Justin Knappick is an experienced litigator who represents businesses, nonprofit organizations, and individuals in complex commercial disputes. He is a Partner in DBL Law’s Commercial Litigation, Creditors Rights & Collections Practice Group, as well as the Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice group. His practice spans business and employment litigation, real estate and construction disputes, creditors’ rights, restrictive covenants and non-compete matters, trade secrets, fraud, and probate litigation.
Justin represents clients at every stage of a dispute, from early strategy and negotiation through trial and appeal. He has successfully tried numerous jury cases in both state and federal courts and regularly appears in administrative proceedings. His approach is practical and results-driven, with a focus on understanding each client’s business objectives and developing an efficient strategy to achieve them.
Justin earned his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 2011. While in law school, he served on the Moot Court Honor Board, received multiple awards for achievement in employment and real property law, and served as a judicial extern to the Honorable Thomas M. Rose of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.
He earned his bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Dayton in 2008 and is admitted to practice in Ohio and Kentucky. Justin resides in Mt. Lookout with his wife, two children, and their dog, Fitz.
- Leadership Cincinnati – Class 49
- Ones to Watch, Commercial Litigation – Best Lawyers (2026)
- Kentucky Rising Star, Civil Litigation – Super Lawyers (2016-2026)
- 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
- 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.
- 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
