Juris Doctor (JD)
Harvard Law School
1971
AV peer review rated, an AV rating is a significant accomplishment - a testament to the fact that a lawyer's peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional and ethical excellence. One of Business First's "Best Attorneys in Columbus."

Columbus Bar Association
Ohio State Bar Association
American Bar Association
All Ohio Courts
U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Southern District of Ohio
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
United States Tax Court
United States Supreme Court
Member of Ohio Bar College, recognizing the fulfillment of twice the minimum required continuing education credits. Regular continuing education instructor for attorneys and financial professionals on business formation and estate planning.
Certified arbitrator for Better Business Bureau
Member, Columbus Bar Business Tax Committee
Member, Columbus Bar Estate and Gift Tax Committee
Member, Columbus Bar Real Estate Law Committee
Former Chair, Columbus Bar Securities Law Committee
Catholic Foundation Professional Advisors Group
Ohio Bar Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Section
Member, Ohio Bar College
Past Secretary, Bankruptcy, Commercial, and Banking Committee

1971
0020229
OH
16+

40 years of experience in working with people, solving their problems, and learning what will help them sleep better at night.
Experience in large and small law firms, corporate legal departments and private business ventures, for the ultimate well-rounded counsel on business, estate planning, and real estate issues.
In re: Cardinal Industries, Inc., United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Ohio Rogers v. Runfola & Associates, Inc. (1991), 57 Ohio St.3d 5

My father always wanted to go to medical school but couldn't afford to. He was very anxious for his boys to get a professional education, and the encouragement he gave me fed my own desire to help other people.
Helping my parents age and die affected the way I practice law and how I advise clients. Having grandchildren and realizing what a new start can mean has had the same effect. As a former owner of several retail stores, I have a personal understanding about what it takes to run a small business.
What makes practicing law rewarding is connecting with people and their values and objectives. Those come to the front more in estate planning issues and also in running small businesses than they do in other areas of the law.
We serve clients with a unique blend of practical advice and a thorough understanding of legal issues. Part of our commitment to excellence is the pride we take in explaining transactions and documents in "plain English," even when the items or issues themselves are complicated. We work diligently to help clients achieve their objectives by clearly presenting all issues and the alternatives to resolve them. By helping clients understand such technical matters, we find they are more comfortable making decisions and implementing the best solutions for themselves.
The ideal client wants to be involved in the legal process but doesn't have to micro-manage it and will allow me to do that.
Spoiling my grandkids and ministry in my church.
The Catholic Foundation Professional Advisors Group; St. Peter Church RCIA Team; liturgical and educational minister at St.Brendan Church; Board of Directors of Emerald City Players and of Prep Academy Schools; General Counsel to Divine Mercy Ministry; Chairman of the Planned Giving Committee, St. Francis deSales High School; Xavier University Alumni Association

A free consultation is available in most cases. When legal advice is expected to be provided at the initial conference with a new client, consultation without charge is usually not appropriate.
For new clients I request a retainer (typically between 50% and 100% of expected total) prior to performing services. The retainer is not intended to be an estimate of the charges, but to insure that the client has made a commitment to the process.

For a typical estate planning package for a married couple (Last Will and Testament, Durable Power of Attorney, and Advanced Directives for each) the typical charge is $700 and with a simple standby trust for children, $1,200.
For most legal services, either a fixed fee or at least a maximum and a minimum charge can be provided. For matters where that is not possible, my hourly rate is $275.00.