Firm News

Columbus Business First announced the “Forty Under 40” class of 2023, which showcases the region’s best and brightest young leaders.

Michael Schottenstein, a director who has been with the firm since 2012, was among those selected.

This year’s selection process collected more than 190 nominations by which candidates were judged on their career accomplishments, volunteer activity, community impact, and letters of recommendation, among other factors.

Michael co-leads the firm’s Real Estate + Finance practice group, where he advises investors, developers and other business owners in the acquisition, development, disposition, leasing, and financing of residential, commercial and mixed-use properties. Over the past ten years, he has focused most of his professional efforts toward providing real estate legal services to organizations in Columbus and throughout the region to aid in creating neighborhoods that thrive with a diverse mix of people and industry.

Michael, also passionate about community involvement, currently serves on boards for JewishColumbus, Young Jewish Columbus, the Jewish Federation of Columbus, and the Columbus Jewish Community Center. For several years, he was steadily involved with the Homeport Young Professionals Network, including serving on the planning board to create volunteer events and fundraisers that helped build awareness of the need for affordable housing to young, civic-minded professionals.

Michael is actively involved with the firm’s internal operations and served on the firm’s Summer Associate Committee for several years, helping to craft the firm’s recruiting strategy. He is always looking for ways to mentor younger attorneys and aspiring lawyers, which includes meeting with those young professionals to talk about their career paths. He currently serves on firm committees related to leasing and marketing, as well.

Michael has been selected to the “Ohio Rising Stars” list by Super Lawyers for the past 7 years, has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® in its “Ones to Watch” category for the past 3 years, and was recognized in Columbus CEO’s “Best Lawyers” list in 2022. In 2019, Michael was also named to the first class of “18 Difference Makers” in the community, awarded annually by the Columbus Jewish News.

The Columbus Business First “Forty Under 40” program honors Central Ohio’s most outstanding young professionals and will recognize their achievements at an awards ceremony on Thursday, May 25, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Hilton Columbus Downtown Tower.

Congratulations to Michael for this well-deserved honor. View the full list of honorees.