Joseph R. Miller

Joe is a partner in the Vorys Columbus office and the chair of the firm's litigation group.  His practice is focused on land use, real estate and eminent domain litigation.  He has obtained substantial jury verdicts and settlements, including seven and eight-figure amounts, on behalf of landowners in eminent domain litigation.  Joe has decades of experience representing real estate developers, individuals and businesses before local administrative and legislative bodies, and state and federal courts in matters involving land use and zoning disputes.

Joe also has significant experience in business and commercial litigation, including securities, contract, trade secrets and product liability disputes.

Career highlights include:

Eminent Domain/Real Estate/Land Use

• Successfully representing land owners before the Supreme Court of Ohio in defeating proposed referendum on zoning regulations to permit wind power. State, ex rel. Stoll v. Logan Cty. Bd. of Elections, et al., 117 Ohio St. 3d 6 (2008)
• Successfully representing landowners before the Supreme Court of Ohio in mandamus and contempt proceedings against the Ohio Department of  Natural Resources for taking private property. State ex rel Doner v. ODNR, 130 Ohio St 3d 326 (2012)
• Successfully representing real estate developers in civil rights actions pursuant to 42 U.S.C.§1983, including in which federal courts have held as a matter of law that local governments violated client's rights of due process as a result of illegal zoning regulations

Business Litigation

• Obtaining multi-million dollar judgment in favor of a business client on breach of contract and fraud claims in private arbitration
• Successfully representing defendants and plaintiffs at trial in federal and state courts, as well as in private arbitration, including before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and the American Arbitration Association (AAA)
• Successfully obtaining summary judgment for business clients and defending such judgments in both federal and state courts of appeals
• Obtaining a seven-figure judgment in favor of a business client on breach of contract and conversion claims in federal court

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

Joe is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell, its highest peer review rating of legal ability and ethical standards.

Joe received his J.D. cum laude from Harvard Law School and his B.A. summa cum laude from The Ohio State University.

Joe clerked for the Honorable Susan J. Dlott of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.

Honors & Recognitions

Columbus CEO, Best Lawyers, Real Estate Law, 2022; Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, 2023-2024; Litigation – Real Estate, 2024

The Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, 2020-2022; Land Use and Zoning Law, 2025

Ohio Super Lawyers, Litigation, 2019-2025

Columbus CEO, Top Lawyers in Columbus, 2011-2021

Martindale-Hubbell AV Peer Review Rated

Professional & Community Activities

Columbus Chamber of Commerce, Board Member, 2023 to present

Catholic Social Services, Board Member, 2015-2022; Board Chair 2020-2022

St. Stephen's Community House, Board Member, 2008-2014; Board Chair, 2013

Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, Board and Chair of the Legislative Committee, 1999-2002