Ohio Civil Mediator

Frank A. Ray — A lawyer’s lawyer

For 2021, Super Lawyers ranked Frank Ray as the #1 lawyer in Ohio.

Mr. Ray established Frank A. Ray Co., L.P.A., in 1983. During his 41 years as a trial lawyer, he focused his practice on civil trial and appellate litigation and mediation of civil disputes. In 2014, he transitioned to service as a full-time mediator for a broad spectrum of civil matters. As a mediator, Mr. Ray draws on his professional experience, which includes:

• 129 civil trials as lead counsel in state and federal courts
• 73 state and federal civil appeals, including 16 appearances in cases before the Ohio Supreme Court
• Achieved numerous settlements or judgments of multimillion-dollar insurance coverage for businesses in litigation against insurers
• Prevailed in numerous jury trials representing landowners in eminent domain litigation
• Achieved settlement after two-week federal jury trial in UCC litigation that extricated a local manufacturer from insolvency
• Adjunct Professor, teaching the Trial Practice course at the Moritz College of Law of The Ohio State University from 2003 through 2010
• More than 40 years’ experience advising professional baseball leagues and teams

When Frank Ray actively practiced as a trial lawyer, fellow lawyers regularly turned to him to produce results for litigants.  Now, lawyers, judges, businesses, and insurers look to Frank to achieve resolution through his service as a mediator of complex civil cases.

Click to view My Curriculum Vitae

Awards and honors

• Super Lawyers
  • Ranked No. 1 Lawyer in Ohio, 2017, 2019, 2020 & 2021
  • Top Ten Lawyers in Ohio, 2009-2021
  • Top Five Lawyers in Columbus, Ohio, 2012-2021
• Diplomate, National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals, inducted 2014
• Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers, inducted 1986
• Fellow, International Society of Barristers, inducted 1994, Emeritus 2017
• Best Lawyers in America in the areas of Mediation, Commercial Litigation, Personal Injury Litigation, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Professional Malpractice Law, and Arbitration
  • Columbus Plaintiffs Personal Injury Lawyer of the Year, 2013
  • Columbus Professional Malpractice Lawyer of the Year, 2011
  • Columbus Bet-the-Company Litigator of the Year, 2009 & 2014
• Professionalism Award, Columbus Bar Association, 2012
• Lawyer of the Year, Ohio Lawyers Weekly, 1999
• Respected Adversary Award, Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys, 2005
• Friend of Legal Education Award, Ohio State Bar Association, 2005
• The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law Distinguished Alumnus Award, 2006–2007
• Professionalism Award, Ohio Chapter, American Board of Trial Advocates, 2012
• Michael F. Colley Award for Service to the Trial Bar, Ohio Chapter, American Board of Trial Advocates, 2014
• AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated^SM by Martindale-Hubbell®
• “Leaders in Their Field,” Chambers USA : America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, 2011-2016
• Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell

Memberships

• Columbus Bar Association
  • President, 2001–2002
• Central Ohio Association for Justice, formerly Franklin County Trial Lawyers Association
  • President, 1987–1988
• Ohio State Bar Association, Council of Delegates, 2007–2010
• Ohio State Bar Foundation, Fellow, inducted 1986 & designated Distinguished Life Fellow 2014
• Columbus Bar Foundation, Fellow, inducted 1986
  • President, 2009–2010
• Ohio Association for Justice, formerly Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers, Fellow, inducted 1991
  • President, 1989–1990
• Board of Bar Examiners, Supreme Court of Ohio, 1992–1995
• American Board of Trial Advocates, inducted 1993
  • President, Ohio Chapter, 2004
• Rules Advisory Committee, Supreme Court of Ohio, 1995–1999
• American Inns of Court, Robert M. Duncan Chapter
  • President, 1993–1994
• Ohio State University Moritz College of Law Alumni Association
  • National Council, 1998–2008

Publications

• Board of Editors, Manual for Complex Litigation, 4th Edition, Federal Judicial Center, 2004
• “Business Decisions for Business Litigation,” Columbus CEO, May 2010
• “Trial by Jury — How Did It Start and Where Will It End,” Columbus Bar Lawyers Quarterly, Spring 2011
• “How to Prepare a Client’s Case for Mediation,” Ohio Lawyer, Ohio State Bar Association, Nov./Dec. 2015
• “A Mediator’s View on Optimizing Settlements,” Ohio Trial, Ohio Association for Justice, Winter 2016

Academic appointments

• Adjunct Professor of Law, Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, Trial Practice course, 2003–2010

Recent lectures

Columbus Bar Association

• “Professionalism — Activities that Promote the Common Good,” 2011
• “The Mediation Process,” 2016

Ohio State Bar Association

• “Top Tips for Mediation of Medical Malpractice Cases,” 2016
• “Mediation Best Practices,” 2016
• “Mediation from the Mediator’s Perspective,” 2017

Central Ohio Association for Justice

• “Professional Advertising, Civility in Discovery, and Competence in the Trial Practice in Ohio,” 2008
• “Professionalism for Trial Lawyers,” 2013

Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys

• “Do You Have Authority? Plaintiff’s Counsel’s Perspective on Case Evaluation & Settlement Negotiations,” 2007

Ohio Association for Justice

• “Practical Tips and Tricks from the Mediator,” 2017