HomePeter Burrell

Over the past 15 years, Peter has shifted his practice from a heavy emphasis on litigation to primarily representing family-owned and closely held businesses. His work in this area often involves employment law issues, but also extends to succession planning, partner and shareholder disputes, contract negotiations, and real estate matters. In recent years, he has expanded his services to assist individuals with succession and estate planning needs.

Earlier in his career, Peter litigated scores of covenant-not-to-compete and restrictive covenant cases, counseled businesses on trade secrets and unfair competition, and represented both public and private employers in a wide range of employment disputes. His litigation experience includes successful jury trials, arbitrations, and appeals, as well as favorable settlements in high-stakes matters.

Peter taught business law and business ethics for nearly three decades at the University of Cincinnati’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business—first as an adjunct professor beginning in 1995 and later as an Assistant Professor–Educator of Accounting starting in 2013. He “hung up his teaching spikes” in early 2022, but before leaving the profession was honored to receive the college’s highest teaching distinction, the Michael L. Dean Excellence in the Classroom Award, in 2018.

He is also a frequent speaker and author on topics including non-compete agreements, workplace investigations, employee handbooks, and executive employment contracts.

• Employment Law
• Family Business Representation
• Succession & Estate Planning
• Business Litigation
• Partnership & Shareholder Disputes
• Contract & Real Estate Matters

• Represented a family-owned business in a multi-million-dollar succession plan, balancing generational ownership transfer with ongoing operational needs.
• Successfully represented minority shareholder in dispute with majority shareholder over ownership of local sign company, resulting in negotiated sale of business to minority shareholder.
• Enforced two-year noncompete agreement in litigation against departing chiropractic physician employee.
• Defended a financial advisor against claims of trade secret theft and non-compete violations; case dismissed.
• Secured several substantial six-figure settlements in sexual harassment lawsuits on behalf of plaintiffs.
• Successfully represented media outlets in a defamation action, obtaining a favorable summary judgment decision upheld on appeal

• Assistant Professor–Educator of Accounting, University of Cincinnati, Carl H. Lindner College of Business (2013–2022)
• Adjunct Professor, University of Cincinnati, Carl H. Lindner College of Business (1994–2012)
• Cincinnati Bar Association
• Ohio State Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• Board of Directors, Starfire (1992–1997)

• Ohio Super Lawyers, every year from 2007 through 2025
• Michael L. Dean Excellence in the Classroom Award, University of Cincinnati (2018)
• Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rating

• J.D., University of Notre Dame, 1984
• B.A., Ohio Wesleyan University, Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, 1981

“Negotiating Executive Separation Agreements,” Greater Cincinnati Human Resources Association, November 15, 2012

“Employee Handbooks,” November 17, 2011 • “Investigating Employee Complaints,” February 18, 2010

“What Business Owners and HR Professionals Need to Know About Non-Competes, Non-Solicits and Other Restrictive Covenants,” Greater Cincinnati Human Resources Association, September 17, 2009

“Effective Investigations of Sexual Harassment and Other Employee Complaints,” National Business Institute Seminar, January 6, 2000 and January 11, 2001