This information is provided by the candidate
Thomas J. Straus, 5867 Cedaridge Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45247
Professional Experience
Ohio Attorney General's Office: 1993- present: Deputy Manager for Southwest Ohio
- Organized and managed 22 attorneys and support staff to represent state and its agencies in litigation and administrative matters in Southwest Ohio
- Represented state and its agencies in Bankruptcy Court concerning bankruptcy cases under Chapter 7, 11 and 13 proceedings
- Analyzed, researched and prepared motions concerning cash collateral orders, confirmation issues, trust taxes, fraudulent transfers, preferences, recoupment, dischargeability of tax liens and automatic stay issues.
- Participated in major Chapter 11 reorganization cases in Bankruptcy Court including Swallens, Rax Restaurants, Brendamours, and Leugers.
- Litigated numerous hearings, trials, and motions in bankruptcy court.
- Formulated and completed policies and procedures for dealing with state tax issues in Chapter 11 reorganization.
- Represented the state in commercial development matters, commercial real estate and closings.
Citizens Federal Bank: 1987-1993: Vice President & General Counsel
- Vice President & General Counsel for two and one-half billion financial institution with retail operations in Central and Southwest Ohio.
- Managed legal staff, consisting of five attorneys, a paralegal, compliance officer, law clerks, and support staff.
- Organized and supervised legal operations for Citizens Federal Bank's Subsidiaries: Dayton Financial Serives Inc. (real estate development), C.F. Property Inc. (real estate management), Sit Fed Mortgage Corporation of America (nationwide mortgage banking).
- Represented bank in commercial, asset based and real estate loans.
- Handled and implemented federal and state consumer, insurance and marketing compliance matters.
- Revised, improved and synthesized all standard bankruptcy pleadings forms used by the bank.
- Supervised and retained outside counsel on all major litigation throughout the country.
- Represented the bank in all major bankruptcy cases trhoughout the country.
- Drafted and revised all commercial lending documents used by the bank and its subsidiaries.
- Initiated audit and control features in regard to outside council billings.
Clark and Eyrich Co. L.P.A. nka Kepley Gilligan and Eyrich: 1978-1987: Partner
- partner in medium sized law firm of twenty five attorneys
- Mamber of firm's Business Financial Practice Group
- Represented banks, credit unions, and saving banks in bankruptcy court litigation
- Litigated creditors' rights, dischargability, preference, cash collateral orders and subordinated issues in bankruptcy court
- Acquired thorough knowledge of real property law by preparing real estate closing, foreclosures, drafting commercial leases and negotiating and closing for the purchase and sale of real estate
- Retained counsel for the Ohio Credit Union League and numerous credit unions
- Prepared memorandums of legal issues facing credit unions and financial institutions, review proposed state and federal legislation, edited and prepared articles for statewide newsletter concerning financial, insurance, tax, consumer, and personal legal issues.
- Represented financial institutions in problem loan workouts, drafting loan agreements and consumer complaince matters.
University of Cincinnati: 1978-1980: Instructor
- Instructor of Business Law and Accounting
- Lectured in contract law, Uniform Commercial Code, Commercial Paper and Agency Law
- Hearing officer for University for grievances under union contracts
- Received highest teaching evaluations from students
Lindhorst and Dreidame, Attorneys at Law: 1976-1978: Law Clerk
- Full time law clerk for a medium size downtown law firm
- Researched and drafted both internal and external memoranda of law, motions, briefs and various court pleadings
- Assessed merits of clients' claims and/or defense and developed an appropriate legal strategy
- Interviewed and prepared witnesses for depositions and trials
Affiliations
- Commerical Law League of America
- Lawyers Club of Cincinnati
- Cincinnati Bar Association (Bankruptcy Section)
- Ohio State Bar Association
- American Association of Independent Investors
- Green Township Republican Club
- Green Township Land Use Committee
- Hamilton County Conservative Forum
- St. Ignatius 2000 Committee
- St. Ignatius Basketball/ Softball Coach
- Monfort Heights SAY Soccer Coach
- Judge- Chase Law School moot Court Competition
Education
- Northern Kentucky University- Chase College of Law: Juris Doctor (J.D.), Addmitted to Ohio Bar, April 1978, Federal Bar Admissions: Southern District of Ohio, 1978, Sixth Ciruit Court of Appeals, 1981
- Xavier University: Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), major: Finance
- Univeristy of Cincinnati- College of Business Administration (B.B.A.): Major Marketing, Minor Finance/ Accounting- Top 20% of class; Dean's List, Activities: Sportswriter for University Newspaper, Ski Club, Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity (treasurer0
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