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 RatedSM 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
- Central Ohio Association for Justice, formerly Franklin County Trial Lawyers Association
- 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
- Ohio Association for Justice, formerly Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers, Fellow, inducted 1991
- 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
- 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