Justin Knappick is a partner in DBL Law’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice group. Justin has extensive experience in complex litigation matters including business, employment, and real property disputes; construction claims and defects, creditor’s rights, restrictive covenants, probate litigation, non-compete, trade secrets, and fraud. Justin advocates for clients in trial and appellate courts, as well as in administrative hearings, and has successfully secured winning verdicts in numerous jury trials in both state and federal courts. Whether representing privately held businesses, non-profits, or individuals, he tailors his approach to efficiently achieve his clients’ goals.
Justin earned his law degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 2011, graduating cum laude. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Dayton in 2008, graduating magna cum laude. While in law school, Justin was a member of the Moot Court Honor Board and received multiple awards for his achievements in employment and real property law. He also served as a judicial extern for the Hon. Thomas M. Rose in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.
Justin is admitted to practice law in Ohio and Kentucky. Justin and his wife and two kids live in Mt. Lookout, Ohio, with their dog Fitz.
- Leadership Cincinnati – Class 49
- Ones to Watch, Commercial Litigation – Best Lawyers (2025)
- Kentucky Rising Star, Civil Litigation – Super Lawyers (2016-2025)
- Henry Otterman Real Property Prize
- Ohio State Bar Association Labor and Employment Law Achievement Award
- Moot Court Honor Board
- Member, Kentucky Bar Association
- Member, Cincinnati Bar Association
- Potter Stewart Inn of Court
- Member, Learning Grove Board of Directors
- Commonwealth of Kentucky
- State of Ohio
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky
- Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals
- J.D., University of Cincinnati College of Law, cum laude, 2011
- B.S./B.A., University of Dayton, magna cum laude, 2008
- Obtained a jury verdict on a fraud claim on behalf of a multinational corporation in the Eastern District of Kentucky, which included an award of $280,000 in punitive damages.
- Negotiated a favorable resolution in a partnership dispute involving a family-owned business, successfully avoiding judicial dissolution of the corporation.
- Obtained public use rights to historic county roads in Eastern Kentucky on behalf of a non-profit association.
- Achieved a favorable resolution on behalf of a bourbon distillery in a dispute with a rickhouse and distributor concerning the loss of more than seven figures’ worth of 12-year-old bourbon.
- Obtained dismissal on the pleadings of multiple Americans with Disability Act claims against a hospital system.
- Successfully negotiated seven figure settlement on behalf of an Ohio manufacturer in breach of contract dispute with first-tier government contractor.
- Successfully advocated for a new standard for personal jurisdiction in defeating a motion to dismiss filed by a national corporation against a local small business, leading to immediate out-of-court payment to a local small business.
- Developed and implemented first of its kind collection theory which assisted in resolution of a nine-figure judgment.
- Prevailed in multiple partition actions in both Ohio and Kentucky securing favorable buyout and/or purchase for his clients.
