With broad expertise in construction litigation, Mr. O’Connell has represented engineers, architects, contractors and owners in construction-related claims, ranging from cost overruns to property damage, defective work to scope changes, delay to personal injury, acceleration to liquidated damages. Mr. O’Connell recognizes and addresses the challenges facing today’s construction industry. He has tried cases in state and federal courts across the United States.

Mr. O’Connell is also experienced in arbitration and mediation procedures, thereby offering clients the option to choose the best method of conflict resolution for their particular situation. He has successfully tried cases through to judgment in jury trials, to the bench and in arbitration, including multi-week trials in all three types of forums. Based on his 20 plus years of experience in handling construction litigation he has developed a keen sense of where construction projects can go wrong. Mr. O’Connell uses that knowledge to work proactively with clients at the start of projects in drafting, reviewing and negotiating contracts in order to maximize protections and minimize risk for the client.

He has developed an extensive database, taking industry-recognized standard forms (such as AIA, Consensus Documents, OFCC, and EJCDC documents) and creating contract documents tailored to the individual needs of his clients and the particular needs of the project. Mr. O’Connell has also worked with clients during the course of construction when issues arise on the job, to ensure that problems are properly documented to best position the client in the event the problems devolve into claims. Mr. O’Connell earned his J.D. degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Dayton School of Law.

Mr. Greene focuses his practice on resolving construction disputes and assisting clients in all phases of construction projects. His broad experience with the litigation process includes pleadings and motion practice, pretrial discovery, and trial preparation. Mr. Greene brings hands-on experience in construction having worked for numerous subcontractors and a multifamily apartment renovation company in numerous aspects ranging from litigation, lien enforcements, general labor, supervision, bid drafting, and American Institute of Architects (AIA) contract review. He also assists with catastrophic loss litigation.

Mr. Harper represents clients in a wide range of business, construction, trust, land use, eminent domain, and real estate disputes in state and federal courts throughout Ohio and Michigan. Mr. Harper is listed by Best Lawyers in America® for the practice areas of Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Construction, and Litigation – Land Use and Zoning. He is a member of Eastman & Smith’s Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights, Business Litigation, Construction Law, Aggregates and Industrial Minerals, and Eminent Domain Practice Groups. Engaged in the private practice of law since 1993, Mr. Harper has been lead counsel in numerous jury and non-jury trials, as well as arbitrations. He has also provided expert testimony regarding attorney’s fees claims.

In 1989, Mr. Harper obtained his bachelor of arts degree, magna cum laude, from Ashland University where he was named the Criminal Justice Outstanding Senior. Mr. Harper obtained his law degree, magna cum laude, in 1992 from the University of Toledo College of Law where he was the managing editor of the law review, a member of the Order of the Coif, and named the Outstanding College of Law Graduate. Following his graduation from law school, Mr. Harper served for one year as a law clerk to the Honorable Richard F. Suhrheinrich of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

Mr. Harper presents regularly on various topics relating to business and construction law to groups such as the Construction Financial Management Association (annual conference), the Northwest Ohio Chapter of the Construction Financial Management Association, the Mechanical Contractors’ Association of Northwest Ohio, the Toledo Board of Realtors and the Toledo Chamber of Commerce. He has also taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Toledo College of Law.

Mr. Levine is a member of the Business Litigation Group, where he represents businesses in a wide range of commercial disputes. His practice focuses on business and commercial litigation, as well as construction litigation. Mr. Levine counsels clients on matters involving construction defects, payment disputes, and real estate development, along with broader issues affecting day-to-day business operations. He also has experience in employment law, estate planning, and probate litigation, providing strategic guidance in complex family, fiduciary, and asset-related disputes.

Mr. Truax’s practice includes counseling and representing contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, owners, and developers in the negotiation and review of contract forms and front-end project documents, as well as bidding and bid protest matters. His previous experience working in the field for general contractors and specialty trades provides him with a depth of practical construction knowledge in advising and counseling clients in the management, prosecution, and defense of claims during construction projects. These claims range from extra work scope claims and insurance coverage issues to claims for differing site conditions, extended general conditions, lost productivity, acceleration and delay. Mr. Truax also routinely files and defends against mechanic’s lien, public lien, and payment bond claims in Ohio and other states. He’s spent the bulk of his career pursuing and defending construction cases in litigation and arbitration.