Overview
Experience
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Professional

Overview

Chris Conard has more than 30 years of experience in areas of municipal, criminal and civil law.

Chris is the Chair of Coolidge Wall’s Public Sector Law Department and has served on the firm’s executive committee. He is the Village Solicitor for Yellow Springs and General Counsel to the Downtown Dayton Partnership’s Special Improvement District. His practice areas include municipal law, civil and probate litigation. Chris has developed a unique expertise in media relations, having appeared on national television broadcasts such as The Today Show. He also is regularly consulted on criminal law matters pertaining to investigations, prosecution and defense.

Before joining Coolidge Wall in 2000, Chris was employed as an Assistant Montgomery County Defender and served as the Deputy Director of the Montgomery County Public Defender’s Office from 1997-2000. During his tenure with the Public Defender’s Office, Chris tried cases in every jurisdiction within Montgomery County, including a number of high profile homicide cases.

Chris is a former adjunct professor at both the University of Dayton and the University of Dayton School of Law where he taught trial practice and evidence. He also attended the National Criminal Defense College in 1990. He currently serves on the Dayton Bar Association Certified Grievance and Ethics Committee.

Chris has been named an Ohio Super Lawyer (2015-2020) in the field of General Litigation.

Recognition + Awards

Super Lawyers 2015-2024

Best Lawyers in America since 2019: Commercial Litigation

Bar Admissions

Ohio, 1988
U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Northern District of Ohio
U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit

Education

University of Dayton School of Law, Dayton, Ohio
J.D. – 1987

Professional

Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association
Ohio State Bar Association
Dayton Bar Association (Certified Grievance and Ethics Committee), 2012 to Present
Carl D. Kessler Inn of Court
Ohio Bar, Fellow
Downtown Dayton Partnership’s Special Improvement District, General Counsel
American Bar Association

Community

Community Blood Center Executive Committee, Board of Trustees President
Patterson Park Youth Baseball, Legal Counsel
Oakwood School Board Foundation, Chair
Volunteer Lawyers Project
General Counsel, Patterson Park Youth Baseball
President, Oakwood Schools Foundation
Day Chair, Leadership Dayton, Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce

Our Practices

Our attorneys have experience in the issues that business owners and entrepreneurs frequently face:
For nearly every type of business, real estate is a crucial component of success. For property owners, managers, developers and construction companies, commercial property issues are an everyday facet of business, and skillful solutions to those issues are essential to success of the business. Even if your company is not directly involved in the real estate industry, your place of business — whether purchased or leased — is a critical investment.
At Coolidge Wall, we understand how intimidating business issues like organization, internal governance and contract negotiation can be. As a client, you can expect our corporate and business lawyers to become thoroughly familiar with your business goals and operations. We then draw on the full experience of a distinguished staff of attorneys to help you make wise decisions for your business — from incorporation onward.
Litigation is one of the most challenging aspects of legal practice, one that not every attorney is prepared to handle. Coolidge Wall's team of seasoned litigators have experience with all types of disputes: civil and administrative litigation, appeals, and even select criminal matters.
At Coolidge Wall, we believe that a company’s workforce is its most important asset. However, managing personnel issues and striking the balance between attracting talent and keeping workforce expenses manageable can be a difficult and delicate task. Employers can easily make mistakes that lead to litigation, overcompensation or morale difficulties. Our labor and employment attorneys are well acquainted with labor trends and employment law and use that knowledge to provide our clients with creative and cost-effective advice.
The Ohio workers’ compensation system fills a legitimate need and was designed for administrative convenience. But for businesses of all sizes, workers’ compensation issues can be a nightmare. Employers trust the workers’ compensation practice team at Coolidge Wall to provide informed counsel and competent representation regarding these important issues.
Tax is a universal issue for every business in the United States. The record keeping, planning and preparation that is necessary to keep your tax affairs in order and avoid paying more than you should touches every aspect of your operation.

Our clients trust the attorneys of Coolidge Wall with their important estate planning and probate needs.  Our team is experienced in all aspects of estate planning and probate law, including wills and trusts, estate tax planning, probate administration, and business succession.

Our extensive transactional and civil work in the private sector has provided our team of attorneys at Coolidge Wall with the knowledge and practical experience necessary to provide public sector entities with competent legal counsel for a wide range of issues.

Coolidge Wall is here
to serve your legal needs

Coolidge Wall offers a diverse array of legal practice areas and business insight for our clients. Let our history, reputation and knowledge work for your business-no matter where you are. Contact us to learn how we can contribute to your company’s success.
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