces to surviving catastrophic injury, each one of these top-level associates developed a passion for law through their own unique journey.

But Who Are They Really?

Although achieving the respect and recognition of your peers often demands long hours and dedication to the craft, Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch attorneys are anything but one-dimensional. We invited the "Ones to Watch" to share their hidden talents, opinions, and sandwich-litigation skills.

Do you know a lawyer making waves in the legal industry? Nominate them for consideration in our next edition.

Learn More About:

Best Lawyers: Ones To Watch

Lawyers in Columbus, Ohio

Jeffrey E. Kaman

Kaman & Cusimano LLC

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Community Association Law

Recognized since 2024 by

Jeffrey E. Kaman

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...

 
Jeffrey E. Kaman
  Website    Address    Phone Number

View Profile 888.800.1042

Jane Higgins Marx

Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law

Trusts and Estates

Recognized since 2019 by

Jane Higgins Marx

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...

 
Jane Higgins Marx
  Website    Email    Address    Phone Number

View Profile 614.628.0809

Timothy P. Nagy

Taft

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Health Care Law

Recognized since 2016 by

Timothy P. Nagy

Timothy P. Nagy is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Health Care Law. Timothy P. practices law in Columbus, Ohio Best Lawyers has recognized Timothy P. Nagy since 2016. 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 Timothy P. Nagy is held by other lawyers.

Timothy P. Nagy

View Profile 614.221.2838

John A. Gambill

Taft

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Commercial Litigation

Construction Law

Litigation - Construction

Recognized since 2024 by

John A. Gambill

John A. Gambill is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation, Construction Law and Litigation - Construction. John A. practices law in Columbus, Ohio Best Lawyers has recognized John A. Gambill 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 John A. Gambill is held by other lawyers.

John A. Gambill

View Profile 614.221.2838

Brooke E. Niedecken

Littler

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Labor Law - Management

Recognized since 2027 by

Brooke E. Niedecken

Brooke E. Niedecken is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Labor Law - Management. Brooke E. practices law in Columbus, Ohio Best Lawyers has recognized Brooke E. Niedecken since 2027. 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 Brooke E. Niedecken is held by other lawyers.

Brooke E. Niedecken

View Profile 614.463.4201

Marc J. Kessler

Taft

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Commercial Litigation

Franchise Law

Litigation - Health Care

Specific Focus

Sports

Recognized since 2012 by

Marc J. Kessler

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...

 
Marc J. Kessler
  Website    Email    Address    Phone Number

View Profile 614.221.0240

Benjamin L. Luftman

Luftman, Heck & Associates LLP

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

DUI / DWI Defense

Recognized since 2016 by

Benjamin L. Luftman

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...

Benjamin L. Luftman

View Profile 614.412.5146

Samuel Lillard

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart PC

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Employment Law - Management

Litigation - Labor and Employment

Recognized since 2024 by

Samuel Lillard

Samuel Lillard is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Samuel practices law in Columbus, Ohio Best Lawyers has recognized Samuel Lillard 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 Samuel Lillard is held by other lawyers.

Samuel Lillard

View Profile 614.494.0420

David B. Barnhart

Philip J. Fulton Law Office

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants

Recognized since 1995 by

David B. Barnhart

David B. Barnhart is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants. David B. practices law in Columbus, Ohio Best Lawyers has recognized David B. Barnhart since 1995. 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 B. Barnhart is held by other lawyers.

 DB
David B. Barnhart
  Website    Email    Address    Phone Number 
 

View Profile 614.224.3838

Thomas J. Riley

Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)

Mergers and Acquisitions Law

Recognized since 1995 by

Thomas J. Riley

Thomas J. Riley focuses his practice on business and corporate law as well as wealth transfer planning. He counsels small to midsize closely held manufacturing and distribution enterprises and professional practices on matters including tax planning, contract negotiations, and mergers and acquisitions. T.J. has experience handling multi-employee union plans, master and prototype plans for sponsoring organizations, and Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs). He also advises owners on successio...

 
Thomas J. Riley
  Website    Email    Address    Phone Number

View Profile 614.221.0240

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Introducing Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch Honorees

What Made You Become a Lawyer?

But Who Are They Really?

Lawyers in Columbus, Ohio

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