Team Profiles

Shamus B. Cassidy

Shamus B. Cassidy is an Associate Attorney at Kohler & Smith Co., LPA.  Shamus concentrates his practice in the areas of estate planning, disability/special needs planning, probate, elder law, taxation, asset protection, corporate, business, and real estate matters.  Concerning his business practice, Shamus represents small to medium-sized business entities and other organizations in a variety of industries and professions, including many family businesses, dental/medical practices, and franchises.  This work includes all business areas: formation, choice of entity, structure, management, acquisition, sale, merger/consolidation, taxation, franchise law (representing both Franchisees and Franchisors), intellectual property (including trademark/service mark and trade name filing), labor and employment, general business planning, and all transactional and litigation-related needs.  As a part of his general business practice, Shamus utilizes his estate and succession planning experience to meet his clients' business, retirement, and estate planning goals, seamlessly transitioning a business to the next generation of owners/operators.  Shamus received his law degree from Capital University Law School (J.D., magna cum laude) and his bachelor's degree from The Ohio State University (B.A., magna cum laude).

Shamus is a member of the Columbus and Ohio State Bar Associations.  He is married to Nicole Cassidy, who is a Certified Public Accountant practicing in Hilliard, Ohio.  They are active in St. Brendan the Navigator Church in Hilliard, Ohio, and they reside in Dublin, Ohio, where they raise their three children, Collin, Aiden, and Kayla.

Email: scassidy@kohlersmith.com


Gail E. DeDee

Gail E. DeDee is a Legal Secretary at Kohler & Smith Co., LPA.  Gail graduated from State University of New York at Fredonia with a degree in Music Education.  Gail has over ten years of legal secretarial experience.

Gail has traveled extensively and has lived in Chicago (IL), Rochester (NY), Honolulu (HI), Dallas (TX), and Nashville (TN).  Gail and her husband have two grown children and one grandchild.  An avid supporter of the performing arts, Gail also likes to travel, hike, and explore the Ohio State Parks. 

Email: gdedee@kohlersmith.com


Joseph E. Kohler

Joseph E. Kohler founded the firm in 1978 and currently serves Of Counsel to Kohler & Smith Co., LPA.  Joe has a vast amount of legal experience in the general practice of the law, including estate planning, probate, real estate, business, and civil litigation matters.  He is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association and the Columbus Bar Association, and is a member of the Probate Court Committee of the CBA.  Joe is licensed to practice in the State of Ohio, the United States Tax Court, and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.  He is also admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar.  Joe is a graduate of the University of Dayton and Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law.

Joe is active in the community, currently serving as a member of the Worthington International Friendship Association and The Catholic Foundation Professional Advisors Group, and formerly serving as Chairman of the Worthington Board of Zoning Appeals and President of the St. Michael Parish Council.  He enjoys traveling and is an avid fisherman.  A father of four and grandfather of five, Joe lives in Worthington, Ohio, with his wife, Kathy.

Email: jkohler@kohlersmith.com


Kathleen M. Kohler

Kathy M. Kohler is a Legal Assistant at Kohler & Smith Co., LPA.  Kathy attended the University of Dayton and The Katharine Gibbs School in Boston, Massachusetts.  Part of Kohler & Smith Co., LPA since its inception in 1978, Kathy is also a former Board of Trustee member of St. Stephen's Community House where she currently serves on the Development Committee.  Kathy has been a member of The Christ Child Society of Columbus for over 20 years.

Kathy is married to Joseph E. Kohler, and the two have four grown children and four grandchildren.  Kathy enjoys volunteer work, cooking, travel with Joe, sports and athletic activities, and time with family and friends.

Email: kkohler@kohlersmith.com


Roseanne M. Price

Roseanne M. Price is a Legal Assistant and the Office Manager at Kohler & Smith Co., LPA., and she has over 30 years of experience in the legal field with experience in probate, estate planning, domestic law, and litigation.  Roseanne attended The Ohio State University where she focused on Elementary Education.

Roseanne enjoys volunteering with the Olentangy High School Music Booster Association (including the monthly secret shopper fundraiser which she started and coordinates), the Senior Citizen Center of Delaware County, and is the secretary of her homeowner's association.  Roseanne is a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Delaware, Ohio, where she was a PSR teacher for many years.  Roseanne resides in Lewis Center, Ohio, with her husband, Tom, and their son, Andy.

Email: rprice@kohlersmith.com


Marc D. Smith

Marc D. Smith is the President and Shareholder of Kohler & Smith Co., LPA.  Marc is an attorney and CPA, and practices in the areas of estate planning, probate, tax preparation and planning, business, real estate, receivership, and lottery law.  He is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association, The Florida Bar, Columbus Bar Association, American Institute of CPAs, and the Ohio Society of CPAs, and is a member of the Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law Section of the OSBA, the Probate Court and the Estate & Gift Tax Committees of the CBA, and the Tax Section of the AICPA.  Marc is licensed to practice in the State of Ohio, the State of Florida, and the United States Tax Court.  He is a graduate of Miami University and the University of Toledo College of Law.

Marc has been involved in various community, non-profit, and political organizations.  He currently serves as a member of the Advisory Council for Miami University's School of Education, Health & Society, as a member of The Catholic Foundation Professional Advisors Group, and as a youth soccer and basketball coach.  Marc and his family are also active in St. Brigid of Kildare Church.  He enjoys golf, music, and family activities, and is an enthusiastic supporter of Miami RedHawks athletics.  Marc lives in Dublin, Ohio, with his wife, Jennifer, and their two young children.

Email: msmith@kohlersmith.com


Kelley Kemp Thorson

Kelley Kemp Thorson is an Associate Attorney with Kohler & Smith Co., LPA.  Kelley practices in the areas of probate, estate planning, real estate, business law, and tax law.  She is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association and the Columbus Bar Association and is a member of the Probate and Real Estate Sections of the OSBA and the Probate, Real Estate and Small Firm Committees of the CBA.  In addition to being licensed to practice law in Ohio, Kelley is a licensed title insurance agent.  Kelley is a graduate of the H. Sophie Newcomb College of Tulane University and Tulane University Law School. 

Kelley is a member of Childhood League Assisting Board XII and the Upper Arlington Women’s Council and volunteers with various community organizations.  She also acts as corporate counsel and serves on the boards of privately held companies.  Kelley lives in Upper Arlington with her husband, Rod, and their two college-aged daughters.

Email: kthorson@kohlersmith.com


Eric D. Van Buskirk

Eric D. Van Buskirk is an Associate Attorney at Kohler & Smith Co., LPA.  Eric practices in the areas of estate planning, probate, business law, tax preparation and planning, and receivership.  He is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association and Columbus Bar Association.  He received his law degree from Capital University Law School (J.D., magna cum laude) and his bachelor of arts in Public Administration from Miami University (B.A., cum laude).  Eric is licensed to practice law in the State of Ohio.

Eric is active at St. Joseph Cathedral in downtown Columbus.  He enjoys golf, the Cincinnati Reds, and the Columbus Blue Jackets.  Eric lives in Columbus with his wife, Kasey.

Email: evanbuskirk@kohlersmith.com