Earl K. Messer

Earl K. Messer

Construction Law

5.0 (1 reviews)
Cincinnati, Ohio
34+ years experience
Taft
Updated:

Contact Information

425 Walnut Street, Suite 1800, Cincinnati, OH 45202-3957
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Bio

CONSTRUCTION Earl has substantial experience handling complex, multi-party delay and defect claims, disputes over insurance coverage and defense, and claims against sureties. He has represented owners, contractors, subcontractors and sureties. He is listed in the 2014 edition of The Best Lawyers in America for his work in the area of construction law. REAL ESTATE Earl also has substantial experience with real estate litigation, including commercial foreclosures on office buildings, hotels, manufacturing facilities, and warehouses, disputes relating to commercial leases, easements, and condominiums, and with receiverships, partitions, and condemnations. TRIAL EXPERIENCE Earl has litigated hundreds of complex commercial cases, many through trial or arbitration, including jury trials. Besides construction and real estate cases, he has handled many other commercial disputes, particularly in defending against claims for fraud and fraudulent transfer. ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION Earl utilizes mediation regularly, creatively and successfully to accomplish efficient, economical dispute resolution for clients. CONSTRUCTION Earl has substantial experience handling complex, multi-party delay and defect claims, disputes over insurance coverage and defense, and claims against sureties. He has represented owners, contractors, subcontractors and sureties. He is listed in the 2014 edition of The Best Lawyers in America for his work in the area of construction law. REAL ESTATE Earl also has substantial experience with real estate litigation, including commercial foreclosures on office buildings, hotels, manufacturing facilities, and warehouses, disputes relating to commercial leases, easements, and condominiums, and with receiverships, partitions, and condemnations. TRIAL EXPERIENCE Earl has litigated hundreds of complex commercial cases, many through trial or arbitration, including jury trials. Besides construction and real estate cases, he has handled many other commercial disputes, particularly in defending against claims for fraud and fraudulent transfer. ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION Earl utilizes mediation regularly, creatively and successfully to accomplish efficient, economical dispute resolution for clients.

Practice Areas

Construction Law

Awards & Recognition

  • Lawyer of the Year: Litigation - Real Estate, Cincinnati (2025)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Construction Law, Cincinnati (2020)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Construction Law, Cincinnati (2014)
  • Recognized: Construction Law
  • Recognized: Litigation - Real Estate
  • Practice Area: Mediation
  • Practice Area: Real Estate Law
  • AV Peer Review Rating Martindale-Hubbell
  • Cincinnati Academy of Leadership for Lawyers
  • Order of the Coif
  • Graduate of the Year
  • Lawyer of the Year 2014, Best Lawyers, Construction

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2013

Education

  • Northern Kentucky University, J.D., graduated 1991
  • University of Cincinnati, MA, graduated 1984

Reviews

H

Helen Wright

2 weeks ago

A Master Strategist for Complex Construction Litigation

Our company faced a high-stakes, multi-party dispute involving significant construction delays and defective work on a major commercial project. The opposing parties and their counsel were aggressive, and the situation felt overwhelming. Hiring Earl Messer was the best decision we made. His 34 years of experience, particularly his deep focus on complex construction claims, was immediately evident. He didn't just react; he crafted a comprehensive strategy that accounted for every nuance, from insurance coverage intricacies to potential surety claims. Earl's calm, methodical professionalism provided immense reassurance during a stressful time. His recognition as a multiple-time 'Lawyer of the Year' in Cincinnati is well-deserved, as his expertise translated directly into a highly favorable settlement that protected our interests completely. Earl and the team at Taft are exceptional. For anyone navigating the treacherous waters of construction law in Ohio, he is the definitive choice.

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