10 Best Drug Crime Lawyers in Cincinnati, OH

This guide covers 10 criminal defense law firms that handle drug crime charges for clients in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the surrounding communities. The firms were evaluated based on their attorneys’ professional backgrounds, including former prosecution and public defender experience; their focus on drug crime defense compared with general criminal practice; the types of drug offenses they handle, such as possession, trafficking, distribution, and federal drug charges; and their courtroom experience in state and federal cases. Firms based in Cincinnati and nearby Southwest Ohio communities are included because drug crime cases may involve different courts and jurisdictions across the region.

When comparing drug crime lawyers, three questions matter most. Does the attorney regularly defend drug possession, trafficking, and distribution charges in Hamilton County courts? Does the firm handle serious felony and federal drug cases, including allegations involving controlled substances, prescription medications, and drug conspiracies? And will the attorney examine the evidence behind the charge, including searches, seizures, traffic stops, informants, and alleged possession or intent to distribute? This list is not ranked, and no firm paid to be included. The profiles are based on information available from firm websites, attorney biographies, legal directories, and Google Business listings.

1. Blackney Law

• Attorney: Kara Costner Blackney, Founder and Owner
• Headquarters: 35 East 7th Street, Suite 201, Cincinnati, OH 45202
• Phone: (513) 381-8115
• Website: blackneylaw.com
• Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Sex Crimes, Drug Crimes, Violent Crimes, Domestic Violence, Gun Crimes and Weapon Offenses, OVI/DUI, Federal Crimes, Theft Crimes, White-Collar Crimes, Property Crimes, Criminal Appeals. Attorney profiles also list Juvenile Law, Expungement, and Traffic Offenses.
• Firm Size: Boutique criminal defense practice led by founder and attorney Kara Costner Blackney. The website identifies her as the firm’s attorney; it does not publish a larger attorney roster.
• Practice Area Pages: Criminal Defense, Sex Crimes, Drug Crimes, Federal Crimes, Gun Crimes, OVI
• Social Profiles: LinkedIn – Kara Blackney

About the Firm: Kara Costner Blackney has been licensed to practice law in Ohio since 2010 and earned her J.D. from the University of Dayton School of Law in the same year. During law school, she participated in the Juvenile Law Clinic, representing juveniles facing delinquency charges in Montgomery Juvenile Court under attorney supervision. After graduating, she worked with the Montgomery County Juvenile Court, advocating for children in dependency and delinquency cases and training volunteers who supported children in court.

In October 2014, she joined the Hamilton County Public Defender’s Office, where she spent five years in its Guardian ad Litem division. The firm reports that she maintained an undefeated record in cases before the First District Court of Appeals during that work. In 2019, she moved to the public defender’s municipal division, representing people accused of criminal offenses and trying cases before judges and juries. She later joined the Law Office of Arenstein and Gallagher in May 2021 before establishing Blackney Law, LLC on July 1, 2024.

2. Joslyn Law Firm

• Attorney: Brian D. Joslyn, Principal Attorney and Managing Lawyer
• Headquarters: 501 S. High St., Columbus, OH 43215. The firm lists its Cincinnati office at 1117 Broadway St., Cincinnati, OH 45202.
• Phone: (513) 399-6289 (Cincinnati office)
• Website: criminalattorneycincinnati.com
• Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, OVI/DUI, Sex Offenses, Drug Crimes, Federal Crimes, Domestic Violence, Violent Crimes, Firearm and Weapons Charges, Financial Crimes, Theft, Property Crimes, Marijuana Offenses, Traffic Offenses, Criminal Appeals, Probation and Parole Violations, Asset Forfeiture, Warrants, and Record Sealing or Expungement.
• Firm Size: Multi-attorney criminal defense firm with a broader team of attorneys and support staff. The website identifies Brian Joslyn as Principal Attorney and lists Ryan Shafer as Lead Attorney, along with additional attorneys and staff.
• Practice Area Pages: Cincinnati Criminal Defense, OVI/DUI Defense, Sex Offenses, Drug Charges, Federal Crimes, Domestic Violence, Firearm and Weapon Charges, Criminal Appeals, Record Sealing or Expungement.

About the Firm: Brian D. Joslyn founded Joslyn Law Firm in 2011 and serves as its Principal Attorney and Managing Lawyer. The firm’s Cincinnati website identifies him as one of the attorneys leading its criminal defense practice. His professional recognition includes an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, recognition by Columbus CEO Magazine, selection as a Super Lawyers Rising Star, and inclusion among the National Trial Lawyers’ Top 100 Trial Lawyers. The firm also reports that Brian and his team have handled more than 20,000 cases.

Brian’s decision to pursue criminal defense was influenced by his own experience with the criminal justice system. While attending Ohio State University, he was injured during an encounter with police, arrested, and charged with several offenses. He was ultimately acquitted of all charges at trial. Following the case, he worked in a law office for five years before earning his law degree and dedicating his career to defending people accused of crimes. The firm’s profile describes this experience as a major influence on his commitment to protecting clients’ rights and challenging alleged misconduct by law enforcement.

3. Bleile & Dawson

• Attorney: Adam Boyd Bleile, Founding Attorney; Ashley Witte Dawson, Managing Partner. Other attorneys listed by the firm include Chelsea J. Panzeca and Kate S. Homan.
• Headquarters: 810 Sycamore Street, Floor 5, Cincinnati, OH 45202
• Phone: (513) 399-5945
• Website: bleileanddawson.com
• Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Sex Crimes, Rape, Domestic Violence, Drug Crimes, Federal Crimes, OVI/DUI, Theft Crimes, Traffic Offenses, Title IX Defense, Criminal Appeals, and Pre-Arrest Representation.
• Firm Size: Multi-attorney criminal defense practice with four attorneys featured on its team page.
• Practice Area Pages: Cincinnati Criminal Defense, Sex Crimes, Domestic Violence, Drug Crimes, Federal Crimes, OVI/DUI, Title IX Defense, Criminal Appeals.

About the Firm: Adam Boyd Bleile founded Bleile & Dawson with a focus on defending individuals accused of criminal offenses. A Cincinnati native, Adam served in the U.S. Army Infantry in Europe and was recalled for service during the Persian Gulf War. He later earned an undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati, graduating first in his class. Before establishing the firm, he worked in litigation at Dinsmore & Shohl from 1997 to 2001. His primary legal focus includes sex crime defense, and his professional memberships include the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, Cincinnati Bar Association, Kentucky Bar Association, and Indiana State Bar Association.

Ashley Witte Dawson serves as the firm’s Managing Partner. A Northern Kentucky native, she studied Criminology at Morehead State University before earning her law degree from Salmon P. Chase College of Law. She partnered with Adam Bleile to focus on criminal defense. Her firm biography describes an early sex crime case in which she independently investigated the allegations, uncovered a recantation by the accuser, and obtained a dismissal. The firm highlights her negotiation skills, investigation work, and commitment to defending clients facing serious accusations.

4. Arenstein & Gallagher

• Attorney: Hal R. Arenstein and William R. Gallagher, Founding Attorneys; Elizabeth Conkin, Of Counsel.
• Headquarters: 2115 Luray Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45206
• Phone: (513) 651-5666
• Website: arensteinlaw.com
• Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Federal Criminal Defense, Drug Crimes, Federal Drug Offenses, Sex Crimes, Internet Crimes, White-Collar and Financial Crimes, OVI/DUI, Felony and Misdemeanor Charges, Juvenile Crimes, Theft Crimes, Weapons Offenses, Probation Violations, Habeas Corpus, Post-Conviction Matters, Criminal Appeals, and Expungement.
• Firm Size: Boutique criminal defense practice. The firm’s website identifies two principal attorneys and one Of Counsel attorney. LinkedIn lists a company size of 2–10 employees.
• Social Profiles: LinkedIn

About the Firm: Hal R. Arenstein graduated from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in 1979 and has focused his practice on criminal defense in state and federal courts. He has served as president of the Greater Cincinnati Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and held leadership positions with the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL). He has also lectured on criminal trial practice, federal sentencing guidelines, drug prosecutions, forensic evidence, and related subjects. His professional recognition includes the Outstanding Service Award from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio and the Jim Looker Award from the Greater Cincinnati Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.

William R. Gallagher graduated cum laude from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 1987. Before moving to Cincinnati in 1994, he worked as a trial attorney in the Lake County and Cook County Public Defender Offices in Illinois. His practice has focused on state and federal criminal defense. He has tried 13 capital murder cases across three states, with none of his clients receiving the death penalty. Gallagher is a past president of the Greater Cincinnati Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, a founding member of the Ohio Innocence Project, and an adjunct faculty member at the University of Cincinnati College of Law. In 2011, he received the Robert Heeney Memorial Award from NACDL for outstanding contributions to the legal profession.

5. Byan Perkins, Attorney at Law

• Attorney: Bryan R. Perkins, Criminal Defense Attorney
• Headquarters: 810 Sycamore Street, 6th Floor, Cincinnati, OH 45202
• Phone: (513) 632-5335
• Website: cincycriminaldefense.com
• Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Felonies and Misdemeanors, Murder and Aggravated Murder, Assault, Drug Crimes, Gun Charges, Sex Offenses, State and Federal Crimes, Fraud, White-Collar Crimes, Theft, Robbery, Traffic Offenses, OVI/DUI, Criminal Trials and Appeals, and Post-Conviction Matters.
• Firm Size: Solo criminal defense practice led by Bryan Perkins. The website presents him as the attorney handling criminal cases and does not identify additional attorneys.

About the Firm: Bryan Perkins is a Cincinnati criminal defense attorney with more than 20 years of experience representing individuals accused of crimes. Before entering legal practice, he worked as a police officer and earned an Associate of Applied Science in Law Enforcement from Sinclair College. He later graduated from Wright State University with a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and earned his law degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Law. His background in law enforcement gives him experience with the investigative side of criminal cases, which he applies when examining evidence and challenging criminal allegations.

Perkins previously served as Senior Felony Trial Counsel at the Hamilton County Public Defender’s Office, where he represented individuals facing serious felony charges. He has also worked as an adjunct professor of criminal justice at the College of Mount St. Joseph. His professional admissions include all Ohio state courts, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court.

6. Byan Perkins, Attorney at Law

• Attorney: Steven R. Adams, Founder (deceased); Alex Deardorff and Tad Brittingham, Current Lead Attorneys. The firm’s attorney roster also includes Bill Cunningham and J.R. Bernans.
• Headquarters: 8 W. 9th Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202. The firm also maintains a West Chester office at 9624 Cincinnati Columbus Road, Suite 204, West Chester, OH 45241.
• Phone: (513) 929-9333
• Website: notguiltyadams.com
• Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DUI/OVI, Drug Possession and Trafficking, Domestic Violence, Sex Crimes, Internet Sex Crimes, Sexual Assault and Rape, Felonies and Misdemeanors, Violent Crimes, Assault, Theft, Weapons and Firearm Offenses, White-Collar Crimes, Fraud, Juvenile Defense, Probation Violations, Traffic Offenses, Record Sealing and Expungement, and Federal Criminal Defense.
• Firm Size: Multi-attorney criminal defense practice. The firm’s website identifies several attorneys, along with paralegal and support staff.

About the Firm: The Law Offices of Steven R. Adams was founded in 2000 by the late Steven R. Adams, a former Hamilton County prosecutor. Before establishing his criminal defense practice, Steven spent eight years working at the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office. His prosecution background gave him insight into how criminal cases are investigated and presented, which became a central part of the firm’s defense approach. He also completed National Highway Traffic Safety Administration student and instructor courses covering DUI detection, apprehension, and standardized field sobriety testing. The firm continues to operate under the name he established, carrying forward its criminal-defense-focused practice.

Following Steven Adams’s passing, the firm identifies Alex Deardorff and Tad Brittingham as its current lead attorneys. Alex handles criminal defense matters ranging from serious felony charges to domestic violence and drug offenses. The firm’s published case results include a not-guilty verdict she obtained in a domestic violence trial and a case involving a nine-count indictment in which eight counts were dismissed before she secured a not-guilty verdict on the remaining charge. Tad Brittingham also handles criminal and OVI defense cases and has obtained not-guilty verdicts in matters including OVI trials.

7. Moermond & Mulligan, LLC

• Attorney: L. Patrick Mulligan, Founder; Brad Moermond, Founder. Other attorneys listed on the firm’s current website include Lindsay Arway, Eric Buchakjian, Emily Smith, and Nick Surkala.
• Headquarters: The firm lists two offices:
  • Cincinnati: 615 Main Street, 3rd Floor, Cincinnati, OH 45202
  • Dayton: 28 N. Wilkinson Street, Dayton, OH 45402
• Phone: Cincinnati: (513) 296-5326; Dayton: (937) 228-9790
• Website: mmdefense.law
• Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, OVI/DUI, Drug Crimes, Drug Trafficking, Federal Crimes, Financial Crimes, Sex Crimes, Child Pornography, Rape, Sexual Battery, Gross Sexual Imposition, Violent Crimes, Assault and Battery, Domestic Violence, Murder, Manslaughter, Weapons and Firearms Charges, Juvenile Crimes, Theft Crimes, Traffic Offenses, Criminal Investigations, Probation Violations, and Expungement. The Dayton practice-area page also lists Family Law, including divorce, child custody, visitation, and spousal support.
• Firm Size: Multi-attorney criminal defense practice. The firm’s website features six attorneys. LinkedIn lists a company size of 2–10 employees.
• Social Profiles: LinkedIn

About the Firm: Moermond & Mulligan, LLC was established in 1994 and focuses on criminal defense in Ohio state and federal courts. Its two founding attorneys, L. Patrick Mulligan and Brad Moermond, bring different professional backgrounds to the practice, including prior prosecutorial experience. The firm reports more than 50 years of combined legal experience and thousands of cases handled throughout Ohio.

L. Patrick Mulligan has more than 35 years of legal experience and earned his J.D. from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1984. He began his career at the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office, where he handled more than 180 felony cases. In 1997, he became a Board-Certified Criminal Law Specialist through the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He is admitted to practice in Ohio, Kentucky, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court. His professional recognition includes Super Lawyers and the National Trial Lawyers’ Top 100 Trial Lawyers.

Brad Moermond is also a founding attorney and focuses on serious criminal charges, including violent felonies, sex offenses, murder, drug trafficking, and OVI cases. He earned his J.D. cum laude from the University of Akron School of Law, along with an MBA from the University of Akron and a bachelor’s degree cum laude from Kent State University. His professional associations include the Cincinnati Bar Association, Ohio State Bar Association, Kentucky Criminal Defense Bar Association, and National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He is admitted to practice in Ohio and Kentucky courts, as well as the U.S. District Courts for the Southern District of Ohio, Northern District of Ohio, and Eastern District of Kentucky.

8. Law Offices of Ravert J. Clark

• Attorney: Ravert J. “Jay” Clark, Founder and Principal Attorney
• Headquarters: 2115 Luray Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45206
• Phone: (513) 504-7173
• Website: jayclarklaw.com
• Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Federal Crimes, Drug Crimes, Sex Crimes, Internet Sex Crimes, White-Collar Crimes, Fraud, Embezzlement, Violent Crimes, Murder, Assault, Robbery, OVI/DUI, Juvenile Defense, Criminal Appeals, Habeas Corpus, and Post-Conviction Relief.
• Firm Size: Boutique, founder-led criminal defense practice. The website primarily presents Jay Clark as the attorney handling the firm’s criminal defense matters and does not publish a larger attorney roster.

About the Firm: Ravert J. “Jay” Clark is a Cincinnati criminal defense attorney who has represented people accused of crimes in state and federal courts for more than 30 years. Born and raised in Cincinnati, he earned a B.A. in Business Management and a B.S. in Economics from Clark University in 1985 before returning to his hometown to attend the University of Cincinnati College of Law. He received his J.D. in 1989. In 1996, he completed the Advanced Cross-Examination Program at the National Criminal Defense College in Macon, Georgia, as he began focusing exclusively on criminal defense.

Clark has extensive trial and appellate experience. According to the firm’s overview, he has handled hundreds of trials and more than 75 criminal appeals, including multiple appearances before the Ohio Supreme Court. His federal court experience includes habeas corpus proceedings and appeals before the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Sixth and Third Circuits. He is a lifetime member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) and served two terms on its board of directors from 2007 to 2013. He has also served as co-chair of NACDL’s Problem-Solving Court Task Force and Pretrial Justice Task Force, as well as president of the Greater Cincinnati Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. In 2005, he received the association’s Jim Looker President’s Award for Excellence in Criminal Representation.

9. Law Offices of Ravert J. Clark

• Attorney: Mark Wieczorek, Founder and Owner
• Headquarters: 3825 Edwards Road, Suite 103, Cincinnati, OH 45209
• Phone: (513) 317-5987
• Website: thewieczoreklawfirm.com
• Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Sex Crimes, Drug Crimes, OVI/DUI, Domestic Violence, Federal Criminal Defense, Firearm and Weapons Charges, White-Collar and Financial Crimes, Theft, Assault, Violent Crimes, Juvenile Crimes, Traffic Offenses, Marijuana Defense, Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, Probation Violations, Criminal Record Expungement, and Protection Order Violations.
• Firm Size: Boutique, founder-led criminal defense practice. The firm’s team page identifies Mark Wieczorek as its attorney and Robin Lawhead as its legal assistant.
• Social Profiles: Facebook, LinkedIn – Mark Wieczorek

About the Firm: Mark Wieczorek is a Cincinnati criminal defense attorney who returned to private practice in 2009 after serving as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Hamilton County. His prosecution experience exposed him to a wide range of criminal cases, including felonious assault, gross sexual imposition, rape, robbery, burglary, and OVI. Before attending law school, he earned his undergraduate degree cum laude from Wilmington College and worked as a firefighter with the Cincinnati Fire Department for 10 years. He later earned his Juris Doctor from Ohio Northern University.

Wieczorek’s professional background includes more than 175 trials in state and federal courts. The firm reports that he has represented more than 5,000 clients and appeared in more than 100 Ohio courts. His admissions include the Ohio state courts, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, and federal courts in Wisconsin and Nebraska. His defense approach emphasizes investigating the facts, examining the legality of police stops and searches, reviewing evidence, and identifying weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.

10. Rittgers Rittgers & Nakajima

• Key Attorneys: Charles H. Rittgers, Ellen B. Rittgers, Charles M. Rittgers, and Matt Nakajima
• Founded: 1991
• Headquarters: 12 East Warren Street, Lebanon, OH 45036
• Cincinnati Office: 3734 Eastern Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45226
• Phone: (513) 496-0134
• Cincinnati Office Phone: (513) 480-9886
• Website: https://www.rittgers.com/
• Firm Size: Multi-attorney law firm; the firm describes itself as a family-run practice and lists a substantial attorney team.

About the Firm: Rittgers Rittgers & Nakajima is a family-run law firm that was established in 1991 by Charles H. Rittgers, Ellen B. Rittgers, and their original partner, John Mengle. The firm has grown over more than three decades and now serves clients throughout Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky. Its practice focuses primarily on criminal defense and personal injury, with additional family law services. The firm maintains offices in Cincinnati, Lebanon, West Chester, Oxford, and Covington, Kentucky.

Charles H. Rittgers is a founding attorney with more than 45 years of legal experience. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Miami University in 1973, his J.D. from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1978, and a master’s degree from Xavier University in 1978. He previously worked in the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office before entering private practice. His legal work includes criminal defense, OVI, personal injury, and wrongful death cases. Charles is a past president of the Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Warren County Bar Association, and a founding member of the National College for DUI Defense. He has been selected for Ohio Super Lawyers every year since 2008 and is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. He has also appeared on national television programs discussing high-profile legal cases.

Summary

Facing a drug crime charge in Cincinnati can put your freedom, employment, reputation, and future opportunities at risk. Whether you are accused of drug possession, trafficking, distribution, manufacturing, or a federal drug offense, choosing an experienced criminal defense attorney is an important step. The 10 firms featured in this guide offer different backgrounds, legal experience, and approaches to criminal defense. Compare their drug crime practice areas, courtroom experience, attorney credentials, and familiarity with Hamilton County courts before deciding which lawyer to contact.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What types of drug charges can a drug crime lawyer handle in Cincinnati?

A Cincinnati drug crime lawyer can defend clients facing charges involving drug possession, trafficking, distribution, manufacturing, prescription drug offenses, marijuana offenses, and possession with intent to distribute. Attorneys may also handle federal drug charges and related conspiracy allegations.

2. Can I be charged with drug trafficking even if I did not sell drugs?

Yes. Drug trafficking charges do not always require proof of a completed sale. Depending on the circumstances and applicable law, prosecutors may rely on evidence of transportation, distribution, preparation for distribution, or possession with intent to distribute. A defense attorney can examine the evidence and challenge the allegations.

3. What should I do if I am arrested for a drug offense in Cincinnati?

Remain calm, avoid discussing the allegations with law enforcement without legal advice, and do not consent to searches without understanding your rights. Contact a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney can review the arrest, search, seizure, and evidence-gathering procedures.

4. Can a drug possession charge be dismissed in Ohio?

A drug possession charge may be dismissed when the prosecution cannot establish the required elements or when legal issues affect the admissibility of evidence. Potential defenses may involve unlawful searches, insufficient evidence, mistaken identity, or questions about whether the accused knowingly possessed the substance. The outcome depends on the facts and applicable law.

5. What is the difference between state and federal drug charges?

State drug charges are generally prosecuted under Ohio law, while federal drug charges are brought under federal law and handled in federal court. Federal cases may involve alleged activity across state lines, large-scale trafficking, drug conspiracies, or investigations involving federal agencies. A lawyer experienced in both systems can help explain the charges and potential consequences.

Disclaimer: This list is an editorial resource, not an official ranking or endorsement by a bar association, court, or government agency. The firms were selected based on publicly available information about their criminal defense practices, attorney backgrounds, drug crime experience, office locations, and other relevant details. No firm paid to be included. Information was gathered from law firm websites, attorney profiles, legal directories, and Google Business listings available at the time of research. Ratings, reviews, attorney rosters, practice areas, and contact details may change. Inclusion does not guarantee a particular legal outcome or establish that an attorney is certified as a specialist in drug crime defense. Readers should independently verify an attorney’s current license, credentials, experience, and suitability for their case. This guide is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship.