Todd B. Kotler

Since 1999 I have labored to establish divorce settlements that are firm but fair and parenting-time schedules that work. Relocating and long-distance parenting plans. I resolve high-conflict situations, protective orders, and deal with parental alienation. I also have litigated a number of high value cases in both Summit and Stark Counties.

My firm also has handled a great number of high value transactions involving mineral rights, land leases and easements with energy companies. We have done joint ventures, partnerships, S corporations, LLCs, commercial and industrial developments, condominium developments or conversions and office building sales and purchases. Likewise, I have drafted construction contracts, lease negotiation and preparations, loan workouts and foreclosures as well as sale and purchase contracts.

Notably, I am among a handful of Ohio Attorneys who practice special education law. My focus in this area is on the parents of special needs children. I aid them in ensuring that these children receive the free and appropriate public education (FAPE) that each child is guaranteed under state and federal law.

University of Akron School of Law

J.D. (1998) | Law

1994 - 1998

Honors: Abramson Scholarship

Partner

Arnold, Gruber, & Haren, Ltd.

2014 - Current

Owner - Attorney

Todd Kotler, Attorney at Law

1999 - 2014

ETHICS FOR OHIO TITLE INSURANCE AGENTS AND ATTORNEYS

Stark County Bar Association

November 1, 2017

PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

National Business Institute

2016

Ohio Special Education Law - Course Materials

National Business Institute

June, 2015

UNRAVELING THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT (IDEA)

National Business Institute

2013

E-Commerce; The Tidal Wave of Change

Akron Bar Association, Examiner

2000

ETHICS FOR OHIO TITLE INSURANCE AGENTS AND ATTORNEYS, Real Estate Seminar, Canton, Ohio

November 1, 2017

Stark County Bar Association

https://www.nbi-sems.com/ProductDetails/Ohio-Special-Education-Law/Course-Book/75791CDR?N=0&searchTerm=kotler

UNRAVELING THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION IMPROVEMENT ACT (IDEIA), Ohio Special Education Law, Youngstown, Ohio

June 8, 2017

National Business Institute

https://www.nbi-sems.com/ProductDetails/Ohio-Special-Education-Law/Course-Book/75791CDR?N=0&searchTerm=kotler

Ethics and Technology - Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Net, Legal Technology Seminar, Independence, Ohio

December 19, 2015

National Business Institute

Safety Disclosures and State and Federal Record Keeping Laws, School Safety Law, Fairlawn, Ohio

November 6, 2014

National Business Institute

Establishing the Framework of Special Education Law 2013, Fairlawn, Ohio

August 21, 2013

National Business Institute

Domestic Relations Mediator

Supreme Court of Ohio Judicial College Training

2022

Class of 2022 OSBF Fellow

Ohio State Bar Foundation

2022

The Ohio State Bar Foundation Fellows are an elite group of attorneys who volunteer their time, talent, and treasure to advance the law and build a better justice system through community service efforts and philanthropic gifts to the Foundation.

Ohio State Bar

Member

Current

Stark County Bar Association

member

2014 - Current

Activities: Member of Family Law, Real Estate and Community Relations Committees. Co-chaired 2017 Real Estate Law Seminar

Ohio

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Q. In Ohio, will my wife's inheritance from her father be subject to division during a divorce?

June 28, 2025

A: In Ohio, inheritances are considered separate property (belonging solely to one spouse) unless it is comingled with marital property (belonging to both spouses). Even if something is placed into the marital account it may be clawed back, however if it can be still traced to the original bequest. You should hire a local attorney to review your matter since this is very fact specific. Good luck

Q. Seeking legal steps to regain ownership after quit claim deed transfer

June 24, 2025

A: I recommend you hire an attorney who regularly practices real estate law in the county where this property is located. Based on your question, it sounds like you may have at least two potential claims against your mother. One is for breach of fiduciary duty since she did not exercise do care with respect to the management of your property while acting as your power of attorney proxy. The other claim is going to be for a action for quiet title. Neither of these is a run of the mill lawsuit. So, you are going to want an attorney with experience in pursuing these claims. Neither of these suits are the kind which an attorney typically takes on the contingency basis, so this will cost you money up front. You may not get these fees back either. It is unfortunate that you may not be made completely whole but this is the best you can do in this circumstance. Courts typically do not award attorney fees although you may ask for them. ... Read More

Q. How can I obtain custody of my child due to my ex's concerning actions?

June 19, 2025

A: I am assuming you and your daughter have lived in Ohio for the past 6 months and have lived in the same county for the past 90 days.

Based on that assumption you need the file a motion to establish parental rights and responsibilities. Hopefully, you were listed as the father on the birth certificate and have taken steps to establish paternity earlier in the child's life. If not you'll also want to include your emotion that you are seeking to establish paternity over the child. You also want to include a motion for emergency temporary custody over the child, due to the mother placing the child in your exclusive care. You will need to serve the mother according to the Rules of Civil Procedure (rules 4, as well as 4.1-4.7). (a link to them is here https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/docs/LegalResources/Rules/civil/CivilProcedure.pdf) Given the fact that your ex has been moving from place to place without a permanent residence, this may be difficult.

Your best move would be to hire an attorney in your county who practices a lot of custody and domestic relations law. Serving a person who is living out of the state, without a permanent residence, is tricky even for competent attorneys. Is even more so for way people without any real experience in law. Good luck! ... Read More