Kevin O'Donnell Stanek, Government Attorney in Columbus, Ohio

Kevin Stanek brings nearly a decade of experience working in the executive and legislative branches of Ohio state government, including as Gov. John R. Kasich's assistant director of policy for asset management and assistant chief counsel. Kevin’s hands-on government experience supports him in providing practical solutions and comprehensive plans of action for clients.

Kevin represents governmental clients on policy matters and other legal issues before the Ohio General Assembly, executive agencies, and state boards and commissions. He also serves as counsel to such clients on various other matters, including financial transactions, local economic development projects, white collar investigations and defenses, and substance abuse disorder treatment privacy regulations. Kevin has provided counsel to new community authorities in Ohio, including as bond counsel.

In his previous roles in state government, Kevin advised on policy initiatives and operational decisions of business-centric Ohio state agencies and external partners, including the Department of Taxation, Department of Administrative Services, Department of Commerce, Developmental Services Agency, Office of Budget and Management, Bureau of Worker's Compensation and JobsOhio.

Kevin partnered with the Ohio governor's Department of Legislative Affairs to manage and influence policy implications of proposed or pending legislation and coordinated implementation of Ohio's Medical Marijuana Control Program. He provided oversight regarding the fiscal stability of agencies, management of public records compliance and counsel regarding ongoing litigation, personnel matters and legislative developments applicable to the governor's policy goals. Kevin also oversaw the veto process for two biennial state budgets, the largest legislative effort in each two-year general assembly session, by working with agencies to identify issues of concern to the administration, determining what language should be excised, and crafting the relevant veto message.

Moreover, Kevin managed the clemency process for Gov. Kasich, reviewing every clemency application, attending parole board hearings when appropriate, and presenting recommended candidates to the governor for his approval.

In addition, Kevin brings the experience he gained while serving as associate general counsel to the Ohio Office of Budget and Management (OBM). In that capacity, Kevin provided advice and consultation on the development and implementation of Ohio's budget, fulfillment of agency's statutory and constitutional duties, as well as creation and compliance with internal human resources policies and procedures. He tracked pending litigation against the state of Ohio, its agencies, and certain political subdivisions that had potential for material effect on state's financial position. Prior to law school, Kevin served as a legislative aide in the Ohio House of Representatives for three years, where he was responsible for the legislative efforts, communications and constituent relations of a southwestern Ohio House district.