TOLEDO — Former Ohio Senate President Larry Obhof, whose district included Richland and Ashland counties, has joined the Toledo law firm of Shumaker as a partner in its litigation practice.
“We are thrilled to welcome Larry to Shumaker. Larry is one of the best legal minds in Ohio, and we look forward to his engagement with our clients on some of their most challenging legal problems,” said Shumaker partner Mark Wagoner. “Larry’s extensive breadth of service in the courtroom, the legislature, and the classroom gives him a skill set few can match.”
Obhof, who was prevented from seeking re-relection in 2020 due to term limits, said he was excited to be joining the firm.
“I look forward to working with their talented lawyers,” Obhof said. “This is a great fit as I embrace new challenges and the next chapter of my legal career.”
Obhof, a graduate of The Ohio State University and Yale Law School, served as a member of the Ohio Senate for nearly a decade. His colleagues unanimously elected him to serve as Senate President, the presiding officer of the 33-member chamber, from 2017-2020.
During his time in the Senate, Obhof successfully sponsored legislation on a wide range of topics, including education, tax law, elections administration, criminal law, and corporate law. n 2018, Obhof received the Ohio State Bar Association’s Lawyer-Legislator Distinguished Service Award.
Obhof will focus his practice on litigation at both the trial and appellate levels and has experience in a variety of matters involving antitrust, fiduciary duties, torts, contracts, securities, and employment law.
Obhof has taught courses on civil procedure and legislation as an adjunct law professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Law. He has also published legal scholarship on a range of issues including constitutional law, education, law and economics, and securities.
Beginning his legal career as a law clerk to Judge Alice M. Batchelder of the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, Obhof worked at some of the nation’s largest law firms, including five years with Chicago-based Kirkland & Ellis LLP.
