Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL

United States 2025

National Rankings

Metro Rankings

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General Information

Practice Areas

Individuals recognized in Best Lawyers

226

Client Comments

Year founded: 1954

This is the year the firm (or its earliest predecessor entity) was founded.

Overview

Content is provided by the firm.

The KMK Approach to the Practice of Law

Keating Muething & Klekamp (KMK Law®) is a nationally recognized law firm of approximately 130 lawyers in Cincinnati, Ohio. While we have primarily built our reputation in the tri-state area, including Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, our unwavering client-first approach has helped us extend our reach to include the entire nation.

We view each client's legal issues through the lens of CEO or business owner—finding efficient solutions for problems and developing strategies for the future. Our entrepreneurial approach allows us to help our clients move their businesses forward and to develop recommendations that are efficient, effective, and economical, all while keeping our clients' best interests at the forefront.

Specifically, we offer:

Experience: In today’s connected world, location has become increasingly irrelevant. Great legal minds seek to live where they can achieve the best quality of life, while still producing top-level legal work for clients. For example, our firm includes several highly successful attorneys who left New York firms to return to Cincinnati. This deep bench and our collaborative work environment helps us provide unmatched legal counsel for our clients.
Responsiveness: We’ll get back to you, sometimes within minutes. We understand the importance of responding to our clients’ inquiries in a timely manner and providing common-sense solutions without “overlawyering.” We take time upfront to develop a basic understanding of our clients’ strategic business plans, so we can provide fast, practical solutions to many legal problems.
Likeability: We value our clients—and we genuinely enjoy working with them—so we strive to become an integral part of their team. In part, we’ll base our counsel on your company’s culture, not just your legal issue, and we’ll do our best to build a legal team with personalities that mesh well with your team to create a cohesive, efficient working relationship. All of the partners and associates at KMK Law take an entrepreneurial approach in their work, which has helped make KMK one of the most successful full-service law firms in Greater Cincinnati.

Our Office

KMK retains one location in downtown Cincinnati, a deliberate decision made to enhance our ability to pool talents and resources to better serve clients and to provide increased value to our clients by maintaining relatively low overhead costs.

One Office By Choice: We are often asked how we can compete with multi-city, multi-office law firms for sophisticated legal work in the region and around the country. The answer: quite well. Multiple offices equate to higher overhead costs, which are passed through to clients in the form of higher billing rates. At KMK, we have all of our personnel in one office allowing us to work collaboratively as a team to achieve the best results for our clients – which translates to lower billing rates compared to most other firms.

Rather than invest in bricks and mortar office space, KMK invests in technology – virtual offices, proprietary extranet capabilities, and technologies which make us more efficient and allow us to communicate with clients very effectively and with less paper and less wasted resources. We travel across the country and internationally whenever needed, and we maintain lower costs and bridge distances through the effective use of technology. Our clients agree that KMK provides the same or better quality service as "big city," multi-office law firms, at rates that our clients appreciate. KMK: Sophisticated Practice at Midwest Cost.

The People Within

KMK excels as a law firm by recruiting and retaining the best and brightest attorneys and personnel. We believe a strong law firm evolves from having a team of individuals who have varied interests and diverse social, ethnic and political backgrounds – and who can offer wide-ranging perspectives to clients.

KMK maintains a close-knit, energetic, and supportive environment, just some of the reasons so many KMK attorneys and employees have made this firm their home for years. Our high retention rate and camaraderie help us deliver top-quality service and excellent results to clients. Making a real and direct impact on the communities we serve, a tradition passed on from our founders, remains important at KMK. Our firm financially supports more than 150 local charities, schools, and civic organizations each year.

Rankings

Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL is nationally ranked in 4 practice areas and metro ranked in 40 practice areas. Best Law Firms rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process.

Read how Best Law Firms ranks firms

National Rankings

Tier 3

Tier 3 for Corporate Law

Tier 3 for Land Use and Zoning Law

Tier 3 for Project Finance Law

Tier 3 for Venture Capital Law

Metro Rankings

Cincinnati

Tier 1 for Advertising Law

Tier 1 for Banking and Finance Law

Tier 1 for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law

Tier 1 for Bet-the-Company Litigation

Tier 1 for Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)

Firm Leadership

Alan S. Fershtman

Managing Partner

Paul V. Muething

Chairman of the Board

Lisa Wintersheimer Michel

About Our Clients

AK Steel Corporation, Al. Neyer, Inc., American Financial Group, Inc., AtriCure, Inc., Belcan Corporation, Budig Enterprises, Inc., Cintas Corporation, Cognis Corporation, Corporex Cos., Inc., Delphi Corporation, Duke Engery Corp., F&M Mafco, Inc., Fifth Third Bank, First Financial Bank, GE Aviation, General Cable Corporation, Great American Financial Resources, Inc., Great American Insurance Co., Infinity Property & Casualty Corporation, Kendle International Inc., LSI Industries Inc., Macy's, Inc., Medpace, Inc., Meridian Bioscience, Inc., Modern Office Methods, The Procter & Gamble Co., Rumpke Cos., Inc., Sam's Club, Towne Properties

Select Clients

Al. Neyer, LLC
American Financial Group, Inc.
Belcan Corporation
Chiquita Brands International, Inc.
Cintas Corporation
FC Cincinnati
Fifth Third Bank
Great American Insurance Co.
Great American Life Insurance Co.

Highlighted Client Comments

All client comments represent the opinions of the people who provided them. All potential clients are urged to remember that no two cases are ever completely alike and that the result in one case does not guarantee a similar result in another case.

Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law

Attorneys are Keating Muething & Klekamp are responsive, authoritative and reasonably priced.

Real Estate Law

Attorneys at Keating Muething & Klekamp understand that deals generally need to happen. They represent very well the obstacles and issues to clients but do not get bogged down in the uncritical details. They see the very big picture and are deal focused.

Banking and Finance Law

The finance lawyers at Keating Muething & Klekamp are incredibly responsive and always make us feel like our deals are the highest priority. KMK has spent significant (non-billable) time learning our business and its needs and goals. The cost is at least 50% less than New York firms for comparable quality and better service.

Litigation - Real Estate

Keating Muething & Klekamp is an extremely qualified group, from a knowledge base as well as for execution. We have been through multiple litigation proceedings, as well as multiple run ups to proposed litigation, and they are a very, very solid team to work with. I would recommend them highly.

Gene Slageter, Jr. – Global Corporate Services America

Corporate Law

As a former general counsel (interim) of a large publicly traded Fortune 500 company and a former CEO of a smaller publicly traded company who has worked with Keating, Muething and Klekamp for almost 40 years, I can state unequivocally that KMK has the expertise to handle whatever need arises and that they will handle it in an extremely cost-effective and professional manner.

Chris Hewett – Aspen Development Group

Municipal Law

Everyone we have worked with from Keating Muething & Klekamp have been very professional and knowledgeable. They are responsive and we place significant trust in their work product. Anyone who chooses them to represent them is making a wise choice.

Thomas Fromme – City of Newport

Corporate Law

Keating Muething & Klekamp helped support the ownership and management of FC Cincinnati win an MLS expansion bid, beating the odds to bring a third Major League franchise to the Queen City. The level of complexity was enormous, including public finance, private equity, government relations, contract, business development, stadium design and construction and more. KMK was a great partner and helped us overcome every challenge. Without KMK, not sure we would be here as a the 24th team in Major League Soccer.

Jeff Berding – FC Cincinnati

Trademark Law

Keating Muething & Klekamp offers world-class trademark work from a regional firm. They have very impressive experience, which is made even more impressive by their cost-effectiveness. I can whole-heartedly recommend their trademark department. This team is ably led by Mike Hurst, who offers both law firm and in-house experience and always delivers a superior product.

Banking and Finance Law

James Jansing at Keating Muething & Klekamp has led our financing process a number of times during the last 10 years. He has provided excellent advice, leadership and oversight at all times. Mr. Jansing has excellent business skills and has gone the extra mile to understand our business. His experience in deals makes him an invaluable asset to our company.

Dennis Berning – The Regis Investment Company

Labor Law - Management

Keating Muething & Klekamp provides timely and well thought out advice and employment law strategies.

David Bente – Ferno Washington, Inc.

Employment Law - Management

Keating Muething & Klekamp has knowledgeable Employment Law professionals with a sense of urgency regarding their customer's needs.

David Bente – Ferno Washington, Inc.

Real Estate Law

Mark Weber of Keating Muething & Klekamp has provided his expertise for many of our real estate acquisitions. He understands the value of finishing a deal, but has always taken the time to understand our needs and deal requirements. His vision and overall understanding of the real estate industry has been key to our company's growth and success.

Dennis Berning – The Regis Investment Company

Mergers and Acquisitions Law

My experiences with Keating Muething & Klekamp as a firm have been excellent. We use Keating Muething & Klekamp on most general corporate matters as well as mergers and acquisitions. Their breadth of expertise and responsiveness are excellent, and their legal advice is both sound and practical. Their fees are reasonable and in line with the value of the services.

Bryan Baldasare – Meridian Bioscience, Inc.

Litigation - Labor and Employment

Keating Muething & Klekamp has a sound approach.

Corporate Law

Keating Muething & Klekamp has always offered sound advice and counsel. They take a very pragmatic approach to matters, identifying key deal points that must be considered while not getting hung up on non-essential items in a contract.

Mergers and Acquisitions Law

Keating Muething & Klekamp is always responsive to our needs and willing to work whatever hours are necessary to move deals forward.

Andy Wade – AtriCure Inc.

Insurance Law

Keating Muething & Klekamp has been very important to the effective administration of an asbestos trust that I have the responsibility to administer. The attorneys are responsive and have expertise for all the day-to-day and unique issues that arise in this complicated area. I cannot say enough about the importance of their input and advice for the effective administration that involves thousands of claimants with serious injury claims.

Commercial Litigation

Keating Muething & Klekamp has helped a client of mine for many years in protracted litigation. They were successful at each level of trial and appeal and have done a wonderful job. The attorneys kept me informed at every turn. I appreciated their service and I highly recommend them.

Real Estate Law

James Jansing of Keating Muething & Klekamp is our corporate counsel. He is very professional and competent. Additionally, if we have a matter requiring legal expertise that is outside of his specialty or can be done more cost effectively, he refers us to the appropriate person at their firm. Mark weber has executed several real estate transactions for our company. He, too, has been very professional and competent.

Rankings

National Rankings

Tier 3

Tier 3 for Corporate Law

Tier 3 for Land Use and Zoning Law

Tier 3 for Project Finance Law

Tier 3 for Venture Capital Law

Regional Rankings

Cincinnati

Tier 1 for Advertising Law

Tier 1 for Banking and Finance Law

Tier 1 for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law

Tier 1 for Bet-the-Company Litigation

Tier 1 for Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)

Tier 1 for Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law

Tier 1 for Commercial Finance Law

Tier 1 for Commercial Litigation

Tier 1 for Corporate Law

Tier 1 for Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law

Tier 1 for Family Law

Tier 1 for Insurance Law

Tier 1 for Labor Law - Management

Tier 1 for Land Use and Zoning Law

Tier 1 for Litigation - Banking and Finance

Tier 1 for Litigation - Bankruptcy

Tier 1 for Litigation - Labor and Employment

Tier 1 for Litigation - Land Use and Zoning

Tier 1 for Litigation - Real Estate

Tier 1 for Litigation - Securities

Tier 1 for Litigation - Trusts and Estates

Tier 1 for Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs

Tier 1 for Mergers and Acquisitions Law

Tier 1 for Real Estate Law

Tier 1 for Securities / Capital Markets Law

Tier 1 for Securities Regulation

Tier 1 for Tax Law

Tier 1 for Trusts and Estates

Tier 2 for Employment Law - Management

Tier 2 for Litigation - Construction

Tier 2 for Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants

Tier 2 for Municipal Law

Tier 2 for Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants

Tier 2 for Product Liability Litigation - Defendants

Tier 2 for Project Finance Law

Tier 2 for Public Finance Law

Tier 2 for Trademark Law

Tier 2 for Venture Capital Law

Tier 3 for Copyright Law

Tier 3 for Litigation - Intellectual Property

Practice Areas

The below are areas of legal specialty volunteered by the firm and do not designate a specialty in which a Best Law Firms ranking is held.

Banking and Finance Law
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Bet-the-Company Litigation
Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Commercial Litigation
Corporate Law
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Employment Law - Management
Environmental Law
Family Law
Insurance Law
Labor Law - Management
Land Use and Zoning Law
Litigation - Antitrust
Litigation - Banking and Finance
Litigation - Bankruptcy
Litigation - Construction
Litigation - Environmental
Litigation - ERISA
Litigation - Intellectual Property
Litigation - Labor and Employment
Litigation - Land Use and Zoning
Litigation - Real Estate
Litigation - Securities
Litigation - Trusts and Estates
Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Municipal Law
Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs
Project Finance Law
Real Estate Law
Securities / Capital Markets Law
Securities Regulation
Tax Law
Trademark Law
Trusts and Estates
Venture Capital Law

Individuals Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America^®

Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL has 56 lawyers recognized for individual performance in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America^®. By receiving this Best Lawyers recognition from their peers for their professional excellence, these lawyers made Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL eligible for evaluation for Best Law Firms rankings. For almost two decades, Best Lawyers has awarded these singular accolades, making them the foundation of our Best Law Firms awards. Read more about our Best Lawyers process here.

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