Government Services

Who We Are

Frost Brown Todd has one of the premier public sector legal teams in our five state region.  FBT provides legal services to some of the largest public entities in its footprint, including the cities of Cincinnati and Dayton in Ohio, Lexington and Louisville in Kentucky, Indianapolis and Marion County in Indiana, and some of the largest school districts and townships in Indiana and Ohio.  We also provide services to some of the smallest public entities in the region and every size in between.  Frost Brown Todd and its attorneys serve as general counsel or law director for several governmental entities in Ohio.

Our Recognition

We have 33 attorneys in the Governmental Services Practice Group. Two-thirds of our group’s lawyers are listed in the Best Lawyers in America® publication, Rising Stars, or the Ohio Super Lawyers® publication.

Our Clients

Members of the Governmental Services Practice Group have extensive experience handling a wide variety of claims on behalf of our clients. The types of governmental and private entities we represent include:

  • Counties
  • Cities
  • Villages
  • Townships
  • School Districts & School Corporations
  • Private & Public Colleges & Universities
  • Water Districts & Fire Districts
  • Public Officials
  • Governmental Entity Risk Pools & Insurers
  • Community Improvement Corporations
  • Similar & Related Agencies in Several States
  • Private Entities & Individuals Before Regulatory Agencies

FBT’s legal experience over several decades representing public entities allows for tailoring a legal approach to the needs of each client to provide effective and prompt representation and service.  When a client’s legal needs fall outside those typical to the public sector, FBT can draw on the knowledge and experience of its 450 attorneys who practice in all areas of the law required by businesses and individuals of all sizes and complexity.

What We Do

In more traditional public sector areas, Frost Brown Todd has significant experience.  It provides law director and general counsel services to many entities of various sizes.  Its labor group has negotiated over 500 public sector labor contracts and has represented clients in several hundred labor arbitrations.  The Zoning and Land Use group has defended hundreds of zoning commission and board of zoning appeals’ decisions as well as defended many constitutional challenges to zoning ordinances.  This group also routinely handles real estate litigation matters and prosecutes and defends eminent domain cases. The Construction group has negotiated on behalf of and counseled clients on a wide range of multi-million dollar construction matters, which include township/municipal projects and school related projects throughout the firm’s footprint. In addition, this group has advised public clients on numerous disputes related to construction matters.

We also advise governmental entities on non-litigation matters, as well all issues related to union avoidance, collective bargaining, arbitration, employment discipline matters, commercial and real estate matters, public bidding requirements, economic development, and the many other issues that our governmental entities face every day.

Our Outside Activities

Members of our group are active in local political parties, charitable organizations, and local, state, and national bar associations.  One member is the Chairman of the Miami University Board of Trustees; another is the president of the Butler County Bar Association and has served as a council member of an Ohio municipality; yet another member is the immediate past president of the National Council of School Board Attorneys; and, finally, member Bill Robinson is the President of the American Bar Association.

Practice Highlights

Police Misconduct cases

Obtained summary judgment in favor of police officer in 42 U.S.C. § 1983 lawsuit, based on allegedly false affidavit.  Affirmed on appeal.

Obtained summary judgment for governmental entity in claim for negligent failure to investigate a rape.

Through motion to dismiss, obtained judgment in favor of governmental entity, supervisors, and individual officers in 42 U.S.C. § 1983 lawsuit.

Through motion to dismiss, obtained judgment in favor of governmental entity in a wrongful death lawsuit alleging negligent failure to locate missing person.

Obtained summary judgment in favor of governmental entity, supervisors, and individual officers in lawsuit alleging false arrest and excessive force.

Obtained summary judgment in favor of governmental entity, supervisors, and individual officers in another lawsuit alleging false arrest and excessive force.

Obtained dismissal of governmental entity in 42 U.S.C. § 1983 lawsuit alleging excessive force.

Through motion to dismiss, obtained judgment in favor of governmental entity in a wrongful death lawsuit alleging negligent failure to protect crime victim.

School cases

Won appeal in case challenging dismissal of teacher.

Through motion to dismiss, obtained judgment in favor of school district in lawsuit based on freedom of religion and first amendment.

Obtained dismissal of breach of contract, punitive damages, and Title VII and state law age discrimination claims against school district.

Won appeal, and obtained judgment in favor of district, in lawsuit based on severe injuries incurred after student dropped off from school bus.

Obtained summary judgment in favor of school district in lawsuit based on injuries suffered by student in class.

Discrimination/wrongful discharge cases

Through motion to dismiss, obtained judgment in favor of governmental entity in lawsuit alleging sexual harassment, assault, and discrimination.

Obtained summary judgment in favor of governmental entity in lawsuit alleging wrongful discharge in violation of public policy.

Miscellaneous cases

Obtained summary judgment in favor of governmental entity in family dispute over cemetery plot.

Obtained summary judgment, affirmed on appeal, for governmental employee in fraud lawsuit.

Obtained judgment in favor of governmental entity in unfair labor practice charge, affirmed on appeal.

Obtained judgment in favor of governmental entity in election challenge.

Through motion to dismiss, obtained judgment in favor of several elected officials in complaint alleging copyright infringement.

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