Nathaniel Lampley, Jr.

Nate is the co-managing partner of the Vorys Cincinnati office and a member of the litigation group.  He has been inducted as a Fellow of The American College of Trial Lawyers having handled complex business and commercial matters in both state and federal courts.  Nate has first chair civil jury trial experience in a wide range of cases including class actions and significant business disputes.  He has also handled several commercial arbitrations before the American Arbitration Association.  He has been recognized repeatedly as an “Ohio Super Lawyer,” an “Ohio Leading Lawyer” and one of the “Best Lawyers in America.”

Career highlights include:

• Obtained unanimous jury verdict and damage award on counterclaim in 6 week jury trial involving claims of fraud, breach of contract and misappropriation of trade secrets on behalf of a national grocery retailer where amount in controversy exceeded $25 million

• Successfully defended national grocery retailer in $900,000,000 arbitration involving claims of breach of contract, misappropriation of trade secrets and bad faith.  Arbitrator also awarded sanctions against opposing party and its counsel

• Obtained mandatory injunction after trial on the merits in $100 million licensing dispute against software manufacturer
• Defeated class certification of a putative national class of policyholders for a major insurance carrier
• Resolving complex dispute related to supplier agreements for a national grocery chain
• Resolving significant disputes with vendors and employees on behalf of major telecommunications company
• Defeating (b)(3) damages class on behalf of major soft drink bottler
• Defeating (b)(2) class seeking injunctive relief on behalf of major soft drink bottler
• Defense verdict in a case involving the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Obtaining multiple dismissals of employment cases involving the Title XII, the FMLA, the ADEA and other civil rights statutes
• Resolving significant disputes on behalf of banking clients involving equipment lease agreements and complex franchise agreements

Nate has spoken at seminars on the subject of successful partnering between inside and outside counsel for the American Corporate Counsel Association and is a frequent lecturer on trial advocacy skills for the National Institute for Trial Advocacy.

Nate received his J.D. with honors from the University of Cincinnati College of Law and received the American Jurisprudence Award.  He received his B.A. with honors from the University of Dayton.

Honors & Recognitions

The Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, 2008-2025

Ohio Super Lawyers, Employment and Labor, 2004-2018

Leading Lawyer in Business Litigation, Cincy Magazine, 2006-2014, 2017-2024

Cincinnati Business Courier Forty Under 40 honoree, 1999

Martindale-Hubbell AV Peer Review Rated

Professional & Community Activities

American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow, 2021 to present

University of Cincinnati Alumni Association, Member, 2008 to present

University of Cincinnati College of Law, Board of Visitors, 2005 to present; Nominating Committee, 2007 to present

Volunteer Lawyers for the Poor Board of Directors, 1999 to present; Secretary, 2005-2006

Christ Hospital Sports Medicine Institute, Board of Trustees, 1999-2004

Allen Foundation, President, 2003-2004

Greater Cincinnati Minority Counsel Program, Steering Committee, 2001-2003

Leadership Cincinnati, Class XXIV, 2000-2001

Cincinnati Black Ambassadors, Board of Trustees, 1995-1998

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

Hamilton High School, Keynote Speaker for the Commencement Ceremony, Class of 2002