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Stephen J. Smith
Partner
Columbus, OH
Partner
Columbus, OH
Stephen represents public entities in economic development, land use planning and general municipal issues. His practice encompasses all aspects of municipal law including zoning and land use, eminent domain, administrative appeals, public records issues, public contracts and law enforcement issues.
Stephen currently serves as the law director for the City of Grove City, Village of Obetz and as assistant law director for the City of Dublin. He teaches Local Government law at Capital University Law School.
Appointed by the City of Reynoldsburg as Chairman to the Ad Hoc Committee to Review Reynoldsburg’s Code of Ordinances, Chapter 505 (2014).
Capital University Law School, J.D., 1999
Miami University, Ohio, B.A., 1995
United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio
Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Star®, 2013
Friend of Education Award, Central Region of Ohio School Boards Association
Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association (OMAA)
International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA)
Columbus Bar Association
Ohio State Bar Association
American Bar Association
The Buckeye Ranch Foundation, Member, Board of Directors
Dublin Irish Festival, Committee Member and Token Manager
Grove City High School Alumni Golf, Former Committee Member
Leadership Dublin, Class of 2012
Agonis Club of Columbus, Former Board Member and Vice President
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Central Ohio Chapter, Former Board of Directors
“Code Enforcement” Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, August 2019.
“Civil Basics 101” 2019 Municipal Civil Law Institute, Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association, July 2019.
“Civil Basics 201” 2019 Municipal Civil Law Institute, Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association, July 2019.
“Public Records/Sunshine Law” Webinar, Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association and Ohio Municipal League, June 2019.
“Home Rule – The Pros and Cons of the Charter Form of Government” Village of Georgetown Ohio, April 2019.
“Public Records” 2019 Spring Municipal Civil Law Seminar, Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association, March 2019.
“Court Procedures” Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, January 2019.
“Use of Magistrates, Court Decorum and Ethics” Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, January 2019.
“Marsy’s Law” Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, November 2018.
“Public Records” Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, November2018.
“Marsy’s Law” Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, October 2018.
“Public Records” Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, October 2018.
“Conflict of Interest” Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) Advisory Services Policy Committee, Annual Consultant Training, September 2018
“Home Rule – Improving a Community’s Quality of Life & Fostering Economic Development” 2018 OML Regional Training Meetings (Findlay), Ohio Municipal League, August 2018.
“Open Meetings/Public Records” 2018 OML Regional Training Meetings (Findlay), Ohio Municipal League, August 2018.
“Marsy’s Law” Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, August 2018.
“Public Records” Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, August 2018.
“Civil Basics 101” 2018 Municipal Civil Law Institute, Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association, July 2018.
“Economic Development and Annexation” One Day Academy (Reynoldsburg), Ohio Municipal Clerks Association, June 2018.
“Public Records” 2018 Mayors Annual Conference (Akron), Mayors Association of Ohio, June 2018.
“Open Meetings/Public Records” 2018 OML Regional Training Meetings (Mason), Ohio Municipal League, June 2018.
“Open Meetings/Public Records” 2018 OML Regional Training Meetings (Athens), Ohio Municipal League, May 2018.
“Open Meetings/Public Records” Newly Elected Council Seminar Agenda (Cleveland/Independence), Ohio Municipal League, March 2018.
“Liability of Municipalities and Municipal Officials” Newly Elected Council Seminar Agenda (Cleveland/Independence), Ohio Municipal League, March 2018.
“Open Meetings/Public Records” Newly Elected Council Seminar Agenda (Mason), Ohio Municipal League, March 2018.
“Liability of Municipalities and Municipal Officials” Newly Elected Council Seminar Agenda (Mason), Ohio Municipal League, March 2018.
“Open Meetings/Public Records” Newly Elected Council Seminar Agenda (Columbus), Ohio Municipal League, February 2018.
“Council Powers and Procedures” Newly Elected Council Seminar Agenda (Columbus), Ohio Municipal League, February 2018.
“Liability of Municipalities and Municipal Officials” Newly Elected Council Seminar Agenda (Columbus), Ohio Municipal League, February 2018.
“Use of Magistrates, Court Decorum and Ethics,” Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, February 2018.
“Court Procedures,” Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, February 2018.
“Use of Magistrates, Court Decorum and Ethics,” Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, January 2018.
“Court Procedures,” Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, January 2018.
“Home Rule,” Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, November 2017.
“Mayor’s Court, Question & Answer,” Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, November 2017.
“Public Records Requests Compliance in a Technological Age,” Local Government Law from Start to Finish, National Business Institute, November 2017
“Navigating Open Meeting Law Compliance Issues,” Local Government Law from Start to Finish, National Business Institute, November 2017
“Home Rule,” Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, October 2017.
“Mayor’s Court, Question & Answer,” Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, October 2017.
“Use of Magistrates, Court Decorum and Ethics,” Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, January 2017.
“Court Procedures,” Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, January 2017.
“Mayor’s Court Operation – Q&A,” Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, November 2016.
“Mayor’s Court Operation – Q&A,” Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, October 2016.
“Liability of Municipalities and Municipal Officials,” Ohio Municipal League, Newly Elected Council Seminar, February 2016 (Independence, Ohio).
“Village Council Powers and Procedures,” Ohio Municipal League, Newly Elected Council Seminar, February 2016 (Independence, Ohio).
“Liability of Municipalities and Municipal Officials,” Ohio Municipal League, Newly Elected Council Seminar, February 2016 (Mason, Ohio).
“Village Council Powers and Procedures,” Ohio Municipal League, Newly Elected Council Seminar, February 2016 (Mason, Ohio).
“Charter vs. Statutory Government (Home Rule),” Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association, 2016 Spring Municipal Law Seminar, March 2016.
“Village Council Powers and Procedures,” Ohio Municipal League, Newly Elected Council Seminar, February 2016.
“Court Procedures,” Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, February 2016.
“Use of Magistrates, Court Decorum and Ethics,” Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, February 2016.
“Court Procedures,” Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, January 2016.
“Use of Magistrates, Court Decorum and Ethics,” Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, January 2016.
“Social Media and Public Records” Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, October 2015.
“Social Media and Public Records” Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, August 2015.
“Home Rule,” Ohio Municipal Attorney’s Association (“OMAA”) Municipal Law Institute, July 2015.
“Zoning/Annexation,” Ohio Municipal Clerks Association (“OMCA”) Annual Institute, July 2015.
Moderator for Panel Discussion on “Local Government Decision Making – Roles of Council and Administration,” Ohio Municipal Clerks Association (“OMCA”) Annual Institute, July 2015.
“Rules of Council – Meetings & Executive Sessions” 2015 Mayors Association of Ohio Annual Conference, June 2015.
“Social Media and Public Records” Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, June 2015.
“Economic Development and Land Use” Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association (“OMAA”) 2015 Spring Municipal Civil Law Seminar, March 2015.
“Court Procedures” and “Use of Magistrates, Court Decorum and Ethics,” Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, January 2015.
Conducted a training session on “Public Records, Open Meetings and Ethics” for Council Members and Staff for the City of Cleveland, December 2014.
“Public Rights Issues,” National Business Institute (NBI) Legal Issues Involving Local Governments, November 2014.
“Offenses Against Property & Other Minor Misdemeanors” and “Sentencing Alternatives Available,” Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, November 2014.
“Municipal Law – Changes and New Developments” Ohio Municipal League (“OML”) 63rd Annual Conference, October 2014.
“Home Rule” Ohio Legislative Service Commission (“LSC”) Constitutional Conundrums. September 2014.
“Offenses Against Property & Other Minor Misdemeanors” and “Sentencing Alternatives Available,” Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, June and August 2014.
“Ethical Considerations for Consultants,” Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police (“OACP”) Advisory Services Policy Committee, Annual Consultant Training Session. May 2014.
“Municipal Law,” 2014 Ohio Municipal Clerks Association (“OMCA”) Spring Conference/Institute. April 2014.
“Council Powers and Procedures” and “Liability of Municipalities and Municipal Officials,” Ohio Municipal League, Newly Elected Council Seminar, March 2014.
“Gun Control in Municipalities,” Ohio City/County Management Association (“OCMA”), 2014 Winter Conference, February 2014.
“Court Procedures” and “Use of Magistrates, Court Decorum and Ethics,” Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, January and February 2014.
“Second Amendment,” Ohio Municipal Attorney’s Association (“OMAA”), December 2013.
“Ohio Municipal Law,” Ohio Municipal Clerks Association Fall Institute, October 2013.
“Home Rule,” Ohio Municipal Attorney’s Association (“OMAA”), July 2013.
“Public Records and Records Retention,” Central Ohio Association of Mayor’s Court Clerks, 2013.
“Offenses Other Than Traffic,” Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, 2013.
“Court Procedures” and “Use of Magistrates, Court Decorum and Ethics,” Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, 2013.
CCW: Ohio’s Concealed Carry Law, 2013 Ohio Parks and Recreation Association Conference and Trade Show, February 27, 2013.
“Court Procedures” and “Use of Magistrates, Court Decorum and Ethics,” Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, 2010-2012.
“Court Decorum, Ethics & Procedures,” Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, 2010-2012.
“Attorney-Client Privilege,” 2012 CLCCA (County Loss Control Coordinators Association)/OPRIMA (Ohio Public Risk Management Association) Fall Meeting, September 21, 2012.
“Open Meetings and Public Records,” Newly Elected Mayors Workshop, Mayors Association of Ohio Conference, June 27, 2012.
“Liability Issues,” North American Irish and Celtic Festival Organizer Conference, Dublin, Ohio, April 2, 2012.
“Public Construction Seminar,” Co-presenter, Columbus, Ohio, September 9, 2011.
“Supreme Court of Ohio’s July 2011 decision: Timothy T. Rhodes v. City of New Philadelphia” and “July Amendment of Ohio’s Public Records Act:Codified,” Administrative Law Conference, Ohio State Bar Association, September 7, 2011.
“HB 158 (Amateur Radio Antennas),” Provided testimony to Ohio House of Representatives Local Government Committee on HB 158, May 10, 2011.
“Public Records,” 2011 Spring Municipal Civil Law Seminar, Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association, March 4, 2011
“HB 50 (Type II Annexation),” Provided testimony to Ohio House of Representatives Local Government Committee on HB 50, March 1, 2011.
“Public Records,” Mayors Court Training, Ohio Municipal League, December 17, 2010.
“Case Law Update,” 2010 Winter Municipal Law Seminar, Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association, December 10, 2010.
“Policy solution to address underage drinking,” Panelist, Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws Forum, Cincinnati, Ohio, July 21, 2010.
“Liability Issues, Ohio Municipal League Training Seminar, March 2010.
“Hotels Straining City Services” Cities and Villages Magazine, Ohio Municipal League, January/February 2018. Co-Author with Thad Boggs.
Co-author, “Recent Developments in Government Operations and Liability: 42 U.S.C. § 1983: First Stop – State Court (Sometimes),” The Urban Lawyer – The National Quarterly Law Journal on State and Local Government Law, Volume 35, Number 4, Fall 2003.
January 21, 2016 | Publications
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