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Ohio State University, B.A. 2005
Regent University School of Law
J.D. 2008
Licensed Jurisdiction: Ohio
DEREK DEBROSSE
PARTNER
For over a decade, Derek DeBrosse has advised individual, corporate, and grass-roots organizational firearm clients in regulatory, trial and appellate matters throughout the United States. His main focus areas as a lawyer include gun rights restoration and protecting 2nd amendment rights.
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Derek’s love of firearms and desire to represent the firearms industry as a lawyer stems from a childhood of being outside almost every day. His upbringing is what led him to join the United States Army National Guard where he served a combat tour of duty with the 1487th Transportation Company in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Derek has received various military accolades, including the Combat Action Badge, Army Commendation Medal and Iraq Campaign Medal. Derek brings his military attitude and training to the practice of gun law, ensuring his clients have the best possible representation in an industry that requires attention to detail.
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Derek is licensed to practice in all Ohio State and Federal Courts, the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals, U.S. Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals, U.S. Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals, U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.
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Derek has been asked to present on several occasions at the NRA Annual Meeting Firearms Law Seminar. He is an NRA Benefactor Life Member, NRA Golden Eagle Member, NRA and USCCA Firearms Instructor, GLOCK Advanced Armorer, Smith & Wesson M&P Armorer, O.P.O.T.A. Duty Knife Instructor, Defensive Edge Certified Armorer in Precision Rifle/AR15/M4/M16/LEO Shotgun, and contributes to various other pro Second Amendment organizations. Derek also serves on the Advisory Board for the United States Concealed Carry Association, as General Counsel of Ohioans for Concealed Carry, Special Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for the Village of Hartford, Ohio, and as an Adjunct Professor at Capital University.
In his free time Derek enjoys tactical firearms training, backpacking, scuba diving, white water rafting and anything outdoors.
Louisiana State University, B.G.S. 1997
University of Georgia School of Law, J.D. 2001
Licensed Jurisdiction: Georgia & Kentucky
J. CLAYTON CHESHIRE
PARTNER
Clay Cheshire advises firearms, ammunition, and explosives companies in regulatory and corporate matters throughout the United States and internationally. Having advised clients in this space for almost twenty years, Clay has become a trusted resource in navigating complex and high-exposure/high-risk regulatory and transactional matters. And, with his background defending firearms manufacturers and retailers as trial counsel in product liability, public nuisance, and negligence suits, he also plays an integral role in MLG’s litigation practice, particularly regarding strategy.
Clay is known by clients and colleagues for his distinctly “Southern” style: A considerate, courteous disposition combined with a pragmatic and “no-nonsense, results-oriented” approach. Whether he is working with clients to structure a regulated business or corporate transaction, or advising them in a high-stakes regulatory matter, his focus always remains on identifying the best solutions and finding a practical and cost-effective way to achieve them. Clay has close relationships with a cadre of expert consultants who can advise clients (and him) on the most highly technical issues affecting MLG’s clients.
Prior to launching his own practice in 2010, Clay practiced for a decade at some of the larger law firms in the Southeast, representing firearms businesses, large and small, some nationally.
Clay’s inspiration is his family. His favorite thing in the world is being with his five year-old and one year-old daughters. Everything else pales in comparison.
Clay has a law degree from the University of Georgia, and an undergraduate degree from LSU.
Miami University, B.A. 2010 Ohio State University, J.D. 2014
Licensed Jurisdiction: Ohio
MICHAEL TRUMAN
OF COUNSEL
Michael Truman serves as of counsel to Cheshire DeBrosse, P.C. in all aspects of the law firm’s practice. Michael is a strong believer in second amendment rights. He was introduced to guns and firearms at a young age by his dad and grandpa and has carried that passion into his adult life. He enjoys going to the range and trap shooting. He is also an active NRA Member.
Michael was born and raised in Dayton Ohio. He graduated from Archbishop Alter High School and attended Miami University to obtain his undergraduate degree in accounting, 2010 cum laude. After graduation he enrolled at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. In law school Michael served as a staff editor on the Ohio State Journal on Dispute Resolution and was an active member of the Business Law Society. He also served as a research assistant to Professor Edward Foley and as a law clerk at the firm of Farlow & Associates. Michael earned his Juris Doctor in 2014 and began his career as an associate attorney in 2015.
Kent State University B.A., 2003 Capital University Law School, J.D. 2006
Licensed Jurisdiction: Ohio
ADAM BARNEY
OF COUNSEL
Adam Barney was born and raised in Findlay, Ohio. After high school, Adam graduated Cum Laude from Kent State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. In 2006, Adam received his Juris Doctor from Capital University Law School. During Law School, Adam had the privilege to serve as a judicial extern for the Honorable Judge James L. Graham, a senior judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.
After law school Adam’s legal practice expanded into a variety of areas giving him a wealth of knowledge and experience across the legal spectrum. Today Adam focuses a large part of his practice on export control matters for the firearms and defense articles industries. Particularly Adam handles matters involving the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (“ITAR”), Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”), and U.S. Munitions List. Adam represents clients in commodity jurisdiction determinations and appeals, legal opinions regarding ITAR and EAR, and a variety of other matters regarding export controls.
In his free time, Adam enjoys target shooting, traveling, attending Ohio State Buckeyes and Columbus Blue Jackets games, attending concerts, and is an avid movie buff.
University of Kentucky, B.A., 1997
St. Louis University School of Law, J.D. 2000
RANNEY W. CHESHIRE
OF COUNSEL
Ranney Cheshire has worked with two of the largest law firms in the United States. She has represented private and public companies in a broad range of corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, securities, and regulatory compliance. Ranney brings a level of sophistication to the firm that comes from working with “big firm lawyers” and “big firm clients”.
She has a law degree from St. Louis University School of Law, and an undergraduate degree from the University of Kentucky. In her free time, Ranney enjoys spending time with her two daughters, running, working out and playing tennis. Her husband would also describe her as having “highly developed shopping skills.”
Licensed Jurisdiction: Georgia & Kentucky
University of KY, B.S. 1996
University of Louisville, Brandeis School of Law, J.D. 2001
Licensed Jurisdiction: Kentucky, United States Patent and Trademark Office
JAMES E. COLE
SPECIAL COUNSEL
James E. Cole is Special Counsel for Intellectual Property at Munitions Law Group and a registered patent attorney, as well as a Director with Middleton Reutlinger, P.S.C. He is licensed to practice in Kentucky and before the United State Patent and Trademark Office, and concentrates his practice in the area of intellectual property, with more specific focus in patent prosecution. Mr. Cole’s background in mechanical engineering enables him to handle a wide range of technologies including firearm and ammunition inventions, less lethal weapons, and other U.S. Munitions List articles. Patent prosecution experience includes various industries including recreational vehicle and marine equipment, automotive parts, bedding, aircraft turbine engines, air filtration, lighting, industrial shredding and separating equipment, land clearing machinery, railroad industry equipment, sporting devices, acoustic materials, printing and peripherals. His legal services include patent application preparation, prosecution and opinion work as well as licensing. Mr. Cole also provides guidance on a variety of trademark issues.
He enjoys working closely with corporate counsel, engineers and independent inventors during both the filing and prosecution of patent applications as well as advising on infringement or design-around strategies. Mr. Cole also enjoys golf, shooting, and cycling.
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HONORS & AWARDS
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- Managing Intellectual Property, IP Stars, 2016 – 2020
- Best Lawyers in America®, Patent Law, 2018 – 2020
- Leadership Louisville, 2018
- Louisville Bar Association Leadership Academy, Class of 2011
Firm attorneys are only admitted to practice state and local law in the following jurisdictions: Ohio, Georgia, and Kentucky. For matters outside these jurisdictions, the Firm is only providing advice regarding Federal law. Local counsel may be utilized in conjunction with firm services. Please note that our attorneys maintain additional law practices, in addition to Cheshire DeBrosse, P.C.
DISCLAIMER
The information contained throughout this web site is not legal advice and should not be construed as legal advice. In addition to Cheshire DeBrosse, P.C. the principal attorneys maintain additional separate law practices. All services provided hereunder are with Cheshire DeBrosse, P.C.
