OVER 40 Years Experience in Private PRACTICE AND PUBLIC SERVICE
The Laber Law Office (1980 - 1988, 1990 - Present)
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I represent individuals, families and small businesses of modest, moderate and significant means.
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My practice is focused on estate planning, especially probate avoidance, and elder law. My typical Estate Planning client is an elderly widow or widower looking for peace of mind in getting her or his affairs in order with a Simple Estate Plan.
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I also provide assistance in real property and small business issues. And I am well-experienced and aggressive in litigating matters of fraud and exploitation of the elderly.
Regional Law Firm (1988 - 1990)
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Chief Litigation Counsel for the Personal Injury division of a local law firm. Represented over 400 personal injury clients in 6 Ohio counties, from case preparation, evaluation and settlement negotiation, and if necessary, through arbitration, mediation and jury trial.
LAW OFFICE OF THE HAMILTON COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER
Director, Municipal Division (2010 - 2012)
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Managed the daily operations of the office’s largest division, with an annual caseload of over 22,000 clients involved in more than 35,000 cases. Supervised a staff of 5 Senior Trial Counsel, 25 Trial Counsel, 5 Administrative Specialists, and an Investigator, in addition to a Rotation Panel of 25 non-staff attorneys assigned to conflict and overflow cases.
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Introduced the concept of "problem-solving advocacy" in the representation of our clients, utilizing social workers and collaboration with local homeless, mental health, and addiction agencies to address the needs of "the whole client".
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Served as the office liaison and on-call trouble-shooter to the Hamilton County Municipal Court and its collateral agencies.
Mental Health Court Special Docket (2005 - 2012)
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Served as staff attorney for the Hamilton County Municipal Court’s two Mental Health Court Special Dockets, and as a member of its advisory committee. These Special Dockets utilize a collaborative team approach among Judge, prosecutor, defense attorney, probation officer and mental health professionals to address the needs of the justice-involved mentally ill.
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Participated in panel presentations on Hamilton County’s Mental Health Court successful model, including the 2008 GAINS Conference in Washington DC.
Veterans Treatment Court Special Docket (2009 - 2012)
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Appointed to the committee for development of a Veterans Treatment Court Special Docket in Hamilton County.
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Served as staff attorney for the Hamilton County Municipal Court's Veterans Treatment Court Special Docket after its start-up in April 2012.
Senior Trial Counsel, Municipal Division (2003 - 2010)
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Supervised and mentored one of five Trial Counsel Teams in addition to maintaining a full caseload.
Trial Counsel, Municipal Division (1981 - 1988, 1990 - 2003)
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Represented over 25,000 individuals charged with misdemeanor criminal and traffic offenses in the Hamilton County Municipal Court.
Admissions, Affiliations, Education
Admitted to practice
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Ohio - 1979
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US District Court, Southern District of Ohio - 1980
Member of the Ohio State Bar Association
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Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law Committee
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Elder & Special Needs Law Committee
Member
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ProSeniors Attorney Referral Panel
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Volunteer Lawyers for the Poor Project
Past Member of the Cincinnati Bar Association
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Estate Planning & Probate Committee
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Elder Law Committee
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Social Security Committee
Past Member
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National Association of Trial Lawyers
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Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers
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National Association of Elder Law Attorneys
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National Association of Drug Court Professionals
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Greater Cincinnati Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
Education
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University of Cincinnati College of Law, J.D. 1979
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Wittenberg University, B.A. Political Science 1976