Thompson Hine LLP has elected nine new partners, effective January 1, 2025. The new partners represent a range of practice areas, including Business Litigation, Construction, Corporate Transactions & Securities and Real Estate.
"We are thrilled to announce our new partner class, each of whom exemplifies the highest standards of legal excellence," said Managing Partner Tony White. "These exceptional lawyers are committed to delivering top-tier legal services that not only meet but exceed client expectations. Their remarkable talent and dedication to innovative practices underscore our firm's unwavering commitment to quality and client value. We are proud to welcome these outstanding attorneys to our partnership.”
The new partners are:
Ned Babbitt, a member of the Business Litigation practice group in Cincinnati and New York, has extensive experience in securities and shareholder litigation, corporate governance matters and complex contractual disputes. He received his J.D. from Columbia Law School, where he was a James Kent Scholar, and his B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with distinction. Babbitt has been included in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Commercial Litigation.
Jim Butler, a member of the firm’s Business Litigation practice group in Dayton, focuses on disputes involving the Uniform Commercial Code, supply chains, software and trade secrets. His practice also includes electronic contracting, intellectual property and general commercial litigation. He rejoined the firm in 2021 after nearly 10 years in elected office as an Ohio state representative. Butler’s legislative service culminated in his elevation to Speaker Pro Tempore of the Ohio House of Representatives in his final term before leaving governmental duty due to term limits. He received his J.D. from the University of Cincinnati College of Law, his M.A. from the University of Maryland, and his B.S. from the United States Naval Academy, with honors and distinction. He was selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2019 to 2025 for Commercial Litigation and in Ohio Rising Stars 2009-2014. He received the Lawyer-Legislator Distinguished Service Award from the Ohio State Bar Association and the Legislative Champion Award from Ohio Jewish Communities in 2019. He was also an honoree of the Veterans of Influence award from Dayton Business Journal in 2017.
Jack Clark, a member of the Construction practice group in Columbus, focuses on the transactional representation of owners, developers, investors, contractors and design professionals. He received his J.D. from The Ohio State University Michael E. Moritz College of Law, cum laude, and his B.A. from Rhodes College. Clark has been included in the 2022 to 2025 editions of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Construction Law and listed as a Rising Star in The Legal 500 for Construction from 2021 to 2024. He is also listed in The Legal 500 as a Recommended Attorney for Construction Law and Sports Law.
Brian Lanciault, a member of the Business Litigation, Securities & Shareholder Litigation, and White Collar Defense & Investigations groups in New York, focuses on representing businesses and individuals within the financial services sectors. He has extensive experience in securities litigation and compliance, defense of regulatory enforcement matters and complex commercial disputes. Lanciault received his J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law, summa cum laude, Order of the Coif, and his B.S. from Westfield State University, magna cum laude. He has been selected to the New York Metro Rising Stars list from 2022 to 2024.
Aisling S. O'Laoire, a member of the New Ventures practice group in Chicago, focuses her practice on advising small businesses, startups and growth-stage companies on business operations and transactional matters. She received her J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law, and her B.A. from DePaul University, cum laude. O'Laoire has been recognized for her contributions to the thriving startup ecosystem in Chicago.
Kevin D. Oles, a member of the Construction practice group in Columbus, counsels clients globally on growth and development in the manufacturing, energy, infrastructure and semiconductor industries, with significant experience in megaproject construction contracting and disputes. He received his J.D. from The Ohio State University Michael E. Moritz College of Law, cum laude, and his B.A. from the University of Notre Dame. Oles was included in the 2021 to 2025 editions of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Alternative Dispute Resolution, Construction Law, and Litigation-Construction.
Mitchell R. Prentis, a member of the Real Estate practice group in Cleveland, focuses on banking and real estate finance. He received his J.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Law, summa cum laude, and his B.A. from Covenant College, cum laude. Prentis has been included in the 2021 to 2025 editions of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Banking and Finance Law, and Real Estate Law.
Chris Sponseller, a member of the Real Estate practice group in Cleveland, represents clients in a wide range of real estate transactions. He received his J.D. from The Ohio State University Michael E. Moritz College of Law, cum laude, and his B.A. from Ohio Wesleyan University, magna cum laude. Sponseller was included in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Construction Law.
Ryan Wheeler, a member of the Corporate Transactions & Securities practice group in Cincinnati, advises clients in the investment management and financial services industry. He counsels clients on regulatory matters including all aspects of federal and state securities law and related issues, such as registration, regulatory reporting, registered fund matters (including mutual funds, interval funds, tender offer funds and exchange traded funds) and private fund matters. He received his J.D. from Northern Kentucky University, summa cum laude, his M.F.E. from Ohio University, and his B.B.A. from the University of Cincinnati, cum laude. Wheeler has been selected to the Ohio Rising Stars list in 2023 and 2024.