Christopher M. "Chris" Ward

Geoffrey Kunkler joined Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP in 2014 and has been a Partner since 2018. His practice is centered around estate planning for individuals and business owners, as well as asset protection planning for retirees. He focuses primarily on the areas of estate planning, elder protection, estate administration, charitable and philanthropic planning and special needs planning. He also has extensive experience in conducting educational seminars on legal topics related to his e...

Pursuant to a merger with the firm in which he was a principal since 1985, Alan has been a Partner at Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP since 2015. He primarily works with closely held and family businesses of all types and the individuals and families who own those businesses. Alan’s practice areas cover a broad range of business and personal matters, including – tax-exempt nonprofits; real estate; estate planning and estate & trust administration; planning, structuring, and f...

Michele is a founding partner of Mac Murray & Shuster, where she brings extensive experience in working with clients of all sizes involved in highly regulated industries. She has established a solid record of representing clients in consumer protection matters before state attorneys general, the FTC, and FCC, in addition to conducting regulatory compliance audits and providing counsel on advertising and privacy issues. A trusted advisor to leading industry associations, Michele served for...

Brandon Borgmann joined Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP in September of 2008 and practices in the areas of estate planning, business succession planning, probate, special needs law and tax. Brandon represents individuals, business owners and families concerning estate planning, tax planning and business succession planning. He also represents executors and trustees with respect to administration of estates and trusts, probate litigation and taxation.

Barry H. Wolinetz is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Barry H., 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 Barry H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Christopher Trolinger is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Christopher, who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christopher 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.

Gage has represented clients in a variety of matters in state and federal trial courts throughout Ohio, the Ohio courts of appeals, the Ohio Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. Gage has a practice focused on complex commercial and tort litigation, with an emphasis in appellate advocacy. Gage is a Best Lawyers® for appellate Advocacy, an Ohio Super Lawyer® and AV Preeminent® rated lawyer from Martindale Hubble. In 201...

Mathew may not be one of those table-pounding attorneys, but make no mistake, he is a fierce litigator. His ability to speak calmly and reasonably as well as to ask questions and actually listen to the answers makes him an especially strong negotiator and effective in advocating for his clients’ best interests. Mathew’s employment law practice is multidimensional. He defends employers against a wide range of employment claims ranging from unlawful discrimination, harassment and re...

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.