Alan H. Abes

Biography

Alan is co-chair of the firm’s Commercial Litigation practice group. He litigates regularly in state and federal trial courts around the country and is experienced arguing in state supreme court and intermediate state and federal circuit courts of appeal. He handles complex breach of contract and commercial claims across many industries. He represents debt buyers in class action and individual consumer cases brought under the FDCPA and related state law. He has long helped insurance carriers handle or litigate challenging coverage claims. Alan is also solicitor for the Village of Fairfax, Ohio and regular or special counsel for several Ohio joint fire districts and political subdivisions, advising them across the spectrum of their operations as public servants. He uses his significant litigation experience to assess claims early, mediating or resolving them informally to mitigate risk and control cost when that is the best course and helping clients prevent or limit claims before they arise. Alan serves on the firm’s Associate Evaluation Committee and as Cincinnati office pro bono coordinator. He also serves the community and the legal profession in several volunteer capacities that hold personal meaning.

Education

  • Northwestern University School of Law  (J.D., cum laude, 1993)
  • The Ohio State University  (B.A., summa cum laude, 1990)
    • Honors in the Liberal Arts and distinction in Political Science

Bar Admissions

  • Ohio

Court Admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

Affiliations/Memberships

  • Leadership Cincinnati, Class 39
  • Cincinnati Bar Association
    • Board of Trustees, President-Elect
    • Administration & Finance Committee
  • Supreme Court of Ohio, Board of Commissioners on Character and Fitness
  • Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati, board member
  • Cincinnati Public Schools, Business Advisory Council, chair
  • Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services, board Vice President, Program Committee, Budget Committee
  • ACA International/RMAI
  • Ohio State Bar Association/American Bar Association

Distinctions

  • Best Lawyers® 
    • "Lawyer of the Year" in Cincinnati for Insurance Law (2021)
    • "Lawyer of the Year" in Cincinnati for Litigation - Insurance (2022)
    • Commercial Litigation; Insurance Law; Litigation – Insurance (2021-2024)
  • Ohio Super Lawyers®
  • Volunteer Lawyer of the Year (2010)
  • AM Best's Recommended Insurance Attorneys
  • Ohio State Bar Foundation, fellow
  • Cincinnati Academy of Leadership for Lawyers, fellow and past chair