Charles C. Ashdown

CONSTRUCTION Earl has substantial experience handling complex, multi-party delay and defect claims, disputes over insurance coverage and defense, and claims against sureties. He has represented owners, contractors, subcontractors and sureties. He is listed in the 2014 edition of The Best Lawyers in America for his work in the area of construction law. REAL ESTATE Earl also has substantial experience with real estate litigation, including commercial foreclosures on office buildings, hotels, ma...

Steve Kisling likes to make things simple for his clients, which is fortunate considering the complexity of his employee benefits and tax practice. While it is a generalization, but no great secret, that many lawyers run a little hot-blooded, Steve is calm, patient and always composed. He knows that business owners, benefits professionals and human resources personnel have multiple balls in the air at any given time, and he enjoys relieving some of the strain and worry that comes with the adm...

Brad’s corporate, business law and mergers and acquisitions practice encompasses every stage in the life cycle of a business. Brad frequently works with clients on matters involving formation, organizational structure, owner/shareholder relationships, employment contracts, customer/supplier contracts, business succession, and related issues. Some of these issues carry through the life of a business, and Brad will assist in addressing those matters as the business grows. This includes gr...

Sara M. Cooperrider is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Health Care Law. Sara, who practices law in Cincinnati, Ohio, has been recognized since 2027. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sara is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Steve, a dedicated tax lawyer based in Cincinnati, Ohio, focuses his legal practice on estate planning, estate and trust administration, and general taxation. As a member of the American College of Trusts and Estates Counsel, he brings valuable insights to his role at Strauss Troy. Steve's commitment to the field is further demonstrated by his past position as Adjunct Faculty at Chase College of Law, Northern Kentucky University, where he taught courses on Federal Estate and Gift Taxation and...

John F. McLaughlin is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Insurance Law, Litigation - Insurance and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. John F. practices law in Cincinnati, Ohio Best Lawyers has recognized John F. McLaughlin since 2008. 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 F. McLaughlin is held by other lawyers.

As the second oldest of nine children, Bill began resolving family disputes at an early age. His childhood also gave him insights as to how children may perceive fairness and equity differently than do the parents. While some wealth strategists may believe that tax avoidance is the major objective of wealth planning, Bill believes that wealth planning is ultimately about family planning: how to devolve wealth without creating acrimony or bitterness among family members, and all the while pres...

Brian J. O'Connell is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation, Construction Law and Litigation - Construction. Brian J. practices law in Cincinnati, Ohio Best Lawyers has recognized Brian J. O'Connell 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 Brian J. O'Connell is held by other lawyers.

MARGARET AVRIL LAWSONjoined the firm in 1982 and is chair of the firm's Intellectual Property Practice. Ms. Lawson graduated from Dartmouth College, summa cum laude , Phi Beta Kappa, and Harvard Law School. Her intellectual property practice includes trademark, trade secret, copyright, privacy and data security, and right of publicity. Ms. Lawson has extensive experience in drafting and negotiating license agreements, technology transfer agreements and other contracts in areas that include bi...

William is a member of the firm's corporate and personal planning and family business departments. His practice includes extensive work in counseling owners of closely held businesses, general business and tax planning, acquisitions and commercial transactions, and personal estate planning.