David M. Johnston

Michael Smith practices business law and securities law at Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP. He concentrates on business, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, technology transactions, technology licensing, and banking and securities. Mike joined CPM in February 1991. He currently serves as Chairman of CPM’s Business Law Practice Group.

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...

Helen Mac Murray has been a leader in the consumer protection area for more than two decades. A founding partner of Mac Murray & Shuster LLP, she consults with and represents numerous entities regulated by federal and state consumer protection laws, regularly working with in-house counsel, executive management, and marketing and sales personnel. Helen previously served as Chief of the Ohio Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section, named in 2000 as “National Consumer Prot...

Brigid E. Heid regularly advises her clients on matters involving employment and how to cost effectively solve problems that arise. Her practice focuses on the protection of intellectual property and trade secrets from unfair competition, often by utilizing restrictive covenants (including agreements like noncompetition, non-disclosure/confidentiality, non-solicitation and work-for-hire). Resolving employment disputes encompasses matters faced by businesses such as employee discipline, discri...

Arianna Atkins is an Ohio family law attorney representing clients in Columbus and throughout Central and Northeast Ohio. With more than fifteen years of experience in domestic relations law, she concentrates her practice on high-asset divorce, complex property division, and contested custody matters involving business owners, executives, physicians, and other high-income professionals. Ms. Atkins regularly handles sophisticated financial issues arising in divorce proceedings, including close...

Jeffrey J. Patter is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Employment Law - Individuals and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Jeffrey J., who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jeffrey J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mary McWilliams Dengler is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Insurance, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants and Railroad Law. Mary McWilliams, 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 Mary McWilliams is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic ...

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...

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

Joseph M. Patchen is a Partner at Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP, representing businesses, financial institutions, owners, and professionals in business and real estate matters. His business law practice emphasizes corporation and limited liability company formation, mergers, and succession planning. His commercial real estate representation focuses on finance, construction, leasing, and acquisition. Joe joined CPM in June 1987. He serves as Chair of CPM’s Real Estate Practice Group.