Thomas L. Gabelman
Cincinnati Office
Mr. Gabelman is a partner in the Vorys Cincinnati office and a member of the commercial and real estate group. His experience is in commercial transactions and litigation with a focus in construction and real estate law. He has counseled owners, developers, contractors, subcontractors, architects, engineers and suppliers regarding all aspects of the real estate development and construction process. Mr. Gabelman has assisted clients in property acquisition, financing and development, preparation of bid documents, contract negotiations, project administration and dispute resolution. He has worked on numerous construction projects, including sports stadiums and arenas, convention centers, industrial and manufacturing facilities, distribution centers, elder-care complexes, highways, hospitals, high rise buildings, utilities, schools, shopping centers, parking facilities, and other commercial, retail and residential development projects.
Career highlights include:
- Serving as Special Project Counsel to Hamilton County, Ohio regarding issues relating to and the negotiations of various agreements relative to the $2.5 billion redevelopment of Cincinnati downtown riverfront area, including the modification and demolition of an existing sports stadium and the design and construction of the new stadium and all of the related public infrastructure improvements
- Managing several complex construction claims, including those relating to the design and construction of a $1.0 billion manufacturing facility in Rockport, Indiana; the design and construction of a $45 million residential project in Dayton, Ohio; the construction of a $32 million condominium project; the $30 million design, construction and renovation of a botanical gardens complex; the dismantling of nuclear fuel facilities; and the construction of a $27 million assisted-living residential complex in Cincinnati, Ohio
- Negotiating multi-million dollar agreements on behalf of the school for claims arising from the construction-related collapse of a school building
Mr. Gabelman is a member of the American Arbitration Association and the Cincinnati Bar Association.
Mr. Gabelman participated as faculty member and instructor for numerous construction and dispute resolution-related seminars sponsored by the Cincinnati Bar Association, the Northern Kentucky Bar Association, the Kentucky Bar Association, The University of Kentucky and Allied Construction Industries. Topics have included dispute avoidance and resolution, preservation of evidence, effective use of demonstrative evidence in dispute resolution proceedings, alternative dispute resolution methods, negotiating construction contract clauses, fundamentals of the bidding process, and a construction contract.
Mr. Gabelman received his J.D. from the University of Cincinnati College of Law and his B.A. summa cum laude from the University of Cincinnati.
Professional and Community Activities
- Kelly-Carol Foundation for Children with Cancer, Board President, 2001-present
- Hamilton County Mental Health and Recovery Services, Trustee and Board Chair, 2000-present
- St. Mary Parish Athletic Association, President, 1992-present
- Leadership Cincinnati/Greater Cincinnati, Chamber of Commerce, Class Member, 2000; Steering Committee Member, 2001-2006
- Children’s Hospital Leadership Council, 1996-2002
- Cincinnati Zoo, Legal Committee, 1996-2001
- American Arbitration Association, Regional Advisory Council, 1991-1996
- Hamilton County Association for Retarded Citizens, Chairman of the Board of Directors, 1990-1993; President, 1987-1990; Board Member, 1985-1994
Honors and Awards
- Ohio Super Lawyers, Construction/Surety, 2004-2008
- The Best Lawyers in America, Construction Law, 2007
- “Leading Lawyer,” Cincinnati Business Magazine, 2005-2006
- Leadership Cincinnati, Class XXIII
- Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honorary
- Commencement Orator, University of Cincinnati
- Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society/Scholarship Honorary
- Cincinnati Business Courier, Forty Under 40