Thomas L. Gabelman
Mr. Gabelman is a partner in the Vorys Cincinnati office and a member of the commercial and real estate group. He has worked on behalf of clients to secure economic development assistance including multi-million dollar grants and loans.
Mr. Gabelman has served as Project Counsel to Hamilton County since 1997 regarding the $2.5 billion redevelopment of Ohio’s Southern Gateway. He was instrumental in obtaining $51 million in federal and state grants and $16 million in low-interest loans in the last 3 years on the project.
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 since 1997 regarding the negotiation of various agreements pertaining to the $2.5 billion redevelopment of Cincinnati's downtown riverfront area, including the Great American Ball Park, Paul Brown Stadium, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and the $800 million Banks mixed-use development project
- Managing the resolution of 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
- Arbitration/mediation of numerous development and construction disputes
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
- 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
- St. Mary Athletic Association, President, 1992-1995
Honors & Awards
- Hamilton County Distinguished Citizen Award, 2008
- Ohio Super Lawyers, Construction/Surety, 2004-2009, 2011-2012
- The Best Lawyers in America, Construction Law, 2007-2012
- The Best Lawyers in America, Litigation - Construction, 2012
- “Leading Lawyer,” Cincinnati Business Magazine, 2005-2006
- Leadership Cincinnati, Class XXIII
- Phi Beta Kappa
- Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honorary
- Commencement Orator, University of Cincinnati
- Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society/Scholarship Honorary
- Cincinnati Business Courier, Forty Under 40
News
- 75 Vorys Attorneys Recognized as 2012 Ohio Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
- Gabelman featured in Cincinnati Enquirer Story about Cincinnati Riverfront Redevelopment
- More than 100 Vorys Attorneys named on 2012 The Best Lawyers in America® List
- 72 Vorys Attorneys Recognized as 2011 Ohio Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
- Vorys Ranked #1 Law Firm in Ohio on 2011 Best Lawyers in America® list
- Vorys ranked #1 law firm in Ohio on 2010 Best Lawyers in America® list
- Vorys attorney profiled in Cincinnati Business Courier article "For years, Cincinnati attorney Tom Gabelman has kept the Banks marching forward"
- 70 Vorys Attorneys Recognized as 2009 Ohio Super Lawyers
- Vorys Attorneys Named on 2009 Best Lawyers in America List
- Gabelman featured in Cincy Magazine Digest Law
- Vorys named the "2008 Leading Ohio Law Firm" by Best Lawyers
Events
- 2011 Construction SuperConference
- 2011 Mid America Association of State Transportation Officials Conference
- CityScape Columbus: A View Towards Development & Growth Opportunities
- CityScape Cincinnati: A View Towards Development & Growth Opportunities