Skip to Main Content.

Industries

Practices

Biography

Thad represents clients in a diverse array of matters affecting local governments, with particular focus on advising local government clients on questions related to zoning and economic development. Thad serves as an assistant law director in the City of Dublin, where he provides counsel to the City’s Planning and Zoning Commission, as well as the cities of Grove City, Powell, and Canal Winchester, where he advises on land-use and general matters. On the economic development front, Thad advises clients on matters including Ohio annexation law, tax-increment financing (TIF), joint economic development districts (JEDDs), and other tools of economic development.

Thad has also advised private sector clients in logistics and retail sectors on zoning matters and obtained rezoning and conditional use approvals for clients in the City of Columbus as well as outside Central Ohio.

Thad’s litigation experience includes a variety of subject areas, including constitutional issues related to local taxation, land-use decisions, elections, and eminent domain. Thad has briefed cases in the Ohio Supreme Court and has successfully argued several cases in Ohio courts of appeal.

Thad’s practice also includes counsel to local and state agencies on public ethics, open meetings, and public records law, as well as providing legal training and advice to police departments.

Thad is a regular speaker at legal trainings and conferences presented by the Ohio Municipal League and Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association on municipal law.

Prior to joining Frost Brown Todd, Thad was an assistant city attorney with the City of Upper Arlington, Ohio.

 

Thad's Relevant Experience

Legal Work Highlights

Ebersole v. City of Powell, 5th Dist. Delaware No. 18CAH 020013: represented the City of Powell, Ohio, including briefs and oral arguments to the Ohio Fifth District Court of Appeals in case arising from administrative appeal and declaratory judgment actions challenging City land-use decisions. The Fifth District held in the City’s favor and dismissed the appeals against the City.

City of Athens, et al. v. McClain, et al., Ohio Supreme Court Case No. 2019-696: drafted memorandum in support of jurisdiction representing over 160 Ohio municipalities challenging state law requiring centralized collection of local business income taxes. The Supreme Court accepted jurisdiction and oral argument on the merits is pending.  

State ex rel. Grove City Law Director v. Lee-Elle Management LLC, Franklin County Environmental Court No. 2017 EVH 60433: public nuisance declaratory judgment and injunctive action; obtained temporary restraining order for closure of motel with drug, solicitation, and felony activity.

City of Dublin v. Haimbaugh, Franklin County Environmental Court No. 2017 EVH 60605: public nuisance declaratory judgment and injunctive action; obtained judgment permitting demolition of fire-damaged nuisance residential structure.

City of Upper Arlington v. Cameron, et al., Franklin County Court of Common Pleas No. 14CV-4639: quiet title and declaratory judgment action resulting in summary judgment for City allowing it to sell unused right-of-way.

City of Upper Arlington v. Simpson, et al., Franklin County Environmental Court No. 2013 EVE 60023: foreclosure action on contempt judgment following property owners’ failure to comply with injunction to abate property maintenance code violations; forced sale resulted in $45,000 payment to City as well as payments to the State, County, and Federal governments for unpaid taxes and assessments.

Other Info About Thad

Education

Law School

The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, J.D., 2012, cum laude

Undergraduate School

Miami University, B.A., 2009, cum laude, University Honors

Bar Memberships

Thad is licensed to practice in the following state(s):

Ohio, 2012

Courts

Thad is admitted to practice before the following court(s):

Ohio Supreme Court

Ohio Courts of Appeal

Ohio Trial Courts

United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio

United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

Professional Affiliations

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association (OMAA)

International Municipal Lawyers Association

Columbus Bar Association

Ohio State Bar Association

American Bar Association

Ohio State University Alumni Association: Ohio State Law Journal (2010-2012; Articles Editor 2011-2012); Moot Court Team, Corporate Law (2012)

Leadership Upper Arlington (2015 Class; Board President 2017-2018)

Upper Arlington Civil Service Commission (2018-Present)

Civic Activities

Civic & Charitable Organizations

Leadership UA (Upper Arlington), Class of 2015

Leadership UA Board of Directors (2015-Present; Vice President 2016-Present)

Oakstone Community School, Board of Trustees (2016-Present)

Presentations

Thad was invited to speak at the following events:

Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association Conference, Member of Model Sign Ordinance Drafting Committee and Panelist.

Major Publications

Thad is an author or contributor to the following publications:

Author, “FCC Small-Cell Ruling Adds Federal Restrictions on Local Decision-Making.” Ohio Municipal League Cities & Villages. Nov/Dec 2018: 6-9.

Co-Author with Stephen Smith, “Hotels Straining City Services” Cities and Villages Magazine, Ohio Municipal League, January/February 2018.

Related Insights