James G. "Jim" Petrie

Drew Piersall is a member of the firm's Employment and Labor Groups and practices out of the firm's Columbus office. His practice focuses on equal employment opportunity, employment discrimination, retaliation, hostile work environment, and all other employment-related torts. Prior to joining Zashin & Rich, Drew worked for the Employment Law Section of the Ohio Attorney General's Office for eight years. Drew rose through the ranks at the Attorney General's Office, attaining the position o...

Doug Oldham advises employers of all sizes on a broad range of fair employment and wage and hour policies and practices to avoid disputes with employees. When those disputes are inevitable, Doug represents employers in employment discrimination and wage and hour litigation in courts across the country. Since joining the firm more than a decade ago, Doug has accumulated significant labor and employment litigation experience. Doug is actively involved in briefing motions for summary judgment, m...

Gregory W. Stype is a partner in the Columbus office of Barnes & Thornburg, where he is a member of the Government Services and Finance Department. With more than 30 years of experience, Gregory devotes his practice to public and infrastructure finance and economic development. Gregory has served as counsel to state government entities, including the Ohio Public Facilities Commission, the Ohio Office of Budget and Management, and the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission, as well as...

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.

Jeffrey R. Wahl is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Jeffrey R., who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jeffrey R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Attorney Soroka concentrates his practice on catastrophic accidents involving commercial motor vehicles. He frequently litigates tractor-trailer accidents, bus accidents, non-emergency medical transport cases, and commercial vehicle cases occurring in construction zones. He routinely takes on disputed liability matters, and has vast experience litigating cases involving tractor-trailers and commercial vehicles, representation of victims of sexual assault, negligent security claims, constructi...

David DeVillers is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar. David, 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 David is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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.

Philip R. Westerman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Philip R., 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 Philip R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...