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Firm History In 1840, Thomas Millikin, an 1838 Miami University graduate, rode a horse to Columbus, Ohio to take the Ohio State Bar exam. He passed the exam and the 21-year-old Butler County native commenced his law practice in the City of Hamilton, Ohio.
That was the start of what is known today as Millikin & Fitton Law Firm, the oldest law firm in Butler County and the third oldest law firm in the State of Ohio.
Millikin & Fitton's founder, Thomas Millikin, was born Sept. 28, 1819, in Rossville, a community on the west side of the Miami River across from Hamilton in Butler County. Tom was the son of pioneer physician, Dr. Robert B. Millikin and Sarah Gray Millikin. After graduating from Miami University, Tom studied law in the office of Elijah Vance in Hamilton.
Tom shunned elected offices in favor of practicing law. In 1843, he was appointed to a term as Butler County Prosecutor, but in 1874 declined an appointment to the Ohio Supreme Court.
Tom married Mary Van Hook on November 4, 1841. The wedding party included several future Ohio governors, including William Bebb and John Brough.
Mr. Millikin was a popular speaker for civic and patriotic events and was involved in arranging the 1855 merger of his native Rossville into the larger city of Hamilton. He also chaired the committee which planned Hamilton's 1891 Centennial Celebration.
Mr. Millikin made his last court appearance two weeks before his death on November 10, 1899, at age 80.
A Dayton Newspaper named Mr. Millikin "one of the best lawyers ever at the bar of the state." A Butler County Bar Association memorial stated "in his own county, his name appears as counsel in nearly every important case in the court records for over 50 years."
Twenty-five years following Mr. Millikin's death, James E. Cambell, whose law practice took him from Hamilton to a term as governor of Ohio and eventual legal service in Washington, D.C., recalled Millikin as "the greatest lawyer I have ever known."
A Memorial of the Montgomery County Bar Association in November, 1899, proclaimed that "He was generally regarded as the best jury lawyer in the State." A copy of the Memorial prepared by the Montgomery County Bar Association in honor of Mr. Millikin is on display in the reception area of our West Chester/Mason Office.
In 1876, Robert N. Shotts joined Mr. Millikin, his law tutor, in the practice. He was part of the firm until his death in 1928.
The continuation of the Millikin name was assured in 1891 when Brandon R. Millikin, a grandson of the founder, became a partner. Brandon was a member of the firm until his death in 1958, one year after Thomas J. Millikin, a great-great grandson of the founder, joined the practice.
The other prestigious element of the law firm's name was added in 1943 when Stuart Fitton joined the practice. The Fitton family was a prominent pioneer family in the region much like the Millikin family. Stuart Fitton's father, Sam Fitton, was the attorney who, in the 1890s, handled the incorporation of what eventually became Champion Paper Company (now more commonly known as Champion International). Stuart Fitton and his family resided in Oxford and were involved in many community activities. Stuart, who served for many years as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Western College for Women, was an advocate of many causes, including environmental issues, and was a world traveler.
Other members of the Fitton family have brought distinction to the family name through achievements in banking, community service and philanthropy.
In recent years two distinguished and respected judges left the ranks of partnership with the firm and established outstanding reputations on the bench. The Honorable John G. Rosmarin is serving his second term as judge of the Hamilton Municipal Court and the Honorable Keith M. Spaeth serves as one of the trial judges of the Butler County Common Pleas Court.
In addition to the esteemed attorneys from the Millikin and Fitton families, the firm has also been blessed with a tradition of other multi-generation attorneys.
Another of the firm's attorneys, John J. Reister, (who joined the firm in 1980), has followed in the footsteps of his father, the late, Frederick A. Reister. Like his father, John is recognized and highly respected as a legal expert in the areas of transactional business, complex real estate matters, estate planning and probate.
In like manner, Jon P. Whalen, grandson of E. Hjalmar Persson, joined the firm in 1996. Thus far, Jon has focused his practice in real estate law. E. Hjalmar Persson was a partner with the firm from 1964-1981 and served the City of Hamilton as Law Director for 21 years. Hjalmar was recognized and revered throughout Ohio as the "Dean" of Municipal Law.
John H. Clemmons has continued the practice of municipal law through his service as Law Director for the City of Fairfield.
Louis J. Hofstadter, who retired from the firm several years ago, also had a distinguished career. Lou was recognized as an expert in real estate and probate law, and legal ethics. Lou served two terms as President of the Butler County Bar Association.
James S. Irwin is the most recent partner to retire from the firm following an outstanding career as a legal scholar, law professor and practicing attorney. Jim is a native of Hamilton. He attended Notre Dame University. Following service as an officer in the U.S. Air Force, Jim attended the UC College of Law where he was on the Law Review, and received the highest grade on the Ohio State Bar exam. Jim taught law at Northwestern University School of Law in Chicago and later at the UC College of Law. Throughout his brilliant career, Jim handled many very important cases. His life and career have also been noteworthy in the manner in which he has served others and his profession. He served as President of the Mercy Hospital system for several years, was a board member and later Chairman of the National Board of The American Liver Foundation, and served as President of the Butler County Bar Association.
In 2003, The Butler County Bar Association recognized Jim's outstanding contributions of service to the community, the legal profession and his brilliant career as an attorney, when it established the first ever award of excellence for service which was named after him as the "James S. Irwin Award."
Another example of historical continuity of the firm is the life of William C. Keck, who resides on his family farm. Bill is a native of Butler County whose relative, Earl R. Hogan, served as the Butler County Recorder for thirty years. Bill became acquainted with Stuart Fitton during the administration of his grandfather's estate. Bill attended law school at the University of Notre Dame. After practicing with a prestigious firm in New York City, Bill returned to Butler County and joined Millikin & Fitton Law Firm in 1973. Bill has distinguished himself as a leading corporate, tax, estate planning and probate attorney throughout the region.
In 1980, Michele Gressel became the first woman attorney to join the firm. Michele's success in the practice as a corporate and tax attorney "opened the doors" for future contributions and progress by women in the law. Other outstanding female attorneys have since joined the firm and are gaining recognition for their legal expertise. Catherine L. Evans specializes in the area of business law, probate and estate planning. Heather Sanderson Lewis has developed as an outstanding trial attorney on a broad range of litigation issues with particular specialization in health law and the defense of medical malpractice claims.
Attorneys in the firm have served their country as commissioned officers in various branches of the armed services and serve their state and community in many ways. Members of the firm volunteer hundreds of hours each year to local causes as well as organizations on the local, state, and national level. Leadership and consultant services extend to hospitals, churches, educational institutions, charities, government boards, and economic development bodies.
Millikin and Fitton Law Firm is a full-service law firm representing individuals, families and businesses. The firm provides a wide range of legal services including Business Legal Advice, Civil Litigation, Contracts, Corporate Law, Employment Law, Estate Planning & Trust, Health Care Law, Partnerships, Power of Attorneys, Real Estate Condemnation, Real Estate Practice, Tax Planning, Title Insurance, Wills, Estates, and Wrongful Death Claims.
Additionally, the firm has established an excellent reputation in the health care field. The firm represents a number of hospitals and various health care groups including physicians, dentists, and other practitioners. Members of the litigation section of the firm are experienced in the defense of medical malpractice claims against hospitals and physicians; and have held leadership positions in various professional associations in this highly specialized field.
Though it began in 1840, Mr. Millikin founded much more than a law firm. He founded a tradition of successful service and dedicated commitment to the practice of law. The organization has expanded from one small office to what is now four office locations and a real estate title agency. The firm's attorneys take great pride in pursuing excellence in their legal careers and community service. Current members of the firm proudly carry on the tradition established by Mr. Millikin.
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