A Principled Practitioner
Accountability isn’t just one of John Zeiger’s favorite words – it’s a principle he practices every day. The 1972 Ohio State Law graduate feels a deep sense of responsibility to everyone he serves, from his clients to the greater community. His career journey demonstrates the power of connections and the value of hard work.
Valuable learning experiences
As a high school student, Zeiger participated in debate club and felt like law would be a good fit with his interests and skills. After completing an undergraduate degree in business at Ohio State, he began law school. Zeiger enjoyed learning how to think like a lawyer through hands-on experiences.
“Professor Larry Herman ran the moot court program, and he grilled me for 45 minutes in the tryouts for the national team,” he remembered. “Everybody else was only grilled for 15. I thought, well, there is no way I'm going to make it after that. Fortunately, he was testing me. I passed and was part of the national moot court team, which was an amazing experience.”
Another professor who had a profound impact on Zeiger’s education was Alan Schwartz. Because of Schwartz’s style of teaching, Zeiger learned important lawyering skills he still uses to this day.
“There were probably 60 students in our class, but for some reason he called on me every day,” Zeiger recalled. “It became a bit of a game between him and I to see if I could possibly be prepared to answer his questions. I wasn't going to be embarrassed in front of the class, so I learned the importance of being prepared and how to think on my feet.”
Developing as a professional
Zeiger began his career in law after graduation, focusing mostly on corporate litigation. He practiced in a large, international firm, then started his own boutique litigation firm, Zeiger, Tigges & Little LLP. The relationships he built with clients shaped his own career path along the way, including one with John F. Wolfe, the former publisher of The Columbus Dispatch.
“I had the privilege of being his lawyer for 35 years,” said Zeiger. “John was involved in many of the good things that happened in the Columbus community - a lot of what is here today is the result of his efforts. I got to be along for the ride, so to speak.”
Because of the opportunity to work with Wolfe, Zeiger represented many community leaders and had a role in key initiatives that revitalized Columbus. Examples include bringing the Blue Jackets to Columbus, which was the foundation of the vibrant Arena District, and the creation of the six-acre John F. Wolfe Park with its associated redevelopment of four city blocks in the heart of Downtown.
“It was unique to be able to have those kinds of experiences. They all arose because of John Wolfe and, frankly, his confidence in me,” he said.
Zeiger’s dedication to his clients and hard work has earned him well-deserved recognition. For more than 30 years, he has been included on the prominent list of The Best Lawyers in America, which highlights the top 5 percent of practicing attorneys in the nation. Since 2004, Super Lawyers Magazine has regularly recognized him as one of the Top 100 Super Lawyers in Ohio. However, Zeiger considers the reputation of his boutique firm to be his greatest professional success.
“We've been accepted in the community as the right people to call upon when confronted with difficult legal problems, and I'm most proud of the people who have chosen to be my partners,” he said. “Somebody once said we're “old school,” which I take as a supreme compliment. We work hard, and we are very committed to our clients.”
Relationships rooted in trust
Zeiger continues to serve clients at Zeiger, Tigges & Little LLP. As Chair of The Ohio State University Board of Trustees, he also works to build trusting relationships with the campus community. The strong principles that have guided his legal career apply in his role as a trustee, too.
“I feel the Board has a high degree of accountability for the entire campus and its constituencies,” he said. “The professors need to be accountable to the students. The administration needs to be accountable to the professors and the students. We all need to act in a way that advances the entire university.”
Because he has seen the impact in his own career, Zeiger advises young lawyers to really value the relationships they make with their clients.
“In my mind, the satisfaction of being a lawyer is being a counselor and being an advisor,” he said. “Building individual relationships is the key to professional satisfaction, and you find it by working with people that you like and trust. And you shouldn't sugarcoat your relationship with your client - they deserve complete information and honesty, and they will respect you for it.”
Zeiger’s principled approach to his work cultivates trust and fosters meaningful, enduring connections. His values-driven efforts have certainly made an impact on the university and the Columbus community.