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Michael C. Lucas

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Biography

Michael C. Lucas joined Wiles and Richards as an associate in 1980, and became a parter in 1988. He has considerable experience in the areas of civil law and litigation, with an emphasis in zoning, employment law, domestic relations, municipal and township law, real estate, probate, and personal injury.  He serves as legal counsel for numerous small businesses and provides counsel on a variety of general business organization and practice matters. He has served as legal counsel on an appellate level on a wide variety of cases in these areas in Northeast Ohio.

At the present time, Mr. Lucas is the Law Director for the City of Willoughby, the City of Willoughby Hills, and Concord Township, and is Assistant Law Director for the City of Willowick. He has previously served as Solicitor for the Village of Timberlake, the Greater Mentor Port Authority, and Zoning Counsel for Painesville Township.  Mr. Lucas also currently serves as legal counsel for the Concord Township-City of Painesville Joint Economic Development District, the City of Wickliffe Civil Service Commission, and Harpersfield Township as to JEDD legal issues.  

He is a frequent speaker at municipal and township zoning law seminars, and is a member of the Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys.  Mr. Lucas is also actively involved in the Lake County Bar Association, both as a member of several of its committees and as President for the 2012-2013 term. He is a graduate of Leadership Lake County.  Previously, Mr. Lucas served as President of the Exchange Club of West Lake County. 

Education

  • Cleveland State University, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Cleveland, Ohio
    • J.D. - 1979
    • Honors: cum laude
    • Honors: Dean's List
  • Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio
    • B.A. - 1976
    • Honors: cum laude
    • Honors: Dean's List
    • Major: Communications and History

Pro-Bono Activities

  • President, Exchange Club of West Lake County

Past Positions

  • Painesville Township, Zoning Counsel
  • Greater Mentor Port Authority, Legal Counsel
  • Concord Township City of Painesville Joint Economic Development District

Professional Associations

  • Lake County Bar Association, Member, 1980 to Present
  • Ohio State Bar Association, Member, 1980 to Present

Classes & Seminars

  • Court Cases Affecting Zoning, N.E. Ohio Planning and Zoning, 2013 to 2013
  • Township Planning and Zoning, Ohio Planning Conference, 2006 to 2006
  • Zoning Code Enforcement, Ohio Planning Conference, 1998 to 1998

Honors

  • Lake County Bar Association President's Award, 2018

Representative Clients

  • J. F. Morgan & Sons, Inc.
  • Join The Village Travel, Inc.
  • Burrier Service Company, Inc.
  • VCC Properties, LLC

Representative Cases

  • Bode v. Concord Twp. Board of Trustees, 2019-Ohio-2666, 11th District
  • Riebe Living Trust v. Concord Twp., 2012-Ohio-981, 11th District
  • Novotney v. Fierle, 2013-Ohio-4007, 11th District
  • State ex rel. Darling v. Lake County, 2013-Ohio-1291, 11th District
  • Negin v. Mentor Board of Building and Zoning Appeals, 69-Ohio-St.2d 492, Ohio Supreme Court
  • Zanella v. Kevin D. Knoefel, et al., Lake County Common Pleas Court, 14 CV 002153 and 13 CV 002409

Current Employment Position

  • Partner

Practice Areas

  • Governmental Agencies and Programs
  • Business and Commercial Law
  • Land Use and Zoning
  • Contracts
  • Family Law

Bar Admissions

  • Ohio, 1980
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 1993
  • U.S. Supreme Court, 1984
  • Supreme Court of Ohio
  • U.S. District Court Northern District of Ohio, 1980