Alvin E. Mathews, Jr.

Partner | Chief Diversity Officer

As a former Assistant Disciplinary Counsel in the Office of Disciplinary Counsel for the Supreme Court of Ohio, Alvin is recognized as a lawyer’s lawyer who is called upon to represent solo practitioners, in-house counsel, and law firms on a variety of ethics and professional liability matters. Because of his considerable experience and knowledge, Alvin has been asked to provide representation on hundreds of legal ethics advisory opinions and lawyer discipline case investigations, including nearly 100 lawyer discipline trials and more than 20 oral arguments before the Supreme Court of Ohio.

Alvin is a litigator with experience in complex business and professional liability matters. He is also relied upon by other litigators to serve as an expert witness on lawyer conduct questions and has presented more than 200 continuing legal education seminars and published many articles on lawyers’ ethical responsibilities. Recognized for his talent and skill, Alvin has been recognized by Ohio Super Lawyers every year since 2011 and named to The Best Lawyers in America© for Administrative & Regulatory Law.

Education & Admissions

Education

  • Miami University

    (A.B., 1984)

  • Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law

    (J.D., 1987)

    National Moot Court Team; National Privacy Law Team, Appellate Advocacy Award; American Jurisprudence Award, Trial Practice

Admissions

  • State of Ohio
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio

Experience

REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE

  • Advises attorneys and law firms regarding compliance with local rules of professional conduct.
  • Provides confidential advisory opinions on a wide variety of ethics and professional liability topics, including client-lawyer confidentiality, lawyer advertising, social networking and websites, conflicts of interest, Interest on Lawyer Trust Account (IOLTA) management issues, fee disputes, terminating representation, multi-jurisdictional practice, unauthorized practice of law, sale and purchase of law firm practices, and ex-parte contact with employees.
  • Reviews and responds to hundreds of ethics complaints, ranging from simple neglect of communication to severe malpractice.
  • Guides attorneys through the disciplinary process, including when disciplinary commissions enforce formal disciplinary action, such as public reprimand, term suspension, indefinite suspension, or permanent disbarment.
  • Represents lawyers in disciplinary hearings and trials, including arguing cases before the Supreme Court of Ohio.
  • Offers bar admissions advice and representation for law students and graduates regarding law school and bar applications, character and fitness interviews, and admission proceedings.
  • Provides expert witness testimony on legal ethics issues, including disqualification, liability and ethical responsibility, and legal fees.
  • Provides counsel in complex business litigation matters, including trade secret disputes and the defense of legal malpractice cases.

Publications & Presentations

Publications

  • “As Cyber Risks Surge, Remember Attorneys’ Ethical Duties,” Law360 (April 2022)
  • “Ethics Encore: Ethical Obligations Related to Cybersecurity,” Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal (November 2021)
  • Columbus Bar Association Lawyers Quarterly, Past Contributing Author

Presentations

  • “Keeping It Professional: A Discussion on Professional Conduct,” Ulmer Webinar (December 2022)
  • “Anatomy of a Disciplinary Case,” Miller-Becker Seminar, Ohio State Bar Association (October 2022)
  • Legal Ethics: Meeting Professional Obligations in the Midst and Aftermath of the COVID-19 Pandemic,” Ulmer Webinar (April 2020)
  • “What Every Competent Real Estate Professional Needs to Know About Ethics,” Columbus Bar Association Real Property Law Institute (February 2020)
  • “Professionalism,” Young Lawyer Connect, Ohio State Bar Association, Columbus, Ohio (December 2018)
  • “Legal Ethics,” Developments in Labor and Employment Law, Columbus, Ohio (November 2018)
  • “Recent Developments,” 2018 Ethics & Professionalism Seminar, Columbus, Ohio (November 2018)
  • “Ethics/Professionalism,” 2018 Fall Consumer Bankruptcy Seminar, Columbus, Ohio(October 2018)
  • “Professionalism,” Young Lawyer Connect: Professionalism, Law Office Management & Client Funds Management, Ohio State Bar Association, Columbus, Ohio (June 2018)
  • “Panel Discussion: Engagement Agreements,” Professional Responsibility Seminar, Capital University, Columbus, Ohio (April 2018)
  • “Best Practices in Disciplinary Investigations,” Annual Miller Becker Seminar, Columbus, Ohio (October 2017)
  • “Ethics & Professionalism in Technologically Advancing World,” Columbus, Ohio (December 2017)
  • “Top 10 Ways to Avoid Malpractice and Discipline,” 54th Annual Midwest Labor and Employment Law Seminar, Columbus, Ohio (October 2017)

Involvement

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

  • Law360 Legal Ethics Editorial Advisory Board (2021)
  • Columbus Bar Foundation (Fellow)
  • Ohio State Bar Foundation (Fellow)
  • Ohio State Bar Association (Former Council of Delegates Member)
  • Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer Inn of Court (Former Member)

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

  • Miami University Alumni Association (Board of Directors, 2005-2009)
  • Habitat for Humanity (Former Board Member)

FIRM INVOLVEMENT

  • Chief Diversity Officer

Honors

  • Named to the Ohio Super Lawyers List (2011-2023)
  • The Best Lawyers in America, Administrative & Regulatory Law (2016-2023)
  • Designated Best Lawyers Administrative / Regulatory Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Columbus (2022)
  • Named a Diversity Leader by Profiles in Diversity Journal (2023)
  • Named a “Black Leader Worth Watching” by Profiles in Diversity Journal (2021)
  • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated – Martindale-Hubbell