I have personally tried 400 - 500 jury trials as prosecutor, criminal defense counsel, civil plaintiff counsel and civil defense counsel, representing people of all races and walks of life.
As lead counsel, I have been entrusted with the handling of the most serious and difficult cases these judges have had. It is a measure of my standing at the Court and a measure of the respect I have earned, that judges from both major political parties in Stark County and in neighboring counties have been able to rely on me to handle these most difficult and sensitive matters.
I have had many memorable trials but State v. Susan Gribben, a death penalty case in Tuscarawas County stands out. An innocent woman was in jeopardy of being executed for a crime she did not commit. In a highly charged atmosphere, I obtained an acquittal for her.
One case I handled as prosecutor made legal history. State v. Traphagan, was an arson case I personally prosecuted, resulting in a jury verdict of guilty. The trial court disagreed with the jury and overturned the verdict, the only time this has ever happened in Stark County legal history. I also made legal history in State v. Hubbs and State v. Lucas. I won both of these jury trials on the basis of unlawful entrapment by police. These were only the first and second times this type of defense was successful in Stark County.
counties. Some memorable cases include:
McClarren Vs. City of Alliance, a "sunshine" lawsuit case brought by my client,
maverick Democrat councilman Jim McClarren.
Clark vs. City of Alliance, a federal sex discrimination case brought by my
client, Officer Tibby Clark, that required the City to hire her as only the second
female police officer in city history.
Thigpen vs. City of Alliance, brought as a class action against the city requiring
the city to close its deplorable jail. Prior to this lawsuit, five people committed
suicide while incarcerated in the Alliance City Jail.
I have represented people from every walk of life, handling:
hundreds of personal injury and wrongful death cases, recovering
millions of dollars for my clients.
hundreds of Workers' Compensation and Unemployment claim
cases, always on behalf of the injured or wrongfully fired worker.
hundreds of Juvenile Criminal court matters as defense counsel
and one as special prosecutor, appointed by Family Court Judge David
Stucki.
hundreds of Family Court matters, including divorce, custody and
dependency, neglect and abuse cases. Most of my current cases are family court matters.
I employ a staff of five people in my office, three (3) secretaries, one legal
assistant and another attorney.