David H. Lefton - Cincinnati, OH

For more than 20 years David Lefton has helped his clients protect their financial futures, provide for their heirs, handle business and real estate concerns (including foreclosure difficulties) and resolve other legal problems. Combining personalized service and insightful advice, he has earned the highest ethical standards and professional ability rating that is given to lawyers by the respected Martindale-Hubble Directory. David also is a leader in activities of both the Ohio State Bar Association and American Bar Association, and is involved in a variety of community service activities.

David's practice centers around helping individuals of all ages and their families achieve their estate planning goals. He understands that his clients want to avoid probate while minimizing estate taxes and significant administrative expenses, and helps settle matters quickly to best benefit the heirs. In addition to his experience at all the financial aspects of estate and asset management, David approaches such sensitive personal planning issues as guardianships, powers of attorney and family business succession with tact and skill. To help people better understand estate planning, he writes a monthly law column in Hyde Park Living Magazine.

Using his financial and real estate experience, David leads a team of BPBS attorneys who represent the interests of homeowners associations, condominium associations and lenders in foreclosure actions in Ohio courts. Managing cases from complaint to sale, he offers comprehensive foreclosure assistance to identify title issues, propose and implement solutions, and make certain that client interests are protected.

As a trusted counselor to many individuals and organizations, David has the breadth of experience to handle a variety of other legal issues. That includes advising for-profit and non-profit start-up and established businesses on their organization, operations and transactions; representing home buyers and sellers; and helping injured victims of motor vehicle accidents.

David’s peers have recognized his professional abilities by endorsing him for a wide range of bar association leadership responsibilities. He is currently Chair of the Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) Solo, Small Firm and General Practice Section, making him one of the few lawyers in the history of the OSBA’s largest section to serve as Chair for two different non-successive terms. Since 2000 David has been active in both Section and OSBA governance, having:

• Served previously for three years as Section Chair.
• Acted as Council Chair, Chair of Programming for the Annual Meeting, and Chair of the Solo and Small Firm Technology Conference.
• Chaired the OSBA Economics of Law Survey, which under his direction won the American Bar Association (ABA) General Practitioner (GP) / Solo Bar Project of the Year.
• Participated in the OSBA Council of Delegates as well as in the association committee that reviews and proposes new estate planning, trust and probate legislation.
• Contributed as author to the 13th edition of the OSBA’s popular book, The Law and You.

At the national level of professional activity, David was honored at the 2010 ABA general convention with a “Service to Others” Award in recognition for his involvement in the Bar and in the community. He has played a significant role in the ABA’s professional development activities for solo and small firm lawyers, having served as Chair of Programming for the ABA’s GP/Solo Division and as a member of the ABA’s Commission on Continuing Legal Education. In addition to his formal efforts to expand continuing legal education opportunities, David is a frequent speaker and writer for local, regional and national legal and professional organizations about estate planning and business topics.

David is married, has 2 children and devotes his personal time to his family and using his abilities to improve the lives of people throughout the region. He serves as Co-Chair for the Planned Giving Council of the FreeStore FoodBank of Greater Cincinnati, working with other lawyers and financial executives to promote charitable giving in support of the FreeStore. During the past decade he has helped lead the youth programs of the Greater Sycamore Soccer Association (GSSA) in the Sycamore School District as a Board Member and coach in the GSSA’s Recreational and Select Programs and currently serves as its President.

In summary, David is a compassionate and competent attorney, dedicated to his clients, his profession, his family and community.