About James E. Arnold & Associates, LPA · Columbus
James E. Arnold & Associates, LPA — now operating as Arnold & Clifford LLP — is a Columbus, Ohio litigation law firm formed in 2008 and built around business litigation and trial practice. The firm represents both individuals and corporate clients in state and federal courts across Ohio, with a roster of attorneys recognized by Best Lawyers in America, Ohio Super Lawyers, the American College of Trial Lawyers, and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. Headquartered at 115 W. Main Street in downtown Columbus, the firm has secured results including a $20.8 million judgment in Richland County, a $17.5 million breach-of-contract jury verdict, and a $3.5 million jury verdict.
Founded in 2008 by James E. Arnold, the firm began as James E. Arnold & Associates, LPA and now practices as Arnold & Clifford LLP, reflecting the partnership role of managing partner Damion M. Clifford. The firm's principal focus is business litigation, with additional concentrations in labor and employment law, tax litigation, criminal defense (including white-collar and federal criminal matters), professional responsibility and ethics, class actions, personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, and estate/trust litigation. Clients receive a strategic, thorough approach from attorneys who serve as 'the lawyers other lawyers go to,' handling complex commercial disputes, shareholder and partnership disputes, business torts, executive compensation and non-compete matters, and appellate work in the Sixth Circuit and beyond. Notable reported results include a $20,830,686.97 judgment in Richland County, a $17.5 million jury verdict in a breach-of-contract action, a $3.54 million jury verdict, and the largest wrongful death verdict to date in Franklin County at the time it was obtained. The firm's lawyers have been inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers (top 1% of U.S. trial lawyers) and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers (top 500 under 70), and have been repeatedly named Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers in fields including Bet-The-Company Litigation, Securities Litigation, and Intellectual Property Litigation.
- In business
- Founded 2008
- Owner
- James E. Arnold, Founding Attorney (firm now operates as Arnold & Clifford LLP, managed by Damion M. Clifford)
- Serves
- Columbus, Ohio and surrounding areas; representation in state and federal courts statewide and across the United States (nationally recognized litigation resource)
About Arnold & Clifford (formerly James E. Arnold & Associates)
The firm traces its origin to 2008, when James E. Arnold founded James E. Arnold & Associates, LPA. It now operates as Arnold & Clifford LLP, reflecting the role of co-managing partner Damion M. Clifford. From offices at 115 W. Main Street in downtown Columbus, the firm's litigators serve individual and corporate clients in Ohio state and federal courts, with a nationally recognized trial practice. The firm's tagline — 'Where Lawyers Go When They Need A Lawyer' — reflects its reputation among the Ohio bench and bar for handling high-stakes, bet-the-company matters.
- Founded 2008 as James E. Arnold & Associates, LPA
- Now operating as Arnold & Clifford LLP
- Headquartered at 115 W. Main Street, Suite 400, Columbus, OH 43215
- 7 partners and 8 FTE attorneys (per Columbus CEO 2025 Legal Guide)
Practice Areas
Business litigation remains the firm's principal focus. Lawyers also counsel and litigate across labor and employment, tax, criminal defense, professional responsibility, personal injury, medical malpractice, estate/trust disputes, and appellate matters.
- Business Litigation
- Labor & Employment
- Executive Agreements / Employment Contracts / Noncompete / Trade Secrets
- Appeals
- Wrongful Death / Catastrophic Personal Injury
- Tax Litigation
- Criminal Defense (general and white-collar)
- Ethics and Professional Responsibility
- Class Actions
- Estate / Trust / Will Contest Litigation
Notable Results & Reported Verdicts
The firm highlights significant verdicts and appellate wins on its website, demonstrating experience with complex, high-dollar matters.
- $20,830,686.97 judgment obtained in Richland County
- $17.5 million jury verdict in a breach of contract action
- $3,540,739 jury verdict won
- Appellate decision impacting Corporate Directors
- Appellate decision involving easements
- Largest wrongful death verdict to date in Franklin County (at the time obtained)
- One of the highest Consumer Sales Practices Act awards rendered in Ohio
- Largest underinsured motorist case verdict in Franklin County
- First contested award for advancement of attorney fees under Ohio law
Attorneys
The firm's partners have been repeatedly recognized by Best Lawyers in America, Ohio Super Lawyers, Lawdragon, Martindale-Hubbell, and Columbus CEO Magazine.
- James E. Arnold — Founding Attorney / Partner; Capital University Law School, J.D. 1987 cum laude
- Damion M. Clifford — Managing Partner / Co-Managing Partner; recognized in Bet-the-Company, Commercial Litigation, and Tax Law
- Stefanie Lynn Coe — Partner; recognized in Labor & Employment Law
- Gerhardt 'Gage' Gosnell II — Partner; recognized in Appellate Law
- Jonathan P. Corwin — Partner; recognized in Commercial Litigation
- Damien C. Kitte — recognized in Commercial Litigation
- Michael L. Dillard Jr. — listed on Ohio Super Lawyers
Founding Attorney — James E. Arnold
James E. Arnold is recognized as one of Ohio's top trial lawyers. He graduated cum laude from Capital University Law School in 1987, where he was a member of the National Moot Court Team, the Order of the Barristers, and the Capital University Law Review. He was inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers in 2005 and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers in 2016, and has been named Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers in Securities Litigation (2012), Intellectual Property Litigation (2014), and Bet-The-Company Litigation (2013, 2021, 2024–2026). Columbus' Business First has consistently ranked him among the top five lawyers in Columbus.
- Best Lawyers in America — 6 different fields (2006–2026)
- Ohio Super Lawyers — 2004–2025
- Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiffs' Lawyers in America
- AV 5.0 Preeminent Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
- Civil Trial Advocate, National Board of Trial Advocacy
- Bar Admissions: Ohio, S.D. Ohio, N.D. Ohio, 6th Circuit, U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Tax Court, Illinois
Professional Associations & Community
Members of the firm hold leadership and membership positions across Ohio and national legal organizations, and serve on local bar foundation boards.
- Ohio State Bar Association — Member
- American Trial Lawyers Association — Member
- Ohio Trial Lawyers Association — Member
- Franklin County Trial Lawyers Association — Member
- Columbus Bar Association — Member and former Board Member
- Columbus Bar Foundation — Board Member
Office & Contact
Arnold & Clifford's Columbus office is located in downtown Columbus. The firm can be reached by phone or via the intake form on its website. The office does not publish specific business hours online.
- Address: 115 W. Main St., Suite 400, Columbus, OH 43215
- Phone: 614-460-1600
- Fax: 614-469-1093
- Website: https://www.arnlaw.com/
Recognition & Rankings
Arnold & Clifford LLP has been ranked by Best Law Firms and recognized in the Columbus CEO Magazine Legal Guide (2024 and 2025), which listed the firm with 7–8 partners and 8 full-time-equivalent attorneys. Multiple attorneys appear on Ohio Super Lawyers lists.
- Best Law Firms — Arnold & Clifford LLC, Columbus-OH rankings
- Columbus CEO Magazine 2024 and 2025 Legal Guide — featured firm
- Ohio Super Lawyers — multiple attorneys listed
- Best Lawyers in America — multiple attorneys across 6+ practice fields