Leveraging almost three decades worth of experience in working with the construction industry with a thorough knowledge of the unique challenges facing the industry today, Don Leach has helped a wide variety of clients accomplish their objectives. Having assisted clients through both litigation and transactional matters, Leach is able to tailor his approach to help clients reach their intended resolution in a cost-effective manner. Working in both the public and private sector, and representing owners, developers and contractors, Leach utilizes his knowledge about the business, financial and legal challenges facing the construction industry to provide his clients with the advantages they need. A former president of the Builders Exchange of Central Ohio, where he received the Cornerstone Award, as well as a member of the Ohio Board of Building Standards, Leach's familiarity and relationships within the industry allow his clients to benefit from insight gained only through extensive experience and relationships. From drafting and negotiating contracts to defending and prosecuting construction lien, contract and bond disputes, Leach's practical approach ensures clients' needs and goals are met in a timely, efficient manner. Additionally, Leach, who spent five years working for the President of the Ohio Senate, has served in a number of administrative and legislative roles, providing him with valuable insight into the construction industry. For instance, Leach assisted in the drafting of Ohio's mechanics' lien law, and has served as the General Counsel to the Central Ohio Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors. In addition, he serves on the Ohio Board of Building Standards, which establishes Ohio building codes and regulates building officials. His array of experiences in dealing with government and public policy matters enable him to offer additional unique perspectives and solutions to clients. A former mayor and president of city council of Upper Arlington, Ohio, Leach was elected again to council in 2011 after not having run for re-election in 2009. He is currently Vice Mayor and Vice President of council and is expected to become mayor and president of council in 2013. Leach has also expanded his practice into the gaming industry, using his extensive knowledge of administrative and legislative proceedings to represent clients at the both the state and local levels. In 2010, he was the treasurer of a successful statewide campaign to relocate the Columbus casino, and he frequently collaborates with Dinsmore Public Sector Advisors on behalf of clients. Memberships & Affiliations · American Bar Association: Forum on the Construction Industry; Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section · Ohio State Bar Association: Construction Law Committee and Real Property Section; Council of Delegates, District 7 · Columbus Bar Association: Real Property Committee; Construction Committee and Real Property Institute, Past Chair · Ohio Senate (1977-1980), Legislative Assistant to President · Upper Arlington, Ohio City Council, Vice President and Vice Mayor, Past President and Mayor · Builders Exchange of Central Ohio, Past President and member of Board of Directors · Associated General Contractors · Ohio Structural Steel & Architectural Metals Association · The Million Dollar Advocates Forum · Citizens for Safe Schools (Columbus City Schools Levy Campaign Committee), Treasurer · Citizens for Upper Arlington Schools (Upper Arlington Schools Levy Campaign Committee), Past Treasurer · Upper Arlington Community Improvement Corporation, Past Director · Upper Arlington Area Chamber of Commerce, Past Chairman · Rotary Club of Upper Arlington · Columbus Chamber of Commerce · Ohio YMCA Youth in Government Committee · Kids Voting Central Ohio Honorary Board · Upper Arlington Crew, Inc., Past President · Upper Arlington Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Past Chair · Ohio Real Estate Appraiser Board, Past Chair · Upper Arlington Civic Association, Past Director · Ohio West Virginia YMCA Board of Trustees, Past President Distinctions · Peer Review Rated AV in Martindale-Hubbell · Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® · Selected as a Top 50 attorney in Columbus and a Top 100 attorney in Ohio by Ohio Super Lawyers® · Recognized as a Leading Business Lawyer in Construction by Chambers USA Guide to America's Leading Business Lawyers · Appointed in 1989 by the Ohio governor as first public member of Ohio's Real Estate Appraiser Board · Appointed in 2009 by the Ohio governor as the attorney member of the Ohio Board of Building Standards · First practicing attorney elected to Board of Directors and then President in 1996 of the 1,300-member Builders Exchange of Central Ohio · Upper Arlington Chamber of Commerce 2009, Arthur E. Cullman, Business Person of the Year · Leadership Upper Arlington, 2010 Margine Moul Leadership Award Experience Subcontractor Defense
Masonry Contractor
Successfully defended our client in complex construction litigation arising from the construction of a large hotel in downtown Columbus. Smoot Construction Company of Ohio
Smoot Construction Company of Ohio
Representation of construction company in a number of claims Prime Contractor Representation
Industrial Contractor
Arbitration of dispute involving public water treatment plant construction project Project Manager Representation
Project Management and Construction Company
Defense of suit alleging breach of oral contract and promissory estoppel Surety Claim
Greenwich Insurance
Defense of surety in claims relating to default of the principal Supply Contract Dispute
Material Supplier in Supply Contract Dispute
Arbitration to recover monies due for supplying material handling systems for coal fired power plants. Special Counsel to Columbus City Attorney
City of Columbus City Attorney
Providing advice to City of Columbus with respect to sanitary sewer project Prime Contractor Representation
General Contractor
Defense of suit alleging breach of contract, fraud and slander Commercial Construction Project Dispute
Interior Finishes Subcontractor
Representation of subcontractor in dispute arising out of large commercial project Columbus City Schools Construction Matters
Columbus City Schools
Representation of Columbus City Schools in construction-related matters Amicus Brief on Behalf of Builders Association
Associated Builders and Contractors of Central Ohio
Filing amicus brief on behalf of a builders association in a suit involving the issue of recovery of damages arising out of construction delays Construction Related Matters for Airport Authority
Columbus Regional Airport Authority
Representation of the Columbus Regional Airport Authority in construction-related matters Nationwide Arena Ownership, Use and Management
Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority
Representation of Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority in a transaction by which the Authority becomes the owner of Nationwide Arena, with financing provided by the City of Columbus, Franklin County, State of Ohio and Nationwide Insurance based on casino tax revenue. Mechanics' Liens
Multiple Clients
Provide counsel to clients on mechanics' lien and bond claim issues High School Construction Project
Miles McClellan Construction Co., Inc.
Representation of construction company in multiple claims related to a high school construction project Publications May 11, 2011, Ohio's Budget, As Recently Passed By The House, Contains Key Changes To Public Construction September 1, 2010, Ohio Education Law Monthly (September 2010) May 21, 2009, Contractors and Subcontractors BEWARE: Ohio Court Rejects Perceived "Bid Shopping" Presentations October 11, 2011, "Construction Reform - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly," The Builders Exchange of Central Ohio September 28, 2011, "Mechanics' Liens - Private Commercial Liens," Ohio State Bar Association/CLE Institute September 6, 2011, "Construction Lien and Payment Remedies," Ohio State Bar Association -Construction Law Forum July 21, 2011, "Construction Reform - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly," The Builders Exchange of Central Ohio June 22, 2011, "Mechanics' Lien Law Program," The Builders Exchange of Central Ohio May 4, 2011, "The Construction Adventure - Be Prepared or Be Eaten!" Joint presentation with Danis Construction Company and Lancaster Pollard & Co., Ohio Health Care Association March 3, 2011, "Liens and Encumbrances Affecting Real Estate," Ohio State Bar Association February 4, 2011, "ABC's of Mechanics' Liens," Columbus Bar Association, Real Property Institute December 8, 2010, "Mechanics' Lien Law Program," The Builders Exchange of Central Ohio October 7, 2010, "Enforcing Mechanics' Liens on Ohio Real Estate," Ohio State Bar Association June 10, 2010, "What Every Contractor Needs to Know in Order to Maximize Recovery," Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. February 4, 2010, "Mortgage and Mechanics' Lien Priority Issues," Columbus Bar Association, Real Property Institute December 1, 2009, "Mechanics' Lien Law Program," The Builders Exchange of Central Ohio October 29, 2009, "Putting Yourself In Position To Be Paid," Joint Program with Willis/HRH and GBQ Partners September 11, 2009, "Business Development in a Down Economy," Columbus Bar Association September 9, 2009, "Modern Mechanics' Liens," Ohio State Bar Association June 2, 2009, "Mechanics' Lien Law Program," The Builders Exchange of Central Ohio March 19, 2009, "Liens and Encumbrances Affecting Real Estate," Ohio State Bar Association February 26, 2009, "Ohio Construction Law - New ConsensusDOCS," PESI February 2, 2009, "Ohio's Mechanics' Lien Law: The Hows and Whys of the Paperwork," The Builders Exchange of Central Ohio January 30, 2009, "What the General Assembly Tells Us About Construction Contracting," American Council of Engineering Companies of Ohio December 2, 2008, "Mechanics' Lien Law Program," The Builders Exchange of Central Ohio |