St. Denis, Donald W.

I am a long-time resident of the Hilliard/Dublin, Ohio area, having graduated from Hilliard High School in 1970. I received my B.A. Degree, Summa Cum Laude, from The Ohio State University in 1974, and my J.D. Degree, Cum Laude, also from The Ohio State University, in 1977. From 1977 to 1984, I was associated with a well- known and established law firm, located in downtown Columbus, which handled diverse and often high profile cases. In 1984, I established my own law office, practicing in the areas of family law, probate/estate planning, and franchise law. I have been listed in the Best Lawyers in America since 1995. Best Lawyers ratings are based on lawyers evaluations of my legal ability and ethics. I was also included in the November, 2003 issue of Columbus Monthly Magazine in an article on the Top Lawyers in Columbus, as I was in 1997 when the Columbus Monthly did a similar article. I am also named and appear in Ohio Super Lawyers, which is a listing of the top 5% of attorneys in Ohio as voted by attorneys in Ohio. Effective January 1, 2006, I am certified by the Ohio State Bar Association as a Specialist in Family Relations Law.

I was one of the founding members of the Collaborative Family Law Council of Central Ohio which is now known as Collaborative Divorce Professionals. I am also currently a member of the International Association of Collaborative Professionals. I am also a member of the Ohio State Bar Association and the Columbus Bar Association. I previously served on the Columbus Bar's Board of Governors, as well as on numerous committees that include the Long Range Planning Committee, Admissions Committee, Professional Ethics & Grievance Committee, and Family Law. I currently serve on the Columbus Bar Association's Fee Arbitration Committee which resolves fee disputes between attorneys and clients without resorting to the courts. I also have served as a Trustee of the Columbus Bar Foundation.

While an undergraduate at Ohio State, I received the Phi Beta Kappa Scholarship for my senior year. Honors and awards during law school included membership on The Ohio State Law Journal, The Joseph M. Harter Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy and the American Jurisprudence Award for Estate Planning as well as membership on the American Bar Association Law School Accreditation Review Committee. Following law school, I was Secretary, President-Elect and President of The Ohio State University College of Law Alumni Association and also a member of the National Council of the law school. I am also a graduate of the Columbus Area Leadership Program.

I have always been very active in my church, having taught adult Sunday School and having served on various church boards and committees, including the governing board of three churches. I grew up in the church, and church as always been an important part of my growth in my Christian faith. I am a member of the Upper Arlington Lutheran Church.

For years, dog ownership and the care of dogs have been an important part of my non-working, personal time. For nearly fourteen years I was "Mom" to Lita, a Bichon Frise, and Gator, a West Highland White Terrier. I am currently "Mom" to two rescue dogs, Annie and Austin, both Bichons, adopted through Bichon Frise Rescue. I have also assisted the Bichon Frise Rescue and find it rewarding to help dogs find their "forever" home.