(Main Office)

Downes Fishel Hass Kim LLP defends companies, business entities, public officials, and the owners and boards of these companies, and private individuals. The Firm's philosophy is to provide services that promote the development of management systems and human resource management to maximize the goals and direction of the organization and to avoid and minimize conflict. This includes employee and supervisory training, the development and implementation of policies and procedures, and consultation. Vigorous representation is the first concern with consideration to both the short and long term effects. Services are provided to unionized, non-unionized, and mixed unionized/non-unionized clients. The Firm's perspective is pro-management.

The Firm also represents clients in pretrial, trial and appellate stages of litigation in both federal and state court and related administrative matters. Our litigation practice includes the defense of discrimination and harassment suits, Constitutional matters, professional partnerships and small business litigation, corporate dissolutions and shareholder disputes, wrongful termination, wage and hour, Family Medical Leave, Fair Labor Standards Act, and other civil actions.

The Firm's defense philosophy is proactive, while maintaining a balance between appropriate defenses without unnecessary discovery or discovery disputes. The Firm focuses on both the short-term and long-term impact of litigation. A concerted effort is placed on determining issues of liability as early as possible in litigation, allowing the client to make informed decisions concerning case resolution. The Firm is flexible as to services based on clients' needs and wishes. The attorneys regularly work in conjunction with all levels of management staff, legal advisors, officers, and directors providing advice, background information, research and/or consultation on specific issues.

Statement of Practice

Labor and Employment, Municipal Law, Litigation, Insurance Defense and Public Officials Liability, Workers' Compensation, Public Records, Immigration, Zoning, Planning and Land Use, Administrative Law, Construction Law.

Address

One Americana Building
400 S. Fifth St., Ste. 200
Columbus, OH 43215-5430, (Delaware, Fairfield & Franklin Cos.)

Phone

Phone: 614-221-1216
Fax: 614-221-8769

Website

http://www.dhflaw.com

PARTNERS

Jonathan J. Downes (Senior Partner) born Canton, Ohio; admitted to bar, 1979, Ohio; U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio and U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit. Education: Virginia Polytechnic Institute (B.S., B.A., 1976); Case Western Reserve University (J.D., 1979). Phi Alpha Delta; Alpha Kappa Psi. Recipient: Award of Excellence, OHPELRA, 2002; Pacesetter Award for Public Sector Labor and Employee Relations, NPELRA, 2002; Award of Excellence in Public Service, County Commissioners Association of Ohio, 2002. Author: "Civil Service Law in Ohio," 1993 and annual update of Ohio Civil Service and Collective Bargaining Laws Annotated (West). Member, Board of Directors, Cornerstone Academy Community School; Granville Public Library Association. Named for inclusion with Central Ohio Top Lawyers 2009 and Best Lawyers in America 2009. Member: Licking County, Ohio State and Columbus Bar Associations. (Certified Specialist in Labor and Employment Law, Ohio State Bar Association). Special Agencies: Ohio Management Lawyers' Association; Ohio Public Labor Relations Association; The Ohio Public Employers Labor Relations Association (Charter Member; Past President; Past Member, Board of Trustees); The National Public Employers Labor Relations Association; Central Ohio Labor and Employment Relations Association (Officer). Practice Areas: Labor Law; Human Resource Management; Employment Law; Labor Negotiations; Mediation; Arbitration; Contracts; Civil Service Law; Civil Litigation.Email: Jonathan J. Downes

Marc A. Fishel (Partner) admitted to bar, 1987, Ohio; U.S. District Court, Southern and Northern Districts of Ohio, and U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit. Education: Cleveland State University (B.A., summa cum laude, 1984); The Ohio State University College of Law (J.D., 1987). Recipient: Pacesetter Award, OHPELRA, 2007. Member: Ohio State and Columbus Bar Associations. Special Agencies: Ohio Public Employers Labor Relations Association (OHPELRA); National Public Employers Labor Relations Association (NPELRA). Reported Cases: Speiser v. Engle, 107 Fed. Appx. 459, 2004 U.S. App. Lexis 15749 (6th Cir. 2004); E. Shawnee Tribe of Okla. v. Ohio, 2007 U.S. Dist. Lexis 24767 (N.D. Ohio 2007); Mulvin v. City of Sandusky, 320 F. Supp. 2d 672, 2004 U.S. Dist Lexis 10736 (N.D. Ohio 2004); State ex rel. Craig v. Scioto County, 117 Ohio St. 3d 706, 882 N.E. 2d 435, 2008 Ohio Lexis 396 (2008); Cleveland Bar Ass'n v. CompManagement, Inc., 104 Ohio St. 3d 168, 2004 Ohio 6506, 818 N.E. 2d 1181, 2004 Ohio Lexis 2887 (2006); Kirkhart v. Keiper, 101 Ohio St. 3d 377, 2004 Ohio 1496, 805 N.E.2d 1089, 2004 Ohio Lexis 699 (2008); 15 Am. Disabilities Cas. (BNA) 853; 93 Fair Empl. Prac. Cas. (BNA); 1216 State ex rel. Glass, Molders, Pottery, Plastics & Allied Workers Int'l Union v. State Employment Relations Bd., 70 Ohio St. 3d 252, 1994 Ohio 383, 638 N.E.2d 556, 1994 Ohio Lexis 1994 (1994); Greene County Dep't of Job & Family Servs. v. Ohio Pub. Emples. Ret. Sys., 2008 Ohio 642, 2008 Ohio App. Lexis 560 (10th App. Dist. 2008); Adams v. Crawford County Bd. of Comm'rs, 2007 Ohio 6966, 2007 Ohio App. Lexis 6099 (3rd App. Dist 2007); City of Portsmouth v. FOP, 2006 Ohio 4387, 2006 Ohio App. Lexis 4284 (4th App. Dist. 2006); 182 L.R.R.M 2566 Barr v. Harrison County Common Pleas Court, 2006 Ohio 1348, 2006 Ohio App. Lexis 1211 (10th App. Dist 2006); City of Lancaster v. FOP, 2006 Ohio 1380, 2006 Ohio App. Lexis 1252 (5th App. Dist 2006); City of Reynoldsburg v. FOP, 2003 Ohio 6933; 2003 Ohio App. LEXIS 6188 (10th App. Dist. 2003); 9 Wage & Hour Cas. 2d (BNA) 593; 174 L.R.R.M. 2412; 149 Lab. Cas. (CCH) P34,822); 85 Empl. Prac. Dec. (CCH) P41,638 Swearingen v. Crawford County, 2003 Ohio 1810, 2003 Ohio App. Lexis 1715 (3rd App. Dist. 2003); Eisman v. Clark County Dep't of Human Services, 2002 Ohio 6781, 2002 Ohio App. Lexis 6571 (2nd App. Dist 2002); Yahraus v. City of Circleville, 2001 Ohio 2538, 2001 Ohio App. Lexis 3469 (4th App. Dist. 2001); Yahraus v. City of Circleville, 2000 Ohio 2019, 2000 Ohio App. Lexis 6315 (4th App. Dist. 2000); Ohio Ass'n of Pub. Sch. Emples., Local 530 v. State Empl. Rels. Bd., 138 Ohio App. 3d 832, 742 N.E.2d 696, 2000 Ohio App. Lexis 3789 (10th App. Dist 2000); 168 L.R.R.M. 2467 Royster v. Circleville Civil Serv. Comm'n, 1996 Ohio App. Lexis 1506 (4th App. Dist. 1996); Ohio Civil Serv. Employees Ass'n, AFSCME, Local 11 v. Ohio Dep't of Transp., 104 Ohio App. 3d 340, 662 N.E.2d 44, 1995 Ohio App. Lexis 2239 (10th App. Dist. 1995 (for Amicus); Kelly v. Fraternal Order of Police Ohio Labor Counsel, 1995 Ohio App. Lexis 558 (2nd App. Dist 1995); Ohio Council 8, American Fed'n of State, County & Mun. Employees v. City of Bucyrus, 1994 Ohio App. Lexis 2588 (10th App. Dist. 1994); Desmond v. Department of Administrative Services, 1992 Ohio App. Lexis 4572 (10th App. Dist 1992); Turner v. Madison Correctional Inst., 1992 Ohio App. Lexis 4426 (2nd App. Dist 1992); Franklin County Sheriff's Dep't v. Fraternal Order of Police, 78 Ohio App. 3d 158, 604 N.E.2d 189, 1992 Ohio App. Lexis 339 (10th App. Dist. 1992); Franklin County Sheriff's Dep't v. Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge No. 9, 64 Ohio App. 3d 684, 582 N.E.2d 669, 1991 Ohio App. Lexis 4426 (10th App. Dist 1991); Martin v. Franklin County Sheriff's Dep't, 1991 Ohio App. Lexis 3139 (10th App. Dist 1991); McDonald v. Dayton, 1990 Ohio App. Lexis 5105 (2nd App. Dist 1990); McGrady v. Ohio Dep't of Mental Retardation & Developmental Disabilities, 1990 Ohio App. Lexis 2672 (10th App. District 1990); Ford v. Ohio Dep't of Natural Resources, 67 Ohio App. 3d 755, 588 N.E.2d 884, 1990 Ohio App. Lexis 2087 (10th App. Dist. 1990); Short v. Ohio Dep't of Taxation, 1990 Ohio App. Lexis 1269 (10th App. Dist. 1990); Martin v. City of Cambridge, 2007 Ohio 2172, 2007 Ohio App. Lexis 2025 (5th App. Dist 2007); Tudor v. Mayfield, 62 Ohio App. 3d 633, 577 N.E. 2d 367, 1989 Ohio App. Lexis 1521 (2nd App. Dist 1989). Practice Areas: Labor and Employment Relations; Contract Negotiations; Mediation; Conflict Resolution; Arbitration; Collective Bargaining; Civil Litigation; Labor and Employment; Civil Service; Employee Drug Testing; Employment Litigation; Management Employment Law; Public Sector Collective Bargaining; Title VII Discrimination; Union Contract Negotiations; Government; Government Risk Management; Public Officials Liability; Defense Litigation; Litigation.Email: Marc A. Fishel

Cheri B. Hass (Partner) admitted to bar, 1995, Ohio; U.S. District Court, Southern and Northern Districts of Ohio, U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, and U.S. Supreme Court. Education: The Ohio State University (B.A., 1989); University of Toledo (J.D., 1995). Member: Columbus, Ohio State and Federal Bar Associations. Special Agencies: National Sheriff's Association Legal Affairs Committee. Practice Areas: Employment Litigation; Appellate Practice; Discrimination; Harassment; Wrongful Termination; First Amendment Retaliation Charges; Whistleblower Litigation; Labor and Employment; Law Enforcement Liability.Email: Cheri B. Hass

Edward S. Kim (Managing Partner) born Seoul, South Korea; admitted to bar, 1994, Ohio; U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio. Education: Miami University (B.A., 1989); University of Akron (J.D., 1994). Member: Ohio State, Columbus and American Bar Associations; American Immigration Lawyers Association. Special Agencies: Young Asian American Professional Network, Deacon Member Korean Church of Columbus. Reported Cases: Soler v. Evans, St. Clair & Kelsey, 94 Ohio St. 3d 432, 2002 Ohio 1246, 763 N.E. 2d 1169, 2002 Ohio Lexis 666 (2002); Athens County Comm'rs v. Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Ass'n, 2007 Ohio 6895, 2007 Ohio App. Lexis 6044, (4th App. Dist 2007); Soler v. Evans, St. Clair & Kelsey, 2004 Ohio 679, 2004 Ohio App. Lexis 594 (10th App. Dist 2004); Pulizzi v. City of Sandusky, 2003 Ohio 5853, 2003 Ohio App. Lexis 5200 (6th App. Dist. 2003); Soler v. Evans, 2000 Ohio App. Lexis 4395 (10th App. Dist. 2000); Sebasta v. Holtsberry, 200 Ohio App. Lexis 4017 (5th App. Dist 2000). Languages: Korean. Practice Areas: Labor and Employment; Workers Compensation; Immigration Law; Collective Bargaining; Employment Arbitration; Management Employment Law; Public Sector Collective Bargaining; Unfair Labor Practices; Union Contract Negotiations; Immigration and Naturalization; Business Immigration; Employment Immigration; Family Immigration Law; Government; Township Law; Litigation.Email: Edward S. Kim

Benjamin S. Albrecht (Partner) born 1975; admitted to bar, 2000, Ohio; U.S. District Court, Southern and Northern Districts of Ohio; U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit. Education: University of Chicago (B.A., History, 1997); The Ohio State University College of Law (J.D., 2000). Law degree from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law; Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of Chicago. Representations of public and private employers in all areas of labor and employment matters; Experience in conducting contract negotiations sessions, mediation, conflict resolution and arbitration. Presents seminars regarding various employment and personnel issues including ADA, FMLA, FLSA, unlawful discrimination and harassment, discipline, attendance, and legal updates. Contributing Author: "Legal Considerations of Entry Level Hiring," The Complete Guide to Hiring Law Enforcement Officers by the Law Enforcement Foundation, Inc. Member: Ohio State and Columbus Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Employment Law; Labor Law; Collective Bargaining; Arbitration; Civil Litigation.Email: Benjamin S. Albrecht

ASSOCIATES

David A. Riepenhoff (Associate) admitted to bar, 2002, Ohio; 2004, South Carolina; U.S. District Court, Southern and Northern Districts of Ohio, U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit and U.S. Supreme Court. Education: Otterbein College (B.A., Business Administration, 1999); Capital University (J.D., 2002). Member: The Ohio State Bar and The Columbus Bar Association. Special Agencies: 2007 Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Star; Nationwide Children's Hospital Development Board; Adjunct Professor - Otterbein College MBA School. Practice Areas: Employment Law; Labor Law; Workers Compensation; Employment Litigation.Email: David A. Riepenhoff

Todd M. Ellsworth (Associate) born Blossburg, Pennsylvania; admitted to bar, 2004, Ohio; U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio; U.S. District Court, Northern District; U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit. Education: United States Naval Academy (Economics, 1994); Ohio State University (J.D., 2004). Tri-partite Arbitration Panel Member, U.S. Department of Education; Recipient of Ohio Super Lawyers 2009 as Ohio Rising Star based on peer recognition and professional achievement. Member: Ohio State, Columbus and American Bar Associations. [Surface Warfare Officer, United States Navy, 1994-2001]. Special Agencies: Central Ohio Labor and Employment Relations Association. Reported Cases: Green County Dep't of Job & Family Servs. v. Ohio Pub. Emples. Ret. Sys., 2008 Ohio 642, 2008 Ohio App. Lexis 560 (10th App. Dist. 2008); City of Lancaster v. FOP, 2006 Ohio 1380, 2006 Ohio App. Lexis 1252 (10th App. Dist 2006). Practice Areas: Labor and Employment; Workers Compensation; Civil Litigation; Arbitration; Public Records; Americans with Disabilities Act; Collective Bargaining; Disability Discrimination; Employee Discipline; Labor Arbitration; Management Labor Law; Public Sector Employment Law; Uniformed Services Employment; Government; Government Agency Practice; Education Law; School Law.Email: Todd M. Ellsworth

Brad E. Bennett (Associate) born 1973; admitted to bar, 2003, Ohio; U.S. District Court, Southern and Northern Districts of Ohio and U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit. Education: Ohio University (B.S., Communications, 1996); Capital University (J.D., cum laude, 2003). Cum laude from Capital University Law School in Columbus, Ohio; Bachelor of Science from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, with a major in Communications and a minor in Business Administration. Brad also has several years of experience in Human Resources Management. Experienced Federal and State Court litigation attorney; Assists clients with collective bargaining, various labor and employment law matters, unemployment compensation, human resource audits, public sector agency administration, and small business consulting and formation. Brad conducts training and seminars throughout Ohio on various labor and employment law topics including the FMLA, Discrimination and Harassment, and the ADA. Brad is an adjunct professor for the Keller Graduate School where he teaches Employment Law, Labor Law, and Human Resources Management. Recipient of 2009 Burton Award, recognized for effective legal writing. Member: American, Columbus, Fairfield County and Ohio State Bar Associations. Special Agencies: Adjunct Instructor: Keller Graduate School; Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce; Human Resource Association of Central Ohio. Practice Areas: Employment Law; Labor Law; Civil Litigation; Business Entities; Construction Law.Email: Brad E. Bennett

Paul M. Bernhart (Associate) admitted to bar, 2005, Ohio; U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio; U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio. Education: The Ohio State University (B.A., 2002); Capital University (J.D. cum laude 2005). Member: Columbus, Ohio State and American Bar Associations. Special Agencies: Council Member of Young Lawyers Society; Central Ohio Labor and Employment Relations Association. Practice Areas: Labor and Employment; Litigation.Email: Paul M. Bernhart

Frank Hatfield (Associate) admitted to bar, 2007, Ohio; U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio. Education: Franklin University (B.S., magna cum laude, 2002); Capital University Law School (J.D., 2007) Order of the Curia. Member: Columbus, Ohio State and American Bar Associations; American Inns of Court. Practice Areas: Workers Compensation; Labor and Employment.Email: Frank Hatfield