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Harpst Becker thrives on establishing strong relationships with our clients, ones that foster trust and inspire confidence. By providing thoughtful analysis paired with savvy legal insights, Harpst Becker puts our clients in position to experience a successful outcome. Our goal is to make sure you are comfortable with your legal options and, ultimately, with the decisions you make that impact your business.

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A full-service business law firm, Harpst Becker provides legal representation and counseling in all the areas that are critical to your business and your success. We serve the construction, insurance, nutraceutical, trucking, commercial credit and manufacturing industries, among other businesses. What’s more, our goal is to do more than simply serve as legal representatives — we want to be your advocate in all your legal matters.

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The team at Harpst Becker is made up of experienced lawyers who are deeply invested in your business and the industries you serve. From human resources roles to in-house legal counsel, our lawyers have been in similar positions to the ones our clients currently hold. That’s how we are able to provide honest and principled legal solutions for you — and our team will always provide our services with professionalism.

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MEET THE TEAM

Todd A. Harpst

“If you can’t make them see the light, make them feel the heat” —Ronald Reagan

Todd A. Harpst, Managing Member
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“If you can’t make them see the light, make them feel the heat” —Ronald Reagan

Todd A. Harpst, Managing Member
I am a business lawyer with 20 years of experience representing clients involved in the construction industry. In fact, I am one of the few attorneys in the Akron-area who has devoted an entire career to serving the legal needs of clients in the construction industry and, as the managing member of Harpst Becker, I have deep insight into the business side of legal engagements. I am passionate about my advocacy within the construction… read more…

Todd A. Harpst, Managing Member

I am a business lawyer with 20 years of experience representing clients involved in the construction industry. In fact, I am one of the few attorneys in the Akron-area who has devoted an entire career to serving the legal needs of clients in the construction industry and, as the managing member of Harpst Becker, I have deep insight into the business side of legal engagements. I am passionate about my advocacy within the construction… read more…

John W. Becker

“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” — Albert Einstein

John W. Becker, Member
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“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” — Albert Einstein

John W. Becker, Member
I am a business and insurance lawyer with 24 years of experience in litigation. Prior to joining Harpst Becker LLC, I was a partner with a large law firm where I spent 12 years as a member of the business litigation group and frequently worked with both the real estate and creditor’s rights practice groups. I also worked in a corporate legal department where I managed a nationwide litigation docket which included coordinating the defense of class action lawsuits.… read more…

John W. Becker, Member

I am a business and insurance lawyer with 24 years of experience in litigation. Prior to joining Harpst Becker LLC, I was a partner with a large law firm where I spent 12 years as a member of the business litigation group and frequently worked with both the real estate and creditor’s rights practice groups. I also worked in a corporate legal department where I managed a nationwide litigation docket which included coordinating the defense of class action lawsuits.… read more…

Joseph R. Spoonster

“Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.” —Alexander Graham Bell

Joseph R. Spoonster, Member
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“Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.” —Alexander Graham Bell

Joseph R. Spoonster, Member
I have represented construction industry clients my entire career, working with commercial and residential owners, general contractors, material suppliers and subcontractors to protect their legal interests in every possible way. In fact, I am as comfortable on a job site as I am in a courtroom. My legal, industry-based and practical experience has allowed me to secure and collect millions of dollars owed to my construction clients on projects they completed across Ohio… read more…

Joseph R. Spoonster, Member

I have represented construction industry clients my entire career, working with commercial and residential owners, general contractors, material suppliers and subcontractors to protect their legal interests in every possible way. In fact, I am as comfortable on a job site as I am in a courtroom. My legal, industry-based and practical experience has allowed me to secure and collect millions of dollars owed to my construction clients on projects they completed across Ohio… read more…

Monica L. Wallace

“Do the best you can in every task, no matter how unimportant it may seem at the time. No one learns more about a problem than the person at the bottom.” —Sandra Day O'Connor

Monica L. Wallace, Member
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“Do the best you can in every task, no matter how unimportant it may seem at the time. No one learns more about a problem than the person at the bottom.” —Sandra Day O'Connor

Monica L. Wallace, Member
I am a business lawyer who provides proactive legal advice to businesses and their leaders in corporate and business services, commercial transactions, HR/employment practices, and regulatory compliance. I work with businesses in every stage of the lifecycle from start-ups to mature, established companies. I have spent a significant portion of my career working in-house as an attorney and in management roles, and also managing my own law firm… read more…

Monica L. Wallace, Member

I am a business lawyer who provides proactive legal advice to businesses and their leaders in corporate and business services, commercial transactions, HR/employment practices, and regulatory compliance. I work with businesses in every stage of the lifecycle from start-ups to mature, established companies. I have spent a significant portion of my career working in-house as an attorney and in management roles, and also managing my own law firm… read more…

Nicholas J. Horrigan

“The only thing even in this world is the number of hours in a day. The difference in winning or losing is what you do with those hours.” —Woody Hayes

Nicholas J. Horrigan, Member
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“The only thing even in this world is the number of hours in a day. The difference in winning or losing is what you do with those hours.” —Woody Hayes

Nicholas J. Horrigan, Member
I am a commercial lawyer with an emphasis on construction disputes and collection actions for those who extend credit to contractors and developers. I manage the firm’s commercial collections practice, and each year we collect millions of dollars owed to our construction industry and other business clients. I have the specialized knowledge and in-depth experience necessary to effectively represent members of the construction industry through my involvement… read more…

Nicholas J. Horrigan, Member

I am a commercial lawyer with an emphasis on construction disputes and collection actions for those who extend credit to contractors and developers. I manage the firm’s commercial collections practice, and each year we collect millions of dollars owed to our construction industry and other business clients. I have the specialized knowledge and in-depth experience necessary to effectively represent members of the construction industry through my involvement… read more…

Christine M. Garritano

"Never interrupt someone doing what you said couldn't be done." —Amelia Earhart

Christine M. Garritano, Member
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"Never interrupt someone doing what you said couldn't be done." —Amelia Earhart

Christine M. Garritano, Member
I am a business and commercial litigator with significant experience representing large and small companies, as well as individuals, in a wide range of complex business disputes. I regularly provide counsel for clients in these cases on electronic discovery issues that are prevalent in complex litigation. My experience also includes all aspects of construction litigation, including defect and contract claims, where I have experience representing owners… read more…

Christine M. Garritano, Member

I am a business and commercial litigator with significant experience representing large and small companies, as well as individuals, in a wide range of complex business disputes. I regularly provide counsel for clients in these cases on electronic discovery issues that are prevalent in complex litigation. My experience also includes all aspects of construction litigation, including defect and contract claims, where I have experience representing owners… read more…

John A. Murphy, Jr.

I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle – victorious. –Vince Lombardi

John A. Murphy, Jr., Attorney
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John A. Murphy, Jr., Attorney
I am a trial lawyer with over 40 years of experience representing all manners of real estate, with a focus in construction, professional liability defense, including Realtor® errors and omissions, and insurance defense. Over the past four decades, I have been called upon to represent innumerable corporate interests and have litigated over 150 jury trials to verdict with a success rate of over 99%. I have been included in the 2022 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® for Insurance Law and Insurance Litigation and am among the 5% of lawyers to have been selected for inclusion on the Ohio Super Lawyers list in the field of general litigation – a designation I have been fortunate enough to experience 12 times. … read more…

John A. Murphy, Jr., Attorney

I am a trial lawyer with over 40 years of experience representing all manners of real estate, with a focus in construction, professional liability defense, including Realtor® errors and omissions, and insurance defense. Over the past four decades, I have been called upon to represent innumerable corporate interests and have litigated over 150 jury trials to verdict with a success rate of over 99%. I have been included in the 2022 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® for Insurance Law and Insurance Litigation and am among the 5% of lawyers to have been selected for inclusion on the Ohio Super Lawyers list in the field of general litigation – a designation I have been fortunate enough to experience 12 times. … read more…

Mate Rimac

"Bez Muke Nema Nauke." - Nothing can be achieved without effort, suffering, or hardship. — Croatian Proverb

Mate Rimac, Attorney
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"Bez Muke Nema Nauke." - Nothing can be achieved without effort, suffering, or hardship. — Croatian Proverb

Mate Rimac, Attorney
I am an attorney who focuses on representing clients in workers’ compensation cases. From appearing in front of the Ohio Industrial Commission to representing businesses in Court, I’m just as comfortable helping my clients on the administrative side as I am in the courtroom. I deal with all aspects of workers’ compensation claims ranging from initial claim allowance through VSSRs and permanent total disability. In my career, I have represented both claimants who are injured and employers, giving me an all-encompassing understanding on how to handle the claims. I was selected to the Rising Stars list (2017-2020) by the research team at Super Lawyers and had the honor of being a featured speaker at Gilbride and Company for their continuing legal education seminar.… read more…

Mate Rimac, Attorney

I am an attorney who focuses on representing clients in workers’ compensation cases. From appearing in front of the Ohio Industrial Commission to representing businesses in Court, I’m just as comfortable helping my clients on the administrative side as I am in the courtroom. I deal with all aspects of workers’ compensation claims ranging from initial claim allowance through VSSRs and permanent total disability. In my career, I have represented both claimants who are injured and employers, giving me an all-encompassing understanding on how to handle the claims. I was selected to the Rising Stars list (2017-2020) by the research team at Super Lawyers and had the honor of being a featured speaker at Gilbride and Company for their continuing legal education seminar.… read more…

Erika R. Finley

"Diligence is the mother of good luck." — Benjamin Franklin

Erika R. Finley, Attorney
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"Diligence is the mother of good luck." — Benjamin Franklin

Erika R. Finley, Attorney
I am a business lawyer with significant experience representing clients in real estate and commercial transactions. I assist businesses with all aspects of commercial real estate matters including the acquisition, disposition, and development of property. I continue to work closely with my clients through every stage of the transaction from negotiating and drafting a purchase agreement, due diligence, and finally to a successful closing. My practice also includes counseling large and small companies in all areas of entity formation, day-to-day operations, and reorganization. I regularly draft non-disclosures, consulting, shareholder/close corporation, limited liability, and other agreements and negotiate and document the sale and purchase of businesses.… read more…

Erika R. Finley, Attorney

I am a business lawyer with significant experience representing clients in real estate and commercial transactions. I assist businesses with all aspects of commercial real estate matters including the acquisition, disposition, and development of property. I continue to work closely with my clients through every stage of the transaction from negotiating and drafting a purchase agreement, due diligence, and finally to a successful closing. My practice also includes counseling large and small companies in all areas of entity formation, day-to-day operations, and reorganization. I regularly draft non-disclosures, consulting, shareholder/close corporation, limited liability, and other agreements and negotiate and document the sale and purchase of businesses.… read more…

Delaney G. Lantz

"What we do now echoes in eternity." — Marcus Aurelius

Delaney G. Lantz, Attorney
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"What we do now echoes in eternity." — Marcus Aurelius

Delaney G. Lantz, Attorney
I am an attorney with experience representing clients in real estate transactions and litigation. I assist clients with the acquisition and disposition of real property from negotiation of the purchase agreement through a successful closing on the real property. My practice also includes counseling businesses with the management of commercial properties, negotiation of lease agreements with residents, and litigation of disputes related to real property. Additionally, I have experience with ensuring the protection of my clients’ intellectual property rights under federal trademark and copyright laws.… read more…

Delaney G. Lantz, Attorney

I am an attorney with experience representing clients in real estate transactions and litigation. I assist clients with the acquisition and disposition of real property from negotiation of the purchase agreement through a successful closing on the real property. My practice also includes counseling businesses with the management of commercial properties, negotiation of lease agreements with residents, and litigation of disputes related to real property. Additionally, I have experience with ensuring the protection of my clients’ intellectual property rights under federal trademark and copyright laws.… read more…

MEET THE TEAM

INSIDER INSIGHTS

Anti-SLAPP Legislation Comes to Ohio

Effective April 9, 2025, Ohio has enacted its first Anti-SLAPP statute, codified at R.C. 2747.01 to 2747.06.… read more…

Posted on June 25, 2025

Appellate Court Ruling Protects Commercial Property Owners from Government Overreach in Eminent Domain Cases

Harpst Becker Member, Joseph Spoonster, recently argued and won an important decision benefiting… read more…

Posted on January 6, 2025

LEGAL UPDATE – Corporate Transparency Act BOI Report Whiplash – Report Deadlines are Suspended Again

Corporate Transparency Act BOI Report Whiplash – Report Deadlines are Suspended AgainWe… read more…

Posted on December 30, 2024

LEGAL UPDATE – U.S. Appeals Court Lifts Nationwide Injunction – BOI Reports Now Due By January 13th

U.S. Appeals Court Lifts Nationwide Injunction – BOI Reports Now Due By January 13^thWe… read more…

Posted on December 26, 2024

LEGAL UPDATE – BOI Reporting Rule is on Ice After Federal Court’s Nationwide Injunction

BOI Reporting Rule is on Ice After Federal Court’s Nationwide InjunctionOn… read more…

Posted on December 6, 2024

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LATEST NEWS & EVENTS

Anti-SLAPP Legislation Comes to Ohio

Jun 25, 2025

Effective April 9, 2025, Ohio has enacted its first Anti-SLAPP statute, codified at R.C. 2747.01 to 2747.06. “SLAPP” stands for Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation. These types of claims are often filed by individuals, businesses, or organizations in...

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HONESTYAUTHENTICITYSTRENGTH

INTEGRITYADVOCACYCLASS

INSIGHTFULSAVVYEXPERIENCED

MEET THE TEAM

INSIDER INSIGHTS

LATEST NEWS & EVENTS

Anti-SLAPP Legislation Comes to Ohio

HONESTY
AUTHENTICITY
STRENGTH

INTEGRITY
ADVOCACY
CLASS

INSIGHTFUL
SAVVY
EXPERIENCED