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Biography

Stephen represents public entities in economic development, land use planning and general municipal issues. His practice encompasses all aspects of municipal law including zoning and land use, eminent domain, administrative appeals, public records issues, public contracts and law enforcement issues.

Stephen currently serves as the law director for theย City of Grove City, Village of Obetzย and as assistant law director for the City of Dublin. He teaches Local Government law at Capital University Law School.

Other Info About Stephen

Experience

Legal Work Highlights

Appointed by the City of Reynoldsburg as Chairman to the Ad Hoc Committee to Review Reynoldsburgโ€™s Code of Ordinances, Chapter 505 (2014).

Education

Law School

Capital University Law School, J.D., 1999

Undergraduate School

Miami University, Ohio, B.A., 1995

Bar Memberships

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

Ohio

Courts

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

United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio

Recognition

Local & National Recognition

Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Starยฎ, 2013

Friend of Education Award, Central Region of Ohio School Boards Association

Professional Affiliations

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association (OMAA)

International Municipal Lawyers Associationย (IMLA)

Columbus Bar Association

Ohio State Bar Association

American Bar Association

Civic Activities

Civic & Charitable Organizations

The Buckeye Ranch Foundation, Member, Board of Directors

Dublin Irish Festival, Committee Member and Token Manager

Grove City High School Alumni Golf, Former Committee Member

Leadership Dublin, Class of 2012

Agonis Club of Columbus, Former Board Member and Vice President

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Central Ohio Chapter, Former Board of Directors

Presentations

Stephen was invited to speak at the following events:

โ€œCode Enforcementโ€ Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, August 2019.

โ€œCivil Basics 101โ€ 2019 Municipal Civil Law Institute, Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association, July 2019.

โ€œCivil Basics 201โ€ 2019 Municipal Civil Law Institute, Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association, July 2019.

โ€œPublic Records/Sunshine Lawโ€ Webinar, Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association and Ohio Municipal League, June 2019.

โ€œHome Rule โ€“ The Pros and Cons of the Charter Form of Governmentโ€ Village of Georgetown Ohio, April 2019.

โ€œPublic Recordsโ€ 2019 Spring Municipal Civil Law Seminar, Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association, March 2019.

โ€œCourt Proceduresโ€ Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, January 2019.

โ€œUse of Magistrates, Court Decorum and Ethicsโ€ Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, January 2019.

โ€œMarsyโ€™s Lawโ€ Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League,ย November 2018.

โ€œPublic Recordsโ€ Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, November2018.

โ€œMarsyโ€™s Lawโ€ Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League,ย October 2018.

โ€œPublic Recordsโ€ Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League,ย October 2018.

โ€œConflict of Interestโ€ Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) Advisory Services Policy Committee, Annual Consultant Training, September 2018

โ€œHome Rule โ€“ Improving a Communityโ€™s Quality of Life & Fostering Economic Developmentโ€ย 2018 OML Regional Training Meetingsย (Findlay), Ohio Municipal League,ย August 2018.

โ€œOpen Meetings/Public Recordsโ€ย 2018 OML Regional Training Meetingsย (Findlay), Ohio Municipal League,ย August 2018.

โ€œMarsyโ€™s Lawโ€ Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, August 2018.

โ€œPublic Recordsโ€ Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, August 2018.

โ€œCivil Basics 101โ€ 2018 Municipal Civil Law Institute, Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association, July 2018.

โ€œEconomic Development and Annexationโ€ One Day Academy (Reynoldsburg), Ohio Municipal Clerks Association, June 2018.

โ€œPublic Recordsโ€ 2018 Mayors Annual Conference (Akron), Mayors Association of Ohio, June 2018.

โ€œOpen Meetings/Public Recordsโ€ย 2018 OML Regional Training Meetingsย (Mason), Ohio Municipal League,ย June 2018.

โ€œOpen Meetings/Public Recordsโ€ย 2018 OML Regional Training Meetingsย (Athens), Ohio Municipal League,ย May 2018.

โ€œOpen Meetings/Public Recordsโ€ Newly Elected Council Seminar Agenda (Cleveland/Independence), Ohio Municipal League, March 2018.

โ€œLiability of Municipalities and Municipal Officialsโ€ Newly Elected Council Seminar Agenda (Cleveland/Independence), Ohio Municipal League, March 2018.

โ€œOpen Meetings/Public Recordsโ€ Newly Elected Council Seminar Agenda (Mason), Ohio Municipal League,ย March 2018.

โ€œLiability of Municipalities and Municipal Officialsโ€ Newly Elected Council Seminar Agenda (Mason), Ohio Municipal League,ย March 2018.

โ€œOpen Meetings/Public Recordsโ€ Newly Elected Council Seminar Agenda (Columbus), Ohio Municipal League, February 2018.

โ€œCouncil Powers and Proceduresโ€ Newly Elected Council Seminar Agenda (Columbus), Ohio Municipal League, February 2018.

โ€œLiability of Municipalities and Municipal Officialsโ€ Newly Elected Council Seminar Agenda (Columbus), Ohio Municipal League, February 2018.

โ€œUse of Magistrates, Court Decorum and Ethics,โ€ Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League,ย February 2018.

โ€œCourt Procedures,โ€ Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League,ย February 2018.

โ€œUse of Magistrates, Court Decorum and Ethics,โ€ Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League,ย January 2018.

โ€œCourt Procedures,โ€ Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, January 2018.

โ€œHome Rule,โ€ Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League,ย November 2017.

โ€œMayorโ€™s Court, Question & Answer,โ€ Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League,ย November 2017.

โ€œPublic Records Requests Compliance in a Technological Age,โ€ Local Government Law from Start to Finish, National Business Institute, November 2017

โ€œNavigating Open Meeting Law Compliance Issues,โ€ Local Government Law from Start to Finish, National Business Institute, November 2017

โ€œHome Rule,โ€ Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League,ย October 2017.

โ€œMayorโ€™s Court, Question & Answer,โ€ Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League,ย October 2017.

โ€œUse of Magistrates, Court Decorum and Ethics,โ€ Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League,ย January 2017.

โ€œCourt Procedures,โ€ Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, January 2017.

โ€œMayorโ€™s Court Operation โ€“ Q&A,โ€ Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, November 2016.

โ€œMayorโ€™s Court Operation โ€“ Q&A,โ€ Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, October 2016.

โ€œLiability of Municipalities and Municipal Officials,โ€ Ohio Municipal League, Newly Elected Council Seminar, February 2016 (Independence, Ohio).

โ€œVillage Council Powers and Procedures,โ€ Ohio Municipal League, Newly Elected Council Seminar, February 2016 (Independence, Ohio).

โ€œLiability of Municipalities and Municipal Officials,โ€ Ohio Municipal League, Newly Elected Council Seminar, February 2016 (Mason, Ohio).

โ€œVillage Council Powers and Procedures,โ€ Ohio Municipal League, Newly Elected Council Seminar, February 2016 (Mason, Ohio).

โ€œCharter vs. Statutory Government (Home Rule),โ€ Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association, 2016 Spring Municipal Law Seminar, March 2016.

โ€œVillage Council Powers and Procedures,โ€ Ohio Municipal League, Newly Elected Council Seminar, February 2016.

โ€œCourt Procedures,โ€ Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, February 2016.

โ€œUse of Magistrates, Court Decorum and Ethics,โ€ Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, February 2016.

โ€œCourt Procedures,โ€ Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, January 2016.

โ€œUse of Magistrates, Court Decorum and Ethics,โ€ Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, January 2016.

โ€œSocial Media and Public Recordsโ€ Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, October 2015.

โ€œSocial Media and Public Recordsโ€ Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, August 2015.

โ€œHome Rule,โ€ Ohio Municipal Attorneyโ€™s Association (โ€œOMAAโ€) Municipal Law Institute, July 2015.

โ€œZoning/Annexation,โ€ Ohio Municipal Clerks Association (โ€œOMCAโ€) Annual Institute, July 2015.

Moderator for Panel Discussion on โ€œLocal Government Decision Making โ€“ Roles of Council and Administration,โ€ Ohio Municipal Clerks Association (โ€œOMCAโ€) Annual Institute, July 2015.

โ€œRules of Council โ€“ Meetings & Executive Sessionsโ€ 2015 Mayorsย Association of Ohio Annual Conference, June 2015.

โ€œSocial Media and Public Recordsโ€ Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, June 2015.

โ€œEconomic Development and Land Useโ€ Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association (โ€œOMAAโ€) 2015 Spring Municipal Civil Law Seminar, Marchย 2015.

โ€œCourt Proceduresโ€ and โ€œUse of Magistrates, Court Decorum and Ethics,โ€ Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, January 2015.

Conducted a training session on โ€œPublic Records, Open Meetings and Ethicsโ€ for Council Members and Staff for the City of Cleveland, December 2014.

โ€œPublic Rights Issues,โ€ National Business Institute (NBI) Legal Issues Involving Local Governments, November 2014.

โ€œOffenses Against Property & Other Minor Misdemeanorsโ€ and โ€œSentencing Alternatives Available,โ€ Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, November 2014.

โ€œMunicipal Law โ€“ Changes and New Developmentsโ€ Ohio Municipal League (โ€œOMLโ€) 63rdย Annual Conference, October ย 2014.

โ€œHome Ruleโ€ Ohio Legislative Service Commission (โ€œLSCโ€) Constitutional Conundrums. September 2014.

โ€œOffenses Against Property & Other Minor Misdemeanorsโ€ and โ€œSentencing Alternatives Available,โ€ Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, June and August 2014.

โ€œEthical Considerations for Consultants,โ€ Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police (โ€œOACPโ€) Advisory Services Policy Committee, Annual Consultant Training Session. May 2014.

โ€œMunicipal Law,โ€ 2014 Ohio Municipal Clerks Association (โ€œOMCAโ€) Spring Conference/Institute. April 2014.

โ€œCouncil Powers and Proceduresโ€ and โ€œLiability of Municipalities and Municipal Officials,โ€ Ohio Municipal League, Newly Elected Council Seminar, March 2014.

โ€œGun Control in Municipalities,โ€ Ohio City/County Management Association (โ€œOCMAโ€), 2014 Winter Conference, February 2014.

โ€œCourt Proceduresโ€ and โ€œUse of Magistrates, Court Decorum and Ethics,โ€ Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, January and February 2014.

โ€œSecond Amendment,โ€ Ohio Municipal Attorneyโ€™s Association (โ€œOMAAโ€),ย December 2013.

โ€œOhio Municipal Law,โ€ Ohio Municipal Clerks Association Fall Institute, October 2013.

โ€œHome Rule,โ€ Ohio Municipal Attorneyโ€™s Association (โ€œOMAAโ€), July 2013.

โ€œPublic Records and Records Retention,โ€ Central Ohio Association of Mayorโ€™s Court Clerks, 2013.

โ€œOffenses Other Than Traffic,โ€ Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, 2013.

โ€œCourt Proceduresโ€ and โ€œUse of Magistrates, Court Decorum and Ethics,โ€ Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, 2013.

CCW: Ohioโ€™s Concealed Carry Law, 2013 Ohio Parks and Recreation Association Conference and Trade Show, February 27, 2013.

โ€œCourt Proceduresโ€ and โ€œUse of Magistrates, Court Decorum and Ethics,โ€ Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, 2010-2012.

โ€œCourt Decorum, Ethics & Procedures,โ€ Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, 2010-2012.

โ€œAttorney-Client Privilege,โ€ 2012 CLCCA (County Loss Control Coordinators Association)/OPRIMA (Ohio Public Risk Management Association) Fall Meeting, September 21, 2012.

โ€œOpen Meetings and Public Records,โ€ Newly Elected Mayors Workshop, Mayors Association of Ohio Conference, June 27, 2012.

โ€œLiability Issues,โ€ North American Irish and Celtic Festival Organizer Conference, Dublin, Ohio, April 2, 2012.

โ€œPublic Construction Seminar,โ€ Co-presenter, Columbus, Ohio, September 9, 2011.

โ€œSupreme Court of Ohioโ€™s July 2011 decision: Timothy T. Rhodes v. City of New Philadelphiaโ€ and โ€œJuly Amendment of Ohioโ€™s Public Records Act:Codified,โ€ Administrative Law Conference, Ohio State Bar Association, September 7, 2011.

โ€œHB 158 (Amateur Radio Antennas),โ€ Provided testimony to Ohio House of Representatives Local Government Committee on HB 158, May 10, 2011.

โ€œPublic Records,โ€ 2011 Spring Municipal Civil Law Seminar, Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association, March 4, 2011

โ€œHB 50 (Type II Annexation),โ€ Provided testimony to Ohio House of Representatives Local Government Committee on HB 50, March 1, 2011.

โ€œPublic Records,โ€ Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, December 17, 2010.

โ€œCase Law Update,โ€ 2010 Winter Municipal Law Seminar, Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association, December 10, 2010.

โ€œPolicy solution to address underage drinking,โ€ Panelist, Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws Forum, Cincinnati, Ohio, July 21, 2010.

โ€œLiability Issues, Ohio Municipal League Training Seminar, March 2010.

Major Publications

Stephen is an author or contributor to the following publications:

โ€œHotels Straining City Servicesโ€ Cities and Villages Magazine, Ohio Municipal League, January/February 2018. Co-Author with Thad Boggs.

Co-author, โ€œRecent Developments in Government Operations and Liability: 42 U.S.C. ยง 1983: First Stop โ€“ State Court (Sometimes),โ€ย The Urban Lawyerย โ€“ The National Quarterly Law Journal on State and Local Government Law, Volume 35, Number 4, Fall 2003.

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