ZIEGLER AND SCHNEIDER - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Attorney at Law
- Senior Partner
David A. Schneider is a senior partner with the firm and is admitted to practice law in the State of Ohio and the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Dave has been with the firm for almost fifty years and has practiced in the areas of Government & Municipal Law and Estate Planning.
David practices with the firm's real estate law group, and also represents clients in the areas of banking, small business, estate planning, and probate matters throughout Kentucky and Ohio. Specifically, David sets up new businesses for clients and gets them registered with the appropriate state authorities. Also, David represents builders and developers of residential real estate ventures in both Kentucky and Ohio, which include new subdivisions, as well as the sale and purchase of commercial properties in Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, and California.
For several years, David has represented clients in probate cases throughout Hamilton, Clermont and Butler counties in Ohio, and throughout Kentucky, helping to guide families through very difficult times. As part of his practice, David has also represented several banks regarding real estate matters both in Kentucky and Ohio, including the creation of closing documents, purchase agreements, and transfer documents, as well as title exams and opinions for both residential and commercial properties.
David currently represents a publicly traded company, and is experienced in making required quarterly and annual filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
In his spare time, David enjoys spending time with his family and travelling. David and his wife, Michelle, reside in Independence, and are the proud parents of Adam, Sarah, Ryan, and Nicole, and grandparents of Aubree. David is also a life-long University of Kentucky basketball fan who cherishes, as his most prized possession, an autographed basketball by the 1978 National Championship team, which he proudly displays in his office.
Emily helps workers, small business owners, and freelancers invest in themselves first so they can provide for their families. Whether helping an injured worker facing unexpected work injuries, guiding a family during guardianship and disability proceedings, or helping a small business owner pursue their American Dream, she focuses on the client's short- and long-term goals giving the personalized legal attention everyone deserves.
Prior to law school, Emily earned her Bachelor of Arts from Thomas More College (now Thomas More University) in History and International Studies in 2004. She then worked as a Research Historian for The Center for Holocaust and Humanity Education then located at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Emily's legal career began in 2005 working as Pretrial Officer in Boone County before attending law school at the University of Cincinnati College of Law. Following graduation from law school in 2009, she worked as a Staff Attorney for Judge James R. Schrand in the 54th Judicial Circuit for three years. Her behind-the-scenes experience in the courtroom allows her insight into the judicial decision-making process to better help clients understand court processes to feel more at ease.
In 2013, Emily focused her practice at Lucas & Dietz, PLLC, on defending Workers' Compensation claims representing multi-national corporations and some of Kentucky's largest employers. Wishing to expand her practice, she joined Gatlin Voelker, PLLC as an Associate Attorney in 2019. Emily then switched to representing injured workers in Workers Compensation claims building on her knowledge of insurance carrier methods and protocols. In addition, she engaged in a vibrant litigation practice including insurance coverage, small business law, guardianship, landlord/tenant and probate matters.
Emily opened her solo practice at Walters Law, PLLC in Erlanger, Kentucky, in late 2021, quickly building a practice focused on working with clients directly. Her past experiences working in all sectors from government, nonprofits, small businesses, and multi-national corporations allowed her to meet clients' global needs while addressing their specific legal matters. She joined Ziegler & Schneider, P.S.C., in 2023 to continue this holistic approach.
Her legal career is inspired by her grandfather, Robert F. Greene, who practiced for over sixty years in Boone County. "Papa" Greene graduated fifty years before Emily at the University of Cincinnati College of Law. Following his death in 2022 and hearing many stories from past clients and community members regarding the impact he had on the community and their lives, Emily realized how we plant seeds in a legacy garden without knowing what will grow.
Just beyond practicing law, Emily serves on the Board of Directors for the Kentucky Bar Foundation and is currently the Vice President. Emily is a Certified Professional Life Coach. She lives in Florence, Kentucky, with her family. She engages in the community through volunteer work and service at St. Timothy Catholic School as Running Club Coach and a member of the School Advisory Committee. She enjoys running, being outside in nature, cooking with family, and playing tennis.
Erica graduated from University of Louisville in 2010, summa cum laude, with degrees in English, Humanities (Literature & Religious Studies), and Music. She then decided to attend law school at NKU Chase College of Law (the same law school where both her father, N. Jeffrey Blankenship, and uncle, Randy Blankenship, graduated). She graduated in 2014, summa cum laude, in the top 5% of her class.
Erica began her legal career as a felony prosecutor in Boone County at the Commonwealth Attorney's Office. She prosecuted various cases including drug possession, drug trafficking, child abuse, theft, burglary, robbery, and more. In 2017, she left for the opportunity to clerk for Justice Michelle Keller with the Kentucky Supreme Court.
With Justice Keller, Erica had the opportunity to see the legal process from the judicial angle. She assisted Justice Keller in drafting opinions, helped to organize presentations, and attended oral arguments and conferences in Frankfort before the entire Kentucky Supreme Court.
In 2019, Erica was called back to the Commonwealth Attorney's Office in Boone County to supervise the "Rocket Docket" program, which aimed to fast-track cases in a way beneficial to both the criminal defendants, as well as the County. Erica supervised over 100 Rocket Docket cases at any time, assisting many defendants to find treatment for substance abuse issues and a second chance at making a clean, fresh start.
Erica has also worked in private practice as both a law clerk, as well as an Associate Attorney at Biller & Kimble, LLC. There, Erica worked primarily on class actions relating to under-reimbursement of delivery drivers. Erica gained valuable experience and knowledge related to employee rights under federal and state law.
Erica has also published many different articles in legal publications on various topics including suppression of evidence, Rocket Docket programs in the County and State, criminal restitution, child witnesses, and juvenile law.
Erica looks forward to continuing her practice at Ziegler & Schneider in multiple areas of law. Erica is also involved in her community. She lives in Boone County, attends church, spends time with her family and friends, and enjoys the opportunity when she can to sing and participate in various Christian music ministries.
Joseph L. Baker has practiced law in the Commonwealth of Kentucky continuously since 1975, joining Ziegler & Schneider, P.S.C. in 1979.
Joseph has concentrated his time in Government & Municipal Law representing both government and public bodies, especially those dealing with transportation, tourism, and planning and zoning issues. He has served four years with the Transportation Cabinet, Department of Highways.
As a highly skilled litigator, Joseph has represented a variety of bodies, assisting with First Amendment issues, planning and zoning, and open records issues.
He has an impressive history of practice at the highest levels, including presenting several oral arguments before the Kentucky Supreme Court, arguing cases before the United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, and having briefed one matter before the United States Supreme Court, which was decided without argument.
Joseph L. Baker is a graduate of Xavier University and the University of Cincinnati College of Law.
Lori Fields Lee is admitted to practice law in the State of Ohio and the Commonwealth of Kentucky, as well as the Southern District of Ohio.
Lori practices extensively with the firm's Real Estate Law Group. She handles all areas of real estate, both commercial and residential, foreclosure, and homeowner association (HOA) / condominium law in both Kentucky and Ohio.
Additionally, Lori provides Estate Planning services such as living wills, power of attorney, probate and works with her clients to set up businesses in Kentucky.
Her practice takes her to all the Southeast counties in Ohio and all around the Northern counties in Kentucky. She also practices in the area of quiet title actions and real estate litigation.
Lori Fields-Lee graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Political Science from Northern Kentucky University. She then attended Chase College of Law obtaining her law degree in 1983.
Lori has served as the Chairperson for the Real Estate Section of the Northern Kentucky Bar Association for four years. She also served as a Board Member of the Northern Kentucky Bar Association.
Lori is involved in golf as her son is a member of the Covington Catholic High School golf team. She also volunteers every year for the Fourth of July festival at Notre Dame Academy. Lori resides in Edgewood, Kentucky with her husband, Gary, and their son.
Matthew C. Smith is admitted to practice law in the State of Ohio and the Commonwealth of Kentucky, as well as before the United States Supreme Court, and the Federal Eastern District Court of Kentucky.
Matt concentrates his practice as a part of the firm's Business & Corporate Law and Municipal & Government Law Groups. Matt represents an array of diverse group of highly successful businesses, including family owned businesses, closely held corporations, and start-up businesses.
Matt Smith received his law degree from the University of Kentucky College of Law, graduating cum laude in 1999.
Matt is engaged in many civic and charitable activities. He is a member of the Kentucky Bar Association, Ohio State Bar Association, and the Northern Kentucky Bar Association. Matt is also a volunteer board member for Educate NKY and One NKY Alliance.
Matt is a frequent presenter on Business Law at Chase College of Law. He frequently presents around the state on Planning & Zoning in Kentucky.
Matt lives in Walton with his wife Glenda, and two children, Kyle and Jacob. He enjoys spending time with his family, fly-fishing, running, and boating.
Michael A. Duncan is admitted to practice law in the State of Ohio and the Commonwealth of Kentucky, as well as the Eastern and Western Federal District Courts in Kentucky, the Southern Federal District Court in Ohio, and the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Mike is engaged in the firm's Municipal & Government Law Group. He focuses on counseling mayors, city clerks, city council members, city officials, department heads, employees and members of the various boards and commissions of the cities, including Planning Commissions and Boards of Adjustment.
Mike currently serves as General Counsel to the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK), after serving for many years as Assistant General Counsel/Litigation Defense Counsel for TANK.
He also serves as City attorney for the City of Alexandria, Kentucky (1991 to present), and the City of Warsaw, Kentucky (2001 to present). Additionally, Mike began representing the City of Walton, Kentucky in December of 2017, in the role of City Attorney.
Mike has served over the years as counsel to various other municipal and governmental bodies, including the Campbell County & Municipal Board of Adjustment currently and for many years, and as City Attorney for 12 years for the City of Villa Hills, Kentucky and for 3 years as Falmouth City Attorney.
Mike Duncan is a native of Northern Kentucky. He lives in Hebron with his wife, Diane. He enjoys spending time with their four children and eleven grandchildren. He also enjoys spending time on their property at Lake Cumberland.
Michael L. Baker is admitted to practice law in the State of Ohio and the Commonwealth of Kentucky and has been with the firm since 1995.
Molly McEvoy Boh is admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Since joining the firm in 2001, Molly has been working with individuals, businesses, and governmental/quasi-governmental entities in the areas of Government & Municipal law and Business & Corporate law, providing legal representation in all aspects of commercial transactions, corporate formations, corporate dissolutions, shareholder agreements, and more.
Molly also works with planning and zoning commissions, real estate developers, contractors, and individuals, handling various Real Estate transactions, including but not limited to; sales agreements, leases, covenants, and condominium association agreements,
Within the Estate Planning Group, Molly provides services such as retirement planning, business succession planning, will & trusts, living wills & powers of attorney, and probate.
Additionally, Molly handles environmental compliance law, focusing specifically on environmental compliance.
Molly served as the past President for the Florence Rotary Club and is a former Board Member of the Florence Rotary Club Foundation. She continues to be engaged in many charitable and civic activities.
Molly McEvoy Boh is a native of Northern Kentucky. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Matt, and their three sons. Molly enjoys following local sports teams, especially the University of Cincinnati Bearcats.
N. Jeffrey Blankenship is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Kentucky and Ohio; also, he is admitted before the United States Supreme Court.
Job Titles:
- Attorney at Law
- Treasurer of the Northern Kentucky Bar Association
Robert C. Ziegler is admitted to practice law in the State of Ohio and the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Rob is primarily engaged as a transactional attorney practicing in the areas of general business representation, estate planning and probate, municipal law and real estate.
Rob Ziegler is a 1990 graduate of the University of Kentucky College of Law.
Rob has served as the treasurer of the Northern Kentucky Bar Association (NKBA), and in 2014 served as the President of the NKBA. In addition to his service with the NKBA, Rob was part of the 2002 Leadership Northern Kentucky class, served as a director on the board of BAWAC, served on the Beechwood Board of Education, and is a past president of the Boone County Businessmen's Association.
Rob is a lifelong native of Northern Kentucky, growing up in Fort Mitchell and currently living in Crescent Springs with his wife, Stacey, and his two children. Rob is an avid baseball fan, both of the major and minor leagues.
Job Titles:
- Attorney at Law
- 6th Judicial District Representative
Shane C. Sidebottom is admitted to practice law in the State of Ohio and the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
As a member of the firm's Litigation Group, Shane is an experienced and tested litigator. He has successfully litigated many complex and unique cases through the federal and state court process, including Kentucky Whistleblower actions, Labor and Employment disputes, Federal due process challenges, and business contract disputes.
While Shane has successfully tried cases for his clients before a Jury, he has excelled in reaching satisfactory resolutions in his clients' cases before a trial is even needed. Over the last ten years, Shane has obtained some of the highest settlements on record in public employment cases throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Due to his consistent success in handling complex litigation, Shane has been listed annually as a Kentucky "Super Lawyer" for the previous seven years.
Shane provides exceptional mediation services in civil and family law cases. Shane obtained his certification as a General Civil Mediator and is listed on the Kentucky Administrative Office of the Court's (AOC) roster of Court approved Mediators.
Shane spends a lot of time navigating cases through the court system, but he also provides additional legal services in a number of areas. Within the firm's Family Law Group, Shane handles divorce and custody cases. Additionally, he is skilled with US immigration law, simple probate matters, and he represents several small businesses as needed.
Shane C. Sidebottom is a 1999 graduate of the Salmon P. Chase College of Law.
Prior to joining Ziegler & Schneider, Shane represented a local school board for twelve years and he still advises local government officials from time to time on legal issues that they face.
In 2009, the Kentucky Supreme Court appointed Shane as the 6th Judicial District Representative of the CLE Commission, where he served two terms (2009-2015). While on the CLE Commission, Shane was one of seven appointed attorneys responsible for rule making and regulation of all continuing legal education programs approved for attorneys licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth.
Shane is an active volunteer in the community and a leader in the State and Local Bar Associations.
In 2011, Shane was the inaugural recipient of the Northern Kentucky Bar Association's (NKBA) "Volunteer of the Year" award.
In 2014, Shane was appointed by the KBA President as Chair of all CLE programs for the KBA Annual Convention. Shane was the chair of the NKBA's Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Committee from 2004-2019.
In 2015, Shane was elected by his peers as the 2016 President-Elect of the NKBA and served President in 2017.
Shane is a lifelong native of Northern Kentucky, having grown up in Villa Hills, and he currently resides in Hebron with his wife, Christina, and their two children.
Job Titles:
- Attorney at Law
- Member of the Northern Kentucky Bar Association
- Member of the Transylvania Parent 's Council
Sharon Schneider Elliston is admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Sharon Elliston received her B.A. in History from Thomas More College in 1986 and her J.D. from the University of Kentucky Law School in 1989.
Immediately following graduation, Sharon worked for one of Kentucky's largest law firms, Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs in Lexington, Kentucky. Upon moving back to the Northern Kentucky area in 1993, Sharon began working with her father, David A. Schneider of Ziegler & Schneider.
Sharon is a member of the Northern Kentucky Bar Association and the Kentucky Bar Association. She has served on and chaired many committees of the Northern Kentucky Bar Association over the years.
Understanding the importance of giving back to the community and those organizations that have helped her in her own endeavors, Sharon served on the Board of Trustees of Thomas More College from 2006 until 2015.
She also served on the Board of The Boone Conservancy, Inc. which conserves and preserves green space in Boone County.
Sharon has been a member of the Transylvania Parent's Council, the Children's Law Center of Northern Kentucky, and the Boone County Historical Preservation Review.
Sharon was in the Northern Kentucky Leadership Class of 1999 and volunteered for the Regional Youth Leadership Program in its formative years. Her work inside and outside of the law firm has been recognized by her peers and continues to be a vital part of the community.
In her spare time, Sharon enjoys traveling with Bob, and spending time with her two adult daughters, Abby and Haley. Sharon also enjoys University of Kentucky basketball and horse racing.
Job Titles:
- Attorney at Law
- Member of the Firm
Steven C. Martin began practicing law in 1979 and currently practices in both the commonwealth of Kentucky and the state of Ohio, focusing on criminal defense and civil litigation matters.
Steve is a musician after hours, performing with various local bluegrass bands. He combines his interest in music with appearing as an on-air personality on a weekly jazz program on WOBO, 88.7 FM in Batavia, Ohio, and also as the host of an internet bluegrass music program on Worldwide Bluegrass. Steve is also general counsel for the radio station, WOBO.
Thomas C. Smith is admitted to practice in the state and federal courts of Kentucky. He has previously served as Special Justice to the Supreme Court of Kentucky.
Tom is a highly skilled trial lawyer who engages in all aspects of litigation within the firm.
Tom's representation of individual clients in personal injury cases involves such matters as automobile and industrial equipment related accidents, aircraft and product failures. He is skilled with cases covering a full spectrum of losses from wrongful death to the severe incapacitating injuries of quadriplegia.
His representative clients also include a range of Fortune 500 Companies to small corporate entities and individuals in defense of mass tort, products liability, professional liability, personal injury, aircraft, commercial and contract claims.
Tom has been instrumental in the development and implementation of a loss control program for an international machine tool manufacturer which included product warnings, personnel instructions and training, and supervision and coordination of corporate litigation nationally. He conducted contract negotiations and drafting for the construction and expansion of the United States Corporate Office and Manufacturing Center, as well as, Technical centers on the Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf Coasts.
Tom Smith is a native of California and a veteran of the U.S. Army.
Wilbert L. Ziegler holds degrees from Thomas More College, University of Cincinnati College of Law (LL.B.) and the University of Michigan Law School (S.J.D.).
Will Ziegler, founding partner of the firm and native of Northern Kentucky, is admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
As a member of the firm's Business & Corporate Law Group, Will guides small and medium sized businesses in their formation and operation, including corporations, LLCs, limited and general partnerships and sole proprietorships. He assists with regulatory matters, dispute resolution, business licensing, financing, reorganization and sales and mergers, as well as with the day to day legal issues facing small and medium sized business.
Will devotes part of his time to the firm's Estate Planning Group, where he focuses on counseling individuals and families in the design of Wills, Powers of Attorney, Trusts (including Special Needs Trusts), and other estate planning documents. Such practice also includes succession planning for family and closely held businesses as well as retirement planning for individuals.
Will has extensive experience in Trust Administration and settling estates in Probate Courts, serving as Attorney as well as Executor.
Job Titles:
- Founding Partner of the Firm and Native of Northern Kentucky
Will served as a member of the Northern Kentucky Independent District Board of Health for more than twelve years. He is a Trustee of Thomas More College, he served for twelve years as a Trustee of the University of Cincinnati Foundation, Inc. and is a member of the Board of Advisors of U.C. College of Law. He also serves as President of The R.