Portage Appeals & Appellate Lawyers

Scott Kelly has been practicing law since 2007 . Scott focuses his practice on litigation. He has litigated criminal defense, OVI (DUI), personal injury, and other civil litigation cases in trial courts throughout Ohio as well as in Ohio’s district courts of appeals, the Ohio Supreme Court, the US Federal District Courts for the Southern and Northern Districts of Ohio, and the US Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. Scott Kelly focuses his practice on DUI defense, is certified in the NHTSA Standardized Field Sobriety Testing course, and dedicates all of his continuing education time to DUI...

Gregg Peppel is a founding member of Turley, Peppel & Timmers, LLC. He focuses his practice primarily in the areas of Commercial Litigation, Corporate Law, and Medical Malpractice. Gregg was born in Marquette, Michigan in 1971. He is a graduate of the University of Toledo (BA, cum laude, 1993; JD, cum laude, 1999). Gregg served as the Managing Editor for the University of Toledo Law Review (1998-1999). The College of Law awarded him with the Dean's Award in the Spring of 1999. Gregg has successfully litigated complex commercial, construction, insurance, real estate...

Christopher Sawan is a dedicated attorney who has been practicing law since 2017. He is a graduate of the University of Toledo Law School and is licensed to practice in the state of Ohio. Chris decided to pursue a career in law so that he could make a meaningful difference in people's lives. Since becoming a lawyer, he has focused his practice on personal injury, criminal defense and litigation. By using his research skills and analytical ability, he's able to find ways to help his clients. For Chris, the most rewarding part of practicing law is using his skills and...

Dennis Sawan is a highly experienced lawyer with over 35 years of experience in personal injury, criminal defense, and litigation. He graduated from Case Western Reserve Law School and was admitted to the Ohio Bar in 1988. Dennis is a skilled attorney who has helped clients in a wide range of cases, including motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, general litigation, and criminal defense. He is known for his tenacity and determination in pursuing the best possible outcomes for his clients, even in the face of tough opposition from insurance companies, prosecutors and other litigants. What sets Dennis apart is his genuine desire...

Misty Wood has lived in Northwest Ohio for most of her life. She graduated from the University of Toledo College of Law in 2015.

The law is her passion, and she practices primarily in the field of bankruptcy. This focus on bankruptcy allows her to help clients get their financial lives in order and relieve their stress.

She is licensed to practice both Ohio and Michigan. She is also admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

She handles state and federal...

Aggressive trial lawyer with 12 years of experience. Experienced in DUI/OVI, major and minor criminal, traffic, divorce, custody, appeals. Licensed in Ohio,Michigan and certain Federal Courts..

Mr. Doucet is a consumer and consumer finance attorney who solves complex legal problems with clear communication and creative strategies for his clients. He has deep experience in UDAAP regulations, including TILA, RESPA, EFTA, SCRA, FDCPA, ECOA, RICO, and FHA Regulations, plus some experience with CCPA, among others. He is most known for his defense of foreclosure to help people stay in their homes. His legal interests include contract drafting, FinTech, consumer-facing regulations, and strategic planning with a focus on meeting client’s objectives. He has published books including “Regulation Z of the Truth in Lending Act (integrated...

While providing the personal attention of a small firm, our experience, knowledge of the law, qualified/trained staff, and cutting-edge technology, allow us to provide our clients with the highest quality legal services.

We use prompt, effective communication and action to assist individuals and small businesses in resolving their legal needs. We provide tailored legal services for complex matters.

We advise clients in all phases of their legal issues, including planning, strategies, negotiations, alternative dispute resolution, and litigation. We utilize a network of affiliated professional consultants, including other attorneys, to provide our clients with specialized counsel in a wide variety...

Ronald R. Petroff was born in Cleveland, Ohio and graduated high school from the University School in Hunting Valley, Ohio. He attended Vanderbilt University as an undergraduate where he earned a bachelor’s degree and double majored in Political Science and American History. He graduated cum laude and was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. Mr. Petroff then attended The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law where he earned a certificate in Alternate Dispute Resolution and was a member of the National Labor and Employment Law Moot Court Team. Mr. Petroff also was a member of the National Trial...

Sean M. Kohl is an accomplished Ohio foreclosure attorney with a diverse background representing small businesses and consumers against the abuses of the banking and mortgage servicing industry. Too often big law firms and large national banks do not treat Ohio businesses and consumers fairly. Sean strives to even the playing field in his practice by providing individualized and practical representation to each of his clients based on their unique needs and circumstances.

Attorney Andy Gerling is an AV Preeminent rated lawyer. He is an partner and attorney at Kohl & Cook Law Firm, LLC. Andy is a season litigator representing consumers and business throughout Ohio at both the trial and appellate levels. Andy’s has a robust consumer practice ranging from representing homeowners facing foreclosure to representing individuals against companies that run afoul of Ohio’s consumer protection laws. He has experience representing consumers in matters involving the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the Truth in Lending Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, Ohio’s Consumer Sales Practices Act...

Stephen is a Columbus native, having graduated from Thomas Worthington High School, Ohio State University, and Capital University Law School. After law school, he spent five years at Christopher M. Cooper Co., LPA, practicing in a variety of areas, but focusing mainly on criminal law.

In 2013, Stephen opened his own practice dealing exclusively with criminal law and appeals throughout the state of Ohio and in federal court. He has tried cases ranging from minor traffic offenses through complex murder cases. He is death penalty certified and a member of the CJA panel in federal court. He has also handled appeals...

Allison started the firm in 2014 to better serve her clients. She believed in providing high-quality work in a more efficient manner, utilizing more technology, and an agile team to achieve the goal. We utilize flat fee billing where appropriate so our Client knows exactly how much the services will cost. I have been working with small businesses since I was born (and since I became a lawyer). I love getting to know the business owner and see their vision for the business. Once I know where the business is going, I can provide counsel to help the business achieve...

Ali is a trilingual attorney (English, Arabic, & Spanish) licensed in Ohio. His diverse professional and cultural experiences afford him a unique perspective when it comes to problem solving. He prides himself on working efficiently and diligently, being respectful to colleagues and clients, and ensuring excellent results. He has previous experience in business law, public policy, criminal, divorce, and immigration law, and is eager to assist clients and the community with their legal needs!

I am dual certified as an Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation, and as a Specialist in Elder Law by the Ohio State Bar Association. I am one of twenty-seven attorneys with this dual certification. I devote my practice to those issues uniquely affecting the elderly, the disabled and their families. Having been raised by a parent with early onset Parkinson's Disease, and having witnessed a grandparent spend over sixteen years in a nursing facility suffering from Alzheimer's, I gravitated early in my career towards the practice of elder and disability law. I established my Law...

James S. Sweeney is the founder and managing member of James Sweeney Law, LLC. A native of Central Ohio, James was born in Columbus and grew up in Marysville.

Prior to starting his own practice, James worked at the Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. While in law school, he also worked at the Reynoldsburg City Attorney’s Office, where he served as a Prosecutor at the Reynoldsburg Mayor’s Court, and also worked at the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. He formerly served as the Village Solicitor of Alexandria, Ohio.

Prior to attending law school, James lived for several years in...

Scott Pullins is an Ohio attorney, charter school board member, political consultant, and writer. He provides services to small businesses, individuals, financial entities, and political organizations. Scott Pullins has advised clients on complex legal, business, marketing and public policy issues. He is also the co-founder of the Ohio Taxpayers Association. He is a charter school board member and a former Chairman of the Knox County Republican Central Committee. Mr. Pullins attended Ohio University and earned his Bachelors of Arts in Political Science from The Ohio State University. He earned his Juris Doctorate from Capital University Law School.

As an Ohio attorney, I know the legal system is large, complex, and intimidating. I understand that interaction with government agencies is disorienting and the rules are unclear. If you, a family member, or a friend have been arrested, charged with a crime, are the subject of an investigation, or involved in a dispute with the government, it is in the accused person's best interest to obtain legal representation. As an attorney, my job is to defend your interests, freedom, dignity and reputation and to make sure you understand your rights, the process, and the consequences of your...

Andrew D. Randol is a Columbus business and litigation attorney. Andrew works with a variety of businesses and entrepreneurs, guiding them through federal and state litigation. He has experience with litigating a number of issues, including breach of contract lawsuits, construction lawsuits, and consumer lawsuits.

Andrew’s practice also includes employment and labor law and employment litigation. He advises businesses on employment compliance, including wage and hour laws, employee and contractor classification, and Title VII and antidiscrimination laws. When employment issues do arise, Andrew has experience representing businesses in court and before various administrative agencies, including the Department of Labor and the...

Geologist turned attorney with almost a decade of hard-core legal experience. Experienced courtroom attorney with many years of valuable background in turn-key legal representation.

Attorney Tim Steinhelfer is a graduate of Tulane University and the Chicago-Kent College of Law. He is an award winning writer whose extensive pretrial litigation skills make The Steinhelfer Firm especially well equipped to handle high-asset divorces and other forms of complex civil litigation. His years of experience as a court appointed guardian ad litem for children give him the insight to handle any child custody dispute by putting the children first. Attorney Tim Steinhelfer also has a robust appellate practice. He has argued before the Supreme Court of Ohio and is licensed in federal court. ...

Before launching his own practice, Brian served as an Assistant Public Defender in Portage County, Ohio. While there, Brian made a name for himself by putting his own freedom at risk in order to defend his client's rights. When ordered by a rogue judge to proceed to trial after a mere two hours assigned to the case, Brian declined to begin the trial because he did not want to sacrifice the client's right to effective assistance of counsel and a fair trial. Brian was immediately arrested for refusing the judge's illegal orders. The case garnered national attention. The National Association...

Rick is an attorney in Middleburg Heights, Ohio who works mainly in Family Law (Divorce, Support, Custody, etc.). In additional to representing litigants in divorce, custody, and support matters, he also acts as a Guardian ad Litem and represents the rights of children. His practice also includes work in Probate (Wills, Trusts, Estates, etc.), Criminal, and Appellate Advocacy, and provides services throughout Cuyahoga, Lorain, and Medina counties. He graduated from Ohio Northern University with his Bachelors of Science Degree in 2003 and went on to receive his law degree from Ohio Northern University in 2006. ...

Representative Engagements

Lead counsel in six-week jury trial for local development company, its principal, and condominium buyers in litigation against regional bank arising from bank’s breach of contract to provide construction financing for developer’s project to convert historic apartment building to condominiums. Obtained dismissal or jury verdict for plaintiffs on $6 million counterclaim brought by bank. Obtained jury verdict of approximately $14.0 million against bank on breach of contract and tortious interference claims brought by developer and additional verdicts totaling $5.6 million for condominium buyers. The net result was a $25 million judgment for clients.

Lead trial counsel in four-week trial advancing...

I am a civil litigation attorney from Northeast Ohio practicing all over the state and into other states. I practice in all facets of civil litigation, with a heavy emphasis in construction law.

I also act as a private mediator and am adept at solving all types of civil disputes.

I have maintained an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell since 2019 indicating the highest level of legal ability and ethical standards.

Adam Lee Nemann grew up in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and moved to Ohio to pursue his education. After graduating from the University of Cincinnati, with an enthusiasm for law and public speaking, he attended Capital University Law School. It was during law school that Nemann thrust himself into the world of trial advocacy. By day, he worked in a prominent criminal defense firm preparing to defend the accused, by night, he attended law school and volunteered for mock trial and trial advocacy clinics. Nemann obtained a limited license to practice law while an intern, representing his own...

Mr. Hunt has been a trial attorney in Ohio for over forty-four years. He has appeared before the Ohio Supreme Court, numerous Ohio courts of appeals, and trial courts at the county and municipal level throughout the state of Ohio as well as before the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. Mr. Hunt’s litigation experience extends to commercial, construction, personal injury, wrongful death, domestic relations (family law), collections, contracts, probate litigation and public utility matters. As the developing area of collaborative law has grown as an alternative to litigated divorce, Mr. Hunt has re-focused his divorce/family law practice...

Charged with a crime? You want to retain a lawyer who has experience in both Litigation and Criminal Defense. Choosing the right Criminal Defense Attorney to vigorously defend you is the most important decision you will make. With Attorney Kevin Wayne Rumes, your case will be treated with the seriousness it deserves! Attorney Rumes has handled thousands of cases as both a prosecutor and as a defense attorney, and has earned many outstanding legal victories, along with an excellent reputation as a premier Defense Attorney in the Cleveland area. Now practicing in all counties and courts in Ohio.

Bradley P. Koffel is currently one of the Top 50 lawyers in Columbus (Ohio Super Lawyers) and is one of only three lawyers in Ohio listed in "Best Lawyers in America" for DUI / OVI. He has also been awarded the highest rating by Martindale-Hubbell.

He practices all across Ohio defending individuals charged with alcohol and drug offenses, serious vehicular crimes, sex abuse allegations and sex offenses, white collar crimes, and more. Mr. Koffel has a winning record in numerous jury trials and bench trials since he started his practice in 1993. He has tried cases in every county of...

Kris Banvard represents clients in a wide variety of litigation matters, including commercial contract disputes, tort and agency-law actions, securities law, employment law, media law, First Amendment issues, and attorneys' professional liability.

Before coming to Zeiger, Tigges & Little LLP, Mr. Banvard had a long career in newspaper journalism as a reporter, writer, and editor. Most recently, he was an editorial writer for The Columbus Dispatch. He previously held positions as assistant city editor of the Roanoke (Va.) Times & World-News and reporter with The Sacramento Union.

Mr. Banvard attended Capital University Law School, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude and was...

A former United States Army Reserve Specialist who earned his law degree from Capital University Law School, Damion is accustomed to achieving success through hard work and a desire to be the best. He believes the key to winning a case is a lawyer's ability to think on his or her feet and substantial preparation. Prior to joining James E. Arnold & Associates, Damion was an Associate Assistant Attorney General with the Ohio Attorney General's Office and handled numerous matters before the Ohio Board of Tax Appeals, the State Medical Board of Ohio, and local courts of common...

John is a Partner at Faber and Associates, LLC. He is a double graduate of Ohio Northern University where he received a B.A. in History in 2015 and his Juris Doctorate Cum Laude in 2019. While at Ohio Northern, John served as Chief Justice of the Moot Court program, Associate Editor of Law Review, a Member of the Moot Court Board of Advocates, a Member of the American Bar Association National Appellate Advocacy Team, Student Coach of the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition Team, won the Daniel S. Guy Appellate Advocacy competition, and was a Semi-Finalist in...

Frances Fitzgerald Allington, Esq. is an Ohio attorney who, having been a licensed real estate broker for twenty-two years prior to forming her law practice, deals largely with real estate law and litigation. This is not to the exclusion, however, of family law, business law and and general civil litigation. While best known for complex real estate litigation, Frances Allington presents her clients with a wide array of services and options for representation, and is always welcoming new clients. Ms. Allington has been a member of the Ohio Bar and in private practice since 1997, and earned her...

Brian A. Brown is an experienced consumer, foreclosure defense, and civil litigation attorney. Starting his career at a small firm, Brian was rapidly tasked with representing clients as the main attorney on their case. This gained him valuable experience representing a diverse set of clients in many different courts across Ohio. During the beginning of his career Brian repeatedly saw how unfairly large banks and corporations treated individuals and small business owners. Appalled by their actions he fought against the banks and other Fortune 500 companies, often achieving results for his clients which exceeded their expectations. Brian prides himself on providing...

Attorney Matthew Marsalka graduated from Cleveland State University-Cleveland Marshall College of Law in 2012. Since then he has gained years of experience representing injured clients throughout Ohio.

Matthew ensures that he is available to clients and will take the time to explain complicated legal proceedings. He takes pride in obtaining the best possible results for his clients and understands that your case, whether big or small, deserves to be handled with the utmost attention. If you retain Marsalka Law, you will receive personalized and responsive representation.

Attorney Marsalka believes everyone deserves an...