Derek L. Graham
Principal
P: 614.760.1801
F: 614.889.5250
I genuinely enjoy helping people avoid and fix problems that arise in their lives. Whether you are the parent of a child with special needs trying to figure out Medicaid, a small business owner trying to understand the confusing letter you received in the mail or just an individual wanting to know what will happen to your assets at your death, I enjoy teaming up with you to solve the problem.
Early in my career I was fortunate to get experience in civil litigation, business transactions and estate planning. Then in 2009, my wife and I had our first daughter who was born with Down syndrome.
Like many of my clients today, we were inundated with information and felt overwhelmed. Thirteen years later, I spend the majority of my days helping similarly situated families understand the various resources that exist for families like mine. I find it very rewarding to meet with families of all varieties and help them understand how to effectively and practically plan their estate. More than that though, I enjoy helping families understand the resources available to them and how to get the most out of those resources.
My practice areas are Estate Planning, Special Needs Estate Planning, Developmental Disabilities Law, Guardianship, Probate, Probate Litigation and Business (organizational, transactional and succession). I earn my clients' trust by working hard to accomplish their goals, being accessible and giving advice based upon experience.
Education
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University of Kentucky (B.B.A.) – Double Major in Finance and Decision Science and Information Systems
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Moritz College of Law at The Ohio State University (J.D.)
Professional Associations and Community Involvement
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Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio (DSACO), Past Board Member - Chair, Vice Chair, Past President
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Ohio Supreme Court Judicial College – Faculty Member
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Ohio SIBS (adult siblings of people with disabilities) – Board Member
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The Arc of Ohio - Board Member
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Cincinnati Children's Hospital Family 2 Family Parenting Task Force – Member
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Columbus Bar Association Professional Ethics Committee – Member
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Columbus Bar Association Admissions Committee – Member
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Ohio Guardianship Association-Member
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City of Dublin, Community Services Advisory Commission – Past Member
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Ohio Supreme Court Subcommittee on Adult Guardianship – Past Member
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Ohio State University Faculty Member - College of Education and Human Ecology, Lecturer of Estate Planning for Individuals and Families
Awards and Recognition
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2016 Distinguished Service Award Winner - Ohio Guardianship Association
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Ohio Super Lawyers – Rising Star in Estate Planning 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
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Columbus Business First - 2019 40 Under 40 Honoree
Published Works
Planning for Bright Tomorrows: Estate and Future Planning for Ohioans with Disabilities and Their Loved Ones
Co-Authored with Logan K. Philipps on behalf of the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council, 2024
Click here for the PDF version of this book or request a copy.
Supported Decision Making and Guardianship
Co-Authored with Logan K. Philipps on behalf of the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council, 2024
Click here for the PDF version of this book or request a copy.
Representative Payee Handbook
Co-Authored with Logan K. Philipps on behalf of the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council, 2022
Click here for the PDF version of this book or request a copy.
Co-Author of Guardianship of Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
Toolkit for Judicial Use, The Supreme Court of Ohio
Author of Adult Fundamentals of Guardianship Handbook
Developer and Instructor for 6-Hour Fundamentals of Guardianship Course
Author of Developmental Disabilities Law Guidebook
Developer and Instructor for 3-Hour Developmental Disabilities Course