Attorney Profiles

Attorney Robert H. Snedaker, III ("Chip") is an attorney with nearly thirty years of legal experience. He is an Ohio State Bar Association, Certified Specialist in Family Relations Law, and one of just 103 attorneys (as of January 1, 2009) in Ohio to earn that designation. Because he is a Certified Specialist, he may be able to identify legal issues and potential solutions that may go unnoticed by other family law attorneys.

Client-Focused. Attorney Snedaker has helped people who need prompt, straight-forward, and candid legal advice. He is client-focused. Providing each client astute legal assistance and counsel is one of his goals. His primary job is to help solve the client's family law problems prudently. His in-depth knowledge of judges, court magistrates and opposing counsel can be invaluable in handling a client's case.

Client Education. Typically, he educates each client about his or her legal options, including the advantages and disadvantages of each. After the client determines which option is best, Attorney Snedaker works diligently to implement the decision. That means he works for the client, who is the decision maker about every issue in the case.

Confidential Consultation. People often evaluate one or more attorneys to represent them. That evaluation is often done through an initial consultation by phone or in person. Through the consultation, the prospective client receives valuable information and experience-based insight. That helps to create personal perspective and clarity about legal issues and rapport with the attorney. Very often, when the consultation ends the prospective client will say to Attorney Snedaker "I'm glad I talked with you."

Family Relations Law. His practice is limited to divorce, dissolution, and other family relations law issues. He has handled thousands of family law cases. And, he has successfully represented clients at trials and hearings in counties throughout Ohio. Each case has some unique elements, providing him many opportunities to apply his Certified Specialist knowledge.

Presentations and Articles. Attorney Snedaker has given presentations and written articles for the Ohio State Bar Association, the Columbus Bar Association, the Ohio Psychological Association, and many other organizations. He is a frequent speaker at seminars for lawyers and non-lawyers. He has spoken and written about many family law issues and concerns. His most recent presentations and articles are listed below.

• Collaborative Divorce An Oxymoron?, Columbus Bar Association, Lawyer's Quarterly, Fall 2008
• Collaborative Divorce, Half Moon, Inc., 2008
• Handling the High Income Divorce, Columbus Bar Association, 2006
• Collaborative Divorce, Ohio Psychological Association, 2005 2006
• The High Asset and/or Income Case, Ohio State Bar Association, 2004
• Child Support and Spousal Support in High Income Cases, Ohio State Bar Association, Annual Convention, 2004
• Prenuptial Agreements, Columbus Bar Association, 2004
• Alternative Dispute Resolution in Domestic Relations Cases: Collaborative Family Law, Columbus Bar Association, 2003
• Divorce, Children and Taxes, Ohio State Bar Association, 2003

Professional Affiliations. Attorney Snedaker is active in many professional organizations. He is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association and the Columbus Bar Association. He served a two-year term as the Chairman of the Columbus Bar Association Family Law Committee. As the chairman he was responsible for various family lawyer education initiatives and programs.

He is a founding member of the Collaborative Divorce Professionals, Inc., an association advocating use of the collaborative divorce process as an alternative to traditional contested divorce. His membership has included service as president and on the board of trustees. For more information about collaborative divorce, please visit the Collaborative Divorce Professionals, Inc. Web site.

Personal Background. Attorney Snedaker graduated from Ohio University in 1978, cum laude, with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. He obtained his Law Degree (Juris Doctorate) from Capital University Law School in 1981, and was on the Dean's List several times.

He began his legal career with the State of Ohio in 1981. After four years he established his solo practitioner practice focused on family law. In 2005, he became a founding partner of the law firm Dougherty, Hanneman & Snedaker, LLC.

Attorney Snedaker is the father of three children and the grandfather of one child. He is a lifelong resident of Columbus, Ohio. He grew up and graduated from Upper Arlington High School in 1974. He is an avid golfer and physical fitness advocate.