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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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