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

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

• “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)

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

• 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

• Ulmer Receives 2023 Diversity Leader Award from Profiles in Diversity Journal
• New Leadership Named to Oversee Ulmer’s Diversity Initiatives
• Ohio Super Lawyers Recognizes 69 Ulmer Attorneys in 2023 Lists
• Ulmer Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© 2023 Report
• Ulmer Partner Alvin Mathews Named to List of Black Leaders Worth Watching
• Ohio Super Lawyers Recognizes Ulmer Attorneys in 2022 Lists
• Ulmer Announces Promotion of Eight Attorneys
• Ulmer Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© 2022 Report
• Ohio Super Lawyers Honors Ulmer Attorneys in 2020 Lists
• Ulmer Continues to Grow Columbus Office with Addition of Ethics Counsel