Joseph M. Brunner

Joe is a partner in the Vorys Cincinnati office and a member of the litigation group.  He has successfully represented large corporations, small businesses and individuals in a wide variety of cases in both federal and state courts at the trial and appellate levels.  His practice consists primarily of complex civil litigation, including specific experience with cases involving the False Claims Act, the AntiKickback Statute and Stark Law, insurance disputes, products liability issues, consumer class actions, corporate and government investigations, trade secret and intellectual property disputes, noncompete provisions, and general breach of contract, fraud and business torts.  In addition, Joe has experience with white collar criminal defense work.

Career highlights include:

• Successfully representing and obtaining dismissals and summary judgments in favor of numerous health care entities and government contractors in False Claims Act litigation and investigations
• Obtaining a declaratory judgment worth more than $60 million in insurance coverage
  
• Successfully defending large life insurers in a putative class action alleging misrepresentations and breaches of contract
• Representing a large biotechnology company against claims stemming from development of medical devices
• Resolving complex arbitration proceedings involving breach of contract allegations in favor of large engine manufacturer

Joe is a member of the Cincinnati Bar Association and the Federal Bar Association.

Joe received his J.D. from the University of Cincinnati College of Law where he was managing editor of the University of Cincinnati Law Review and a member of the Order of the Coif.  He received his B.A. with highest honors from the University of Michigan.

Joe served as a law clerk to the Honorable John D. Holschuh, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.

Professional & Community Activities

Cincinnati and Federal Bar Associations

Federal Bar Association, Board Member 

Cincinnati ToolBank, Board Member

Cincinnati Academy of Leadership for Lawyers (CALL), Class XX

University of Cincinnati College of Law, Adjunct Professor, 2024 to present

Potter Stewart Inn of Court, Barrister