There’s nothing more gratifying to me than solving a big messy puzzle with lots of pieces. Clients come to us with some of the most difficult problems in life. To be entrusted with representing them and trying to solve whatever they bring to us is an awesome and humbling responsibility. Placing that final piece to reveal the entire picture is what drew me to this profession. When a client trusts me to tell their story and bring them justice, that gives me the same satisfaction.
“The minority possess their equal rights, which equal law must protect, and to violate would be oppression.” – Thomas Jefferson
I knew I wanted to be a lawyer when:
I got a C in college chemistry.
My advice for young professionals:
Always be true to yourself and your values, both in practice and life. But never stop exploring and taking chances to find out who you are today and tomorrow.
I like giving back because:
It keeps me rooted and reminds me of what’s truly important.
On the weekends you can find me:
Trying a new recipe or tackling a new project around the house — they give me a sense of completion
Community Involvement
- Sandusky City Commissioners, president
- Civista Bank (Ohio's 9th largest publicly traded bank), board chair
Areas of Practice
- Plaintiffs' trial practice
- Commercial litigation
- Legal Malpractice
- Mediation
- Shareholder and investor litigation
Bar Admissions
- Ohio, 1987
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Ohio
- U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit
Education
- Georgetown University Law Center, Washington, District of Columbia, 1987
- Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia, 1984
- B.A.
- Honors: magna cum laude
Honors & Awards
- Selected for inclusion in the Ohio Super Lawyers® list, 2012 – 2024
- Toledo Business Journal's Who's Who in Toledo Area Law, 2014 – 2019
- Erie County Chamber of Commerce Gallery of Achievers 2021
- Commencement Speaker – Bowling Green State University Firelands Campus, 2014
- Ohio Environmental Counsel – Public Servant Award, 2011
- Ohio Association for Justice – Outstanding Legislator, 2011
- Central Ohio Association for Justice – Outstanding Legislator Award, 2011
- Vietnam Veterans of America, Buckeye State Council – Legislator of the Year, 2010
- Ohio Farmers Union – Legislator of the Year, 2010
- Ohio Sea Grant – Superior Leadership Award, 2009
Professional Associations & Memberships
- Civista Bank, board member, 2013 – present; board chair, 2022-present
- Ohio Supreme Court Task Force on Funding of Ohio Courts, 2012 – 2015
- Erie County Bar Association, 1990 – present, member; Erie-Huron Counties Certified Grievance Committee, 1992 – 2006
- Northern District of Ohio Bar Association Advisory Committee, member
- United States District Court (Federal), Northern Division Advisory Committee 2003 – 2007
- Ohio State Bar Association, member; Judicial Administration and Legal Reform Committee, member, 2013 – present
- American Bar Association, member
- The Association of Trial Lawyers of America, member
- Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers, member
- Ohio Bar Exams, grader, 1995 – 2005 (Ohio Supreme Court)
- Ohio Association for Justice
Elected Positions
- Sandusky City Commissioners, 2014 – present (ex officio mayor 2014 – 2019; vice-mayor 2020-present), 2005 – 2008 (ex officio mayor 2008)
- Ohio Constitutional Modernization Committee, 2011 – 2013
- Ohio House of Representatives 80th District, 2009 – 2012
Pro Bono Activities
- Saints Peter & Paul, Sandusky, lector and eucharistic minister
- Sandusky Central Catholic Education Foundation, director, 1996 – 2008
- Saints Peter & Paul Church Pastoral Council, co-chair 2004 – 2006
Publications
