Joseph A. Nigh

Joseph A. Nigh, Esq. Founder, The Nigh Law Group Joseph A. Nigh is the founder of The Nigh Law Group and a highly regarded family law attorney based in Columbus, Ohio. Before establishing NLG in 2016, he served as a partner at two other Columbus law firms. Under his leadership, The Nigh Law Group has been recognized in the area of family law, including as a top-three finisher in Columbus CEO Magazine’s “Best in Business” for family law, listed in Best Lawyers in America, and named one of the “Best Litigation Attorneys in Columbus.” Over the course of his career, Joseph has represented clients in nearly half of Ohio’s 88 counties, consistently achieving favorable results. His extensive courtroom experience allows him to evaluate cases effectively and provide clients with clear, strategic guidance. Known for his thorough preparation and dedication, Joseph is committed to securing the best possible outcomes for his clients. In addition to his practice, Joseph serves as an adjunct professor at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, his alma mater, where he developed and teaches a course on Divorce Trial Practice. He is also a frequent lecturer, having delivered more than 40 continuing legal education presentations both in Ohio and nationally. His topics have included advanced child and spousal support calculations, the use of private investigators in family law cases, children as witnesses, and the role of experts in matters involving abuse or alienation allegations. Joseph’s professional excellence has been recognized with numerous honors. He holds Martindale-Hubbell’s highest possible distinction, the AV Preeminent rating, for both legal ability and ethical standards. He has been named to Best Lawyers in America, selected to the Ohio Super Lawyers list for seven consecutive years (following 11 years on the Rising Stars list), and included in The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100. He also maintains a perfect 10 “Superb” peer rating and 5.0 client review score on Avvo. Beyond his legal practice, Joseph has served the central Ohio community in numerous leadership roles. He spent six years on the Columbus Bar Association Professional Ethics Committee, three years as President of the CBA Juvenile Law Committee, and four years as President of the Lawyers’ Club of Columbus. He also served six years on the Dublin Board of Zoning Appeals, including terms as Chairman and Vice Chairman, and was appointed by Governor John Kasich to the Ohio Board of Dietetics, where he served for five years. Above all, Joseph is committed to guiding clients through some of life’s most difficult challenges with compassion, clarity, and steadfast advocacy. Awards and Honors Super Lawyers® Selectees Joseph A. Nigh included in a Super Lawyers® list Honors RECENT Martindale Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating, Peer Rating for Highest level of Professional Excellence and High Ethical Standing Martindale Hubbell Client Champion Silver Best Lawyers in America, Family Law Columbus CEO, Best of Business Reader’s Poll, Top 3 Super Lawyers Avvo Client’s Choice Award Lead Counsel Verified through LawInfo The National Trial Lawyers, Top 100 Trial Lawyers, 2013-2016 Global Directory of Who’s Who (Top Lawyer) 2016 PRIOR The National Academy of Family Law Attorneys, Nationally Ranked Top 10 Under 40, 2014 Listed in U.S. News and World Report Edition of Best Law Firms, 2010-2014 Ohio Super Lawyers – Rising Stars, 2009-2014 10 Best Under 40, 2 Years Client Satisfaction, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys™, 2014-2016 National Trial Lawyers – Top 40 under 40 in Ohio, 2012- 2014 Avvo – Client’s Choice, Divorce, 2012 Avvo – Top Divorce Attorney, “10”, 2012 Top Attorneys – Outstanding Young Lawyers In Cleveland & Columbus AIOFLA’s “10 Best Under 40″ 2014 Other Sources of Feedback About Joseph A. Nigh Included on the 2026Ohio Super Lawyers list Past Lists 2025 Ohio Super Lawyers list 2024 Ohio Super Lawyers list 2023 Ohio Super Lawyers list 2022 Ohio Super Lawyers list 2021 Ohio Super Lawyers list 2020 Ohio Super Lawyers list 2019 Ohio Super Lawyers list 2018 Ohio Super Lawyers list 2017 Ohio Super Lawyers list 2016 Ohio Super Lawyers list 2015 Ohio Super Lawyers list 2014 Ohio Super Lawyers list 2013 Ohio Super Lawyers list 2012 Ohio Super Lawyers list 2011 Ohio Super Lawyers list 2010 Ohio Super Lawyers list 2009 Ohio Super Lawyers list

• Justice for Children Practicum, The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, 2012 - 2014
• Capital Paralegal Program, 2011 - Present
• Human Trafficking, Columbus Bar Association, 2010 - Present
• Representing the Juvenile Sex Offender, Columbus Bar Association, 2009 - Present
• Presenter: Alienation and Abuse Allegations in Custody Proceedings, Advanced Custody and Support Issues Seminar, National Business Institute, Cincinnati, 2017 - Present
• Advanced Child and Spousal Support Issues, 2016 - Present
• Effectively Arguing Contempt Issues, 2016 - Present
• Ohio Appellate Case Law Update, COAJL, 2014 - Present
• Children as Witnesses in Family Law Litigation, OSBA, 2014 - Present
• Juveniles and the Media: Key Terms and Concepts in Juvenile Justice Reporting, OSBA, 2013 - Present
• Collateral Consequences in Juvenile Adjudications, COAJL, 2013 - Present
• The Role of the Guardian ad Litem, Central Ohio Association of Juvenile Lawyers, 2013 - Present
• Bindovers/Transfer Proceedings in Ohio, Central Ohio Association of Juvenile Lawyers, 2013 - Present
• Key Terms and Concepts in Juvenile Justice Reporting, Ohio State Bar Association, 2013 - Present
• Collateral Consequences of Juvenile Adjudications, Central Ohio Association of Juvenile Lawyers, 2013 - Present
• Juvenile Delinquency/Criminal Case Law Update, Central Ohio Association of Juvenile Lawyers & Central Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2012 - Present
• Juvenile Abuse-Neglect-Dependency, Civil, & GAL Case Law Update, Central Ohio Association of Juvenile Lawyers & Central Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2012 - Present
• The Guardian Ad Litem: Case Law and Legislative Update in Permanent Custody Cases, Central Ohio Association of Juvenile Lawyers, 2011 - Present
• Delinquency and Criminal Law: Case Law and Legislative Update in Permanent Custody Cases, Central Ohio Association of Juvenile Lawyers, 2011 - Present
• Detention Advocacy Training, Presenter/Panel Member, Central Ohio Association of Juvenile Lawyers, 2011 - Present
• PCC Trial and Tribulations: Case Law and Legislative Update in Permanent Custody Cases, Central Ohio Association of Juvenile Lawyers, 2011 - Present
• Sexting: Electronic Sex Among Teens, National Juvenile Defender Leadership Summit, 2010 - Present
• Juvenile Delinquency/Criminal Case Law Update, Central Ohio Association of Juvenile Lawyers & Central Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2010 - Present
• Abuse/Neglect/Dependency Case Law Update, Central Ohio Association of Juvenile Lawyers & Central Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2010 - Present
• Juvenile Case Law Update, Central Ohio Association of Juvenile Lawyers, 2009 - Present
• Client Interviews, The Supreme Court of Ohio New Lawyer Training, Columbus Bar Association, 2009 - Present
• Transfer Hearings for Juveniles Being Transferred to Adult Court: Case Law and Procedures for Handling Bindover, Central Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2009 - Present
• Juvenile Delinquency/Criminal Case Law update, Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers & Central Ohio Association of Juvenile Lawyers, 2008 - Present
• Abuse/Neglect/Dependency Case Law Update, Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers & Central Ohio Association of Juvenile Lawyers, 2008 - Present
• Objections & Appeals: Practices and Procedures, Columbus Bar Association, 2007 - Present

• Columbus Bar Association Professional Ethics Committee, 2022 - Present
• City of Dublin Board of Zoning Appeals, 2019 - 2025
• Franklin County Private Attorney Representative to the Ohio Summit on Children, 2009

• Ohio, 2005
• U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio, 2005
• U.S. Supreme Court, 2009

• American Bar Association (Member)
• Ohio State Bar Association (Member)
• Central Ohio Association of Justice (Member)
• Columbus Bar Association (Member)
• Columbus Bar Association, - 2009 (Domestic Relations/Juvenile Court Task Force)
• Columbus Bar Association, 2008 - 2010 (Juvenile Law Committee, Chair)
• Columbus Bar Foundation (Sustaining Member)
• The Lawyer’s Club of Franklin County, 2020 - 2023 (Member President)
• Central Ohio Association of Juvenile Lawyers (Member)
• Central Ohio Association of Juvenile Lawyers, 2013 - 2015 (President)
• Central Ohio Association of Juvenile Lawyers, 2010 - 2015 (Board Member)
• Central Ohio Association of Juvenile Lawyers, 2013 - 2014 (Preliminary Review Committee, Chair)
• Academy of Professional Family Mediators (Member)