Biography

Fiore is a demonstrated advocate with exceptional knowledge of local, state and federal laws and of national and international legal and business regulations. He joined the firm in 2011.

Government Affairs + Compliance Advocacy

Most companies play defense when reacting to changes with local, state, federal or international laws and regulations. Advocating for reasonable laws and regulations that encourage economic development and job creating, savvy business and trade associations must play both offense and defense. In order to do so, these organizations need strong advocates when navigating such issues.

Fiore has been advising companies and associations of all sizes for more than 15 years with thoughtful counsel on practical, political and legal considerations to tackle the issues clients encounter. Companies he serves range from small “mom-and-pop” shops to national trade associations and international corporations. Fiore began building relationships as a member of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce’s Governmental Affairs team for more than a decade before joining Kegler Brown.

In addition, Fiore is the treasurer for the firm’s Political Action Committee (PAC) and manages the firm’s 50-state lobbying compliance practice area. This practice provides government affairs counsel and compliance services to companies advocating for prudent reforms to administrative and legislative changes across the U.S. with state, Washington D.C., or regionally based lobbyists.

State Unemployment Reforms + Human Resource Counsel

Fiore is a recognized leader among businesses and both state and national trade associations. His career is marked by his leadership in bringing about significant reforms to Ohio and other states’ unemployment programs, as well as Ohio’s civil justice system. He developed and coordinated the Ohio Chamber’s advocacy for the most comprehensive reforms to Ohio’s Fair Employment Practices Act since its creation. In addition, Fiore counsels companies on best practices within the workplace, risk management strategies for state-funded and self-insured entities, as well as legislative and administrative changes that impact a company’s bottom line. Every company needs a risk management strategy to protect its employees and assets from harm.

Fiore works closely with human resource management professionals across Ohio and in Washington, D.C., through his service as the government affairs director on the Ohio State Council of SHRM. He also is the senior editor for a national business association focused on unemployment and workers’ compensation based in Washington, D.C. His experience is strengthened by his extensive relationships with local and state chambers of commerce, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

Global Business

Fiore has worked with local companies importing goods from foreign countries, foreign governments seeking business development and foreign direct investment opportunities in Ohio, and entities seeking to do business abroad. He possesses a strong interest in helping companies expand their product and service offerings into the global marketplace. He has also worked with businesses in several industries to identify the regulatory burdens of doing business outside the U.S.

Practice Areas

Education

  • Capital University Law School (J.D., 2004)
  • The Ohio State University (B.S., 1998)

Bar Admissions

  • Ohio
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio

Professional Affiliations

  • Ohio Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) State Council, Government Affairs, director
  • Ohio Chamber of Commerce, Employment Law and Workers’ Compensation Committees, member
  • Columbus Chamber of Commerce, Government Relations Committee, member
  • Columbus Council on World Affairs, member
  • Human Resource Association of Central Ohio, Government Affairs Team, member
  • Ohio State Bar Association, member
  • Columbus Bar Association, member

Charitable + Civic Involvement

  • Community Foundation for Perry County, President
  • Columbus Sister Cities International, Board of Directors
  • St. Andrew Catholic Church, Parishioner

Publications

Annual Publications

  • Highlights of State Unemployment Compensation Laws
  • State Unemployment Insurance Legislation Annual Summary
  • State Workers’ Compensation Legislation Annual Summary

Monthly Publications

  • Editor for monthly newsletters for McDonald’s Corporation, Ohio State Council of SHRM, and the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA)
  • National State Unemployment Compensation Advisory Program (SUCAP) – 50 State Report on Unemployment Compensation

Articles

  • “Ohioans to Vote on Two Statewide Ballot Issues in November 2012 Election,” HRACO September 2012 Newsletter
  • “HR Lessons to be Learned from FCPA Allegations Against Wal-Mart,” HRACO June 2012 Newsletter
  • “Ohio House Introduces Three Workers’ Comp Reform Bills,” HRACO May 2012 Newsletter
  • “Governor Kasich Announces Mid-Biennium Review Legislation – What Issues are Important to HR Professionals?” HRACO April 2012 Newsletter
  • “What Impact Will State Government Have on the HR Profession in 2012?” HRACO March 2012 Newsletter
  • “Major Changes Affecting Employers for 2012,” HRACO February 2012 Newsletter
  • “The Cost of Unemployment – How Will Ohio Get Back on Steady Ground?” Smart Business, October 2011
  • “How Will the Cost of Ohio’s Unemployment Compensation System Affect Your Business?” HRACO May 2011 Newsletter
  • “State Legislative Update – Will State Legislation Affect Your Business Before the End of 2010?” HRACO September 2010 Newsletter

Presentations

  • “Proactive HR Advocacy,” Ohio Society of Human Resource Management Annual Legislative Conference, April 23, 2013
  • “Around the World in One Hour – Global HR Business Costs, Trends and Politics,” Greater Cincinnati Human Resources Association, January 2013
  • “HR Advocacy: Educating Officeholders on the Effects of Public Policy,” Human Resources Association of Central Ohio Legal Update Conference, October 2012
  • “The Seven Habits of Highly Ineffective Global Business People,” co-presenter with Martijn Steger, Ohio State Bar Association, Advising Corporate Directors and Officers Seminar, May 18, 2012
  • “The Cost of Unemployment Compensation on Ohio Employers,” Ohio Society of Human Resource Management Annual Legislative Conference, April 2012
  • “Will Workers’ Compensation & Unemployment Tax Issues Affect Ohio Businesses in 2010?” 2010 Chamber of Commerce Executives of Ohio Winter Conference
  • “Top 10 Labor & Employment Issues,” 2009 Kegler, Brown, Hill + Ritter Conference and the Akron Bar Association
  • “Immigration in Ohio,” 2008 Ohio Construction Conference
  • “The Critical Role of the Business Community in the November Election and in Public Policy,” – Associated General Contractors of Ohio and Leadership, presented as Inaugural speaker to the Ohio Diversity Latino Talent & Leadership Conference, Columbus, Ohio, 2009

Career Highlights

  • Demonstrated leader in helping reform several areas of state law, including workers’ and unemployment compensation, employment law, tort reform, telecommunications, cosmetology/beauty industry, foreclosure law, state and federal taxes, and workforce development
  • Proven leader of coalitions and alliances among public and private trade associations with a high degree of public visibility and success in each initiative
  • Over a decade of building professional relationships with federal, state and local government agency officials, Congressional delegation and political leaders
  • Point person in opposing organized labor’s push to change Ohio’s minimum wage law and helped move public opinion more than 25 points within five months toward that goal
  • Successfully led efforts to block a referenda supported by organized labor to overturn comprehensive workers’ compensation reforms
  • President, co-founder and creator of a community foundation to promote existing non-profits as well as economic development opportunities
  • Recognized as a leader in defeating organized labor’s push to place the onerous proposal to mandate paid sick leave on Ohio’s ballot
  • Developed website guidance for Ohio employers on state laws, such as the drug-free workplace program, minimum wage, smoking ban and concealed carrying of weapons regulations
  • Serves as a consultant and senior editor for the Washington, D.C.,-based Unemployment and Workers’ Compensation Strategy organization covering unemployment and workers’ compensation issues nationwide
  • Instrumental in the passage of comprehensive tort reforms including caps on punitive and non-economic damages and two nationally recognized bills that reform the way asbestos and silica claims are handled in Ohio
  • Adjunct instructor at Capital University, teaching Employment Law
  • Completed an intensive language training program at the Summer Language Institute in Urbino, Italy in 1996
  • Project lead with 50 state surveys on laws and regulations affecting business taxes, marketing restrictions and other company operational costs with state and national businesses and trade associations