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.
HONESTY
AUTHENTICITY
STRENGTH
HONESTY
AUTHENTICITY
STRENGTH
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.
INTEGRITY
ADVOCACY
CLASS
INTEGRITY
ADVOCACY
CLASS
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.
INSIGHTFUL
SAVVY
EXPERIENCED
INSIGHTFUL
SAVVY
EXPERIENCED
HONESTY
AUTHENTICITY
STRENGTH
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.
INTEGRITY
ADVOCACY
CLASS
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.
INSIGHTFUL
SAVVY
EXPERIENCED
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.
MEET THE TEAM
“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…
“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…
“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…
“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…
“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…
"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…
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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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
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…
"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…
"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…
"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…
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” – Theodore Roosevelt
Haley M. Walker, Attorney
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“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” – Theodore Roosevelt
Haley M. Walker, Attorney
I am a business and insurance lawyer with an emphasis on employment matters and collection actions. I represent businesses and employers in complex business disputes. I have experience representing national insurance carriers in coverage and liability cases. In addition, I have briefed and argued cases before state appellate courts and the Ohio Supreme Court.… read more…
Haley M. Walker, Attorney
I am a business and insurance lawyer with an emphasis on employment matters and collection actions. I represent businesses and employers in complex business disputes. I have experience representing national insurance carriers in coverage and liability cases. In addition, I have briefed and argued cases before state appellate courts and the Ohio Supreme Court.… read more…
INSIDER INSIGHTS
Construction projects rarely proceed exactly as planned. Designs change,… read more…
Posted on October 6, 2026
Effective September 17, 2026, Ohio Senate Bill (“S.B. 262”) establishes new requirements for identifying… read more…
Posted on September 23, 2026
Harpst Becker is pleased to congratulate five of its attorneys recognized in… read more…
Posted on September 7, 2026
Harpst Becker is pleased to announce that six of its attorneys have been recognized… read more…
Posted on September 4, 2026
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
LATEST NEWS & EVENTS
Construction Change Orders: What Owners and Contractors Need to Know
Oct 6, 2026
Construction projects rarely proceed exactly as planned. Designs change, site conditions differ from expectations, materials become unavailable, and owners may decide to expand or modify the original scope of work. A change order provides a formal mechanism for...
