Donald B. Leach, Jr.

Partner
Columbus, OH
(614) 227-4262 | Phone
(614) 221-8590 | Fax



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Donald B. Leach, Jr. is the Managing Partner of the Columbus office and Chair of the Firm's Construction Practice Group where his practice focus is on construction-related contracting, disputes and business matters.

Mr. Leach has extensive experience representing owner/developers and contractors in prosecuting and defending all types of construction lien, contract and bond cases on both public and private projects. He also has extensive experience drafting contracts tailored to clients' specific needs. He assisted in the drafting of Ohio's mechanics' lien law and is a frequent presenter on that law and other construction topics.

Mr. Leach serves as General Counsel to the Associated Builders and Contractors, Central Ohio Chapter and the Ohio Structural Steel and Architectural Metals Association. He is the former President of the Builders Exchange of Central Ohio and received that organization's highest award, the Cornerstone Award, in 2003. In addition, Mr. Leach just completed service as President of City Council and Mayor of Upper Arlington, Ohio.

In November 2009, Mr. Leach was appointed by Ohio Governor Ted Strickland to serve on the Ohio Board of Building Standards, which establishes Ohio's building codes and certifies and regulates building officials and departments throughout the state.

Education

J.D., The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law (1982)
B.A., Union College (cum laude, 1976)

Bar Admissions

Ohio

Court Admissions

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio

Selected Professional & Civic Organizations

American Bar Association: Forum on the Construction Industry; Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section
Ohio State Bar Association: Construction Law Committee and Real Property Section; Council of Delegates, District 7
Columbus Bar Association: Real Property Committee; Construction Committee and Real Property Institute, Past Chair
Ohio Senate (1977-1980), Legislative Assistant to President
Upper Arlington, Ohio City Council, Past President and Mayor 
Builders Exchange of Central Ohio, Past President and member of Board of Directors
Associated General Contractors
Associated Builders and Contractors, Central Ohio Chapter, General Counsel
Ohio Structural Steel & Architectual Metals Association
The Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Citizens for Safe Schools (Columbus Public Schools Levy Campaign Committee), Treasurer
Citizens for Upper Arlington Schools (Upper Arlington Schools Levy Campaign Committee), Treasurer
Upper Arlington Community Improvement Corporation, Past Director
Upper Arlington Area Chamber of Commerce, Trustee
Rotary Club of Upper Arlington
Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce
Ohio YMCA Youth in Government Committee
Kids Voting Central Ohio Honorary Board
Upper Arlington Crew, Inc., Past President
Upper Arlington Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Past Chair
Ohio Real Estate Appraiser Board, Past Chair
Upper Arlington Civic Association, Past Director
Worthington Public Library Board of Trustees, Past Vice President
Ohio West Virginia YMCA Board of Trustees, Past President

Awards & Recognitions

Listed in The Best Lawyers in America®
Selected as a Top 50 attorney in Columbus and a Top 100 attorney in Ohio by Ohio Super Lawyers®
Recognized as a Leading Business Lawyer in Construction by Chambers USA Guide to America's Leading Business Lawyers
Appointed in 1989 by the governor as the first public member of Ohio's Real Estate Appraiser Board
First practicing attorney elected to the Board of Directors and then President in 1996 of the 116-year-old, 1300 member Builders Exchange of Central Ohio
Upper Arlington Chamber of Commerce 2009, Arthur E. Cullman, Business Person of the Year
Leadership Upper Arlington, 2010 Margine Moul Leadership Award