Juris Doctor (JD)
Capital University
1975
I am a frequent author and lecturer on probate and trust litigation and administration, estate planning, probate related topics, trusts, the new Ohio Trust Code, wrongful death settlements, professional ethics, and closely held business disputes. I have been a regular guest on WOSU Radio’s “You and the Law” series. A few of my presentations and articles include: Fiduciary, Trust and Estate Litigation Update; Closely Held Business Disputes; Wrongful Death Settlements; Special Needs Trusts and Planning for persons with Disabilities; Contingency Fee Agreements under the Rules Superintendence; Perfecting Personal Injury Claims Against Estates - (Ohio Trial) Winter 2005; A Presentation at the 12th Annual Traumatic Brain Injury Symposium on Special Needs Trusts for Survivors.

Ohio State Bar Association (1975)
Ohio State Bar Foundation
American Bar Association
Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers
Columbus Bar Association
Columbus Bar Foundation
American Arbitration Association
Franklin County Trial Lawyers Association
American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
All Ohio Courts
United States Supreme Court
U.S. District Court, Southern Division
I am current on all my continuing education requirements as well as being a frequent author and lecturer on trust, probate and estate planning and administration related topics and an active participant in multiple Bar Association legal committees.
District 7 Delegate, Ohio State Bar, 1988-present
President: Ohio State Bar Association, 1999-2000
Board: Ohio State Bar Association, 1996-1998
Brd/Past Pres:Ronald McDonald House Charities
Chair:Frkln. Cty. Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health
President: Columbus Bar Association 1993-1994
Board:Columbus Bar Association,1986-1995
Board: The American Red Cross of Greater Columbus
Professional Council: The Columbus Foundation

November - 1975
0021783
OH
16+

30+ years helping individuals, families and businesses with estate planning, trusts, wills, probate, and family and closely held business needs.
Over 30 years experience helping individuals, families, and businesses with estate planning, trusts, wills, probate, family, and closely held business law needs. Carlyle, Patchen & Murphy 1975-1978; Crabbe, Brown, Jones, Potts & Schmidt 1978-1985; Thompson Hine 1985-2005; Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs 2005-2008, Dinsmore & Shohl 2008-present
I represented the Trustee of a trust involved in the multi-party and multi-jurisdictional cases in Galbreath vs. Firestone matters and ultimate settlements. In addition, I have and continue to be involved and represent clients in numerous cases litigated and ultimately decided by our Ohio Supreme Court on matters of significant public and legal interest. The last such case before the Ohio Supreme Court was Leroy vs Allen which ended in a successful decision maintaining our client's right to sue lawyers for malpractice. Day to day, the individual estate, trust planning, administration and litigation, and family and closely held business law areas remain my emphasis.

My wife Julie's father was a Justice on the Ohio Supreme Court at the time(Justice Paul W. Brown) and my sister-in-law and brother-in-law were lawyers; all of whom encouraged me to go to law school. It was natural for me to do and I am glad I did. I love being a lawyer and consider myself very lucky to be a servant to others.
While being a lawyer is my profession, I am better at it for my community participation. Volunteer activities, whether as President of the Columbus or Ohio State Bar Associations or community organizations, has always been something I have done for my own satisfaction. Without question, the leadership skills gained in all of these organizations has helped me be a better lawyer.
During law school I was fortunate enough to work for Judge Richard B. Metcalf, Probate Court Judge, Franklin County. He became my mentor and remained so until his death. I am forever grateful for his teachings and leadership in the area of Probate, Trusts and Estates all of which naturally led to my emphasis in the estate, trusts and closely held business planning areas.
My firm, Dinsmore & Shohl, has been providing quality legal counsel for a century, with more than 375 attorneys in four states focusing on clients and building strategic, results-driven relationships based on trust. We forge a partnership with these clients, working together to assure success. We are one of the largest full-service firms in the Midwest and the country with clients that include, leading-edge businesses, Fortune 100 and 500 companies, institutions and individuals in a wide range of industries and business sectors and personal planning needs including business succession planning. We have offices in Cincinnati, Columbus and Dayton, Ohio; Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky; Charleston, Morgantown and Wheeling, West Virginia; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
I can not say there is an ideal client. I have never, in 30 plus years of being a lawyer, searched for that "ideal client." Every person and situation is different and unique which makes the practice of law forever interesting.
Family first with Julie, my wife and our 4 sons. Golf and staying in shape, body, mind, and soul. I enjoy reading science fiction.
I have always felt that the practice of law was not enough without participation in community organizations in which I have interest. As a result I have enjoyed and been lucky to serve on numerous community boards and volunteer activities. My service in the past and now has and continues to make me a better lawyer. My current community participation can be found on my law firm website resume at DinsLaw.com.

Only if choose to go forward, otherwise no.
I do not typically ask for retainers.

Estate planning prices vary according to the complexity of the document. They range from as low as a few hundred dollars for a simple will to thousands for complex estate planning involving multi-million dollar estates.
Generally, all professional services are rendered at hourly rates and billed monthly, though for many probate matters I do not bill until the work is completed and then must first ask for court permission. Hourly rates range from $150 and up.