Best Accident Lawyer in Columbus
Jesse Alexander Atkins
Accident Injury Lawyer
A native Ohioan, Mr. Atkins received his undergraduate degree, cum laude, from Hiram College. Mr. Atkins received his Juris Doctor and master of public administration degrees from the University of Toledo College of Law. After obtaining his J.D., Mr. Atkins continued his formal legal education at Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, where he earned a Master of Law degree. He is also a member of both the Pickaway County and the Columbus Bar Associations.
He is licensed to practice in the state of Ohio; U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio; Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals; and Supreme Court of the United States.
Bar Admissions
Ohio, 2010
U.S. District Court Northern District of Ohio
U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio
U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 2015
U.S. Supreme Court, 2016
Education
- University of Toledo College of Law, Toledo, Ohio
J.D. – 2010 - Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, Indianapolis, Indiana
LL.M. – 2011 - University of Toledo College of Law, Toledo, Ohio
Master of public administration (MPA) – 2010 - Hiram College, Hiram, Ohio
B.A. – 2002
Honors: cum laude
ED MALEK
Accident Injury Lawyer
Attorney Ed Malek graduated from Capital University Law School in 1969. While attending law school in the evening, he was employed full time during the day and was also actively involved in the United States Army Reserves. Mr. Malek was admitted to the Ohio State Bar Association and commenced employment with the Franklin County Probate Court. He then became an assistant prosecutor for the Franklin County Municipal Court. Mr. Malek has proudly completed his military responsibilities for his country.
In 1971, Mr. Malek entered into private practice and opened his own law firm in Columbus, Ohio. The Law Firm of Malek & Malek emphasizes representation of those people tragically injured in workers’ compensation accidents, automobile collisions and other serious injury events. For nearly 40 years, he has provided expert legal services to the community, representing many fine people and citizens of greater Columbus and surrounding counties.
Mr. Malek is blessed to have eight children and a wonderful wife of 47 years. He is proud to be working closely with three of his sons, James, Doug, and Kip Malek, who are licensed attorneys at the firm. He enjoys spending quality time with his wife, family, and friends. Mr. Malek is also a dedicated member of his local church, a history buff, and a nature enthusiast.
Kirstin Peterson
Accident Injury Lawyer
Kirstin was born and raised in Warren, Ohio. She moved to Columbus in 2012, and she has resided ever since. Kirstin is a “double Buckeye,” receiving both her undergraduate degree and law degree from The Ohio State University. She received recognition as a Public Service Fellow for her public interest work while at the Moritz College of Law. She is dedicated to fighting for her clients and to achieving a successful resolution for victims of personal injury. She has experience helping those involved in motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death cases, and victims of sexual abuse.
Kirstin has been licensed with the State Bar of Ohio since 2019. She is also admitted federally at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. She is a member of the Columbus Bar Association.
In her free time, Kirstin likes to read, travel, and explore Columbus, although her favorite activity is hanging out with her mini Goldendoodle, Oakley.
Richard S. Donahey Jr.
Accident Injury Lawyer
Richard has been in private practice since 1968 and has tried numerous civil and criminal cases in his 50 plus year career. Although he no longer practices criminal law, he successfully defended two capital murder clients in back to back trials within the first year of passing the bar. Richard exclusively represents injured people and has never represented insurance companies or corporations. He has obtained verdicts and settlements from $10 million on down.
Areas of Practice
- Personal Injury — Plaintiff
- Insurance Law
- Nursing Home Abuse
- Motor Vehicle Accidents — Plaintiff
- Products Liability Law
- Medical Malpractice
- Toxic Torts
- Aviation
- Birth Injuries
- Wrongful Death
- Workers’ Compensation
SCOTT W SCHIFF
Accident Injury Lawyer
“Each and every case is extremely important to me,” said Scott. “No single case is going to change my life financially, but each and every individual case will change the life of my client, and that keeps me motivated. At my firm, we take our responsibilities toward our clients extremely seriously. Quality work, respect, and high ethical standards have kept us as one of the leading Personal Injury law firms in the state of Ohio.
Sydney S. McLafferty
Accident Injury Lawyer
Sydney comes from a family with many attorneys. Her grandfather, now deceased, started a law firm in Troy, Ohio, which remains in practice today. With a total of three uncles and one aunt all as attorneys, a career in the law was a natural fit. It wasn’t until her first year of law school when she accepted an offer to clerk for the firm, that she recognized the significant impact of representing those that are injured and aggrieved against large corporations and insurance companies. After law school, Sydney joined the firm where she became partner in 2015.
Sydney spends a significant amount of her professional time with her leadership roles at the Ohio Association for Justice which is a state-wide organization dedicated to protecting her client’s constitutional rights and access to the civil justice system. Her involvement with OAJ directly benefits her clients and the clients of other practitioners around the state.
Education:
- Bachelor of Arts, The Ohio State University (2000)
- Juris Doctorate, Capital University Law School (2003)
Professional Associations:
- Ohio Association for Justice
- American Association for Justice
- Central Ohio Association for Justice
- Ohio State Bar Association
- Columbus Bar Association
- Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- Alliance of Women Trial Lawyers
Joshua R. Angelotta
Accident Injury Lawyer
Joshua R. Angelotta joined Kisling, Nestico & Redick in 2011 after spending several years as a lawyer defending insurance companies. During that time Josh gained first-chair trial experience in courtrooms throughout Northeast Ohio. However, as his practice grew, Josh realized that his real calling was in representing personal injury victims, not the insurance companies he was tasked to represent.
Josh now focuses his practice exclusively in helping those who have been injured. As a plaintiff’s lawyer, he seeks to represent each of his clients to the highest professional standard and achieve the best possible outcome through settlement. When necessary, he will take a client’s case to trial.
Having grown up in nearby Hudson and now a long-time Cleveland resident, Josh is a Northeast Ohio native. In his free time, he enjoys Cleveland sports, music, riding mountain bikes, and spending time with friends and family.
Geoff Jones
Accident Injury Lawyer
At The Jones Firm, we treat you like family. You are not just another client or claim number. We realize that you have a choice of legal representation. We will treat you with the respect that you have come to expect. We will provide you with the personal attention that you desire. Every personal injury case is different. By taking the time to discover the details of your case that others may miss, we’re able to make sure no dollar is left behind. What may seem like a small detail can have a major impact on the amount of money a victim is awarded.
In the summer of 2008, I received some of the worst news I could have imagined. My mother and sister had been involved in a car accident, and my sister was in the hospital. At the hospital, my father pulled my brother and I aside and told us that our mother had been killed in the crash. She would not be coming home. I would never get to see her alive again, to see her smile, or laugh. I would never get to hug her or even tell her that I love her again.
My entire family was devastated. Our lives will never be the same again. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think about my mother. I still dream of her often. There are good memories and painful ones.
The need for both the best accident injury lawyer and the best accident lawyer in Columbus, Ohio, arises from the unique expertise each type of lawyer brings to different aspects of accident cases. Let’s explore the reasons for needing both:
1. Best Accident Injury Lawyer Columbus:
– Specialized Knowledge: A best accident injury lawyer in Columbus focuses on representing individuals who have suffered injuries in accidents. They possess in-depth knowledge of personal injury laws, including Ohio-specific laws and regulations.
– Maximizing Compensation: Accident injury lawyers are skilled at calculating the full extent of damages suffered by the victim, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses resulting from the accident. They work diligently to maximize the compensation the injured party deserves.
– Handling Insurance Companies: Dealing with insurance companies can be challenging, as they often try to minimize payouts. A best accident injury lawyer knows how to negotiate with insurance companies, protecting the victim’s rights and ensuring fair treatment during the claims process.
– Proving Liability: Accident injury lawyers have experience gathering evidence to establish liability for the accident. They work with accident reconstruction experts, obtain witness statements, and collect other crucial evidence to build a strong case.
2. Best Accident Lawyer Columbus:
– Comprehensive Representation: A best accident lawyer in Columbus provides comprehensive representation in various types of accidents, not limited to personal injury cases. They handle cases such as car accidents, slip and falls, workplace accidents, and more.
– Property Damage Claims: In accidents involving property damage without personal injury, such as car accidents causing damage to vehicles, a best accident lawyer can assist in pursuing property damage claims.
– Product Liability Cases: If the accident was caused by a defective product, a best accident lawyer can handle product liability cases against the manufacturer or distributor of the product.
– Wrongful Death Cases: If an accident results in a fatality, a best accident lawyer can handle wrongful death cases on behalf of the deceased person’s family, seeking compensation for their loss.
– Multiple Defendants: In some accident cases, multiple parties may share liability. A best accident lawyer can navigate complex situations involving multiple defendants, ensuring all responsible parties are held accountable.
In summary, while both the best accident injury lawyer and the best accident lawyer in Columbus play vital roles in handling accident cases, they specialize in different aspects. The best accident injury lawyer focuses on representing injured individuals and maximizing their compensation, while the best accident lawyer handles a broader range of accidents and can represent clients in various scenarios, including property damage claims, product liability cases, and wrongful death cases. By having access to both types of lawyers, accident victims can receive comprehensive legal representation tailored to their specific needs and circumstances.