Don’s practice focuses on civil litigation in the area of medical defense litigation, transportation, maritime and wrongful death and injury.  He defends hospitals, corporations, nursing homes, and physicians.  He counsels clients on risk management and quality assurance matters. Don has successfully tried numerous jury trials, bench trials, and arbitrations as lead counsel in state and federal courts in Ohio and Kentucky. If you ask Don what he loves about practicing law, he will tell you that he feels the law to be infinitely interesting and still enjoys the challenges presented.

Experience

  • Assists business clients in entity selection, formation, initial start-up and drafting operating agreements.
  • 8 successful motions to dismiss claims against hospital based on Ohio statute of repose
  • Defense verdict for surgeon in case involving flash fire in throat during laser surgery
  • Extensive experience in all aspects of commercial contract negotiations
  • Assists clients in estate planning matters
  • Representation of clients in connection with enforcement of non-competition agreements, breach of contract, and tortuous interference with contract.
  • Representation of transportation companies in maritime and inland marine matters
  • Representation of commercial clients in injunctive matters
  • Extensive litigation experience in commercial, probate and personal injury matters

Honors

  • Received AV peer rating by Martindale-Hubbell – a reflection of having achieved the highest level of professional skill and integrity a lawyer can earn
  • Best Lawyers in America – Southwest Ohio, Admiralty & Maritime Law (2013-2016)

Admissions

  • State of Ohio
  • Commonwealth of Kentucky
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Kentucky
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

Professional Affilations

  • Cincinnati Bar Association (Admissions Committee since 1995)
  • Ohio State Bar Association
  • Kentucky Bar Association
  • Northern Kentucky Bar Association
  • Maritime Law Association of the United States (River and Ocean Towing Committee Member)
  • Transportation Lawyers Association
  • Potter Stewart Inn of Court (Master and Lecturer)
  • Claims and Litigation Management Alliance
  • Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys (Guest Lecturer)
  • United States District Court for Southern District of Ohio (Mediator)
  • Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce
  • Business Network International
  • Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas Committee

Community Involvement

  • Stepping Stones (Former Board Member)
  • Tall Stacks (Past Law Committee Member)
  • Cincinnati Athletic Club (Past Vice President, Board of Directors)
  • Anderson Township Board of Zoning Appeals (Past Chairman)

Publications

Contributing Author, “Anderson’s Ohio Personal Injury Litigation Manual,” Lexis Nexis publication of Anderson’s Ohio Practice Manual Series (November 2009)

Education

  • University of Cincinnati College of Law (J.D., 1982)
  • Miami University (B.A., 1979)