(Main Office)

Lane, Alton & Horst LLC, located in Columbus, Ohio, is engaged in the general practice of law. Its litigation practice is extensive, including the defense of professional liability claims against physicians and hospitals, lawyers, judges, accountants, architects and engineers. Its lawyers are highly experienced in product liability law, insurance coverage and insurance fraud, employment discrimination, white collar crime, premises liability, personal injury, domestic relations, criminal law and commercial and business litigation.

Lane, Alton & Horst also represents clients in commercial transactions, business associations, banking, environmental law, administrative law, trusts, probate and estate planning. The firm's excellent reputation in the central Ohio legal community was built on more than eight decades work in civil litigation.

Statement of Practice

General Litigation Practice including Construction Law, Employment Law, Legal Malpractice Defense, Medical Malpractice Defense, Pharmacy Law, Nursing Home Litigation, Products Liability, Toxic Torts and Environmental Law, Defense of Real Estate Agents, Brokers and Appraisers, Premises Liability, False Arrest and Imprisonment, Intentional Tort Defense, White Collar Crime Defense, General Criminal Defense, Probate and Estate Planning, Family, Juvenile and Immigration Law, General Business Litigation and Insurance Coverage Analysis and Litigation. Our practice is in all state and federal courts and before all administrative agencies.

Representative Clients:

ABM Industries
Acuity
Allstate Insurance Co.
Auto Owners Insurance Co./Owners Insurance Co.
Capital University
Central Mutual Ins. Co.
Chubb Group of Insurance Cos.
CIGNA
Cincinnati Insurance Co.
Clayton Homes
CNA Insurance
Cooper Foods
Crawford and Co.
Discount Tire Co.
Encompass Insurance Co.
Evans, Mechwart, Hambleton & Tilton
Fleetwood Enterprises
Freymiller, Inc.
Frontier Insurance
Great American Insurance
ITT Hartford
Keller Industries, Inc.
Lennox International
M & A Architects
Mt. Carmel Health
Motorists Mutual Insurance Co.
National Church Residences
National City Bank
Ohio Bar Liability Insurance Co.
Pro National Insurance Co.
Remax
SAFECO Ins. Co.
St. Andrews Episcopal Church
St. Paul Travelers Insurance
State Farm Insurance Companies
The Doctors Co./OHIC
The Kroger Co.
Trinity Lutheran Seminary
Westfield Insurance.

Address

Suite 500, Two Miranova Place
Columbus, OH 43215-7052, (Delaware, Fairfield & Franklin Cos.)

Phone

Phone: 614-228-6885
Fax: 614-228-0146

Website

http://www.lanealton.com

MEMBERS OF FIRM

Mary Barley-McBride (Member) born North Canton, Ohio, July 9, 1961; admitted to bar, 1986, Ohio; 1987, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio; 1992, U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit. Education: The Ohio State University (B.A., 1983); University of Toledo (J.D., cum laude, 1986). Order of the Coif. Member, University of Toledo Law Review. Clerk to the Hon. Norah McCann King, U.S. Magistrate Judge, 1986-1987. Member: Columbus (Member, Construction Law Committee) and Ohio State Bar Associations; Ohio Builders Exchange; Ohio Association of the Associated General Contractors; International Association of Defense Counsel; Defense Research Institute. Practice Areas: Professional Negligence; Medical and Nursing Home Negligence; Pharmacy Law; Medical Malpractice; Construction Litigation; Architectural and Engineering Law; Real Estate Litigation.Email: Mary Barley-McBride

Belinda S. Barnes (Member) born Miami, Florida, October 7, 1963; admitted to bar, 1987, Ohio; 1988, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio. Education: The Ohio State University (B.S., Economics, summa cum laude, 1984); The Ohio State University, College of Law (J.D., with honors, 1987). Beta Gamma Sigma. Volunteer Mediator, Settlement Week. Lawyer Advisor, Westerville North Mock Trial Program, 1992-1993. Member: American Bar Association, 2000-2008; International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC), 2000-2008. Member: Columbus Bar Association (Member, 1987—; Sustaining Member, 2000—; President, 2006-2007; Member, Board of Governors, 2000-2008; Member, Judicial Screening Committee, 1995-1999 and 2006—; Judicial Screening Committee Chairperson, 1996-1997; Member, Judicial Campaign Advertising Committee, 1996—; Judicial Campaign Advertising Committee Chairperson, 2000-2001; Member, Admissions Committee, 1988—; Member, Ad Hoc Subcommittee Evaluating Judiciary Committee Procedures, 1996-1999; Member, Ad Hoc Subcommittee Screening Candidates for Judicial Appointment, 1998-2006; Writer, Courthouse Beat for BAR Briefs, 1998-2008; Member, Numerous other Ad Hoc Subcommittees); Ohio State Bar Association (Member, 1987—; Member, Judicial Campaign Advertising Monitoring Committee, 2002—; Vice Chair, 2002—; Member, Council of Delegates, 2006—; Chair, Council of Delegates Screening Committee, 2006); American Inns of Court, Franklin Inn (President, 2003-2005); Defense Research Institute (DRI); Columbus Association of Civil Trial Attorneys (COACTA); Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys (OACTA). Fellow: Columbus Bar Association Foundation. Practice Areas: Commercial Insurance Defense; Litigation; First and Third Party Insurance Defense.Email: Belinda S. Barnes

Curtis F. Gantz (Member) born Castalia, Ohio, August 25, 1943; admitted to bar, 1968, Ohio; 1973, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio and U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit. Education: Heidelberg University (B.A., 1965); American University; The Ohio State University College of Law (J.D., 1968). Assistant Prosecutor, Franklin County, 1971-1972. Senior Assistant, Columbus City Attorney, 1978-1981. First Assistant City Attorney, 1982-1985. Member: Columbus, Ohio State and American Bar Associations; Inns of Court (Master, 1990-1992). Fellow: Columbus Bar Foundation. Practice Areas: Civil Rights; Civil Litigation; Business Litigation; Commercial Litigation; Personal Injury; Criminal Law.Email: Curtis F. Gantz

Joseph A. Gerling (Member) born Dayton, Ohio, February 25, 1952; admitted to bar, 1977, Ohio; 1978, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio; 1984, U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit; 1996, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio. Education: University of Notre Dame (B.S., cum laude, in Chemical Engineering, 1974); The Ohio State University (J.D., cum laude, 1977). Tau Beta Pi (Engineering Honorary). Member: Columbus, Ohio State and American (Member, Sections of Litigation and Tort and Insurance Practice) Bar Associations; Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys; Columbus Defense Association (Past President); International Association of Defense Counsel; Defense Research Institute; American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). Practice Areas: Products Liability Defense; Medical Malpractice; Personal Injury Defense; Insurance Coverage Defense; Construction Law; Professional Liability.Email: Joseph A. Gerling

Rick E. Marsh (Member) born Columbus, Ohio, December 29, 1936; admitted to bar, 1960, Ohio. Education: The Ohio State University (B.A., cum laude, 1958; J.D., cum laude, 1959). Order of the Coif; Phi Beta Kappa. Member, Teaching Faculty, Capital University Law School, Certified Legal Assistant Program, 1982-1988. Member: Columbus and Ohio State Bar Associations; International Association of Defense Counsel; Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys; Defense Research Institute.. Fellow: The American College of Trial Lawyers; American Board of Trial Advocate. Practice Areas: Accident Insurance; Automobile Insurance; Insurance Bad Faith; Uninsured Motorists Coverage; Legal Malpractice.Email: Rick E. Marsh

Theodore M. Munsell (Member) born Dayton, Ohio, June 26, 1954; admitted to bar, 1979, Ohio and U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio. Education: Ohio Wesleyan University (B.A., 1976); Case Western Reserve University (J.D., 1979). Phi Beta Kappa; Omicron Delta Epsilon. Member, Board of Trustees, Action for Children. Member: Columbus and Ohio State Bar Associations; Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel; Defense Research Institute; Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys; Columbus Defense Association. Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice; Legal Malpractice; Products Liability; Personal Injury Defense; Insurance Coverage; Business Litigation; Commercial Litigation.Email: Theodore M. Munsell

Gregory D. Rankin (Member) born Columbus, Ohio, March 17, 1952; admitted to bar, 1977, Ohio and U.S. District Court, Southern and Northern Districts of Ohio; U.S. Supreme Court. Education: Albion College (B.A., magna cum laude, 1974); The Ohio State University (J.D., 1977). Phi Beta Kappa; Omicron Delta Kappa; Psi Chi. Member: Columbus and Ohio State Bar Associations; Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys (Member, Executive Committee, 1988-1992); Defense Research Institute. Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice; Legal Malpractice; Property Insurance Coverage; Arson and Insurance Fraud; Products Liability Defense; Personal Injury Defense.Email: Gregory D. Rankin

James K. Reuss (Member) born Chicago, Illinois, February 26, 1952; admitted to bar, 1979, Ohio and U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio. Education: Miami University (B.A., 1975); The Ohio State University (J.D., with honors, 1979). Phi Beta Kappa. Member: Columbus, Ohio State and American Bar Associations; Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys; Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel. Practice Areas: Products Liability Defense; Personal Injury Defense; Insurance Coverage Defense; Arson and Property Litigation; Food Illness Defense.Email: James K. Reuss

PARTNERS

Edward G. Hubbard (Partner) born Columbus, Ohio; admitted to bar, 1997, Ohio. Education: Miami University (B.A., 1988); Case Western Reserve University (J.D., 1996). Recipient, Stanley I. and Hope S. Adelstein Environmental Law Award. Member: Columbus and Ohio State Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Litigation; Personal Injury Defense; Professional Liability Defense; Business Litigation.Email: Edward G. Hubbard

Jeffrey W. Hutson (Partner) born New London, Connecticut; admitted to bar, 1966, Ohio; 1970, Hawaii; 1971, U.S. District Court, Southern and Northern Districts of Ohio and U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th and 9th Circuits. Education: University of Michigan (A.B., 1963; LL.B., 1966). Phi Delta Phi. Author: Case Notes, The Construction Lawyer, Summer, 1981-1982. Member, Ohio Supreme Court Committee on Creeds and Professionalism, 1989-1990. Member, National Panel of Arbitrators (Commercial), American Arbitration Association. Instructor, IADC Trial Academy, 1991. Speaker and Panelist on Construction, Mediation and Arbitration. Judge, Ohio State Moritz School of Law Moot Court, Mediation and Settlement Competitions. Member: Columbus (Chairman: Judiciary Committee, 1979-1981; Professional Economics Committee, 1981-1983; Construction Law Committee, 2004—), Ohio State (Chairman, Litigation Section, 1986-1987; Member, Special Committee on Tort Reform, 1995) and American Bar Associations; Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys (Member, Board of Governors, 1979-1984; President, 1982-1983); International Association of Defense Counsel (Chairman, Architectural and Engineering and Construction Law Committee, 1987-1989); Defense Counsel Trial Academy (Faculty, 1991); Columbus Defense Association; Defense Research Institute (Regional Vice President, 1991-1993); American College of Trial Lawyers (Member, State Committee, 1990-1994). Fellow: Columbus Bar Foundation; Ohio Bar Foundation; American Bar Foundation; American College of Trial Lawyers. [U.S. Navy, Judge Advocate, 1967-1971]. Reported Cases: Hocking Conservancy Dist. v. Dodson-Lindblom Assoc., Ohio Supreme Court, Cite: (1980) 62 Ohio St. 2d 195 (architect malpractice, statute of limitations); SÆ Constructs, Inc. v. City of Columbus, Court of Appeals Case, 10th Appellate District. Cite: 1981 Ohio App. LEXIS 14347, affirmed at (1982) 70 Ohio St. 3d 69 (construction disclaimer); Willoughby Hills v. Cincinnati Ins. Co., Ohio Supreme Court Case Cite: (1984)9 Ohio St. 3d 177 (insurance coverage); Kemmerer v. Waste Management, Court of Appeals Case, 5th Appellate District, Cite: 1997 Ohio App. LEXIS 3259 (premises liability); City of Columbus v. Alden E. Stilson & Assocs., Court of Appeals, 10th Appellate District, Cite: (1993) 90 Ohio App. 3d 608, mco (1994) 68 Ohio St.3rd 1461 (indemnity); Bishop v. Waterbeds `n Stuff, Court of Appeals, 10th Appellate District, Cite: 2002 Ohio App. LEXIS 2426 (intentional tort); Shoedinger v. Hess, Court of Appeals, 10th Appellate District, Cite: 2000 Ohio App. LEXIS 2409 (engineering malpractice); Pilarcyzk v. Brightman * Mitchell Arcitects, Inc., et al - mediator. Practice Areas: Alternative Dispute Resolution; Construction Law; Insurance; Insurance Defense.Email: Jeffrey W. Hutson

Douglas J. Schockman (Partner) born Coldwater, Ohio, April 28, 1969; admitted to bar, 1994, Ohio. Education: University of Toledo (B.S., 1991); Capital University (J.D., 1994). Order of Curia. Member: Columbus and Ohio State Bar Associations; Defense Research Institute. Practice Areas: Litigation.Email: Douglas J. Schockman

Thomas E. Switzer (Partner) born Columbus, Ohio, November 3, 1970; admitted to bar, 1997, Ohio and U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio. Education: Capital University (B.A., 1993); Ohio Northern University (J.D., 1996). Member: Columbus and Ohio State Bar Associations; National Society of Professional Insurance Investigators (NSPII). Practice Areas: Insurance Defense Subrogation; Property Subrogation; First Party Insurance; Insurance Fraud; Civil Litigation.Email: Thomas E. Switzer

Stephen B. Yurik (Partner) born Detroit, Michigan; admitted to bar, 1985, Michigan; 1990, Arizona; 1996, Ohio; 1999, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio; 2003, U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit; 2008, U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans' Claims. Education: Michigan State University (B.A., 1982); Wayne State University (J.D., 1985). Member: Columbus and Ohio State Bar Associations; American Immigration Lawyers Association; National Organization of Veterans' Advocates. [Capt., U.S. Army Judge Advocate General Counsel, 1986-1994]. Practice Areas: Employment Visas; Family Immigration Law; Removal Proceedings; Veterans Benefits; Professional Licensing.Email: Stephen B. Yurik

ASSOCIATES

Joshua R. Bills (Associate) born Urbana, Ohio, November 17, 1973; admitted to bar, 1999, Ohio; 2003, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio. Education: Miami University (B.A., Public Administration and Political Science, 1996); University of Toledo College of Law (J.D., cum laude, 1999). Associate, Reminger & Reminger Co., L.P.A., 1999-2002. Member: Columbus Bar Association; Ohio State Bar Association; American Board of Trial Advocates Inns of Court. Reported Cases: State ex. rel. Hina v. Industrial Comm., 121 Ohio St. 3d 4; State ex. rel. ABF Freight Systems, Inc. v. Industrial Comm., 96 Ohio St.3d 80; Kiser v. Coffey, SECOND Appellate District, Champaign County, 2008 Ohio 5170; Baker v. Beshears, Tenth Appellate District, Franklin County, 2008 Ohio 1374; Estate of Heintzelman v. Air Experts, Inc., Fifth Appellate District, Delaware County, 2006 Ohio 4832; Warne v. Bamfield, Fifth Appellate District, Guernsey County, 2006 Ohio 850; Farmers Ins. of Columbus, Inc. v. Lister, Fifth Appellate District, Fairfield County, 2006 Ohio 142; Ind. Ins. Co. v. Barnes, Tenth Appellate District, Franklin County, 165 Ohio App. 3d 262; Browder v. Shea, Tenth Appellate District, Franklin County, 2005 Ohio 4782; Warne v. Bamfield, Fifth Appellate District, Guernsey County, 161 Ohio App. 3d 537; Blount v. Schindler Elevator Corp., Tenth Appellate District, Franklin County, 2003 Ohio 2053. Practice Areas: Products Liability; Personal Injury; Litigation; Malpractice.Email: Joshua R. Bills

Maryellen Corna Reash (Associate) born Columbus, Ohio, 1957; admitted to bar, 1992, Ohio and U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio; 1998, U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit; 2008, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio. Education: The Ohio State University (B.A., with honors and distinction, 1989); Moritz College of Law, The Ohio State University (J.D., 1992). Advises on all employment relations and domestic relations issues. Litigates in all Ohio Courts and administrative agencies. Member: Columbus (Member, Sections on: Labor and Employment Law; Litigation) and Ohio State (Member, Labor and Employment Section Council) Bar Associations. (Certified Specialist in Labor and Employment Law, Ohio State Bar Association). Practice Areas: Labor and Employment(60%); Business Law(5%); Family Law(30%); Litigation(5%).Email: Maryellen Corna Reash

Mary McWilliams Dengler (Associate) born Amityville, New York, 1961; admitted to bar, 1986, Ohio; 1987, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio. Education: Le Moyne College (B.A., 1983); University of Toledo College of Law (J.D., 1986). Delta Theta Phi; Order of the Barristers. Member: National Moot Court Team; Jessup International Moot Court. Member: Columbus and Ohio State Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Real Estate Agent Professional Liability; First and Third Party Insurance Defense; Insurance Coverage Defense; Products Liability; Personal Injury Defense.Email: Mary McWilliams Dengler

Scott A. Fenton (Associate) born Columbus, Ohio, 1967; admitted to bar, 1997, Ohio; 1998, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio. Education: Bowling Green State University (B.A., 1989); Capital University Law School (J.D., 1997). Order of the Curia. Member, Capital University Law Review, 1996-1997. Author: Comment, "School Voucher Programs: An Idea Whose Time Has Arrived," 26 Cap. U. L. Rev. 645, 1997. Member: Columbus Bar Association; Ohio State Bar Association. Reported Cases: Rece v. Dominion Homes, Inc., 2008 Ohio 24 (Ohio App. 2008); Spring Creek Condo. Ass'n v. Colony Dev. Corp., 2008 Ohio 1420 (Ohio App. 2008); Rhodes v. Firestone Tire & Rubber Co., 2008 Ohio 4898 (Ohio App. 2008); State Dep't of Admin. Servs. v. Design Group, Inc., 2007 Ohio 6278 (Ohio App. 2008); Burns v. Rice, 2004 Ohio 3228, 157 Ohio App.3d 620 (Ohio App. 2004). Practice Areas: Business Litigation; Construction Litigation; Real Estate Litigation.Email: Scott A. Fenton

Melissa M. Ferguson (Associate) born Columbus, Ohio, May 22, 1973; admitted to bar, 1998, Ohio and U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio. Education: Indiana University (B.S., 1995); Capital University (J.D., 1998). Member: Columbus and Ohio State Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Premises Liability; Real Estate Litigation; Professional Negligence Litigation; Insurance Defense.Email: Melissa M. Ferguson

Jenifer A. French (Associate) born Columbus, Ohio, January 26, 1974; admitted to bar, 2001, California and U.S. District Court, Southern District of California; 2005, Illinois; 2007, Ohio. Education: The Ohio State University (1996); Thomas Jefferson School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2001). Member: Columbus, Westerville and Ohio State Bar Associations; State Bar of California. Practice Areas: Insurance Defense; Automobile Insurance Defense; Insurance Coverage Defense; Construction Law.Email: Jenifer A. French

Chad K. Hemminger (Associate) born Shelby, Ohio, December 19, 1977; admitted to bar, 2004, Ohio. Education: The Ohio State University (B.A., 2001); Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Cleveland State University (J.D., 2004). Delta Theta Phi. Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Ashland County, Ohio, 2006-2008. Private Practice, 2004-2006. Member: Columbus and Ohio State Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Family Law; First and Third Party Insurance Defense; Commercial Insurance Defense; Criminal Defense; Traffic Violations; Litigation.Email: Chad K. Hemminger

Brendan T. King (Associate) born Youngstown, Ohio, 1977; admitted to bar, 2005, Ohio. Education: University of Kentucky (B.A., 2000); Capital University Law School (J.D., 2003). Member: Columbus (Member, Real Property, Probate Court and Estate & Gift Tax Sections) and Ohio State Bar Associations. Special Agencies: Tri-Village Rotary Club; Upper Arlington Leadership Program, 2006-2007; Upper Arlington Schools Financial Advisory Committee. Practice Areas: Probate; Probate Administration; Real Estate; Estate and Gift Taxation.Email: Brendan T. King

Ray S. Pantle (Associate) born Pennsylvania, February 11, 1980; admitted to bar, 2007, Ohio; 2008, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio and U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit. Education: University of Pittsburgh (B.A., English Writing, summa cum laude, 2003); Capital University Law School (J.D., summa cum laude, 2007). Member: Columbus and Ohio State Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Insurance Defense; Litigation.Email: Ray S. Pantle

Christopher R. Pettit (Associate) born Rochester, New York, October 4, 1967; admitted to bar, 1998, Ohio; U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit; U.S. Court of Federal Claims; U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio. Education: Ohio University (B.S.Ed., cum laude, 1989; M.A., 1992), The Ohio State University College of Law (J.D., 1998). Seminars: "Practical Refresher on Litigation the Ohio Auto Injury Case," National Business Institute (May 2005); "Personal Injury: Practice Tips and Application," National Business Institute (October 2006). Publications: "S.B. 106: Immunizing Political Subdivisions," Trial (Spring 2004). Den Leader, Simon Kenton Counsel, Cub Scouts of America, Pack 98, 2003—. Member: Columbus (Committees Elder Law, Common Pleas) and Ohio State Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Securities Arbitration; Commercial Litigation; Labor and Employment.Email: Christopher R. Pettit

Kimberly M. Schellhaas (Associate) born Worcester, Massachusetts, January 31, 1968; admitted to bar, 1993, Ohio; 1996, Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Education: Michigan State University (B.A., 1990); Capital University (J.D., 1993). Member: Columbus and Ohio State Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Insurance Defense; Litigation; Medical Malpractice; Leasing.Email: Kimberly M. Schellhaas

Claudia L. Spriggs (Associate) born Tucson, Arizona, November 14, 1956; admitted to bar, 1982, California; 2002, Ohio. Education: University of California, Riverside (B.A., 1978); Southwestern University School of Law (J.D., 1981). Member, Alumnae Association of Gamma Phi Beta. Sustaining Member, Association of Junior League. Member: Columbus and Ohio State Bar Associations; State Bar of California; American Board of Trial Advocates; Association of Trial Lawyers of America; Southern California Defense Counsel. Practice Areas: Torts; Insurance Defense; Litigation; Employment Law.Email: Claudia L. Spriggs

Monica L. Waller (Associate) born Findlay, Ohio, January 18, 1974; admitted to bar, 1999, Ohio; 2000, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio. Education: The Ohio State University (B.A., 1996); The Ohio State University College of Law (J.D., 1999). Member: Columbus and Ohio State Bar Associations. Reported Cases: Allstate v. Advent (2008), 118 Ohio St.3d 248. Practice Areas: Litigation; Insurance Defense; Employment Law.Email: Monica L. Waller

ATTORNEYS

Michael J. Kelley (Attorney) born Lancaster, Ohio, March 25, 1956; admitted to bar, 1981, Ohio, U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit and U.S. District Court, Southern and Northern Districts of Ohio; U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Education: Ohio University (B.B.A., Accounting, 1978); The Ohio State University, College of Law (J.D., 1981). Phi Alpha Delta. Member: Columbus Bar Association; Ohio State Bar Association. Reported Cases: Park-Lincoln & Croyle, et al v. Coastal Sales Associates, Inc., et al., United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, 7:99-CV-04583-JSR-MDF; Empire-Detroit Steel Division Cyclops Corp., v. Pennsylvania Electric Coil, Inc. v. Westinghouse Corp., Richland App. No. CA-2903, 1992 Ohio App. LEXIS 3559; Caserta v. Allstate Ins. Co., 14 Ohio App. 3d 167, 470 N.E. 2d 430 (1983); Allen v. CNA, Franklin App. No. 02AP-1249, 2003 Ohio 4689, 2003 Ohio App. LEXIS 4203; Earles v. Smith, Lawrence App. No. 99 CA 28, 2000 Ohio App. LEXIS 3208; Ruggles v. City of Portsmouth, Scioto App. No. 95 CA 2359, 1996 Ohio App. LEXIS 1354; Fout v. Central Soya Inc., Marion App. No. Case No. 9-86-36, 1989 Ohio App. LEXIS 2276; Crow v. Kistler, Fairfield App. No. 25-CA-87, 1987 Ohio App. LEXIS 9993; Partee v. Columbus Medical Center, Inc., Franklin App. No 85AP-677, 1985, Ohio App. LEXIS 9479; Economy Fire & Casualty Company v. Kazee, Franklin App. No. 83AP-1123, 1984 Ohio App. LEXIS 12129; Kellie Auto Sales, Inc. et a. v. Rahbars & Ritters Enterprises, LLC, et al., Franklin App. No. 06AP-1243, 2007-Ohio-4179. Practice Areas: Products Liability Law; Fire, Arson Litigation; Construction Litigation; Construction Claims; Contracts; Commercial Litigation; Personal Injury.Email: Michael J. Kelley

Thomas J. Keener (Attorney) born Ashland, Ohio, February 11, 1948; admitted to bar, 1975, Ohio; U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit; U.S. District Court, Southern and Northern Districts of Ohio; U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan. Education: The Ohio State University (B.A., cum laude, 1970); The Ohio State University, College of Law (J.D., cum laude, 1975). Phi Beta Kappa. Member: Columbus, Ohio State and American Bar Associations; Central Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys; International Association of Defense Counsel. [With U.S. Army, 1970-1971]. Reported Cases: United States Fidelity & Guaranty Co. v. St. Elizabeth Medical Center, 129 Ohio App. 3d 45, 716 N.E. 2d 1201 (1998); Beaver Excavating Co. v. United States Fidelity & Guaranty, 126 Ohio App. 3d 9, 709 N.E. 2d 858 (1998); Simmers v. Bentley, 65 Ohio St. 3d 642, 597 N.E. 2d 504 (1992); ALD Concrete & Grading Co. v. Chem-Masters Corp., 111 Ohio App. 3d 759, 677 N.E. 2d 362 (1996); Colonial Ins. Co. v. Jerman, 102 Ohio App. 3d 384, 657 N.E. 2d 336 (1995); Watts v. General Acc. Ins. Co., 102 Ohio App. 3d 359, 657 N.E. 2d 320 (1995); Young v. All American Ins. Co., 81 Ohio App. 3d 493, 611 N.E. 2d 421 (1992); Auto-Owners Mut. Ins. Co. v. Lewis, 10 Ohio St. 3d 156, 462 N.E. 2d 396 (1964); Hoskins v. Aetna Life Ins. Co., 6 Ohio St. 3d 272, 452 N. E. 2d 1315 (1983); Mills Pride, Inc. v. Continental Ins. Co., 300 F.3d 701 (6th Cir. 2002); Longaberger Co. v. United States Fidelity & Guaranty Co., 31 F. Supp. 595 (S.D. Ohio, E.D., 1998); Lusk v. Imperial Cas. & Indemnity Co., 78 Ohio App. 3d 11, 603 N.E. 2d 420 (Franklin Cty. 1992); Walbrook Ins. Co. Ltd. v. CTL Engineering, Inc., 78 Ohio App. 3d 295, 604 N.E. 2d 779 (Franklin Cty. 1992); Aetna Life Ins. Co. v. Martinez, 7 Ohio App. 3d 178, 454 N.E. 2d 1338 Franklin Cty. 1982); State Ex Rel. Selballos v. School Employees Retirement System, 70 Ohio St. 3d 667 640 N.E. 2d 829 (1994); Beynon v. K-Mart Corp., 839 F.2d 283 (6th Cir., 1988); State Ex. Rel. Fairfield Cty. Bd. of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities v. Fairfield Cty. Budget Comm., 10 Ohio St. 3d 123, 461 N.E. 2d 1297 (1984); Economy Fire & Cas. Co. v. Craft General Contractors, Inc., 7 Ohio App. 3d 335, 455 N.E. 2d 1037 (1982). Practice Areas: Products Liability Law; Insurance Coverage; Property Damage; Personal Injury; Professional Liability; Premises Liability; Commercial Litigation; Appellate Practice; Business Litigation.Email: Thomas J. Keener

OF COUNSEL

David G. Cox (Of Counsel) born Columbus, Ohio, January 20, 1958; admitted to bar, 1989, Ohio; 1990, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio; 2006, U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit. Education: The Ohio State University (B.A., 1982); Capital University (J.D., 1989). Order of the Curia. Former Senior Assistant Attorney General, State of Ohio, Environmental Enforcement Section, August, 1989 - June, 2003. Member: Columbus and Ohio State Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Asbestos Litigation; Environmental Law; Agricultural Law; Litigation.Email: David G. Cox

James W. Lewis (Of Counsel) born Columbus, Ohio, October 31, 1947; admitted to bar, 1975, Ohio; 1978, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio; 1979, U.S. Supreme Court; 1982, U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit; 1990, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio. Education: George Washington University; The Ohio State University (B.A., 1969); Capital University (J.D., cum laude, 1975). Phi Alpha Delta. Member, Order of the Curia. Notes Editor, Capital University Law Review, 1974-1975. Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, 1975-1977. Senior Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, 1977-1979. Director, Economic Crime Unit, Franklin County, 1979-1980. Special Counsel: Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney, 1980, 1983-1987; Noble County Prosecuting Attorney, 1988-1991. Former Member, Board of Trustees and Past President, National Society of Professional Insurance Investigators, 1993-1994. Recipient, Annual George A. Eisnaugle Award of the Ohio Chapter, International Association of Arson Investigators, 1991. Appointed by the Ohio Supreme Court as Commissioner on Board of Unauthorized Practice of Law, 2005—. Member: Columbus (Member: Admission to the Bar Committee, 1978-1980; Professional Ethics and Grievance Committee, 1980-1987; Member, 1988-1994 and Chairman, 1992-1994, Judiciary Committee; Chairman, Law Day Committee, 1985) and Ohio State Bar Associations. [U.S. Army, 1st Lieutenant, Field Artillery (Panama Canal Zone, 1969-1972)]. Languages: Spanish. Practice Areas: Arson and Insurance Fraud; Fire Insurance Defense; First Party Insurance Defense; Property Insurance Defense; Insurance Bad Faith Defense; International Business Law.Email: James W. Lewis

Alan Wayne Sheppard (Of Counsel) born Ashtabula, Ohio, September 6, 1944; admitted to bar, 1970, Ohio; 1971, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio. Education: The Ohio State University (B.S., 1965); The Ohio State University, College of Law (J.D., 1970). Phi Alpha Delta. Member, Buckeye Valley Board of Education, 1981-1991. Member: Columbus (Member, Fee Arbitration Committee), Delaware County (President 2008-2009) and Ohio State Bar Associations; National Association of Trial Advocates (Certified as Trial Advocate, 1999-2009). Special Agencies: Worthington-Linworth Kiwanis; St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Columbus, OH. Practice Areas: Insurance Defense; Civil Litigation; Arbitration and Mediation.Email: Alan Wayne Sheppard