“Whenever confronted with litigation or a legal issue, clients need an attorney who can address the issues presented with the goal of resolving the matter in a timely and effective manner.”

Time is a limited resource best spent on running your operations, not mired in litigation.  Laurie J. Avery understands this very well as she managed her previous firm’s Toledo office for nearly a decade.  Ms. Avery currently is an of counsel attorney with Eastman & Smith.

During her 20 years as a litigator, Ms. Avery focused on how to resolve problems, whether they be in the courtroom, in front of an arbitrator or a client with an employment concern.  She has represented clients in a myriad of industries including health care, manufacturing, retail, entertainment, finance, restaurants, education, real estate and insurance. 

For several years, Ms. Avery was employed as a commercial docket staff attorney for the Lucas County Common Pleas Court where she focused on commercial law issues.  Between private practice and court attorney, Ms. Avery has handled hundreds of matters both in state and federal court as well as in front of administrative entities.  These matters include:

• Complex commercial disputes
• Contract interpretation
• Corporate dissolutions
• Employment issues
• Governmental and products liability
• Insurance coverage, liability and bad faith matters
• Intellectual property
• Medical, legal and professional malpractice
• Personal Injury
• Real Estate
• Violations of trade secrets, fraud and employment non-compete agreements

Additionally, her time working for the courts has provided insight into court operations, which can be valuable knowledge for her clients.

Ms. Avery is a frequent speaker on topics such as professional liability, employment litigation and technology.  She has authored a number of publications, including as a contributing author to the first edition of Baldwin’s Ohio Practice:  Tort Law where she authored the chapter on malpractice law. 

While earning her law degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law, Ms. Avery served as executive editor of Health Matrix Journal of Law-Medicine.  Prior to law school, she obtained a degree in political science along with a certificate in management studies from the University of Rochester.  Ms. Avery continues to be involved in education, most recently by teaching a course in trial practice at the University of Toledo where she was recognized as the Part Time Professor of the Year for 2019-20. 

Ms. Avery is an active local volunteer serving on the Perrysburg Schools Parent Safety Task Force, Jobst Vascular Institute Advisory Board, Diversity, board of Ronarrac Corporation and as founder and trustee of Lambie’s Legacy.  She and her husband Rick reside in Perrysburg, Ohio, with their three children. When not cheering on her children in their myriad of sporting events, Ms. Avery enjoys cooking, skiing, golf, tennis and sailing. She has a passion for education and in particular the advocacy and guidance for families and children needing assistance with special education needs.

Experience

Some examples of Ms. Avery’s experience entail:

• Arbitration of matters such as breach of contract, discrimination, employment practices, fraud, labor agreements, product liability, wrongful eviction and wrongful termination.
• Disciplinary hearings for attorneys, physicians and other professionals
• Professional litigation encompassing doctors, nurses, architects, real estate appraisers, insurers and attorneys.
• Employment litigation involving disability discrimination, ERISA, Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), labor/management relations and wrongful termination.
• Litigation of other issues including copyright, premise liability, personal injury, product liability and contract disputes.

Community/Professional Affiliations

Community

• Jobst Vascular Institute (advisory board member)
• Lambie’s Legacy (president and co-founder)
• Perrysburg Schools Parent Safety Task Force
• Maumee Valley County Day School – Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee (former member)
• United Way Women’s Initiative

Professional

• Ohio State Bar Association
• Ohio Women’s Bar Association (former trustee, Leadership Institute graduate)
• Supreme Court of Ohio Lawyer to Lawyer mentoring program
• Toledo Bar Association (former grievance committee chair)

Honors & Awards

• Ohio Super Lawyers, 2014 – 2018
• Who’s Who in Area Law, Toledo Business Journal, 2009 - 2018
• University of Toledo, Part Time Professor of the Year for 2019-20
• Burton Awards for Legal Achievement, “Best Law Firm Writer,” 2011
• 20 Under 40 Leadership award, 2009
• Cleveland’s Finest 2002 Honoree from Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
• Most Treasured Volunteer, Federation for Community Planning, 2002
• Community Service Award from Cleveland Bar Association Young Lawyer’s Section, 2000
• Ohio State Bar Association’s District 12 Community Service Award, Lawyers Under 40, 1999

Spotlight

Events & Speaking Engagements

Publications & Newsletters