Brian is a partner in the Municipal Law Practice Group and Litigation Practice Group. He serves as Solicitor for the Village of Shawnee Hills, the Village of Thurston, and the Village of Kirkersville. He also serves as Law Director for the City of Greenfield. Brian has proven experience in all aspects of municipal government, including municipal contracts, water and sanitary sewer agreements, zoning and land use, public meetings and public records law, administrative appeals, police liability, as well as Section 1983 and state tort litigation. Because of this experience, Brian has been retained as an expert witness in municipal law – land and zoning matters.
In addition to his public sector work, Brian is trusted to provide advice to many private and non-profit businesses. He often helps clients navigate through decisions concerning asset purchase agreements, contract drafting and disputes, non-compete agreements, various employment issues, and other matters that affect businesses on a day-to-day basis. As a litigator, Brian has tried numerous bench trials and jury trials and has appeared before several administrative agencies, including the PUCO and the Ohio Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing. He has argued appeals before the Tenth District and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals as well as the Ohio Supreme Court.
Other Practice Areas: Municipal and Local Government Law; Litigation; Real Property; Zoning and Land Use; General Business, Commercial and Civil Litigation; Employment Practices
Speeches and Publications
- Pre-Suit Mediation: An Often Overlooked Risk Management Tool, Public Risk Magazine, February 2009
- The Ohio Supreme Court Agrees with Employers; Trade Secrets, Including Client Lists, Cannot Be Memorized and Used by Former Employees, Courting Success, Spring 2008
- End of Life Issues: Presentation on Living Wills and Powers of Attorney, Church of the Resurrection 2008
- Wallace v. Kato: The Supreme Court Invites Even More Federal Lawsuits Against your Municipality and Police Officers, Public Risk Magazine, March 2007
- To Enjoin or Not to Enjoin: The Supreme Court Will Decide, E-Currents, 2006
- Tort Law Update, Cities and Villages; Journal of the Ohio Municipal League January/February 2005
Professional Memberships and Volunteer Activities
Professional Memberships
American Bar Association – Condemnation, Zoning and Land Use Litigation Section, State and Local Government Law Section, Litigation Section, Government Operations and Liability Committee, Land Use, Planning, and Zoning Committee
Ohio State Bar Association - Young Lawyers Committee Board of Governors (1997 – 1999); Labor and Employment Law Section; Litigation Section
Columbus Bar Association – Admissions Committee, Federal Court Committee, Labor and Employment Law Committee
Licking County Bar Association
Public Risk Management Association – Ohio Chapter Member
Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association
Civic Leadership and Awards
Ohio Super Lawyer Rising Star 2009 and 2010 – Government/Cities/Municipalities
Nationwide Children's Hospital Development Board (2009)
Pelotonia Bike Tour, benefiting The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, Lead Volunteer responsible for all Volunteers in the City of Athens, 2009
Village of New Albany Charter Review Commission (2008 – 2009)
New Albany Chamber of Commerce Board of Trustees (2005 – 2007); 2007 Vice Chair & Legal Advisor; 2006 Executive Recorder & Legal Advisor; 2005 Golf Classic Chair
OSBA Ohio Mock Trial Program State Competition Judge (2003 – 2005, 2009)
Village of New Albany Board of Tax Appeals (2007 – present)
New Albany Community Foundation - Advancement Committee Member (2005 – 2007)
Adventures for Wish Kids, Miracles & Magic Committee Chair (2007 and 2008)
Komen Columbus Race for the Cure Event Volunteer (2000 – 2005)
Muscular Dystrophy Association – MDA Telethon Volunteer (1998 – 2001)
Achievements and Awards
Education
- Juris Doctorate, 1996 The University of Toledo College of Law, Toledo, Ohio
- Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, 1993 The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
Bar Admissions
- Ohio, 1996
- United States District Court - Northern District of Ohio, 1996
- United States District Court - Southern District of Ohio, 1996
- United States Court of Appeals - Sixth Circuit, 1997