Best Divorce Lawyers in Dayton Ohio
Frank A. Malocu
Divorce Lawyers
In 1991, I earned a Juris Doctorate Degree (law degree) from the University of Dayton School of Law. While attending law school, I received the American Jurisprudence Award from my Insurance Law professor for obtaining the highest grade in the class.
I was licensed to practice law in Ohio that same year (1991) and immediately established a private law practice in downtown Dayton, Ohio across the street from the courts. I have been in the same office building for over 32 years! I also proudly served as a Magistrate in the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court from 1992 until 2000 for The Honorable Judge George Gounaris.
During my 32 year career, I have focused my law practice on Divorce, Criminal Defense, OVI/DUI Defense, Traffic Law and Personal Injury cases so that I could become proficient in these areas and provide the best possible legal services.
I received the Appointed Counsel Award from the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court for my representation of indigent defendants, and the Top 10 Attorney Award (for Ohio) from the National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys. I have been interviewed by local and national news media, including The Associated Press, and had the distinct privilege of arguing in the Supreme Court of Ohio. Some of my cases set legal precedent, which means they impacted the status of the law in Ohio.
I was invited into the prestigious National Trial Lawyers, Top 100, and Ohio Super Lawyers which is only attainable by a small percentage of attorneys in Ohio. I am rated “Distinguished” by Martindale Hubbell, and “Superb” by Avvo.com which is the highest rating for attorneys. I am rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau, and listed in Who’s Who in American Law.
LAUREN DAVENPORT
Divorce Lawyers
After graduating from the University of Dayton School of Law, Lauren spent eight years practicing law at a general practice firm in Dayton.
Lauren’s primary focuses included family law matters including divorce, dissolution, post-decree matters, child custody matters, establishing grandparent rights, establishing paternity, representing legal custodians in matters involving Children Services, and investigating and providing recommendations to the Court regarding a child’s best interest as a Guardian Ad Litem.
Lauren is committed to advocating for her clients both inside and outside the courtroom in order to obtain the best possible result.
Lauren leads the family law practice at Gounaris Abboud, LPA.
Lauren is also a Member of the School Board for Summit Academy Community School and Summit Academy Transition High School in Dayton.
Summit Academy is a non-profit community school designed for students with AD/HD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and related disorders.
Robert “Chip” Mues
Divorce Lawyers
Robert L. Mues is the President and Managing partner of HCM&M since 1998. He was born in Summit, New Jersey, April 14, 1954, and admitted to the Ohio Bar in 1978, the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio in 1978, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in 1994. Martindale-Hubbell recognizes Robert L. Mues as an AV PREEMINENT® rated attorney, the highest such rating available to any individual lawyer. Law firms are given the rating of the highest rated individual attorney.
EDUCATION
- Wittenberg University (B.A., 1975)
- University of Dayton (J.D., 1978)
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
- Dayton, Ohio State and American Bar Associations
- Longstanding Member of the Dayton Bar Association Certified Ethics Committee
POSITIONS
- State Level Review Officer for the Ohio Department of Education since 1982, Appellate Review of Special Education Disputes
AUTHOR
- Publisher of the Ohio Family Law Blog since 2007
FEATURED
- “Who’s Who in American Law,” 1998-99
- Marquis Who’s Who 10th Edition
- “Who’s Who in American Law,” 2007-08
- Marquis Who’s Who 15th Edition
PRACTICE AREAS
- Family Law
- Divorce and Custody Litigation
- Wrongful Death and Personal Injury
- Probate
COMMUNITY SERVICE
- President of The Hospice of Dayton Foundation Board
- Volunteer Lawyers Project (Pro bono work)
- Past Treasurer, Foundation Board, Children’s Medical Center, Dayton, Ohio
Karl George Kordalis
Divorce Lawyers
For a decade, Mr. Kordalis has zealously defended clients in misdemeanor and felony cases. Born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, Mr. Kordalis attended The Ohio State University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a minor in Business. Before graduation, he developed a passion for legal advocacy, specifically wanting to help people.
Mr. Kordalis attended The University of Dayton School of Law, where his passion for criminal defense, family law, and personal injury grew. Mr. Kordalis honed his craft in oral advocacy and negotiation. After admission to practice law in 2012, Mr. Kordalis opened his own firm he working solely on criminal / traffic defense, family law, and personal injury.
For many years, Mr. Kordalis represented and counseled numerous individuals in their time of need. He negotiated favorable resolutions for countless clients and tried cases to juries and judges in even in the most complicated of criminal and traffic situations. This experience allows him to evaluate problems and quickly develop a strategy to seek the best outcome.
Mr. Kordalis prides himself on not being the stereotypical defense attorney. Mr. Kordalis understands the importance of listening to clients, and he goes out of his way to make sure that every client is comforted during stressful times. Mr. Kordalis understands that most clients contact him at the scariest time of their lives. By retaining him, they are entrusting him to navigate the storm often when their freedom is in jeopardy. Mr. Kordalis is serious about taking on each problem and focused on alleviating client stress and concern along the way. Mr. Kordalis believes that creating this sympathetic and secure attorney-client relationship is the only way to passionately and efficiently represent his clients.
Christopher S. Owen
Divorce Lawyers
Attorney Christopher S. Owen was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona in 2000. After spending some time in the workforce, he moved to Dayton, Ohio in 2002 to attend the University of Dayton School of Law. He passed the Ohio State Bar examination, and thereafter dedicated his time to serving clients in the Dayton, Ohio and surrounding areas.
After law school, he began practicing law at a small three attorney law firm where he was responsible for handling all of the firm’s domestic relations clients. During this time, he also met and consulted with a large number of Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy clients. It was during this period that Mr. Owen acquired a strong grasp on the effect of divorce on a client’s finances, and on the interaction of filing bankruptcy both before and after divorce.
In 2008, Mr. Owen left this position to join a national bankruptcy law firm. He started out as an Associate but within several years had risen to the level of Managing Attorney. Mr. Owen has filed and handled over a thousand bankruptcy cases. This extensive bankruptcy experience means you cannot be in better hands.
In 2013, Christopher Owen moved on from his position with this firm and founded his own law firm, Owen Legal Services, LLC. Sadly, due to a personal event Chris shut the doors of Owen Legal Services in 2017 and returned to work at Fox & Associates until 2020. This time as the bankruptcy attorney. Due to the loss of business because of Covid-19 Chris once again changed position to his current position at Arthur Law. Chris has over 14 years of bankruptcy experience and is a valuable asset at Arthur Law Office. We are lucky to have him.
KATE A. VENABLE
Divorce Lawyers
Attorney Kate Venable is originally from Birmingham, Alabama and has been living in Ohio since 2010 when she moved to Columbus for law school at Capital University and seminary at Trinity Lutheran Seminary, where she met her husband who is a pastor. Attorney Venable was admitted to the Ohio bar in 2015. She started her own practice in Youngstown, Ohio with the goal of providing legal representation to low-income clients. Her zealous representation earned her Volunteer of the Year with Community Legal Aid. She moved back to Columbus in 2019 and has been practicing family law exclusively ever since. Attorney Venable’s passion for family law stems from her experience with divorce as a child and allows her to provide her clients with unique insights from her personal experience.
Attorney Venable is an avid sports fan of the Chicago Cubs and Alabama football. She and her husband are season ticket holders with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Attorney Venable also plays rugby for the Columbus Women’s Rugby Club in her free time.
Education:
- University of Alabama, B.A. (2009)
- Capital University Law School, J.D. (2014)
- Trinity Lutheran Seminary, M.T.S. (2014)
- University of Akron, Master of Taxation (2020)
Dean E. Hines
Divorce Lawyers
I’m an Ohio based lawyer practicing law since 1994. Our firm has offices in Dayton, Ohio and Columbus, Ohio. We also provide tax representation Nationwide. Our firm provides representation in regards to: Family Law, domestic relations, juvenile court matters, Federal taxation and State taxation.
We pride ourselves in providing aggressive and conscientious representation taking into account the needs and goals of our clients. I have an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale Hubbell which is an attorney rating service in which you are graded by your peers. I am also an OSBA Board Certified Family Law Specialist. We are committed to providing aggressive excellence in all cases in which we provide representation.
I graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 1991 with a B.B.A. which includes a triple major in finance, real estate, and accounting. I followed my undergraduate education with attendance and graduation from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1993. I completed my course of studies at the University of Cincinnati College of Law in only 2 years and graduated in the top 10% of my class. I have been practicing law for the past 27 years in the State of Ohio.
Tony Comunale
Divorce Lawyers
Tony Comunale is nationally recognized as a skilled trial attorney and the recipient of the “American College of Trial Lawyers’ Medal for Excellence in Advocacy.” He has been practicing law since 1993. He currently holds an AV preeminent rating among lawyers, Martin Dale Hubble’s highest level of professional excellence.
Tony is a graduate of the University Of Dayton School Of Law. He did his undergraduate work at Boston University where he received two degrees, one in philosophy and one in political science. While in law school he was awarded a clerkship with the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas. Before finishing school he was offered a position as a trial court’s clerk, charged with drafting judicial opinions for the court’s approval and assisting in courtroom procedure. While working with the courts Tony got his first exposure to the trial litigation process. After that he participated as a member of Dayton’s trial team where he won first place advocate for the Sixth Judicial Circuit of the United States, placing as one of the top eleven student advocates in the entire country. It was that experience that positioned him to become an outstanding trial attorney.
Experience
Tony continued to work for the courts for a short time after receiving his law degree then entered the private sector working with a local law firm. Three years later Tony became a founding member and managing partner of C.M. & S, where he continued to win cases and excel in the practice of litigation helping hundreds of clients win their cases. In 2003 he established Comunale Law Offices. Since then Tony has maintained an extremely successful trial record representing clients in areas ranging from personal injury, family law, to criminal defense and small business litigation.
Having the best divorce lawyer in Dayton, Ohio, can provide several benefits during the divorce process. While the specific advantages may vary depending on your situation, here are some potential benefits of hiring a skilled divorce lawyer in Dayton:
Knowledge of Ohio Family Law: A top divorce lawyer in Dayton will have a thorough understanding of Ohio’s family laws, regulations, and court procedures. This knowledge is essential for effectively navigating the legal system and ensuring your rights are protected.
Expertise in Local Courts: Different courts may have their own procedures and preferences. A skilled local lawyer will be familiar with the judges, court staff, and local practices, which can help your case progress more smoothly.
Legal Strategy: Every divorce case is unique. An experienced lawyer can help you develop a customized legal strategy that aligns with your specific goals and circumstances.
Negotiation Skills: Many divorce cases involve negotiations over issues like property division, spousal support, and child custody. A knowledgeable lawyer can negotiate on your behalf to achieve favorable outcomes and protect your interests.
Documentation and Paperwork: Divorce proceedings require extensive documentation and paperwork. A proficient lawyer can guide you through the process of gathering necessary documents, completing forms accurately, and ensuring that all paperwork is properly filed and submitted.
Emotional Support: Divorce can be emotionally challenging. A compassionate lawyer can provide you with not only legal guidance but also emotional support as you navigate the legal process.
Objective Advice: Emotions can sometimes cloud judgment during divorce. A lawyer can provide impartial advice, helping you make rational decisions that are in your long-term best interests.
Advocacy in Court: If your case goes to court, having a skilled lawyer can make a significant difference. They can present your case effectively, ensuring your rights are protected and your perspective is well-represented.
Alternative Dispute Resolution: A capable divorce lawyer may explore alternative dispute resolution methods, such as mediation or collaborative divorce, to help you reach agreements outside of court, potentially saving you time and costs.
Complex Financial Matters: If your divorce involves complex financial assets, such as business interests, investments, or high-value properties, a knowledgeable lawyer can help ensure a fair and accurate valuation and division of these assets.
Child Custody and Support: If you have children, a skilled lawyer can assist you in negotiating child custody and support arrangements that are in the best interests of the children.
It’s important to remember that the benefits of hiring a divorce lawyer will depend on your individual circumstances and the lawyer’s expertise. Consulting with a legal professional in Dayton will provide you with personalized advice based on the specific details of your case.