- Criminal DefenseOur criminal defense practice is death penalty certified, including habeas actions for death penalty cases in federal court. In addition, our lawyers have experience in mayor’s court, municipal court and in common pleas courts, as both prosecutors and defense attorneys. Our criminal defense attorneys are members of the Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Counsel and National Association Criminal Defense Counsel. We maintain an active case load of criminal defense cases from juvenile cases to death penalty actions.
- FraudCrabbe, Brown & James handles all aspect of first party and third party coverage matters, bad faith claims, and insurance regulatory issues. Throughout its eighty year history, Crabbe, Brown & James has distinguished itself from other firms by its commitment to communication and partnership with its clients. Our firm has a proven track record of providing high-quality legal representation in a cost effective manner. We provide complete service to the insurance industry for litigation, including but not limited to insurance defense, claims, insurance fraud, investigation and coverage issues, with an emphasis on quality work and results, as well as fee and cost control. Our attorneys are experienced litigators and negotiators and are admitted to all Ohio courts, state and federal, covering claims and trials in eighty-eight counties. The majority of the members of our firm are predominantly engaged in the defense of civil litigation.
- White Collar CrimesCrabbe, Brown & James has represented clients in a variety of criminal cases for the last fifteen years. We have experience in white collar crime cases and representation of elected officials in cases involving election matters including alleged campaign contribution violations. Our criminal defense lawyers are former prosecutors, public defenders and assistant attorneys general.
- MisdemeanorsPractice Areas: Mayor’s Court (misdemeanors), Municipal Court (misdemeanors), Court of Common Pleas (felonies), Juvenile Court, Federal Court, Death Penalty Certified, Federal Habeas Death Penalty Appeals, White Collar Crime, Medical Securities, Corporate, Mail Fraud, Conspiracy, Embezzlement, Accounting, and Billing Practices.
- Embezzlement
- Assault
- ArsonWhile our firm continues to devote itself to the defendant’s side of the docket, it has grown into a general civil defense practice. Our clients include individuals, corporations, insurance companies and governmental entities. Crabbe, Brown & James is also experienced in successfully defending municipalities and law enforcement agencies.
- Mergers and AcquisitionsOur attorneys represent carriers in mergers and acquisitions and work with our clients in the negotiation and development of transportation arrangements which enable our clients to provide and obtain efficient and economical transportation services. In addition, we represent our clients in arbitration and mediation of transportation matters, and our clients rely on us for matters concerning employment and labor relations, federal government relations and regulatory affairs, contracts, technology, intellectual property, corporate structuring, and environmental matters.
- Business Formation
- Trade Secrets
- Intellectual PropertyWhen litigation is required, we will provide comprehensive analysis and advice to clients and seek creative solutions to often complex intellectual property problems. Our attorneys are well-equipped to handle litigation across all phases of federal and state intellectual property laws including the Lanham Act and Ohio unfair competition statutes. Our team also stays up to date on changes and the latest trends in intellectual property law.
- Unfair CompetitionDue to the widespread dependence on information technology and the growth of both service and manufacturing companies, the intangible assets of companies are becoming vital parts of the value chain.
- Workers Compensation
- Wrongful TerminationWe defend private companies and public agencies including school districts against such claims in both federal and state courts.
- Employment LitigationUnfortunately, not all business relationships work out as intended. That is why our business/corporate practice doesn’t end with transactional representation. When business situations devolve into outright disputes, our clients trust us to be their advocates. Our business attorneys have extensive litigation experience in all state and federal courts throughout Ohio. We represent companies, large and small, engaged in all kinds of disputes including: prosecution or defense of breach of contract cases, enforcement of contractual covenants, employment disputes, enforcement and defense of non-competition agreements, officer and director liability, and government regulatory challenges.
- Non-compete AgreementWe are equipped to handle any and all employment litigation matters, including, discrimination claims, harassment (including effective prevention, proper method of investigation and defense), emotional distress, defamation, negligent hiring, training and supervision claims, issues surrounding the Family Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”), American’s With Disabilities Act (“ADA”); organized labor related issues, trade secrets, noncompetition covenants, wrongful termination claims and workers’ compensation claims. In addition, we assist in writing employee handbooks, supervisor manuals, drug and alcohol policies, sexual harassment policies, personnel policies, non-compete agreements, and confidentiality agreements.
- Severance Agreement“A severance agreement is unlawful if it precludes an employee from assisting coworkers with workplace issues concerning their employer, and from communicating with others, including a union, and the Board, about his employment,” the board wrote in its decision.
- Sexual Harassment
- Real Estate LitigationOur attorneys bring vast transactional experience, handling everything from simple business formation to complex transactions impacting entire businesses. Specifically, our transactional practice spans across all phases of the business life cycle including: business formation (limited liability companies, for-profit corporations, non-profit corporations, partnerships, and joint ventures), entity continuation (governmental filings, director resolutions and other compliance matters), contract review and negotiation, public and private financing, taxation, real estate matters (zoning, leasing, commercial landlord disputes), mergers & acquisitions, franchising, copyright and trademark law, debtor and creditor rights, loan workouts or modifications, bankruptcy (Chapters 7, 11, and 13), and business liquidations. We also serve as general counsel to several corporations, representing their everyday needs.
- Premises LiabilityCrabbe, Brown & James has vast experience in the defense of such general liability matters as motor vehicle collisions, food poisoning, assault and battery, premises liability, and general negligence.
- Construction LitigationWe have successfully represented developers, general contractors, and subcontractors in construction defect cases including those involving commercial and residential construction, as well as condominium projects.
- Land Use and Zoning
- Property Damage
- Personal InjuryWe represent public entities including counties, districts, municipalities, and school districts. Cases include personal injury, highway design, property damage, civil rights, wrongful termination, racial discrimination, sexual harassment, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and First Amendment issues.
- Medical MalpracticeOur attorneys represent hospitals, doctors, dentists, nurses, and other physicians throughout Ohio in claims arising out of alleged medical malpractice and regulatory disputes.
- Auto Accidents
- Disability DiscriminationCBJ has been successfully defending and representing school boards and school districts, as well as their board members, administrators, teachers, and employees for over 35 years in state and federal courts throughout Ohio, including the U.S. Supreme Court and the Ohio Supreme Court. Our lawyers have significant experience in numerous areas of school law and causes of action, including but not limited to claims involving all torts, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), contracts, 42 USC § 1983 actions, constitutional rights, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, negligence, administrative appeals, due process, equal protection, retaliation, intentional torts, race and gender discrimination, disability discrimination, civil rights and negligence.
- Slip and Fall InjuryOur workers’ compensation attorneys advise our clients with respect to the prevention of claims, initial claim investigation, and we follow through with the administrative process with the appropriate administrative entity or court. Our attorneys handle a variety of injury and occupational disease claims, including asbestosis, chemical injuries, repetitive motion injuries, and basic lifting and slip and fall injuries. Our expertise also includes defending alleged violations of specific safety requirements (VSSR) in the workplace.
- Estate PlanningCrabbe, Brown and James’ Trusts and Estate attorneys represent clients throughout the State of Ohio. We offer a full range of services, from creating the most basic wills and revocable trusts to implementing the most sophisticated estate plans.
- Trusts
- Probate
- Bankruptcy
- Tax LawOur attorneys are highly knowledgeable, experienced, and well-versed in the complex laws and regulations that accompany tax planning, probate, and estate transfers. Above all, we strive to honor our clients’ particular needs as we design and structure estate plans. We prepare customized legal documents for flexible and seamless transitions, taking into account tax obligations, charitable intentions, short-term and long-term goals, ever-shifting family dynamics, evolving economic circumstances, and potential changes in the law.