John Swansinger

• Serves as counsel to several private businesses and he provides legal representation ranging from board room advocacy to litigation
• Joined Buckingham's Executive Committee in 2022
• Previously served as the managing partner of a mid-size Cleveland law firm for nearly ten years, prior to joining Buckingham
• Worked at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. in accounting and finance
• Graduated near the top of the class at the University of Akron School of Law
• Previously focused practice on complex business litigation arising in the construction and development industries

• Multi-state highway, runway and other heavy roadway construction company
• Ongoing representation of national engineering and construction firm
• Hospitality conglomerate involving hotel properties and resort-oriented interests
• Representing national financial services company in acquisition and zoning conflict
• Multi-state primary contractor for prominent recreational and related equipment manufacturer engaged in large scale construction of playgrounds, parks and recreational facilities
• Commercial excavating company with revenues in excess of $20,000,000.00
• International supplier of precision manufacturing products and services
• Represented home builder in the creation and development of a subdivision
• Appointed receiver to handle winding up of affairs involving the management and sale of real estate
• Successfully represented the largest Ohio Civil Service Employee's Association in a vigorously contested battle over civil service testing
• Engaged in eminent domain proceeding on behalf of land owners
• Represented real estate developer in the construction and operation of a large scale event center
• Successfully conducted Board of Revision hearings and achieving significant reductions in value for clients
• General counsel to several individuals and entrepreneurial businesses in a variety of industries covering those important legal matters facing businesses on a daily basis including advisory services, litigation planning and execution, corporate governance, document drafting and review, real estate issues and stock and asset purchases

• The University of Akron School of Law (J.D., 1989)
• Bowling Green State University (B.A., 1984)

Admissions

• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
• U.S. Tax Court
• U.S. Court of Federal Claims

• Listed in Best Lawyers in America® (2024)

• COSE
• Construction Lawyers Society of America, Fellow
• Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association, Allied Member
• Construction Owners Association of America
• Ohio Contractors Association
• International Council of Shopping Centers

Associations

• Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
• West Shore Bar Association
• Ohio Bar Association
  • Construction Law Subcommittee
• American Bar Association

Founder and Chief Contributor, YouDig? Podcast Appearances:

• How Contractors Manage Risk during the Pandemic, Construction Employers Podcast (2020)
• "Slow Down, Bear Bait!" Construction Employers Podcast (2019)

• "Subcontractor Performance in the Era of COVID-19" Construction Employers Association (2020)
• Construction Employers Podcast (2020)
• “The Grand Slam of Project Success”, Co-Presenter, Ohio Contractor's Association Winter Conference (2017)
• “The Grand Slam of Project Success”, Co-Presenter, Buckingham's Real Estate & Construction Seminar (2017)
• “Ten Commandments of Construction Law as told by Motown’s Greats”, Panel Speaker, Buckingham's Real Estate & Construction Seminar (2016)
• “Drones on the Job,” Panel speaker on legal aspects of using drones in construction and real estate, Buckingham's Real Estate & Construction Seminar (2015)
• “Risk Allocation of Differing Site Conditions," Breakfast with Buckingham (2014)
• “Here Comes the Judge," Panel speaker on Risks in Construction Law, Buckingham's Real Estate & Construction Seminar (2014) “
• “Risk Allocation in Construction," Breakfast with Buckingham (2014)

• "Knowledge partner- How construction counsel helps developers, owners navigate project risks" Smart Business (2023)
• "What's the Meaning of This?!" Properties Magazine (May 2016)
• "Don't Be Late: The Costly Consequence of Omitting Liquidated Damages Clauses" Crain's Cleveland Business (2016)
• “Drones on the Job,” Properties Magazine (July 2015)
• "The Best Laid Plans? Not Always…” Properties Magazine (February 2015)
• “Drones and Business: Do They Go Together?” Crain’s Cleveland Business Blog (2015)
• “The Best Laid Plans? Not Always…” Properties Magazine (2015)
• “Oh…By the Way…Don’t Forget to Wash Your Hands,” Buckingham’s Real Estate & Construction Law blog (2015)
• “Fear the Form! - Developments in Construction Contracts,” Buckingham’s Real Estate & Construction Law blog (2014)
• “Court of Appeals Torpedoes the Navy's Case! But is Metcalf Ship-Shape?,” Buckingham’s Real Estate & Construction Law blog (2014)
• "DBE Dilemma - Change of Control" Construction Law blog (May 2013)
• “Going to War with the Navy...A Fair Fight?,” Buckingham’s Real Estate & Construction Law blog (2013)
• “DBE Dilemma - Change of Control,” Buckingham’s Real Estate & Construction Law blog (2013)