Top 9 law firms in Ohio: A data-driven guide

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Ohio's complex industrial economy demands sophisticated legal counsel across manufacturing, healthcare, and financial services sectors. With the legal services industry directly employing 44,427 people and businesses spending billions annually on legal services, selecting the right firm requires careful evaluation of capabilities, industry expertise, and geographic reach. This data-driven analysis examines Ohio's leading firms based on size, practice areas, client outcomes, and market positioning to help businesses make informed decisions about legal representation.

Understanding Ohio's legal landscape

Ohio's legal market serves as a cornerstone of the state's $727.3 billion economy, with over 37,000 licensed attorneys supporting nearly 1 million small businesses. The state's manufacturing sector, generating $109.8 billion annually, drives substantial legal demand alongside healthcare and financial services. Finance/insurance and manufacturing industries each invest over $1 billion yearly in legal services. Legal resources concentrate in urban centers, with 73% of attorneys serving Cleveland and Cincinnati's 42% of the population. Cross-border commerce with neighboring industrial states creates regulatory complexity, while Ohio's 88 agricultural counties require specialized compliance counsel, making the selection of appropriate legal representation critical for business success.

Top 9 firms in Ohio

Based on comprehensive market analysis, Ohio's legal landscape features firms ranging from century-old institutions to innovative boutiques. The top three firms—Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff; Taft Stettinius & Hollister; and Dinsmore & Shohl—each employ over 450 attorneys and maintain multi-state presences, offering full-service capabilities to Fortune 500 companies and emerging businesses alike. These firms demonstrate Ohio's evolution from regional legal market to sophisticated business law hub serving national and international clients.

Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP

Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP stands as an AmLaw 200 powerhouse with over 450 attorneys across seven offices including Cleveland, Columbus, New York, and Shanghai. Founded in 1938, the firm has evolved into a comprehensive business law practice serving startups to Fortune 500 companies. Benesch's strategic growth includes recruiting partners from AmLaw 50 firms while maintaining cost efficiency, with its New York office expanding from 8 to 45+ attorneys within one year of opening in 2023.

Key practice areas

• Corporate law and M&A
• Commercial finance
• Intellectual property
• Healthcare
• Labor and employment
• Transportation and logistics

Best for

Mid-market companies and Fortune 500 corporations requiring sophisticated legal counsel in transportation, healthcare, or private equity sectors. The firm's international presence makes it ideal for businesses with global operations or expansion plans, particularly those in artificial intelligence, polymers, and logistics industries seeking cost-effective AmLaw 200 representation.

Notable facts

Benesch earned U.S. News & World Report's "Transportation Law Firm of the Year" six times between 2014 and 2023. The firm celebrated its 85th anniversary in 2023 while maintaining Chambers USA rankings for 36 attorneys across 15 practice areas. Its sustainable growth model emphasizes strategic lateral hires from top-tier firms while preserving the firm's collaborative culture and client-focused approach.

Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP

Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP operates as one of Ohio's largest firms with over 1,000 attorneys across 15 offices nationwide. Established in 1885, Taft has grown 440% since 2017 through strategic mergers including Briggs & Morgan (2020) and Sherman & Howard (2025). The firm maintains comprehensive practices serving individuals to multinational corporations, with particular strength in healthcare, energy, and technology sectors.

Key practice areas

• Business law
• Bankruptcy and restructuring
• Lending and finance
• Litigation
• Real estate
• Healthcare

Best for

Large corporations and healthcare systems requiring full-service legal representation across multiple jurisdictions. Taft excels for clients needing complex restructuring, environmental litigation expertise, or comprehensive data breach response, having handled over 5,000 incidents. The firm's Midwest presence and D.C. office position it well for companies navigating federal regulations.

Notable facts

Taft's environmental litigation team gained national recognition representing West Virginians against DuPont in the case featured in the 2019 film "Dark Waters." The firm's Cincinnati headquarters includes The Taft Center conference facility for enhanced client services. Taft maintains Chambers USA rankings and operates a robust pro bono program alongside its commercial practice.

Dinsmore & Shohl LLP

Dinsmore & Shohl LLP employs 750+ attorneys across 30 offices nationwide, maintaining major Ohio presences in Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland, and Dayton. Founded in 1908, this full-service firm has deep roots in regulated industries including insurance, healthcare, and utilities, with historical ties to Procter & Gamble's global expansion. Dinsmore serves clients from startups to international conglomerates across diverse practice areas.

Key practice areas

• Corporate law
• Intellectual property
• Labor and employment
• Real estate
• Litigation
• Regulated industries

Best for

Companies in heavily regulated industries such as insurance, healthcare, and utilities requiring experienced regulatory counsel. Dinsmore's extensive geographic footprint suits businesses with multi-state operations, while its business dynamics practice benefits companies seeking economic development opportunities, having facilitated 531,120 jobs through openings and expansions between 2021-2022.

Notable facts

Notable alumni include Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart and current D.C. Circuit Judge Justin Walker. The firm recently expanded to Los Angeles, San Diego, and Houston while maintaining U.S. News & World Report "Best Law Firms" rankings. Dinsmore operates an active pro bono program through its Volunteer Indigent Program, balancing commercial success with community service.

Kohrman Jackson & Krantz LLP (KJK)

Kohrman Jackson & Krantz LLP (KJK) operates with 50 attorneys across Cleveland and Columbus offices, offering national-caliber expertise with boutique flexibility. Originating in 1918 as Kohrman & Kohrman, founded by Polish immigrant brothers, KJK provides business-focused services to Fortune 500 corporations, startups, municipalities, and high-net-worth individuals across 30+ practice areas.

Key practice areas

• Corporate law
• Civil litigation
• Labor and employment
• Construction and real estate
• Wealth and estate planning
• Cybersecurity and data privacy
• Economic development law

Best for

Mid-size businesses and municipalities seeking personalized attention with sophisticated capabilities. KJK excels for companies requiring cybersecurity counsel, economic development guidance, or comprehensive business representation from entity formation through IPO. The firm's approach as "business partners rather than just lawyers" suits growth-oriented companies valuing strategic legal counsel.

Notable facts

KJK maintains its founding heritage as a small business-focused practice while delivering comprehensive legal services across diverse sectors. The firm's art collection reflects deep community engagement, and its innovative approach combines century-old experience with modern business solutions. KJK handles matters ranging from startup formation to complex corporate transactions with equal expertise.

McDonald Hopkins LLC

McDonald Hopkins LLC employs 140+ attorneys across offices in Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, and Florida. Founded in 1930 by former Iowa farmhand Thomas McDonald, the firm serves startups, family businesses, hospitals, universities, and public companies including notable client Vitamix. McDonald Hopkins pioneered physician incorporation following a landmark 1969 appellate victory.

Key practice areas

• Business restructuring
• Healthcare
• Data privacy
• Intellectual property
• Litigation

Best for

Healthcare organizations, distressed businesses requiring restructuring, and companies facing data privacy challenges. The firm's Business Restructuring Group ranks among the Midwest's largest, while its Data Privacy practice has managed 5,000+ breach incidents globally. McDonald Hopkins suits businesses seeking specialized expertise in automotive, metals, or healthcare sectors.

Notable facts

The firm maintains technological innovation traditions dating to its 1950s adoption of IBM's "power typing system." McDonald Hopkins received Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent ratings and expanded rapidly in the mid-2000s, opening four offices in three years. Its healthcare practice's pioneering work in physician incorporation continues influencing modern medical practice structures.

SSP Law Co., L.P.A.

SSP Law Co., L.P.A. operates with 11-50 attorneys from its Cincinnati headquarters, focusing on business litigation, real estate, estate planning, and contract law. Established in 1995, the firm serves entrepreneurial businesses and high-net-worth individuals throughout the Midwest, emphasizing personalized service without large-firm overhead while acting as "entrepreneurs and businesspeople at heart."

Key practice areas

• Commercial litigation and UCC disputes
• Breach of contract resolution
• Estate administration and trusts
• Real estate transactions

Best for

Entrepreneurial businesses and high-net-worth individuals requiring sophisticated commercial litigation or estate planning services. SSP Law excels in complex Uniform Commercial Code cases involving sales of goods, contract formation, and security interest perfection. The firm's regional focus suits clients needing experienced counsel in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana courts.

Notable facts

Notable attorney Peter Saba has tried cases before federal courts, Ohio Supreme Court, and multiple appellate courts, obtaining multi-million dollar results. The firm handles complex commercial disputes with expertise in business contract litigation and real estate matters. SSP Law combines boutique firm attention with comprehensive litigation capabilities across the tri-state region.

UB Greensfelder LLP

UB Greensfelder LLP emerged in 2024 from the merger of Ulmer & Berne and Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, creating an Am Law 200 firm with 275 attorneys across nine offices. The combined entity serves regional, national, and global businesses across 25+ practice groups, with particular strengths in construction law, corporate transactions, and intellectual property.

Key practice areas

• Construction law
• Corporate transactions
• Intellectual property
• Manufacturing
• Healthcare
• Technology

Best for

Regional and national businesses seeking freshly combined resources with century-old heritage. UB Greensfelder suits companies in mature and emerging industries requiring cross-disciplinary legal support, particularly in construction, manufacturing, and technology sectors. The firm's Midwest concentration with D.C. presence benefits clients navigating regional and federal matters.

Notable facts

The firm combines 1908 heritage with modern legal solutions, maintaining offices in key Midwest markets plus Washington D.C. UB Greensfelder's construction practice publishes the "Nuts & Bolts" legal blog providing industry insights. Post-merger integration focuses on delivering "superior, customized legal solutions" with mid-market efficiency across diverse sectors.

Dearden Law Offices

Dearden Law Offices operates as a boutique firm from Centerville, Ohio, specializing in business transactions, tax consulting, contract negotiation, asset protection, and real estate law. Founded in 2016 by Matt Dearden, who brings experience from Thompson Dunlap & Heydinger and Sebaly Shillito & Dyer, the firm focuses on customized solutions for entrepreneurs and established companies.

Key practice areas

• Business transactions
• Tax consulting
• Contract negotiation
• Asset protection
• Real estate law
• Estate planning with domestic asset protection trusts

Best for

Entrepreneurs, high-net-worth individuals, and businesses seeking fractional general counsel services ($3,000-$10,000/month). Dearden Law Offices excels for companies requiring personalized attention in business formation, real estate development compliance, or sophisticated estate planning. The firm's boutique approach suits clients throughout the Dayton-Cincinnati corridor valuing direct partner access.

Notable facts

Client testimonials highlight Dearden's personalized approach, with one noting he "went above and beyond" in LLC formation. The firm has successfully represented real estate teams and manufacturing companies in contract drafting and liability reduction. Dearden Law Offices offers free consultations and provides fractional general counsel retainers as a cost-effective alternative to in-house legal departments.

Mac Murray & Shuster LLP

Mac Murray & Shuster LLP stands as a women-owned boutique specializing in consumer protection and privacy regulatory compliance. Launched in 2007 by former Ohio Attorney General's Office regulators, the firm employs 11-20 attorneys in Columbus and Cincinnati, defending clients in investigations by state AGs, FTC, FCC, and CFPB while providing proactive compliance management.

Key practice areas

• Consumer protection regulatory compliance
• Privacy and data security
• Financial services regulation
• Healthcare compliance
• Teleservices regulation
• Cannabis industry compliance

Best for

Companies in regulated industries facing consumer protection investigations or requiring proactive compliance programs. Mac Murray & Shuster excels for financial services, healthcare, teleservices, automotive, and cannabis businesses navigating complex regulatory landscapes. The firm's regulatory expertise and 5,000+ data breach incident experience benefits companies prioritizing compliance and risk management.

Notable facts

Founders Michele Shuster and Helen Mac Murray bring decades of regulatory experience, with Shuster having served as Chief of Ohio's Consumer Protection Section. The firm played a key role in ACA International v. FCC (2015), overturning TCPA interpretations. Mac Murray & Shuster earned Chambers USA rankings in Government Relations and Privacy Law while maintaining certifications as a Women's Business Enterprise (WBENC) and NAMWOLF member firm.

What to consider when choosing a firm in Ohio

Selecting legal counsel in Ohio requires evaluating firms against your specific industry needs and geographic considerations. With 73% of attorneys concentrated in Cleveland and Cincinnati, businesses outside major metros should assess whether firms maintain satellite offices or robust virtual capabilities. Manufacturing companies should prioritize firms with cross-border commerce experience given Ohio's industrial neighbors, while healthcare organizations need counsel familiar with both state regulations and federal compliance requirements.

Consider the firm's fee structure relative to your legal spending patterns. Full-service firms typically suit companies with diverse, ongoing legal needs across multiple practice areas, while boutique firms offer cost-effective solutions for specialized matters. Fractional general counsel arrangements ($3,000-$10,000 monthly) provide middle-market businesses with senior-level guidance without full-time overhead. Evaluate whether the firm's client base aligns with your company size—some firms excel with Fortune 500 corporations while others focus on startups and family businesses.

Request specific examples of the firm's work in your industry, including outcomes and client references. Given Ohio's 1 million small businesses, many firms have developed niche expertise in emerging sectors like cannabis, renewable energy, or agricultural technology. Assess the firm's technological capabilities, particularly for data privacy matters, as cyberattacks increasingly target Ohio businesses. Finally, evaluate cultural fit—firms describing themselves as "business partners rather than just lawyers" may better suit entrepreneurial companies, while established corporations might prefer traditional full-service approaches. Schedule consultations with 2-3 firms to compare responsiveness, industry knowledge, and proposed strategies before making your selection.