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Litigation Practice Chair
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Practice Concentration
As Chair of CWS’s Litigation Practice, Butler is a business trial lawyer experienced in a wide range of commercial legal matters including contract disputes, business torts (such as tortious interference and breach of fiduciary duty), majority/minority close corporation shareholder disputes, trademark and trade dress law, civil rights laws, “sunshine” and open meetings laws, constitutional law, administrative law, employment law (with an emphasis on non-compete agreements), professional negligence/malpractice, real estate, insurance coverage disputes and bad-faith insurance claims. His practice includes representing clients before state and federal trial and appellate courts as well as before state agencies.
Representative Experience
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Represented international lawn and garden company in successful enforcement actions involving Lanham Act violations and trademark/trade dress infringement |
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Represented Fortune 500 company in successful defense of a disappointed bidders’ fraud and open meetings act challenge to the state award of an 8 year, $45 million contract to provide electronic benefits transfer services to more than 450,000 Ohio food stamp recipients |
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Represented the Ohio Department of Insurance in the successful seizure and takeover of Ohio’s leading medical malpractice insurer |
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Represented state university in successful defense of discrimination and 42 USC §1983 claims by ex-student |
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Represented large hair salon and day spa in numerous matters successfully enforcing non-competition and non-solicitation agreements |
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Represented numerous minority shareholders of closely held corporations successfully in disputes involving a majority shareholder’s breach of fiduciary duty, “squeeze-outs,” self-dealing and unlawful oppression of minority shareholder rights |
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Appointed receiver by a state court and appointed special master by a federal district court in receivership and class action matters related to a multi-million dollar ponzi scheme; Successfully collected millions of dollars for over 600 fraud victims as court-appointed receiver |
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Represented Fortune 1000 national fast food restaurant in substantial recovery from its insurer in coverage dispute |
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Represented various insurance company executives in professional negligence actions brought by the Ohio Department of Insurance |
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Represented municipal nonprofit corporation that owns and operates electric facilities in successful admiralty matter related to recovering substantial damages it incurred as a result of a barge accident on the Ohio River |
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Represented regional short-line railroad company in successfully defending decision of Ohio Rail Development Commission awarding contract for operation of state-owned rail line |
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Served as outside counsel for the State of Ohio’s case against the tobacco industry, resulting in a $10 billion settlement for the State of Ohio |
Other Professional Experience
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Extern to the Honorable Justice Paul E. Pfeifer, Ohio Supreme Court |
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Extern to the Honorable Magistrate Judge Barry S. Seltzer, United States District Court, Southern District of Florida |
Achievements and Awards
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Listed as "Ohio Rising Star" by Law & Politics (2005-2009) |
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Recipient, Columbus Bar Association Community Service Award (Under Age 36) (2004) |
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Recipient, Business First's "Forty under 40" award for notable professional success and volunteer efforts (2004) |
Education
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The University of Notre Dame (B.A., cum laude, 1994; J.D., cum laude, 1997) |
Bar Admissions
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U.S. District Court, Southern and Northern Districts of Ohio |
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U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit |
Professional Memberships and Community Service
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Columbus Bar Association, Judicial Screening Committee; Barrister Leadership Program, Past Participant |
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American Bar Association |
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Federal Bar Association |
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American Heart Association, Columbus Metro/Central Ohio Division of the Great Rivers Affiliate; Past President (2006-2008); Board Member (2000-Present); Recruitment Committee (2006-Present) |
Speeches & Publications
*CV, BV and AV are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. |