Honors and Awards: I received the American Jurisprudence Award for receiving the highest grade in Individual Income Taxation and Complex Litigation.  In addition, I was crowned Regional Champion of the American Ciollege of Trial Lawyers Mock Trial Competition., Amjur Awards, 1986

Special Licenses/Certifications: Ohio State Bar Association Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law, Licensed as a Life Insurance professional by the Ohio Department of Insurance, Designated as an Advanced Wealth Strategist Planner by the Esperti Peterson Institute

Bar/Professional Activity: Member, Dayton Bar Association;  Member, Ohio State Bar Association,  Member, American Bar Association,  Past President, Ohio Forum of Estate Planning Attorneys,  Member, WealthCounsel

Pro bono/Community Service: Founding Trustee, Greater Dayton Volunteer Lawyers Project;  Founding Trustee, Clayton Community Foundation;  Randolph Township Trustee (1987-1998);  Mayor, City of Clayton (1998-2005)

Scholarly Lectures and Writings: This article discusses the background and planning considerations that are unique to farm and ranch families and suggest ways to approach this planning with the client's goals in mind.  Also previewed are some planning solutions that work well for this group., Co-Author, Farm and Ranch Succession Planning, The Time Is Now, Journal of Practical Estate Planning, 2009, In the new book WealthCounsel® Estate Planning Strategies: Collective Wisdom, Proven Techniques, the authors have outlined essential estate planning strategies all Americans, no matter their level of wealth, can utilize to plan not only for death and taxes, but to ensure their wishes are carried out exactly as they desire.  In easy-to-understand language, WealthCounsel® Estate Planning Strategies helps people comprehend the entire estate planning process, from the goals of estate planning and the documents generated in the process, to planning for potential incapacity, tax avoidance, charitable giving, retirement benefits planning, business succession, and asset protection. The book not only provides insights and advice to those with large estates, but also offers help to those with very basic estate planning needs. WealthCounsel® Estate Planning Strategies, $29.95, Paperback, 385 pages, ISBN 978-0-9821779-0-7, is published by Wealth Builders Press, LLC and is available by calling 888-659-4069, Ext. 814, or by visiting www.WealthCounsel.com., Co-Author, Estate Planning Strategies, Wealth Builders Press, LLC, 2008

Educational Background: Minster High School (1972);  Wright State University, B.A. (1983) (Honors);  University of Dayton School of Law, J.D. (1986);  Western New England College School of Law, L.L.M. (enrolled)