Why did you decide to become an attorney?
I decided to become an attorney because I thought I might like the competitive aspects of the profession. I was a high school athlete, and later an elementary school and high school coach. As it turns out, I like being an attorney because I get to help people at a difficult point in their lives. Now I channel my competitive spirit toward helping the underdog, the injured worker, against companies that may have many more resources. That’s why at my firm we do everything we can to help the worker and social security disability claimant, even services that don’t figure into compensation for you, like getting doctor’s bills paid.
What experiences (work and personal) help you to be a better attorney?
In 1991 I wrote what has become the leading book on Ohio worker’s compensation law. It is published on lexis nexis, and is used by worker’s comp practitioners, including lawyers, doctors, judges and the state. As the author, I am required to constantly update this book. Now I’m a law professor on the subject, teaching worker’s compensation law at my alma mater, Capital Law School. As a result, I have a very deep knowledge of the worker’s compensation system in Ohio, and am always on top of any changes or potential changes to the law.
I’ve also benefited from my work with the Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers because I get to work closely with other attorneys who, like me, care about the worker’s comp system enough to volunteer their time and energy to protect it for the worker.
What made you choose your primary area of law?
I wanted to help the "little guy" against big corporations and the state which may not be trying to protect them when they become injured or disabled. I decided early on in my career that my passion was to represent the injured worker, so I represent them exclusively. I stopped representing employers so there is no conflict of interest in how I spend my time as an attorney.
What makes your law firm unique?
We are recognized for handling difficult and complex cases as well as the more routine ones. Personally, I like the intellectual challenge and look forward to unusual cases! We are also recognized as having a unique understanding of worker’s compensation law. We will take every case, regardless of the potential outcome. We only represent workers, not employers. We care about helping the injured worker get to a better stage in his or her life. We consider ourselves problem solvers for your worker’s compensation claim. The office is a caring environment – my wife even takes charge of office management issues.
Describe your ideal client.
My ideal client is any man or woman who is injured or a victim of disability in the work place. You can call me at any point in your claim or injury. No one should ever feel like they are burdening me to represent them, or that their issues aren’t important. As I always say, if it looks, sounds or walks like a worker’s comp case, you should feel free to call me.
Describe your personal interests and hobbies.
My wife and I have three children, all of whom are either lawyers or on the path to becoming lawyers. Our personal interests and hobbies have always revolved around the kids. Now that they are mostly grown, I really do spend most of my time on issues related to worker’s compensation. It has become my hobby as well as my work. I will admit to watching the new TV legal show “Damages” with my daughter, and my wife and I enjoy discussing the newspaper over breakfast every morning.
