Representative Cases

• John served as the lead trial and appellate lawyer on the case invalidating Cincinnati’s illegal attempt to criminalize firearm possession. In 2023, Cincinnati passed a law making it a crime to have a firearm that was not always locked away when anyone under 18 was present. John argued the challenge to that law to the Trial Court, which agreed that Cincinnati’s attempt to criminalize the constitutional right to bear arms violated Ohio law. The City appealed that decision. John argued the case to the Court of Appeals, which unanimously agreed that Cincinnati’s attempt to criminalize gun ownership was illegal and ordered that the law be immediately revoked.
• Represented young woman charged with Involuntary Manslaughter, Corrupting Another with Drugs and Tampering with Evidence, accusing client of being responsible for the fentanyl overdose death of a man. Conviction as charged carried up to 22 years in prison and up to a mandatory 8 years in prison. Negotiated a plea agreement to Tampering with Evidence and Drug Abuse with probation and drug treatment. Plea included agreement that case records will be sealed when eligible. Manslaughter and Corrupting charges were dismissed. Plea provided for no responsibility for or involvement in the overdose death.
• Notified late on a Saturday night that client had been jailed on an outstanding warrant. Contacted the prosecutor Sunday morning, who agreed to an own recognizance (“OR”) bond. Then contacted the Judge and drove to his home, where the Judge signed the agreed OR bond entry. Then drove to the jail, filed the OR bond entry, and the client was released by noon, approximately 12 hours after his arrest.
• Notified one evening that client had been hospitalized because of an OVI/DUI accident, after also being charged with felony fentanyl possession. Police issued “hospital hold” warrant, meaning client would be transferred to jail upon discharge from hospital, which was scheduled for next day. Contacted the prosecutor and Judge the next morning, who both agreed to an own recognizance (“OR”) bond. The client was discharged shortly thereafter, but to her home and not to jail.
• Represented a mom jailed on warrant for Domestic Violence after 14 year old daughter accused her of assault. Immediately gained client’s release. After negotiations, charge was dismissed and all case records sealed.
• Represented client charged with felony Carrying Concealed Weapon after a Sunday morning traffic stop where firearm was discovered in car. Negotiated with police during arrest, who agreed not to jail client after arrest. Then, after pretrial negotiations with police and prosecutor, all charges were dismissed and all case records sealed.
• Represented client charged with Resisting Arrest after attempting to assault a police officer. Police considered felony charges at scene. Negotiated with police and prosecutor over a nine month period to reach plea agreement to Disorderly conduct and only a $100 fine.
• Represented individual who was a fugitive for 12 years after violating probation on a felony drug conviction. Negotiated resolution where arrest warrant was dismissed and client released from probation without having to appear in court.
• Represented individual charged in two separate Indictments totaling 24 counts of drug trafficking related offenses. Conviction as charged carried up to 69 years in prison and a mandatory 22 years in prison. Negotiated a plea agreement for probation and no incarceration.
• Represented individual charged with Leaving the Scene of an Accident in one jurisdiction after being apprehended and charged with Driving Under the Influence of alcohol in another jurisdiction. Negotiated plea agreements where both charges were reduced to a minor misdemeanor traffic offenses with no incarceration.
• Represented individual charged with a felony for Conspiracy to Illegally Convey Drugs into a Prison. Negotiated agreement where the case was dismissed and all case records sealed after completion of pre-trial diversion program.
• Represented an individual indicted with three co-defendants for Aggravated Burglary with Firearm Specifications.  Negotiated plea agreement with no incarceration.  Co-defendants entered pleas. Two were sentenced to four years in prison and one was sentenced to six years in prison.
• Represented an individual indicted with co-defendant for Aggravated Burglary, Obstructing Justice and Tampering with Evidence. Negotiated plea agreement with no incarceration. Co-defendant entered guilty plea and was sentenced to six years in prison.
• Represented a Pharmacist indicted for four felony counts of Theft of Drugs.  Negotiated complete dismissal of Indictment and sealing of all case records.
• Represented a 17 year old charged with felony heroin possession in Juvenile Court. Negotiated a diversion agreement where the charge was dismissed and record sealed.
• Successfully represented a corporation in its federal court civil prosecution of organized interstate and international trademark counterfeiting.
• Represented individual charged with three felony counts of Assault on police officers. Negotiated plea to one count of minor misdemeanor Disorderly Conduct, a non-criminal offense.
• Represented a student in felony indictment for Aggravated Arson for setting fires on a college campus. Negotiated plea agreement with no incarceration.
• Represented an individual charged with Resisting Arrest, during which two police officers were injured. Negotiated plea to one count of Disorderly Conduct with no incarceration.
• Represented an individual indicted for two felony counts of Obstructing Justice for allegedly harboring her ex-husband, who was a fugitive from justice.  Negotiated complete dismissal of Indictment and sealing of all case records.