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No different than most kids, I dreamt of being a hero as a child—and there was no bigger hero in my life than my father. He often told us stories about the people who were relying on him to resolve their tragedies; I always knew that was the kind of person I wanted to be. After earning my law degree from the University of Dayton in 1991, I joined the firm and began helping those who had been harmed with no place to go for justice.

“That the universe is a communion of subjects rather than a collection of objects is the central commitment of the Ecozoic. Existence itself is derived from and sustained by this intimacy of each being with every other being of the universe.” Brian Swimme and Thomas Berry, The Universe Story

The people who inspire me:

Those who work with emotionally and physically challenged children. They are true heroes.

My advice for young professionals:

Get involved with your community and the people in it as soon as possible.

I like giving back because:

It reminds me that I have opportunities that are not always available to others. It enables me to open doors for people that can lead to them reaching their full potential.

On the weekends you can find me:

At the family farm. I want to step away from technology, clear my mind, and get my hands dirty. Working with the Earth my grandparents farmed, we are growing trees and recovering prairie for future generations. We also grow vegetables, and we are enjoying the best of organic, local sourcing.

Community Involvement

• Erie County Board of Health, board member
• James H. McBride Arboretum, board member

Areas of Practice

• Plaintiffs' trial practice
• Personal injury
• Wrongful death actions
• Mediation
• Medical malpractice
• Railroad law
• Trucking litigation
• Admiralty and maritime law
• Business and insurance litigation

Certification/Specialties

• Board Certified Civil Trial Advocate, National Board of Trial Advocacy, 2000 – present

Bar Admissions

• Ohio, 1991
• U.S. District Court Northern District of Ohio, 1992
• U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 1992
• U.S. Court of Federal Claims

Classes/Seminars Taught

• Constitutional Law and Civil Rights, guest lecturer

Honors & Awards

• Best Lawyers in America®, Litigation-Insurance, Personal Injury Litigation-Plaintiffs, 2018 – present
• Best Lawyers Lawyer of the Year, Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs 2020 - 2021
• Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney, 2000 – present
• Selected for inclusion in the Ohio Super Lawyers® list, 2004 – 2020
• National Association of Distinguished Counsel Nation's Top One Percent, 2015
• Toledo Business Journal's Who's Who in Toledo Area Law, 2014 – 2020

Other Memberships

• Dock of the Bay Marina, managing partner
• Erie County Board of Health, board member
• James H. McBride Arboretum, board member
• Erie & Ottawa Counties Mental Health and Recovery Board, 2013-18
• Erie County Public Defenders Board, appointed by the Erie County Commissioners, past president; board member, 1993 – 1999
• Sandusky Central Catholic School Board, member 2007 – present; president, 2010 – 2012
• Sandusky State Theater Board, 2007 – 2010
• Volunteer Center Board, past president, 1994 – 2000

Representative Cases

• Oatman v. InfoCision, Inc., et al., 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 106453 (N.D. Ohio 2013)
• Cooney v. Nationwide Mut. Ins. Co., 2011-Ohio-105 (8th Dist. Court of Appeals 2011)
• Swaisgood v. Puder, 118 Ohio St.3d 445, 2008-Ohio-3177 (Ohio Supreme Court 2008)
• Swaisgood v. Puder, 2007-Ohio-307 (6th App. Dist. 2007)
• Borda v. Sandusky Limited, 166 Ohio App.3d 318, 2006-Ohio-2112 (6th App. Dist. 2006)
• Below v. Dollar General Corporation, 163 Ohio App.3d 694, 2005-Ohio-4752 (3rd App. Dist. 2005)
• Karr v. Borchardt, 88 Ohio St.3d 577 (Ohio Supreme Court 2000)