Richard James Makowski Esq

Self-employed attorney Richard J. Makowski, Attorney at Law, Chesterland, OH

Year: 1983 - 1992

Description: Associated with Joseph H. Weiss, Jr., Attorney in general civil litigation and appeals; misdemeanor and felony criminal defense; real estate law; construction litigation; family law; probate; debt collections.

Geauga County Public Defender Geauga County Public Defender Commission, Chardon, OH

Year: 1981 - 1983

Description: Manage public defender office staff and provide defense in felony and misdemeanor criminal cases in Geauga County, OH.

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Geauga County Prosecutor Office, Chardon, OH

Year: 1977 - 1981

Description: Prosecution of felony criminal cases; defense of Geauga County and various township officials in civil litigation including zoning and land use regulation issues; legal research and presentation of legal opinions.

Principal Assistant Attorney General, Transportation Section, Columbus, OH Ohio Attorney General

Year: 2005 - 2012

Description: Trial and appellate work in complex eminent domain cases for Ohio Department of Transportation; defense of Federal Civil Rights and environmental approval (NEPA) actions in US District Courts for Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio and Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals; defense of competitive bidding claims; co-counsel in prosecution of breach of warranty and contract claims on construction contracts; review and revision to design-build construction contracting documents for state highway project; contract drafting and revision.

Executive Director Famicos Foundation, Cleveland, OH

Year: 1991 - 1992

Description: Manage staff of neighborhood non-profit housing redevelopment corporation in Hough and Glenville neighborhoods of Cleveland involved in acquisition and renovation of residential houses for lease-purchase program; management of multi-family apartment properties; development of resources; formation of partnership with for-profit developer in acquisition of multi-family apartments using low income housing tax credits.

Assistant Attorney General, Transportation Section, Cleveland, OH Ohio Attorney General

Year: 1983 - 2005

Description: Representation of Ohio Department of Transportation from Ohio Attorney General Cleveland Regional Office in eminent domain trials and appeals in northeast and northwest Ohio; defense of Federal Civil Rights actions; legal research and presentation of informal legal opinions; contract review and drafting; legal counsel in real estate acquisition matters.

Attorney Makowski Law Offices

Year: 2013 - Current

Description: Eminent domain consulting and practice; Probate; Living Wills and Health Care directives; real estate transactions; zoning and land use issues; civil litigation.

American Cancer Society, Geauga County Unit Member of Board of Trustee, Past Presideent (1988 - 2005)

Geauga County Agricultural Society Member (1994 - 2006)

West Geauga Kiwanis Club Member, Past President (1995 - 2007)

Geauga County Library Foundation Member (1995 - 2005)

St. Mary, German Village, Columbus, OH Volunteer, Homecoming Festival; St. Vincent de Paul Society (2009 - Current)

Ohio State Bar Member (Current)

Chesterland Historical Society Member, past President (1995 - 2007)

Geauga County Bar Association Member, former committee member Unauthorized Practice of Law and Bar Admissions committees (1978 - 2005)