Best Lawyers^® - Purely Peer Review^™

Jerry has been successfully trying cases since he received his law licence. His career with the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office in 1974 as an Assistant Prosecutor, where he tried over 75 cases in a three-year period. In less than two years, he was lead counsel in a death penalty case and obtained a conviction under Ohio's new death penalty statute. He entered private practice in 1977 after taking courses in gross anatomy and clinical pathology at The Ohio State University School of ...

Philip R. Westerman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Philip R., who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Philip R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Paul Garinger is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law. Paul, who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Paul is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Matthew Brown, Partner and Chair of the Litigation Practice Group, joined Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP in 2008 and concentrates his practice on insurance coverage, business litigation, securities, and intellectual property. Matt represents clients in court (including hearings seeking injunctive relief), arbitration, mediation, and various regulatory and administrative proceedings. He has successfully argued cases in the United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, numerous Federal Distri...

Kevin E. Griffith practices primarily in the areas of business competition litigation and employment litigation. He has extensive litigation experience in cases involving corporate raiding and interference with contract claims, and enforcing and defending employment contracts, trade secrets and covenants-not-to-compete. He has defended hundreds of employment discrimination and wrongful termination cases, including several seminal cases before the Ohio Supreme Court. In addition, Kevin counsel...

James V. Maniace is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law, Energy Law, Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. James V., who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James V. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Patrick D. Cornelius is a thoughtful, creative adviser, whether regarding strategic transactions or general business counseling. Pat makes it a priority to understand his clients’ goals, objectives and concerns and offer practical advice to help them solve problems, realize and execute on advantageous opportunities, and balance risk and reward. Pat has extensive experience leading M&A transactions for acquirers and targets, as well as advising clients on joint venture, capital raisi...

J. Thomas “Tom” Nocar is a partner in the firm’s Litigation Practice Area in the Columbus office. Tom dedicates his practice to construction law and construction businesses. Before becoming a construction lawyer, Tom spent 26 years managing construction projects. This experience provides him with a unique set of skills to offer his clients—broad technical knowledge of the commercial construction industry and a practical approach to dispute avoidance and resolution. Tom...

Kevin Stanek brings nearly a decade of experience working in the executive and legislative branches of Ohio state government, including as Gov. John R. Kasich's assistant director of policy for asset management and assistant chief counsel. Kevin’s hands-on government experience supports him in providing practical solutions and comprehensive plans of action for clients. Kevin represents governmental clients on policy matters and other legal issues before the Ohio General Assembly, execut...

Lisa Kathumbi represents and advises companies, ranging from small businesses to Fortune 100 companies, in a broad range of labor and employment matters arising under state and federal law and in denial of benefits claims arising under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). An experienced employment law litigator with a national practice, Lisa has represented companies and executives in more than twenty jurisdictions in labor and employment matters involving allegations of discr...