DBL Law

DBL Law, Cincinnati Law Firm

SUBSCRIBE
  • About Us
  • Practices
  • Attorneys
  • News/Events
    • COVID-19 Business Resources
    • Blogs
      • Civil Litigation
      • Criminal Defense
    • Events
    • Firm News
    • Legal Alerts
    • Newsletters
  • Contact
    • Northern Kentucky
    • Louisville, KY
    • Cincinnati, OH
    • Careers
  • Excel Title

Civil Litigation Law Practice

  • Broad experience in all phases of litigation, including appeals
  • Success built on clear client communication
  • Common-sense approach to minimize surprises and enhance the probability of a successful outcome
  • Practice Group Leader is David V. Kramer

DBL Law offers a range of experience suited to any litigation need. Nearly half of our attorneys are involved in litigation in some capacity, including traditional trial and appellate practice, administrative, employment and regulatory hearings, restraining orders and injunctions, or mediation and arbitration. DBL attorneys are experienced in litigation involving:

  • Medical malpractice defense
  • Breach of contract
  • Insurance coverage disputes
  • Insurance defense
  • Trade secrets and business competition issues
  • Complex construction and real estate disputes
  • Bankruptcy
  • Debt collection
  • Employment practices
  • Corporate transactions
  • Lender liability
  • Product liability investigation and litigation
  • Motor vehicle accidents
  • Personal injury
  • Wrongful death
  • Professional liability
  • Religious institutions
  • Zoning and land use
  • Public and private school issues
  • Workers’ compensation

Depth of Resources
DBL Law emphasizes early, frequent and responsive communication with the client about the facts of a case, the legal issues, various strategies and cost.  DBL Law seeks to handle cases realistically and pragmatically, and uses alternative dispute resolution methods such as mediation and arbitration where feasible.  DBL Law attorneys also exploit fully the firm’s litigation resources, including attorney round-table case evaluation when appropriate, paralegals, trained support staff, and electronic case presentation.  In addition to acting as lead counsel on litigation matters for regular clients, DBL Law often serves as local counsel to law firms from outside the region, and to Ohio attorneys who need local counsel in Kentucky.

Appellate Law Practice
DBL Law’s attorneys have extensive experience representing clients with appeals generated following judgments in trial courts. DBL Law appellate attorneys regularly handle the process of appealing or defending an appeal of a final judgment, including appeals in which other firms have handled the underlying matter in the trial court. Recognizing that persuasive draftsmanship in the appellate brief and effective oral advocacy are  critical to prevailing on appeal, DBL Law attorneys are adept at formulating arguments to optimize the prospects  for a successful outcome.

Excellence in Citizenship
DBL Law is actively involved in Kentucky state government, handling a significant number of regulatory proceedings in the Commonwealth. DBL Law attorneys serve on a number of state and local boards and are actively involved in state and local Leadership programs. See attorney bios for additional details.

Notable Appellate Decisions
Osborn v. Griffin, 865 F.3d 417 (6th Cir. 2017)
Mitchell v. Baptist Physicians Lexington, Inc., 2017 WL 3328111 (Ky. App. 2017)
Hitch v. St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Inc., 2016 WL 1557734 (Ky. App. 2016)
United States v. Arny, 831 F.3d 725 (6th Cir. 2016)
Berger Family Real Estate, LLC v. City of Covington, 464 S.W.3d 160 (Ky. App. 2015)
Pola v. United States, 778 F.3d 525 (6th Cir. 2015)
Wanandi v. Black, 2015 WL 2084511 (Ky. App. 2015)
Alzadon v. Highlands Hosp. Corp., Inc., 2014 WL 3887900 (Ky. App. 2014)
White v. Sanitation District No. 1, 2014 WL 2795837 (Ky. App. 2014)
Com. v. Grider, 390 S.W.3d 803 (2012)
Sandoz Inc. v. Commonwealth ex rel. Conway, 405 S.W.3d 506 (Ky. App. 2012)
Dierig v. Lees Leisure Industries LTD., 830 F.Supp.2d 330 (E.D. Ky. 2011)
Morgan v Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Inc., 2010-CA-000197-MR, (2011)
Larry Green v. Fidelity Investments, 374 Fed. Appx. 573 (6th Cir. 2010)
Gilbert v. Com., Cabinet for Health & Family Services, 291 S.W.3d 712 (Ky. App. 2008)
U.S. v. Pacheco-Lopez, 531 F.3d 420 (2008)
Cynthia L. Puke v. J.A. Stevens Mower Co., Inc., 237 S.W.3d 564 (Ky. App. 2007)
Leonard v. St. Claire Medical Center, Inc., 2007 WL 625074 (Ky. App. 2007)
Cavana v. Love, 2005 WL 1415361 (Ky. App. 2005)
Compton v. St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Inc., 2005 WL 327116 (Ky. App. 2005)
Douglas Meek v. Tom Sexton & Associates, Inc., 163 Ohio App.3d 549 (Oh. App. 2005)
Straub v. Kilgore, 100 Fed. Appx. 379 (6th Cir. 2004)
Drees Company v Osburg, 2002-CA-001051-MR, (2003)
Johnson v. St. Claire Medical Center, Inc., 2003 WL 22149386 (Ky. App. 2003)
Eaton Asphalt Paving Company, Inc. v CSX Transportation, Inc., 1997-CA-3162-MR, (1999)
Denise Pangburn v. Northern Kentucky University, 1998 WL 1595522 (E.D. Ky. 1998)
Stahl v Saint Elizabeth Medical Center, 95-CA-1477-MR (1997)
Gallenstein v United States of America, 975 F2d 286 (6th Cir. 1992)

 

Practice Related News

  • 12/22/20
    David Kramer Named To Kentucky Super Lawyers Top 10 List
  • 06/02/20
    David Kramer Receives Covington Latin Alumni Award
  • 05/18/20
    David Kramer Elected Salmon P. Chase Inn of Court President
  • 02/13/20
    SCOKY Rule Change Requires Annual Dues Renewal of Pro Hac Vice Admission
  • 01/27/20
    Northern Kentucky Attorney Named To Top 50 KY Super Lawyer List
Subscribe

Contact one of our Civil Litigation Law Practice attorneys

Gerald Benzinger

Gerald Benzinger

Practice Areas
  • Civil Litigation
  • Corporate Law
  • Estate & Succession Planning
Gerald is a former managing partner of DBL Law and is a partner in the Estate Planning section. In 1978, Gerald became a Diplomat of the Court of Practice Institute. He was  
  • 859 426 2106
  • Connect
  • Vcard
  • gbenzinger@dbllaw.com
Nick Birkenhauer

Nick Birkenhauer

Practice Areas
  • Civil Litigation
  • Employment & Labor
  • Education Law
Nick is a DBL Law partner whose practice is focused on assisting employers with all aspects of Human Resources and Employment Law.  Nick has extensive experience working with employers of  
  • 859 426 2176
  • Connect
  • Vcard
  • nbirkenhauer@dbllaw.com
William H. Brammell, Jr.

Bill Brammell

Practice Areas
  • Civil Litigation
  • Administrative Law & Zoning
  • Employment & Labor
Bill is a partner in DBL Law’s Louisville office, practicing primarily in the areas of Civil & Commercial Litigation, including defending employment discrimination claims, administrative law, contract negotiation, and white  
  • 502 630 1302
  • Connect
  • bbrammell@dbllaw.com
Stephen Burke

Steve Burke

Practice Areas
  • Civil Litigation
  • Insurance
  • Administrative Law & Zoning
Steve is a DBL Law partner, representing employers, plaintiffs, and individual defendants in all types of cases involving property damage or bodily injury. Before becoming a lawyer, Steve worked as  
  • 859 426 2146
  • Connect
  • Vcard
  • sburke@dbllaw.com

Kayla Campbell

Practice Areas
  • Civil Litigation
  • Banking & Commercial
  • Excel Title Services
Kayla is an associate attorney practicing primarily in the area of Civil Litigation.  She first joined DBL Law as a summer associate in 2016. Kayla is based in the firm’s  
  • 502 630 1305
  • Connect
  • kcampbell@dbllaw.com

Jon Connor

Practice Areas
  • Civil Litigation
  • Collections
  • Banking & Commercial
Jon's practice focuses primarily on civil litigation and creditors' rights. He first joined DBL Law as a summer associate in 2016, beginning his professional practice at DBL Law's Northern Kentucky  
  • 859 426 2187
  • Connect
  • jconnor@dbllaw.com

Mitchel Denham

Practice Areas
  • Civil Litigation
  • Employment & Labor
  • Government
Mitchel joined DBL Law as a partner in its Louisville office in 2018. Mitchel’s wide range of experience makes him a sought-after attorney and advisor. He uses this experience to  
  • 502 630 1307
  • Connect
  • Vcard
  • mdenham@dbllaw.com
David Dirr

David Dirr

Practice Areas
  • Civil Litigation
  • Health Care
David is a partner in DBL Law’s Healthcare and Civil Litigation practice groups. He represents clients in a wide array of healthcare-related issues, including Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, anti-kickback law,  
  • 859 426 2182
  • Connect
  • Vcard
  • ddirr@dbllaw.com
Michael Enzweiler

Mike Enzweiler

Practice Areas
  • Civil Litigation
  • Medical Malpractice
Mike is an associate attorney with DBL Law. His practice focuses primarily on medical malpractice defense, for which Mike represents hospitals, physicians, and nurses against claims of medical negligence.  However,  
  • 859 426 2103
  • Connect
  • menzweiler@dbllaw.com

Madison Gamble

Practice Areas
  • Civil Litigation
  • Banking & Commercial
Madison is an associate attorney in DBL Law's Civil Litigation and Banking practice groups.  She joined DBL Law as a summer associate in 2019. Madison received her Juris Doctor, cum laude,  
  • 502 630 1309
  • mgamble@dbllaw.com

Emma Gripshover

Practice Areas
  • Civil Litigation
  • Employment & Labor
Emma is an associate attorney in DBL Law's Employment Law and Civil Litigation practice groups. She joined DBL Law in 2020 and is based in the Northern Kentucky office. Emma received  
  • 859 426 2147
  • egripshover@dbllaw.com
Mark Guilfoyle

Mark Guilfoyle

Practice Areas
  • Civil Litigation
  • Administrative Law & Zoning
  • Education Law
Mark is a partner at DBL Law. He practices extensively in the area of Administrative Law, guiding clients through the administrative processes of state and local governments in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.  
  • 859 426 2149
  • Connect
  • Vcard
  • mguilfoyle@dbllaw.com

Emily Hanna

Practice Areas
  • Civil Litigation
  • Collections
  • Community Associations – HOA & COA
Emily is a partner in DBL Law's Litigation group with an emphasis on Debtor/Creditor Rights, and Estates & Trusts.  She also practices in the firm’s Homeowners and Condominium Owners Association  
  • 859 426 2161
  • Connect
  • Vcard
  • ehanna@dbllaw.com

Kevin Hoskins

Practice Areas
  • Civil Litigation
  • Administrative Law & Zoning
  • Employment & Labor
Kevin is a partner at DBL Law, practicing in the firm's Civil Litigation, Employment & Labor and Administrative Law sections. His practice focuses on cases involving business disputes, zoning issues, product  
  • 513 639 7671
  • Connect
  • Vcard
  • khoskins@dbllaw.com

Ellie Houston

Practice Areas
  • Civil Litigation
  • Medical Malpractice
  • Health Care
Ellie is a section leader in DBL Law's Medical Malpractice group and serves on the firm's Executive Committee. She specializes in the areas of medical negligence defense and healthcare. Ellie’s  
  • 859 426 2179
  • Connect
  • Vcard
  • ehouston@dbllaw.com

Justin Knappick

Practice Areas
  • Civil Litigation
  • Banking & Commercial
  • Collections
Justin is a DBL Law partner and Community Associations-HOAs & COAs practice group leader. He focuses primarily in the area of Commercial & Collections Litigation.  Justin joined DBL Law in  
  • 859 426 2167
  • Connect
  • Vcard
  • jknappick@dbllaw.com

David Kramer

Practice Areas
  • Civil Litigation
  • Medical Malpractice
David is the chair of DBL Law’s Litigation practice group. He represents clients in state and federal trial and appellate courts and before administrative agencies. He has successfully tried cases  
  • 859 426 2124
  • Connect
  • Vcard
  • dkramer@dbllaw.com

Joey Kramer

Practice Areas
  • Civil Litigation
  • Construction
Joey is an associate attorney practicing in the Civil litigation and Construction practice groups. Joey joined DBL Law as a summer associate in May 2015, and is based in the  
  • 859 426 2195
  • Connect
  • Download Bio
  • jkramer@dbllaw.com
Christopher Markus

Chris Markus

Practice Areas
  • Civil Litigation
  • Administrative Law & Zoning
  • Construction
Chris is a partner at DBL Law, representing clients in complex litigation matters before federal and state courts, arbitrators, mediators and administrative agencies. His practice includes handling disputes involving condemnation,  
  • 859 426 2126
  • Connect
  • Vcard
  • cmarkus@dbllaw.com
Ryan McLane

Ryan McLane

Practice Areas
  • Civil Litigation
  • Construction
  • Medical Malpractice
Ryan is a partner in the firm’s Civil Litigation practice group. His practice focuses on the areas of business litigation, construction law, and medical malpractice defense. He has successfully represented clients  
  • 859 426 2143
  • Connect
  • Vcard
  • rmclane@dbllaw.com

Rick Meyer

Practice Areas
  • Civil Litigation
  • Construction
  • Administrative Law & Zoning
Rick is a partner in DBL Law's Civil Litigation practice. He represents a clients on a wide array of matters, including work in business, construction, engineering, health care, banking, employment,  
  • 859 426 2128
  • Connect
  • rmeyer@dbllaw.com

Olivia Oney

Practice Areas
  • Civil Litigation
Olivia is an associate attorney practicing primarily in the area of Civil Litigation in the Louisville office. Olivia received her Juris Doctor from the University of Kentucky College of Law in  
  • 502 630 1311
  • ooney@dbllaw.com

Andrew Pellino

Practice Areas
  • Civil Litigation
  • Health Care
  • Medical Malpractice
Andrew is a section leader in DBL Law’s Medical Malpractice group and a member of the firm's Civil Litigation practice group. His practice focuses on complex litigation, including class actions,  
  • 502 630 1301
  • Connect
  • Vcard
  • apellino@dbllaw.com

Patrick Reagan

Practice Areas
  • Civil Litigation
  • Community Associations – HOA & COA
  • Litigation
Patrick is an associate attorney in DBL Law's Civil Litigation practice group and has a particular interest in election law. He joined DBL Law in 2018. Patrick received his Juris Doctor  
  • 513 357 5292
  • Connect
  • Vcard
  • preagan@dbllaw.com

Danyel Rickman

Practice Areas
  • Civil Litigation
  • Administrative Law & Zoning
Danyel is an associate attorney and primarily practices in the area of Administrative Law and Civil Litigation. She first joined DBL Law in July 2017 and is based in the  
  • 859 426 2193
  • Connect
  • drickman@dbllaw.com

Erin Shaughnessy

Practice Areas
  • Civil Litigation
  • Banking & Commercial
  • Employment & Labor
Erin is an associate attorney practicing primarily in the area of Civil Litigation. She first joined DBL Law as a summer associate in 2018. Erin received her Juris Doctor from the  
  • 502 630 1310
  • Connect
  • Vcard
  • eshaughnessy@dbllaw.com

Katherine Simone

Practice Areas
  • Civil Litigation
  • Banking & Commercial
  • Bankruptcy
Katherine is an associate attorney practicing primarily in Commercial Litigation, Collections & Bankruptcy, Commercial Transactions, Banking, Corporate and Real Estate. She joined DBL Law in 2019, and is based in  
  • 859 426 2189
  • Connect
  • Vcard
  • ksimone@dbllaw.com

Brad Steffen

Practice Areas
  • Civil Litigation
  • Employment & Labor
  • White Collar Criminal Defense
Brad focuses his practice on Civil Litigation, Employment and Labor law, and White Collar Criminal Defense. Prior to joining DBL Law, Brad served in the military as an officer in  
  • 513 357 5290
  • bsteffen@dbllaw.com

Cathy Stickels

Practice Areas
  • Civil Litigation
  • Medical Malpractice
  • Health Care
Cathy L. Stickels is a section leader in DBL Law’s Medical Malpractice group and specializes in the areas of healthcare law and medical malpractice defense.  Cathy’s practice is focused on  
  • 859 426 2175
  • Connect
  • Vcard
  • cstickels@dbllaw.com

Katie Tranter

Practice Areas
  • Civil Litigation
  • Employment & Labor
  • Non-Profit & Tax-Exempt Organizations
Katie is an associate attorney practicing primarily in the areas of Employment Law and Civil Litigation. She joined DBL Law as a summer associate in May of 2011 and is  
  • 513 357 5285
  • Connect
  • Vcard
  • ktranter@dbllaw.com
Kent Wicker

Kent Wicker

Practice Areas
  • Civil Litigation
  • White Collar Criminal Defense
Kent is a DBL Law partner and chair of the firm's White Collar Criminal Law practice. He has been a courtroom attorney for his entire career, prosecuting and defending in  
  • 502 630 1306
  • Connect
  • Vcard
  • kwicker@dbllaw.com
 
  • Best Places To Work NKY 2020
  • Best Places To Work 2020
  • Top Work Places

    2011 – 2020

NORTHERN KENTUCKY
  (859) 341-1881
CINCINNATI, OH
  (513) 241-4110
LOUISVILLE, KY
  (502) 572-2500
©Copyright 2021 DBL Law All Rights Reserved
THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT