Brian M. Zets

About Brian M. Zets

As a respected municipal lawyer who has been advising his public sector clients for over twenty years, Brian proudly serves as Law Director for the City of Pataskala, Legal Advisor for three townships (Brown Township, Orange Township, and Washington Township) and as Solicitor for several villages, including the Villages of Shawnee Hills, South Bloomfield, Bremen, Kirkersville, Thornville, Thurston, Glenford, and Brice. Over the years, many central Ohio cities have retained him as special counsel, including Upper Arlington, Gahanna, Groveport, Newark, Wilmington, and Sandusky. Brian has skillfully handled, and often lectures on, legal matters in the areas of municipal contracts, water and sanitary sewer agreements, zoning and land use, annexation, eminent domain, public meetings, and public records law. He also prosecutes criminal/traffic cases in Mayor’s Court and municipal court.

As a litigator, Brian understands R.C. 2744 immunity as well as Section 1983. He has successfully defended wrongful death claims, retaliation and discrimination claims, wrongful termination, First Amendment claims, and Fourth Amendment claims. Brian is an experienced trial lawyer who has tried state and federal bench and jury trials and appeared before administrative agencies, including the PUCO, the Board of Tax Appeals, and the Board of Revisions. He has argued before the Tenth District and the Sixth Circuit Courts of Appeals as well as the Ohio Supreme Court.

Brian’s public sector experience transfers well into the private sector. Whether it’s complex contracts, difficult employee issues, or litigation, his legal proficiency shines in the private sector. Brian offers practical solutions and advice in the venture capital space and helps companies, like Cyrannus, navigate the legal challenges of raising money and growing startup companies.

Brian also has a passion for all things automotive and motorsport. Classic muscle or collector cars, the NHRA, corporate sponsorship, or the companies that supply aftermarket high-performance parts, like JEGS Automotive, all fuel Brian’s enthusiasm for this industry.

Within the firm, Brian serves as the Managing Partner, as well as Chair of the Public Law Practice Group. He has also held past leadership roles with the firm’s Lateral Hiring Committee and the Marketing Committee.