Don retired from the partnership at the end of 2019. While now limiting his client engagements, he remains active in the community. His practice’s focus was on the construction industry, where he leveraged more than three decades worth of experience with a thorough knowledge of the unique challenges facing the industry to help a variety of clients accomplish their objectives. Having assisted clients through both litigation and transactional matters, he has been able to tailor his approach to help clients reach their intended resolution in a cost-effective manner.

A former president of the Builders Exchange of Central Ohio, where he received the Cornerstone Award, as well as a member of the Ohio Board of Building Standards, his familiarity and relationships within the industry allowed his clients to benefit from insight gained only through extensive experience and relationships. From drafting and negotiating contracts to defending and prosecuting construction lien, contract and bond disputes, his practical approach ensured clients’ needs and goals are met in a timely, efficient manner.

Additionally, Don, who spent five years working for the president of the Ohio Senate, has served in a number of administrative and legislative roles, providing him with valuable insight into those processes and their impact on the construction industry. For instance, he assisted in the drafting of Ohio’s mechanics’ lien law, and as a member of the Ohio Board of Building Standards, his work involves establishing Ohio building codes and regulating building officials.

Don also served two terms on Upper Arlington City Council and was mayor and president of council for five of those eight years.

Bar Admissions

Ohio

Court Admissions

U.S. Supreme Court

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio

Education

• The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law (J.D., 1982)
• Union College (B.A., cum laude, 1976)

Significant Accomplishments

• Peer Review Rated AV in Martindale-Hubbell
• Ohio Super Lawyers^®
  • Top 50 attorney in Columbus
  • Top 100 attorney in Ohio
• Chambers USA^®: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Construction
• Appointed by the Ohio governor as first public member of Ohio’s Real Estate Appraiser Board (1989, 1992)
• Appointed by the Ohio governor as the attorney member of the Ohio Board of Building Standards (2009, 2013, 2017, 2021)
• First practicing attorney elected to Board of Directors and then president of Builders Exchange of Central Ohio (1996)
• Arthur E. Cullman Business Person of the Year from Upper Arlington Area Chamber of Commerce (2009, 2012)
• Margine Moul Leadership Award by Leadership Upper Arlington (2010)
• Best Lawyers^®
  • "Lawyer of the Year" in Columbus for Construction Law (2013, 2014)
  • "Lawyer of the Year" in Columbus for Litigation - Real Estate (2015)
  • "Lawyer of the Year" in Columbus for Litigation - Construction (2014, 2017)
  • Litigation - Construction, Litigation - Real Estate, Real Estate and Construction Law
• Top Lawyers by Columbus CEO magazine

Professional Associations

• Ohio State Bar Association, past member

• Past Council of Delegates - District 7 Representative

• Columbus Bar Association

• Real Property Committee
• Construction Committee and Real Property Institute, past chair

• Ohio Senate, legislative assistant to president (1977 - 1980)

• Upper Arlington, Ohio City Council

• Past mayor
• Past president
• Past member

• Builders Exchange of Central Ohio, past president and board member

• Central Ohio Transit Authority, past board member

• Ohio Board of Building Standards, certification committee chair and board member

• Associated General Contractors, member

• Associated Builders and Contractors, Central Ohio Chapter, past board member

• Lakeside Chautauqua, past municipal services committee chair, finance committee chair, and board member

• Mid Ohio Regional Planning Commission, past member

• Ohio Structural Steel & Architectural Metals Association

• The Million Dollar Advocates Forum

• Columbus City Schools, Successful Schools Levy Campaign Committee, past treasurer

• Upper Arlington Board of Health, past president

• Citizens for Upper Arlington Schools, Upper Arlington Schools Levy Campaign Committee, past treasurer

• Upper Arlington Community Improvement Corporation, past director

• Upper Arlington Area Chamber of Commerce, past chair

• Rotary Club of Upper Arlington, member, past board member

• Ohio YMCA Youth in Government Committee, past member

• Upper Arlington Crew, Inc., past president

• Upper Arlington Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, past chair

• Ohio Real Estate Appraiser Board, past chair

• Upper Arlington Civic Association, past director

• Worthington Public Library Board of Trustees, past vice-president and member

• Ohio West Virginia YMCA Board of Trustees, past president