Fred A. Summer

Bob Robenalt is a partner in the firm's Columbus office. He represents management in a variety of labor and employment issues, including workers' compensation, employment litigation and traditional labor matters. Bob has defended numerous wrongful discharge, Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), workers' compensation and employment discrimination actions in state and federal courts, and has argued in defense of employment actions before the 4th and 6th Circuit Federal Courts. He ha...

David B. Barnhart is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants. David B., who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 1995. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kevin E. Hess is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. Kevin E., 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 Kevin E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Paul-Michael La Fayette is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Municipal Law. Paul-Michael, 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 Paul-Michael is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Dennis Concilla practices securities law, business law and litigation at Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP, where he provides counsel to securities broker-dealers, investment advisors, registered representatives and banking institutions. CPM’s Securities Practice Group, headed by Dennis Concilla, is nationally recognized as a leader in the field of securities recruiting law and has represented numerous national and regional securities and investment firms. Dennis served as Legal Counsel ...

Benton B. Bodamer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law. Benton B., 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 Benton B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

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 feder...

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...