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James Herbert Bownas

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Avvo Rating10
  • Dublin, OH
  • Licensed for 49 years
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About James

     Whenever someone asks me how I'm doing, I reply "I'm grateful!"  I always hope they'll ask me what makes me grateful, so that I can tell them -- God has been remarkably good to me.  Through an incredible web of "coincidences", I found the most wonderful woman in the world late in my life, and now I'm able to spend the rest of it deeply in love with my soul mate.  Together, we have five of the most wonderful children, and seven of the most wonderful grandchildren a person could have.  Each of them brings joy to our lives in a special way.  I have a remarkable setting in which to practice my profession.  The Lane Alton attorneys and staff are supportive, likeable, smart, and motivated to be the best they can be.  My work with community service organizations has been profoundly gratifying, including the Columbus and Ohio State Bar Associations, Legal Aid Society of Columbus, The Society of Financial Service Professionals, My Very Own Blanket, Divine Mercy Ministry, The Catholic Foundation, and my parish church.  I have been blessed with some of the best clients any lawyer has ever had, both business and personal.  Many of them uplift me and inspire me to keep serving.

 

So, if you care to know how I'm doing ---- I'm grateful!!! 

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Practice areas

Real estateContracts and agreementsBusinessEstate planning
  1. Estate planning: 35%

    Identifying your estate planning objectives, the strategies available to you to accomplish them, and preparing the documents to implement them.

    50 years, 400 cases

  2. Business: 30%

    Helping entrepreneurs get their businesses started, keep growing, overcome legal and tax challenges, and exit positively

    50 years, 300 cases

  3. Contracts and agreements: 20%

    Evaluating your critical agreements to be sure they reflect the deal you negotiated, the terms are fair to you, and you are able to enforce them.

    50 years, 600 cases

  4. Real estate: 15%

    Structuring, documenting, and closing transactions in residential and commercial properties to protect your ownership and to minimize your tax consequences.

    50 years, 200 cases

Languages spoken

English

Photos and videos

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Contact

Lane, Alton & Horst, LLC

4248 Tuller Road
Suite 120
Dublin, OH, 43016

      Resume

      License
      StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
      OHActive197107/18/2021
      We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
      Avvo Contributions
      Legal answers67
      Legal guides0
      Awards
      Award nameGrantorDate granted
      Forrest Sharrock Alumni AwardSt. Francis DeSales High School2013
      AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review RatedMartindale-Hubbell2005
      Best Lawyers in Central OhioBusiness First2001
      Work Experience
      TitleCompany nameDuration
      Vice President, Secretary, and General CounselCardinal Realty Services, Inc.1989 - 1996
      Lecturer - Pension and Profit Sharing PlansThe American College1974 - 1976
      Tax Return ProcessorUnited States Department of Treasury1966 - 1968
      Associations
      Association namePosition nameDuration
      Delaware County Foundation Professional Advisors GroupMember2004 - Present
      Catholic Foundation Professional Advisors GroupMember2002 - Present
      Columbus Bar FoundationFellow2000 - Present
      Columbus Bar Association, Business Tax CommitteeMember1971 - Present
      Columbus Bar Association, Real Property CommitteeMember1971 - Present
      Columbus Bar Association, Estate and Gift Tax CommitteeMember1971 - Present
      Catholic Foundation Professional Advisors GroupBoard of Directors2009 - 2011
      Ohio State Bar AssociationSecretary, Banking, Bankruptcy and Commercial Law Section2006 - 2007
      Columbus Bar AssociationChair, Securities Law Committee2004 - 2005
      New Albany Area Chamber of CommerceBoard of Trustees1999 - 2003
      American Corporate Counsel Association, Central Ohio ChapterBoard of Directors1995 - 1996
      Publications
      Publication nameTitleDate
      Columbus Bar AssociationNotarizing Deeds and Other Conveyance Instruments2013
      Education
      School nameDegreeGraduated
      Harvard UniversityJuris Doctor1971
      Xavier UniversityBachelor of Science, cum laude1968
      Speaking Engagements
      Conference nameTitleDate
      Estate Planning Beyond the Documents -- All the Other StuffEstate Planning2014
      Ohio Real Estate ConferenceReal Estate2013
      Real Property Law InstituteReal Estate2013
      Notary WarsNotary Public2011
      Sauter Estate Planning ConferenceFederal and Ohio Estate Taxes2011
      Taxes Affecting a Decedent's EstateProbate2011
      Estate Planning for Intellectual PropertyEstate Planning2011
      Certification Exam Review CourseEstate Planning2008
      Is an LLC Right for YouEntity Selection2007
      The Amazing ESOPBusiness2007
      Keeping the "Fun" in FuneralsProbate2007
      Asset Protection StrategiesAsset Protection2007
      Adding Asset Protection to Your PracticeAsset Protection2006
      Overcoming Title and Bankruptcy Obstacles During ForeclosureEthics2006
      Better Investing National ConventionEstate Planning2006
      Drafting LLC and LLP Agreements in OhioEntity Selection2006
      Drafting Effective Wills and TrustsEstate Planning2006
      Demystifying Asset Protection VehiclesAsset Protectin2005
      Counseling the Small BusinessBusiness2005
      Ohio Estate Planning FundamentalsEstate Planning2004
      State and Federal Securities ConferenceSecurities2004
      Effective Estate Planning for the Small EstateEstate Planning2002
      Family Limited Partnerships and LLCsEstate Planning2002
      Legal cases
      Case nameOutcome
      In re Cardinal Industries, Inc. and AffiliatesSuccessful reorganization and NYSE listing

      Reviews

      (3)
      5 Star
      		100%
      4 Star
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      3 Star
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      2 Star
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      1 Star
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      Review James Bownas

      Amazing Experience

      Posted by

      James Bownas went above and beyond to help me. I purchased one of the fixed rate deals to go over a contract and during the phone call he was very easy to talk to and was willing to go over the 30 minutes so I could ask all my questions. Not only did he answer all my questions but asked his own questions to better understand the situation. I am so happy I decided to contact him; he saved me money and did it with a smile. I will defiantly contact him again.
      This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
      Consulted attorney

      Easy to understand, friendly and helpful tone

      Posted by

      Jim helped me understand my options under a land contract. Our family and financial situations had changed significantly since we had entered into the contract. He fully explained things in terms I understood. He was very patient with me and never made me feel rushed. Using the information and recommendations Jim made I was able to reach an agreement with the seller on the contract that was very much in my favor. I appreciate the help.
      This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
      Consulted attorney

      Did sensational job, helped negotiate acquisition of our building. many other things..

      Posted by

      Jim is one of the finest attorney's I have ever worked with. He has been working with our organization for over 7 years. He has helped us in many situations. I have referred him to many others and would highly recommend him to everyone in need of an attorney.

      Attorney endorsements

      (6)
      Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

      Jeffrey Perry, Contracts and agreements Attorney on May 24, 2016
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      From Mr. Bownas's contributions to Avvo users’ questions, he’s clearly a skilled and highly knowledgeable lawyer. Given his excellent advice, I recommend Mr. Bownas to provide best-in-class legal guidance and representation.

      Kwame Christian, Estate planning Attorney on Jan 5, 2016
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      Jim is a great lawyer and mentor. He has extensive experience and is well equipped to meet your legal needs.

      Chad Hemminger, Estate planning Attorney on May 20, 2015
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      Jim is an excellent estate planning attorney. Whenever, I have estate planning or probate issues arise with my own clients, I am always quick to refer them over to Jim. I know that Jim will always give clients the personal attention that they need and deserve. I highly endorse this lawyer!

      Timothy Owens, Probate Attorney on Apr 28, 2015
      Relationship: Co-worker

      Jim has been very helpful my clients who have probate and estate planning issues.

      Thomas Switzer, Estate planning Attorney on Apr 27, 2015
      Relationship: Co-worker

      I endorse this lawyer. Jim possesses superior experience and expertise. Jim has a wonderful way with people and he has a knack for explaining complex ideas in a clear and understandable way.

      Nicholas Andersen, Business Attorney on Jul 13, 2013
      Relationship: Worked for lawyer

      Jim has forgotten more about being a lawyer than most of us will ever know! I worked with Jim for three years and he was always my sounding-board. A great attorney.