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Insight

Introducing Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch Honorees

Meet the next wave of top legal talent.

Ones to Watch
Best Lawyers

Written by Best Lawyers

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

Brett A. Miller
Brett A. Miller
Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP
Columbus, OH
Practice Areas
Commercial Litigation
Litigation - Construction
Recognized since 2025 by
Brett A. Miller
Brett A. Miller

Brett A. Miller joined Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP in 2021 as Of Counsel and is a member of the firm’s Litigation Practice Group. He primarily represents clients in the areas of complex business litigation and family law matters, including dissolution, divorce, and post-decree issues. For over 20 years, Brett has gained extensive experience as a trial attorney throughout many of Ohio’s 88 counties and U.S. federal district courts. In addition to his primary areas, Brett has e...

Brett A. Miller
Brett A. Miller
Eric J. Estadt
Eric J. Estadt
Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP
Columbus, OH
Practice Areas
Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
Recognized since 2024 by
Eric J. Estadt
Eric J. Estadt

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.

Eric J. Estadt
Eric J. Estadt
Andrew J. Art
Andrew J. Art
Taft
Columbus, OH
Practice Areas
Trusts and Estates
Recognized since 2024 by
Andrew J. Art
Andrew J. Art

Andrew J. Art is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Andrew J., 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 Andrew J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Andrew J. Art
Andrew J. Art
David DeVillers
David DeVillers
Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Columbus, OH
Practice Areas
Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Recognized since 2024 by
David DeVillers
David DeVillers

David DeVillers is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of 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.

David DeVillers
David DeVillers
Matthew S. Brown
Matthew S. Brown
Matthew Brown Law LLC
Columbus, OH
Practice Areas
Insurance Law
Litigation - Insurance
Recognized since 2022 by
Matthew S. Brown
Matthew S. Brown

Matthew Brown, Partner and Chair of the Litigation Practice Group, joined Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP in 2008 and concentrates his practice on insurance coverage, business litigation, securities, and intellectual property. Matt represents clients in court (including hearings seeking injunctive relief), arbitration, mediation, and various regulatory and administrative proceedings. He has successfully argued cases in the United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, numerous Federal Distri...

Matthew S. Brown
Matthew S. Brown
Bryan J. Venesy
Bryan J. Venesy
Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Columbus, OH
Practice Areas
Leisure and Hospitality Law
Real Estate Law
Recognized since 2016 by
Bryan J. Venesy
Bryan J. Venesy

Bryan Venesy guides clients through real estate deals with a focus on generating positive, tangible community development and client ROI. He negotiates and closes complex transactions, including real estate development, real estate finance, equity investments, affordable housing tax credits, community development, partnerships, joint ventures, leasing and general business matters. Bryan serves on the Real Estate department’s executive committee, and is co-chair of the firm’s Low-I...

Bryan J. Venesy
Bryan J. Venesy
Katrina M. Thompson
Katrina M. Thompson
Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Columbus, OH
Practice Areas
Real Estate Law
Recognized since 2026 by
Katrina M. Thompson
Katrina M. Thompson

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.

Katrina M. Thompson
Katrina M. Thompson
Denise M. Mirman
Denise M. Mirman
Friedman & Mirman Co. LPA
Columbus, OH
Practice Areas
Family Law
Recognized since 2012 by
Denise M. Mirman
Denise M. Mirman

Denise Mirman is the managing shareholder of Friedman & Mirman Co. LPA, a nine-lawyer firm that practices family law exclusively. She has been included in Super Lawyers every year since inception and is on several top lists in Columbus and Ohio. She has also been listed in Best Lawyers in America in Family Law for several years,a distinction limited to just 1% of the practicing attorneys in the country as voted upon by other lawyers, and she is the Best Lawyers in America 2015 Lawyer of t...

Denise M. Mirman
Denise M. Mirman
DC
Damion M. Clifford
Arnold & Clifford LLC
Columbus, OH
Practice Areas
Commercial Litigation
Recognized since 2024 by
DC
Damion M. Clifford

Damion M. Clifford is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Damion M., 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 Damion M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

DC
Damion M. Clifford
Mary Barley-McBride
Mary Barley-McBride
Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote PC
Columbus, OH
Practice Areas
Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
Recognized since 2007 by
Mary Barley-McBride
Mary Barley-McBride

Mary Barley-McBride is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Mary, who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mary is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mary Barley-McBride
Mary Barley-McBride

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