Joe's expertise focuses on complex business and product litigation for large and medium-sized corporations. Before joining Brouse McDowell in 1999 as a shareholder, he was with BP America, where he served as Senior Counsel responsible for litigation and management of an $18 million budget.

Throughout his law career, Joe has been heavily involved in the areas of anti-trust, product liability, construction, contract and environmental litigation and appellate practice. His litigation experience includes acting as lead counsel in major and complex litigation in state and federal courts throughout the United States. He began his law practice with a major law firm in Toledo, Ohio, in 1973.

Joe has been selected multiple years as a Super Lawyer in a peer and achievement-based review conducted by the research team at Super Lawyers, a service of Thompson Reuters legal division.

Joe is AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated through Martindale-Hubbell.

Professional & Civic Activities

· Joe serves on the Board of Directors of the Federal Bar Association Northern District of Ohio Chapter. He previously served as president, vice president and secretary for the Northern District Chapter and also served as the chapter's national delegate in Washington, D.C. during 2004 - 2005.

· Joe is a Life Member of the Sixth and Eighth circuit Judicial Conference. He is a Master Bencher and Chair for Continuing Legal Education for the Judge Manos Inn of Court.

· Joe is a member of the Akron, Cleveland Metropolitan, Ohio State, Federal and American Bar Associations.

· Joe has and continues to participate in many community and civic activities, including the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, having served on the board of its Buckeye Ohio Chapter.

· Joe was appointed by the Ohio Supreme Court to serve on The Board of Bar Examiners from 2003 to 2013.

Representative Engagements

· Obtained defense verdict for a consumer products manufacturer in burn case involving three children in Newark, New Jersey

· Successfully defended BP Amoco in a federal court action brought by 11 sellers of ethanol who, under the Sherman Act and Clayton Act, alleged conspiracy to eliminate competition

· Successfully represented Fortune 100 companies in Federal and state courts involving breach of contracts in the areas of construction, labor and supply, and coal

· Successfully represented a Fortune 100 company in state court in a major product liability case involving alleged asbestos exposure

· Successfully represented a Fortune 100 company in state court alleging environmental contamination of adjacent property

· Successfully represented subsidiary of a major corporation that manufactured products containing asbestos against claims brought in state and federal courts in Texas by thousands of plaintiffs alleging asbestosis against many defendants

· Successfully defended steel building manufacturers in various federal and state product liability matters

· Successfully represented a major corporation in the construction of its world headquarters building and the litigation and claims that followed as to delays and cost overruns

· Successfully represented a major appliance manufacturer in state court in New Jersey; obtained defense verdict

· Acting as mediation counsel for Major U.S. manufacturer of consumer products, has successfully settled cases without litigation expense