In 1991, I earned a Juris Doctorate Degree (law degree) from the University of Dayton School of Law. While attending law school, I received the American Jurisprudence Award from my Insurance Law professor for obtaining the highest grade in the class. I was licensed to practice law in Ohio that same year (1991) and immediately established a private law practice in downtown Dayton, Ohio across the street from the courts. I have been in the same office building for over 32 years! I also proudly served as a Magistrate in the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court from 1992 until 2000 for The Honorable Judge George Gounaris. During my 32 year career, I have focused my law practice on Divorce, Criminal Defense, OVI/DUI Defense, Traffic Law and Personal Injury cases so that I could become proficient in these areas and provide the best possible legal services. I received the Appointed Counsel Award from the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court for my representation of indigent defendants, and the Top 10 Attorney Award (for Ohio) from the National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys. I have been interviewed by local and national news media, including The Associated Press, and had the distinct privilege of arguing in the Supreme Court of Ohio. Some of my cases set legal precedent, which means they impacted the status of the law in Ohio. I was invited into the prestigious National Trial Lawyers, Top 100, and Ohio Super Lawyers which is only attainable by a small percentage of attorneys in Ohio. I am rated "Distinguished" by Martindale Hubbell, and "Superb" by Avvo.com which is the highest rating for attorneys. I am rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau, and listed in Who's Who in American Law. I have earned the respect of my peers in the legal community, and have built long-lasting, professional relationships with judges, prosecutors, attorneys and other individuals that serve in our system of justice. My MISSION has always been, and will always be, to make sure my clients are treated fairly no matter their race, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age or any other trait that sets them apart from others. I certainly have the experience and success that my clients need, and I am very happy to help them through difficult times.

Sam G. Caras (samcaras@caraslaw.com) was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio. After a youth marked by participation in sports, Sam attended Wright State University, from which he graduated cum laude. During his last two years of undergraduate education he worked as a legislative aid for the Honorable C. J. McLin, and as a laborer in several industrial plants. Sam enrolled in the University of Dayton Law School in 1977 and graduated in 1980. During law school he enjoyed the privilege to clerk for the Honorable George J. Gounaris of the Civil Division of the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court for three years, while working part-time for two years with the City of Dayton Prosecutor's Office. Following graduation from law school he entered into private practice as an associate in an insurance defense firm, focusing on civil litigation defense of motor vehicle accidents, products liability, insurance, and professional liability cases. For several years after becoming partner in the insurance defense firm his practice concentration increasingly developed in plaintiff's personal injury and wrongful death. In 1990 he left the insurance defense practice and has since been practicing almost exclusively in the areas of medical and professional malpractice, wrongful death, serious personal injury, insurance litigation, with periodic referrals for business and contract litigation. Sam has practiced before all levels of Ohio courts, including successful arguments before the Ohio Supreme Court. He also has extensive experience in federal practice, particularly including practice before the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, along with pro hac vice admissions in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama and U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

Lee C. Falke stepped down as Prosecuting Attorney of Montgomery County, Ohio, to engage in the private practice of law. Lee served a record 28 years as Montgomery County Prosecutor, earning a national reputation as an innovator and consistently having the best record of successful prosecutions in Ohio’s largest counties.