John C. Merchant

Joe Rouse is the leader of the Private Client Services Group . He has lectured on several topics in seminars sponsored by various organizations in Greater Cincinnati; serves on the Board of Trustees of several local private foundations; and is active with other civic and charitable organizations. The major areas of his legal practice include estate and succession planning, general corporate representation (including mergers and acquisitions), probate and trust administration and tax related s...

Caroline K. Musekamp is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Labor Law - Management. Caroline K., who practices law in Cincinnati, Ohio, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Caroline K. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Medora M. Akers is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Medora M., who practices law in Cincinnati, Ohio, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Medora M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jonathan B. Allison is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Individuals and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Jon practices law in Cincinnati, Ohio, and has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jonathan B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John E. Christopher is a partner at Manley Burke, LPA. He primarily practices in the areas of nonprofit organizations, business organizations, tax, and estate planning. John’s tax focused education and his years of experience in working with a broad variety of nonprofit organizations (both charities and non-charities) allow him to provide focused, relevant and usable legal advice to his nonprofit clients in all phases of their operations, from creation and start up through termination. ...

Lisa Wintersheimer Michel's practice is concentrated in the employee benefits (ERISA) and executive compensation areas. Her practice primarily involves all aspects of qualified retirement plans, including profit sharing plans, 401(k) plans, employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) and defined benefit plans, executive compensation matters and welfare benefit plans. This includes compliance with laws including tax, labor, COBRA, HIPAA and other applicable laws, and administration and operation of...

Christopher S. Houston is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law, Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Christopher S., who practices law in Cincinnati, Ohio, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christopher S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jason V. Stitt is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Bankruptcy. Jason V., who practices law in Cincinnati, Ohio, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jason V. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

RUSSELL S. SAYRE is a partner in the Cincinnati, Ohio office of Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, where he serves as co-chair of the firm's litigation practice group, concentrating his practice on litigation, arbitration and dispute resolution. Since 1990, Mr. Sayre has represented corporate, business and individual clients in federal and state courts, in arbitrations, and before state administrative boards. Mr. Sayre is admitted to practice in all Ohio courts, in the United States Distric...

As the second oldest of nine children, Bill began resolving family disputes at an early age. His childhood also gave him insights as to how children may perceive fairness and equity differently than do the parents. While some wealth strategists may believe that tax avoidance is the major objective of wealth planning, Bill believes that wealth planning is ultimately about family planning: how to devolve wealth without creating acrimony or bitterness among family members, and all the while pres...