Joseph Michel "Joe" Scherpenberg

MARGARET AVRIL LAWSONjoined the firm in 1982 and is chair of the firm's Intellectual Property Practice. Ms. Lawson graduated from Dartmouth College, summa cum laude , Phi Beta Kappa, and Harvard Law School. Her intellectual property practice includes trademark, trade secret, copyright, privacy and data security, and right of publicity. Ms. Lawson has extensive experience in drafting and negotiating license agreements, technology transfer agreements and other contracts in areas that include bi...

Gregory P. Hartmann is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Government Relations Practice. Gregory P., who practices law in Cincinnati, Ohio, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Gregory P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Tony Barlow is a trusted commercial real estate and business law attorney based in Cincinnati, serving clients across Ohio and Kentucky. As chair of Strauss Troy’s Real Estate and Finance Department, he advises private and public sector clients on real estate development, commercial leasing, business planning, and complex finance transactions. His real estate work spans mixed-use, retail, office, and residential projects; multi-family housing; 1031 like-kind exchanges; title matters; an...

Donald C. Adams is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Admiralty and Maritime Law. Donald C., who practices law in Cincinnati, Ohio, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Donald C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Sanna-Rae Taylor is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Sanna-Rae, who practices law in Cincinnati, Ohio, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sanna-Rae is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mike Hurst’s practice is concentrated in the area of intellectual property law. He has extensive experience in trademark prosecution, protection and portfolio management, copyright matters, domain names, brand management counseling, social media and Web 2.0 issues, as well as intellectual property licensing, both in the U.S. and internationally. Prior to joining Keating Muething & Klekamp, Mike served as Corporate Counsel-IP at Caterpillar Inc. in Peoria, Illinois. He serves as co-l...

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.

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...

Step into Bob Pitcairn’s office, and you will be greeted by classical music, an uncluttered desk, and a sense of calm not normally associated with litigation (or a litigator’s office). But make no mistake, the business litigation Bob performs with surgical precision often has the highest stakes for his corporate and individual clients. Just as a surgeon would, Bob operates in these cases with a studied approach, a deliberate pace, a steady hand, and no fear of getting a little blo...

Robert R. Sparks is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Robert R., 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 Robert R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.