Meet the Attorneys of Philip J. Fulton Law Office

• Philip J. Fulton
• Lori Painter
• William A. Thorman, III
• David B. Barnhart
• Paul J. Hess Jr.
• Mike Dusseau

Philip J. Fulton - Ohio Workers' Compensation Attorney

Philip Fulton has represented injured workers and victims of disability since 1980. A 1977 graduate of the Ohio State University and 1980 graduate of Capital University Law School, Order of the Curia, Mr. Fulton is listed in The Best Lawyers in America and Ohio Super Lawyers, 2004, “Law and Politics” magazine.

Mr. Fulton's professional achievements recognize his dedication to protecting the rights of the injured and disabled. He is past chairperson of the Franklin County Trial Lawyers Association Workers' Compensation Section and has twice has been chairperson of the Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers' Workers Compensation Section.

For his commitment to injured workers, he was given the Distinguished Service Award in 1994 and 2002 by the Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers and was inducted into the Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers' Association Workers' Compensation Hall of Fame in 1997.

Frequently asked to lecture to attorneys, legal groups, and doctors all over Ohio on issues dealing with workers' comp, Mr. Fulton is also the author of the well-known treatise on workers' compensation, “Ohio Workers Compensation Law,” published by Anderson Publishing Company in 1991 and 1998. Mr. Fulton's book is used by workers' compensation attorneys, doctors, the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation, the Ohio Industrial Commission, and the court system. Mr. Fulton is an Adjunct Professor at the Capitol University Law School in Ohio where he teaches Workers' Compensation Law.

Back to top

Lori Painter - Workers' Compensation Attorney

Ms. Painter earned a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism from the University of Colorado in 1987 and her law degree from Capital University in 1992, Order of the Barristers.

Currently licensed to practice law in Ohio and Colorado, Ms. Painter belongs to the Columbus Bar Association, Ohio State Bar Association, the Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers, and the National Organization of Social Security Claimant's Representatives.

An attorney since 1993, Ms. Painter presently represents injured workers in Ohio at the workers' compensation administrative level and before the Social Security Administration.

Back to top

William A. Thorman III - Workers' Compensation Attorney

Mr. Thorman received a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major from Lawrence University in 1984 and his law degree from The Ohio State University in 1988. He has been admitted to practice law in Ohio in 1988, before the bar of the United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio in 1989, in 1992 was one of the first attorneys in Ohio to be admitted to practice before the United States Court of Veterans Appeals, and has also been admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court.

Mr. Thorman has served the interests of the disabled well during his working life. He has worked as a staff attorney for the Legal Aid Society of Dayton in the Handicapped and Elderly Law Project and served as the vice-president and legal advisor for the Access Center for Independent Living in Dayton, Ohio from 1992 until 1995.

Prior to becoming an attorney, Mr. Thorman served as an assistant attorney general for the state of Ohio in the Workers' Compensation section from 1994 until 1996. Mr. Thorman concentrates his practice in the litigation aspects of representing injured workers and the disabled in the Ohio courts for Mr. Fulton.

Back to top

David B. Barnhart - Workers' Compensation Attorney

Mr. Barnhart received his B.A. degree cum laude from Westminster College and his juris doctor (J.D.) degree from Capital University. Presently a member of the Columbus and Ohio State Bar Associations and the Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers, Dave's commitment to the law and injured workers is evidenced by his election to the “Best Lawyers in America” (1996-03 editions) and the Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers Workers' Compensation Hall of Fame in 2002.

His service to the Columbus Bar Association, where he was presented the Community Service Award in 2001, includes chair of the Workers' Compensation Committee. He was also chair of the Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers Workers' Compensation Section in 1996 during the debate on S.B. 45 and State Issue 2 and was a member of the board of trustees of the Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers.

He has been certified as a specialist in workers' compensation by the Ohio State Bar Association and has been appointed to the Workers' Compensation Specialty Board Committee. He has lectured before various bar associations and commercial seminars on workers' comp. He served on the board of trustees of the Worthington Public Library from 1995 until 2002.

Back to top

Paul J. Hess Jr.

Paul J. Hess, Jr--Graduated from the University of Notre Dame with degrees in English Literature and Communications. Pre-law career in journalism as a sports broadcaster and newspaper reporter. Juris Doctor Degree from The Ohio State University College of Law. Engaged in the practice of workers' compensation for more than 25 years. Administrative Hearings and Litigation. Practice has also included Social Security and Entertainment and Sports Law. Member of the Ohio and Federal Bars, member of the Columbus Bar Association and the Ohio State Bar Association. Has presented at seminars on topics including workers' compensation, social security disability practice, and Entertainment and Sports Law. Previously an attorney for the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation, Law Section. Private practice as a sole practitioner. Prior firms include Agee, Clymer and Morgan, LPA, Stewart Jaffy Associates, LPA, and Buckingham, Doolittle and Burroughs, LLC. Active father to two teenage daughters. Hobbies include reading, walking, coaching youth soccer and softball, Bible teaching, and travel. 

Back to top

Mike Dusseau

Michael P. Dusseau, born Columbus, Ohio, June 30, 1979; admitted to bar, 2005, Ohio; Preparatory education, Indiana University (B.A. History, and Criminal Justice, Magna Cum Laude, 2001); Legal Education, Capital University (J.D. cum laude and order of the curia). Associate Attorney, Smith, Rolfes, & Skavdahl, Co. L.P.A. 2005-2006. Member: Columbus and Ohio State Bar Associations, Columbus Claims Association, and The Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers.

Back to top

If you are interested in learning more about Ohio workers' comp, an attorney at our firm would be happy to speak with you. Contact our Columbus office today!

Launch Video Website