Taft

454 Best Lawyers awards

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Awarded Practice Areas

Criminal Defense: General Practice Criminal Defense: White-Collar

Biography

Dave Thomas is a partner in Taft’s Compliance, Investigations, and White Collar Defense practice. He advises and represents companies, executives, public officials, health care providers, and other professionals who are the subject of state and federal investigations and prosecutions involving the United States Department of Justice and the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, as well as county prosecutors throughout the state. He has defended clients in complex matters involving federal agencies like the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Drug Enforcement Administration and state agencies such as the Ohio Auditor’s Office, Ohio Ethics Commission, and Ohio Inspector General.

Dave brings a broad range of experience to Taft’s criminal defense practice. He is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and has tried more than sixty cases in state and federal courts, in matters ranging from aggravated murder to corporate fraud and federal conspiracy. Dave has also argued in state and federal appeals courts and the Supreme Court of Ohio. He has served as lead counsel defending white collar cases ranging from ethics and public corruption to health care fraud, banking violations, Government contract fraud, tax fraud, money laundering, and environmental crime. He is the Litigation Chair for Taft's Columbus office and previously served on Taft's Executive Committee.

Taft

454 Best Lawyers awards

Taft logo

Overview

  • The Ohio State University, J.D., graduated 1999
  • Wittenberg University, BA, graduated 1996

  • Ohio, Ohio State Bar Association
  • Minnesota, Minnesota State Bar Association

  • American College of Trial Lawyers - Fellow
  • Columbus Bar Association - Board of Governors
  • Columbus Bar Association Professional Ethics Committee - member
  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers - member
  • Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers - member
  • Ohio, Ohio State Bar Association
  • Minnesota, Minnesota State Bar Association
  • American College of Trial Lawyers - Fellow
  • Columbus Bar Association - Board of Governors
  • Columbus Bar Association Professional Ethics Committee - member
  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers - member
  • Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers - member
  • The Ohio State University, J.D., graduated 1999
  • Wittenberg University, BA, graduated 1996

Client Testimonials

David Thomas is the best. He is just amazing at his job and an amazing person!

Erika Barbee

Columbus, OH

I just wanted to say thank you to David Thomas for all of his hard work and efforts over the past two years. I'm just very pleased with him; he’s incredibly talented-- it’s kind of like watching a really fine performer. I miss seeing him because he’s a pleasure to talk to even though things can be trying at times. Thank you so much and have a wonderful day!

Stephen Goodsell (New York City Opera)

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2021 - Criminal Defense: White-Collar Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2019 - Criminal Defense: General Practice Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2018 - Criminal Defense: White-Collar Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2015 - Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Columbus, OH (2021)
  • Criminal Defense: General Practice, Columbus, OH (2019)
  • Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Columbus, OH (2018)
  • Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Columbus, OH (2015)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Criminal Defense: General Practice
  • Criminal Defense: White-Collar

Case History

Cases
  • State of Ohio v. Eric Hopkins
Defendant acquitted of murder and related charges after State alleged that he killed his foster child. Two week jury trial in 2011.
  • State of Ohio v. Jim Stillwagon
All charges dismissed against Defendant after State alleged that he repeatedly shot at a motorist. One week jury trial in 2013.

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