Meyers Roman Welcomes R. Russell O’Rourke

“Russell has been a prominent practitioner in the area of construction law for many years and his extensive background will be a great asset to our practice, particularly to our clients who constantly face challenges and uncertainties in this field,”  said Peter Turner, Managing Partner at Meyers Roman and Chair of its Litigation Practice Group. “We are very pleased that he is becoming a part of our team. We are equally pleased to be able to provide our clients with the sophistication and depth of knowledge that Russell brings to the Firm. He literally ‘wrote the book’ on mechanics’ liens and materialmen’s lien in this state. Russell’s affiliation with Meyers Roman will benefit his clients as well, since the Firm offers a full and diverse complement of legal services in addition to the areas in which O’Rourke & Associates historically has concentrated its practice.”

Russell focuses his practice primarily in representing construction subcontractors and suppliers in the areas of bidding, contract negotiation, change orders, claims and claims avoidance, dispute resolution, mechanics’ liens and bond claims.  He has successfully represented a broad range of subcontractors and suppliers in construction projects both large and small, including public schools and universities across Ohio, large sporting facilities, water treatment facilities, high-rise office buildings, and health care facilities.

Russell authored the seminal book Ohio Mechanics’ Liens and Materialmen’s Liens, Third Edition, published by the Thompson/Reuters Publishing Company. He frequently speaks on construction law topics for numerous construction trade organizations—both local and national, for the Ohio State Bar Association and others providing Continuing Legal Education Credits to other attorneys.  He is also an Adjunct Professor of Law at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Cleveland State University and provides a weekly webinar series to help clients deal with day-to-day legal needs.  He currently serves as an Arbitration Panel Chair and Commercial Dispute Mediator for the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas.  Russell also is an approved trainer for the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board offering live seminars to help clients meet their annual continuing education requirements to maintain their licenses.

Russell is a Board Member and Treasurer of The Builders Exchange (Cleveland, Toledo, Dayton, and Cincinnati); the Past-President, current Board Member and Chair of the Legislative Committee of the American Subcontractor’s Association of Ohio; a Board Member of ASA National in Washington, D.C.; Past-Chair of the ASA National Attorneys Counsel; Chair of the ASA Subcontractor’s Legal Defense Fund which funds Amicus Curiae “Friend of the Court” briefs (many submitted by Mr. O’Rourke as an advocate for the subcontracting industry) in Ohio and nationally on issues important to the construction industry; and Co-Chair of the American Bar Association, Mechanics’ Lien Subcommittee of the Real Estate Litigation Section. He has been an American Arbitration Association Construction Industry Advisory Council member and a member of its Blue Ribbon Panel of Mediators. 

Russell O’Rourke is admitted to the practice of law in states of Ohio and Florida, the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio and the U.S. Supreme Court.  He may be reached at (216) 831-0042 (ext. 153), email rorourke@meyersroman.com