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    Biography

    Phil serves his clients in the areas of general municipal law, land use and zoning, eminent domain, real estate acquisition, annexation, home rule charter drafting, economic development and administrative appeals.  He counsels a wide-variety of clients from cities, villages and the private sector. Phil also serves as General Counsel (i.e. Law Director) for the cities of Hilliard and Pickerington, advising the cities on day to day issues and all other matters.

    Phil currently serves as the International Municipal Attorneys Association’s (“IMLA”) Regional Vice President (Representative for the 6th Circuit) and is the past State of Ohio Representative. Phil also served as President, First Vice President, Second Vice President and Board Member of the Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association (“OMAA”) from 2012- 2018. He has received the highest AV peer review and client ranking by Martindale Hubbell and recognized by the Best Lawyers in America publication. Phil often oversees amicus briefs prepared on behalf of the Ohio Municipal League and the International Municipal Attorneys Association relating to various municipal issues.

    Prior to joining the firm, Phil was the co-chair of the Public Law Practice Group at an Am Law 200 Law Firm.

    Other Info About Phil

    Education

    Law School

    The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, J.D., 1992

    Undergraduate School

    Capital University, Cum Laude, B.A., 1989

    Bar Memberships

    Phil is licensed to practice in the following state(s):

    Ohio

    Courts

    Phil is admitted to practice before the following court(s):

    United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

    United States District Court – Southern District of Ohio

    Recognition

    Local & National Recognition

    The Best Lawyers in America© 2020

    Martindale-Hubbell AV® Peer Review Rated, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020

    International Municipal Attorneys Association, Regional Vice President and Representative for the 6th Circuit (Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee), 2010-present

    International Municipal Attorneys Association, State of Ohio Representative, 2008, 2009

    Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association, Past President, 2016

    Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association, President, 2015

    Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association, First Vice President, 2014

    Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association, Second Vice President, 2013

    Nonprofit Excellence Award, Ohio House of Representatives, 2012

    Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Stars®, 2005, 2006

    Professional Affiliations

    Professional Affiliations & Memberships

    Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association

    International Municipal Lawyer Association

    American Bar Association

    American Planning Association

    Ohio State Bar Association

    Ohio Municipal League

    Ohio Planning Association

    Ohio City Manager Association

    Columbus Bar Association

    Civic Activities

    Civic & Charitable Organizations

    Dublin Food Pantry, Board of Trustees

    Cancer Support Community, Board of Trustees

    Pickerington Chamber of Commerce, Member

    Parkview at Goodale Park Condominiums, President Board of Trustees

    Parkview at Goodale Park Condominiums, Former Board of Trustees

    Columbus Bar Association Mentoring Program, Former Mentor

    Firstlink, Inc., Former Board of Trustees

    Ronald McDonald House Charities, Former Young Professional Board

    The Wellness Community of Greater Columbus, Former Board of Trustees

    Bexley Architectural Review Board, Former Member

    Bexley Board of Zoning Appeals, Former Member

    Presentations

    Phil was invited to speak at the following events:

    “Liability of Municipalities and Municipal Officials,” Ohio Municipal League, Newly Elected Council Seminar, March 2014.

    Moderator for the Ohio Municipal Attorney Association Winter Law Seminar, Dublin, Ohio, December 13, 2013.

    “Case Law Update” Ohio Municipal Attorney Association Winter Law Seminar, Dublin, Ohio, December 13, 2013.

    “Public Private Partnerships” International Municipal Lawyers Association – IMLA Annual Conference, San francisco, california, September 30, 2013.

    “Social Networking: Challenges for Municipalities,” Ohio Municipal League – OML Annual Conference, Columbus, Ohio, September 26, 2013.

    “Social Media Issues for City Officials,” The Mayor’s Association of Ohio Annual Conference, Canton Ohio, June 5, 2013.

    “Eminent Domain: Strategies and Tactics in Right-of-way Acquisition and Eminent Domain Litigation,” Presenter, International Right of Way Association, Plain City, Ohio, October 26, 2012.

    “Open Meetings and Public Records Law,” OML Newly Elected Council Members Seminar, March 2012.

    “Eminent Domain: Processes and Pitfalls,” Co-Presenter, Ohio State Bar Association, Columbus, Ohio, March 9, 2011.

    “Adoption and Amendment of Zoning Ordinance and Map,” National Business Institute, Practical Guide to Zoning and Land Use Law, Cincinnati, Ohio, October 7, 2014.

    “Drafting Resolutions and Ordinances,” Auditor of the State of Ohio, 16th Annual Local Government Officials’ Conference, April 1, 2015.

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