Admissions

  • Ohio, 1991
  • U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio

Education

Lewis and Clark's Northwestern School of Law, J.D., 1990; Certificate in Environmental/Natural Resources Law, 1990

College of Wooster, B.A., 1987

Profile

A third generation garbage man, Mr. Durham has litigated more than 1,000 environmental cases, advised local governments on solid waste and recycling collection contracts and worked with clients regarding all types of enforcement and public health issues.

Joseph R. Durham is a member of Eastman & Smith and has represented cities, counties, local health districts, solid waste management districts, townships and villages in environmental law and litigation and public health law.  Mr. Durham has represented clients before local, state and federal courts, the Ohio Department of Health, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Review Appeals Commission, Ohio Department of Commerce, Ohio Board of Pharmacy, Ohio Real Estate Commission, county boards of revision (real estate tax appeals), Ohio Department of Agriculture, Ohio Board of Nursing, Bureau of Underground Storage Tank Regulation (BUSTR), U.S. Custom and Border Protection and local boards of zoning appeals. 

Since 1991, Mr. Durham has advised local health district clients. He has litigated cases involving nuisances, solid and hazardous wastes, construction and demolition debris, landfills, recyclable materials, sewage, water and air pollution.

Mr. Durham worked at his family’s hauling business during high school and college.  He completed law school with a certificate in environmental and natural resources law.  In 2018 he was added to Best Lawyers in America® for Environmental Law.  As the chair of Eastman & Smith’s Environmental and Public Law Sections, Joe Durham coordinates the Firm’s Environmental, Public Law, and Solid Waste Management Practice Groups.

When not practicing law, Mr. Durham is a member of the Columbus Bar Association, Environmental Committee, and the Ohio State Bar Association. His entire family volunteers for the Columbus Public Schools Special Olympics program. Mr. Durham’s wife coached volleyball for more than twenty years while he previously coached basketball, softball and currently participates as a golf partner. Mr. Durham served a long tenure on the board of directors, and organized the annual charity golf outing fundraiser.