Stephen E. Chappelear

Stephen E. Chappelear


Eastman & Smith Ltd.

Recognized since 1995

Columbus, Ohio

Practice Areas

Commercial Litigation

Litigation - Construction

Litigation - Intellectual Property

Litigation - Labor and Employment

Litigation - Trusts and Estates

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2012 - Litigation - Construction
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Steve focuses his practice in the areas of business and complex litigation, construction law, patent and trademark litigation, employment litigation, probate litigation, dispute resolution and appeals. He has 43 years of experience in more than 60 trials (both jury and non-jury).

Among his accomplishments, Steve was listed in the 2004-21 editions of "Ohio Super Lawyers" by Law & Politics magazine; in 2009 and 2017, Steve earned the distinction of being listed one of the Top 100 Super Lawyers in Ohio, and in 2021, among the Top 50 Super Lawyers in Columbus. Steve is AV Preeminent Rated by Martindale-Hubbell, and a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

Steve is a member of the National Council of the OSU Moritz College of Law. He recently served on the Board of Governors of the American Bar Association. He formerly chaired the Litigation Section of the Ohio State Bar Association, the Trial Techniques Committee of the American Bar Association Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section, and the Real Estate and Probate Litigation Committee of the American Bar Association Section of Litigation. He is past president of the Ohio State Bar Foundation, the Ohio State Bar Association, the Columbus Bar Association, the National Conference of Bar Foundations, the OSU Moritz College of Law Alumni Association, and the Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer Inn of the American Inns of Court.

Steve is admitted to practice law in Ohio, before the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Northern Districts of Ohio, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, the U.S. Tax Court and the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. Steve is a frequent author and speaker on a wide range of legal issues.

Contact & Links
Location
  • 100 East Broad Street, Suite 2100
    Columbus, OH 43215
Education
  • The Ohio State University, JD, graduated 1977
  • The Ohio State University, BA, graduated 1974
Bar Admissions
  • Ohio, Ohio
Affiliations
  • American Bar Association - Past Member, Board of Governors
  • Ohio State Bar Association, Litigation Section - Past Chair
  • Ohio State University Moritz College of Law Alumni Society - Past President
  • National Conference of Bar Foundations - Past President
  • National Metropolitan Bar Caucus - Past President
  • American Inns of Court, Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer Inn - Past President
  • American Bar Foundation - Fellow, Past Co-Chair of Ohio Fellows
  • American Bar Association, Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section, Trial Techniques Committee - Past Chair
  • Ohio State Bar Association - Council of Delegates
  • American Bar Association - House of Delegates
  • Ohio State Bar Foundation - Past President
  • Columbus Bar Association - Past President
  • Ohio State Bar Association - Past President

Eastman & Smith Ltd.
Headquarters: Toledo, Ohio

25 The Best Lawyers in America® awards

5 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America awards

Best Law Firms Badge Visit Website View Firm Profile

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2012 - Litigation - Construction
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Litigation - Construction, Columbus, OH (2012)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2024 for work in:
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Litigation - Construction
  • Litigation - Intellectual Property
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment
  • Litigation - Trusts and Estates
Special Focus:
  • Business Disputes
  • Civil Litigation
  • Complex Litigation
  • Construction
  • Contract Disputes
  • Covenants Not to Compete
  • Fraud
  • Trade Secrets
Awards:
  • Bar Service Medal, Columbus Bar Association
  • Columbus West High School Hall of Fame
  • Community Service Award, OSU Moritz College of Law
  • Distinguished Alumni Service Award, Ohio State University College of Arts and Sciences
  • National Wrestling Hall of Fame
  • Pro Bono Award, Ohio Public Interest Law Foundation
  • Ritter Award, Ohio State Bar Foundation

Publications

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