About Earl, Warburton & Adams · Columbus
Earl, Warburton & Adams Inc. is a Columbus, Ohio defense litigation law firm serving insurance carriers, their insureds, self-insured companies, businesses, and individuals throughout Ohio. Founded by Ted L. Earl and Dick M. Warburton, Jr. (now both retired), the firm operates from 136 W. Mound Street and practices workers' compensation defense, general civil litigation, insurance defense, products liability, premises liability, medical negligence, professional malpractice, and aviation law. All attorneys hold more than 22 years of experience and the firm holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest peer-review rating for ethical standards and legal ability.
Earl, Warburton & Adams Inc. is a Columbus-based insurance defense and civil litigation firm that has represented employers, insurance carriers, and major corporations in Ohio for decades. The firm's partners and counsel have all achieved AV Preeminent status — the top peer-review tier awarded by Martindale-Hubbell — and each attorney brings more than two decades of courtroom and administrative-hearing experience. Current partners Christopher R. Walsh and Steven A. Hatten are joined by Of Counsel attorneys Bruce L. Hirsch and Andrew S. "Andy" Adams. The firm handles matters in all 88 Ohio counties, the Ohio Supreme Court, and the federal courts in Ohio, with notable representation of clients including ACE USA (formerly CIGNA), ITT Hartford, Honeywell, Borden, Anchor Hocking, Volvo Trucks North America, Columbia Gas of Ohio, Panasonic, Mettler Toledo, Lane Aviation, and Mt. Carmel Health Systems. Their stated mission is to defend clients against injury or loss claims that are not their responsibility, with a cost-conscious philosophy — 'We don't bill for the sake of billing' — and a 'One Attorney, One File' approach where each matter is handled by a single attorney from start to finish. The firm advertises on St. Gabriel Catholic Radio, the radio ministry of the Diocese of Columbus.
- Owner
- Founded by Ted L. Earl (retired) and Dick M. Warburton, Jr. (retired); named for founders and Of Counsel Andrew S. "Andy" Adams. Current partners: Christopher R. Walsh and Steven A. Hatten. Of Counsel: Bruce L. Hirsch.
- Serves
- All 88 Ohio counties, the Ohio Supreme Court, and all Federal Courts in Ohio (from Lake Erie to the Ohio River); based in Columbus, Ohio.
About Earl, Warburton & Adams Inc.
Earl, Warburton & Adams Inc. is a Columbus, Ohio defense litigation firm serving the needs of insurance carriers, their insureds, self-insured companies, businesses, and individuals throughout the State of Ohio. The firm was founded by Ted L. Earl and Dick M. Warburton, Jr. (both now retired), with Of Counsel Andrew S. 'Andy' Adams lending his name to the partnership. Current partners Christopher R. Walsh and Steven A. Hatten lead the practice alongside Of Counsel Bruce L. Hirsch. The firm is described as 'small enough to provide personal and cost effective representation while sophisticated enough to be equipped with the latest technological capabilities for client communication, legal research, and case presentation.'
- Founded by Ted L. Earl and Dick M. Warburton, Jr. (both retired members)
- Office at 136 West Mound Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
- Office: 614-464-2392 / Fax: 614-464-0754
- All partners and the firm hold AV Preeminent rating (Martindale-Hubbell)
Mission and Approach to Defense Litigation
The firm's stated mission is 'to protect the rights of defendants in civil suits and workers' compensations cases to make sure that our clients do not pay for injuries or losses which are not their responsibility.' They apply a cost-benefit lens to every activity — 'We consider the cost of an activity and the potential benefit before engaging in defense activities. We will never recommend an action when the cost of the activity outweighs the anticipated benefit of the activity.' The firm emphasizes: 'We only put time on a file for activity which will benefit the client' and 'We don't bill for the sake of billing.'
- One Attorney, One File — each matter is handled by a single attorney from start to settlement or trial, absent an emergency
- No newly minted attorneys — 'all of our attorneys have more than 22 years of experience'
- Cost-conscious, value-driven billing philosophy
Areas of Practice
Earl, Warburton & Adams lists both major and additional areas of practice. Their major practice areas focus on defending individuals, businesses, and insurers in liability and compensation matters. Their additional practice areas extend into real estate, probate, criminal defense, and employment matters.
- Major Areas: General Liability, Workers' Compensation, Medical Negligence, Professional Malpractice, Products Liability, Premises Liability, Insurance and Aviation
- Additional Areas: Real Estate, Probate, Criminal Defense, Employment and Wrongful Discharge Litigation, Administrative Proceedings
Our Attorneys
The firm is led by two partners — Christopher R. Walsh and Steven A. Hatten — supported by Of Counsel attorneys Bruce L. Hirsch and Andrew S. 'Andy' Adams. Each brings decades of courtroom, administrative-hearing, and appellate experience, and each holds an AV Preeminent peer rating.
- Christopher R. Walsh — Partner
- Steven A. Hatten — Partner
- Bruce L. Hirsch — Of Counsel
- Andrew S. 'Andy' Adams — Of Counsel
Christopher R. Walsh (Partner)
Focus of Practice: Workers' Compensation Defense, General Personal Injury and Appellate Practice. Education: The Ohio State University B.A. 1992 (History) — member Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Alpha Theta honorary fraternities; University of Dayton School of Law J.D. 1995 — Selected Member, Jessup International Law Moot Court Team, Awarded First Place for Best Brief in Regional Competition, 1994. Bar Admissions: Ohio (1995); U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio (1995); U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio (1996); U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit (1998). Professional Memberships: Ohio State Bar Association; Columbus Bar Association.
Steven A. Hatten (Partner)
Focus of Practice: All phases of Workers' Compensation, Employer Defense. Education: The Ohio State University B.A. 1975 (Finance and Real Estate); Capital University Law School J.D. 1978. Bar Admissions: Ohio (1978); U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio (1978). Professional Memberships: Ohio State Bar Association; Columbus Bar Association. Named to Columbus CEO's 2022 list of 'Top Lawyers in Columbus.'
Andrew S. 'Andy' Adams (Of Counsel)
Focus of Practice: Employer Workers' Compensation; Trial Practice and Administrative Hearings. Education: Ohio University, Athens, Ohio B.S. Ed. 1970 (English); Capital University Law School J.D. 1975. Bar Admissions: Ohio (1975); U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio (1976). Professional Memberships: Ohio State Bar Association; Columbus Bar Association.
Bruce L. Hirsch (Of Counsel)
Bruce L. Hirsch serves as Of Counsel to the firm and is also the contact for the firm's affiliated tax preparation entity listed as 'Earl, Warburton, Adams & Davis' at 136 W. Mound Street, Columbus, OH 43215.
Representative Clients
Earl, Warburton & Adams has represented a roster of major national and Ohio-based corporations and insurance carriers across its decades of practice.
- ACE USA (formerly CIGNA Companies)
- ITT Hartford Insurance
- Automotive Thomson Consumer Electronics (RCA)
- United Technologies
- Honeywell Corporation
- Anchor Hocking Glass Company
- Borden, Inc.
- Mt. Carmel Health Systems
- First Acceptance
- Hastings
- Cooper Tools, Inc.
- A.O. Smith Corp.
- Mettler Toledo Inc. (Toledo Scale)
- Columbia Gas of Ohio, Inc.
- Volvo Trucks North America
- Lane Aviation Corporation
- Permanent General Assurance Corporation
- Alfa Vision Insurance Corporation
- Panasonic Corporation of North America
Contact and Office Location
The firm's office is in downtown Columbus, Ohio, in the 43215 ZIP code, near the Franklin County Courthouse. The office can be reached by phone at 614-464-2392 or by fax at 614-464-0754. The website — ohiodefensecounsel.com — provides an online contact form via the 'Contact Us' page.
- Address: 136 West Mound Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
- Office: 614-464-2392
- Fax: 614-464-0754
- Website: http://www.ohiodefensecounsel.com/