Jonathan R. Secrest

Mr. Secrest has extensive experience representing clients in civil litigation matters involving non-compete issues, product liability, business disputes, real estate, and employment law matters, among others. His experience includes representing clients at trial, before appellate courts, and before state and federal agencies. He regularly represents food manufacturers in defense of food product liability claims and counsels clients in the food industry related to state and federal regulations. He also represents small and large employers on employment issues ranging from sexual harassment claims to alleged violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Mr. Secrest’s experience includes litigating on behalf of renewable energy developers before the Ohio Power Siting Power Board, as well as before the state and federal courts in Ohio, including the Supreme Court of Ohio.

• Acted as Special Counsel to a state’s Department of Health in a high-profile action brought by several municipalities.
• Represented a college preparatory academy in a two-week jury trial involving claims for breach of contract, promissory estoppel, and indemnification that resulted in a unanimous verdict in the client’s favor.
• Obtained directed verdict on claims of wrongful termination and gender discrimination.
• Obtained a defense jury verdict in favor of a hospital and food manufacturer on food product liability claims.
• Successfully defended an international fast food franchisee on claims brought pursuant to Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Obtained verdict in favor of commercial landlord on all claims, including attorneys’ fees, after multi-day trial in action for breach of contract related to tenant’s failure to reimburse landlord for repairs.
• Obtained verdict in favor of employer and against former employee and her current employer after a multi-day trial for breach of non-solicitation provisions in employment agreement and for tortious interference with contracts.
• Represented renewable energy developer in a week and a half long adjudicatory hearing before the Ohio Power Siting Board.
• After an evidentiary hearing, obtained default judgment against former employee on his claims for relief and judgment in employer’s favor on its claims based on employee’s spoliation of  evidence. Mr. Secrest continued to represent the client in the appellate court where the ruling was affirmed.
• Obtained summary judgment on behalf of restaurant chain on claims of gender discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliation, which was upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
• Regularly defend Fortune 500 food and household product manufacturers in product liability claims in multiple states.