Teresa L. Grigsby

About Teresa

Teresa focuses her practice on the defense of commercial and public entities at the pretrial, trial, and appellate stages in both federal and state courts. An active part of her practice involves the representation of public bodies including townships, counties, port authorities, airports, election boards, villages, and cities, and their employees in cases involving constitutional claims, tort actions, public record/open meeting requirements, eminent domain, zoning, contract disputes and administrative appeals. In addition, Teresa also represents private organizations, corporations and individuals in a variety of commercial litigation disputes.

For over ten years, Teresa has held an “AV Preeminent” rating through Martindale Hubbell. Teresa has a special expertise in appellate practice and was selected by American Lawyer Media and Martindale-Hubbell® as a 2013 Top Rated Lawyer in Appellate Law. Teresa was named to the 2024 Edition of “Best Lawyers in America” in the areas of Civil Rights Law, Litigation-First Amendment, and Litigation-Municipal. “Best Lawyers in America” also recognized Teresa as the 2024 “Lawyer of the Year” for Toledo in the area of Civil Rights Law.

Teresa has served on the Citizens Dispute Mediation Team, Grievance Investigation Committee, Notary Public Committee of the Toledo Bar Association, and is a Founder and Director of Friends of Russian Orphans. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of Adriel School, which provides residential adoption and foster case services to disadvantaged children.

Representative Matters

Chiaverini v. City of Napoleon, No. 21-3996 (6th Cir. 2023)
Newell v. Huepenbecker, 814 F. App'x 114 (6th Cir. 2020)
Fisher v. Gordon, 782 F. App'x 418, 420 (6th Cir. 2019)
Jones v. Sandusky Cty., 652 F. App'x 348, 351 (6th Cir. 2016)
Ward v. City of Norwalk, 6th Cir. No. 15-3018, 2016 WL 402975 (Feb. 3, 2016)
Smith v. Erie County Sheriff’s Dept., 603 Fed. Appx. 414 (6th Cir. 2015)
Carman v. Erie Cty., 623 F. App'x 301 (6th Cir. 2015)
Burdine v. Kaiser, 524 Fed. Appx. 164 (6th Cir. 2013)
Lewis v. Weck, 535 F. App'x 524 (6th Cir. 2013)
Reid Machinery v. Lanzer, Case No. 09-3665 (6th Cir. 2010)
Citizens Against Burlington v. Busey, 938 F. 2d 190 (U.S. Ct. App. 1991), cert. denied (1991), 112 S. Ct. 616
Estate of Fleenor v. Ottawa Cty., 170 Ohio St. 3d 38, 2022-Ohio-3581
State ex. rel. Toledo Blade Company v. Toledo Lucas County Port Authority, 121 Ohio St. 3d 537, 2009-Ohio-1767
Houck v. Board of Park Commissioners, 116 Ohio St. 3d 148 (2007)
Katz v. Ohio Insurance Guaranty Association, 103 Ohio St. 3d. 4 (2004)
Maclean-Patterson v. Erie Cty., 488 F. Supp. 3d 581 (N.D. Ohio 2020)

Affiliations

Ohio State Bar Association
Toledo Bar Association
Associate Editor, University of Toledo Law Review
Treasurer, Whiteford Wesleyan Church
Founder, Director and Secretary, Friends of Russian Orphans

Education

Bowling Green State University
(B.S. 1982, summa cum laude) University of Toledo
(J.D. 1985, magna cum laude)

Bar Admissions

All Ohio Courts
United States Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio

Practice Areas

Accidents (Auto)

Our attorneys represent plaintiffs in connection with liability claims arising from auto accidents. As soon as possible after medical treatment has been received, we recommend that you contact a Spengler Nathanson attorney to discuss your case. We have the knowledge and experience to protect your rights and help you maximize your recovery of compensation from responsible parties.

Adoptions

Our attorneys represent petitioners requesting the adoption (relatives and step-parents) and also assist birth mothers and birth fathers when consenting to an adoption or contesting an adoption.

Appellate Practice

A decision in the trial court is rarely the end of the litigation process. When selecting an attorney for an appeal, it is vital to obtain counsel who will be successful at the appellate level. Our attorneys routinely prosecute and defend appeals in the Ohio Supreme Court, various Ohio intermediate appellate courts, and administrative appeals in a variety of judicial and regulatory forums.

Banking Disputes

Financial institutions are heavily regulated, creating the potential for claims by overseeing governmental bodies and members of the public. Our attorneys are familiar with the myriad of regulations which affect the banking industry and can respond to these claims effectively and efficiently.

Civil Rights

Our attorneys are skilled in defending clients who are sued or named in administrative proceedings in connection with alleged civil rights violations including claims based upon disability, age, race, ethnic origin, and religion. In addition, Spengler Nathanson has represented numerous public entities in connection with Sections 801 and 830 civil rights claims, including a number of county and municipal law enforcement agencies.

Commercial Collections

Recovery of business debt is a reality of any business. Spengler Nathanson attorneys can assist you in your efforts recover monies owed to your business, in compliance with all federal and state collection laws, or make a determination that a collection effort is not warranted.

Commercial Disputes

Commercial law regulates corporate contracts, hiring practices, and the manufacture and sales of consumer goods. Our attorneys provide valuable legal counsel when commercial disputes arise. We have effectively represented corporations, partnerships, agencies, joint ventures and franchises in a myriad of disputes.

Constitutional Rights

Public sector clients must be aware of the constitutional rights of their employees and members of the public. Our attorneys assist clients in handling many types of constitutional rights claims including: First Amendment claims (religion, free speech, right to participate in union activities), due process and equal protection claims, and claims against law enforcement personnel, child protection agencies, park districts, and publicly operated nursing homes.

Contract Disputes

Our attorneys have considerable experience representing clients in connection with all types of contract disputes, written or verbal. If you think you have a contract and feel the other party has not lived up to their end of the deal, we will help you to determine whether a contract exists and whether or not it is capable of enforcement.

Discrimination (Administrative Charges)

Our attorneys represent employers in administrative proceedings brought by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Ohio Civil Rights Commission (OCRC), the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and other administrative bodies in matters which involve the employers’ compliance with a broad variety of civil rights statutes.

Employment Claims

In addition to representing employers in unemployment and workers’ compensation claims, our attorneys advise employers on compliance with local, state, and federal laws affecting employment, including the American with Disabilities Act, Title VII, Ohio’s civil rights law, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and applicable wage and hour laws. We also advise employers on terminations and represent employers against claims brought by terminated employees.

Employment Discrimination Defense

Our attorneys frequently defend employers facing charges or lawsuits alleging employment discrimination. Although the law is well-intended to protect employees from workplace discrimination, it is unfortunately common for employers to have to defend against unfounded claims of employment discrimination. Our lawyers have secured the dismissals of hundreds of employment discrimination claims before the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and in state and federal courts.

Governmental Liability

Governmental entities in Ohio are subject to a number of statutory requirements not applicable in the private sector, such as the Public Records Act, the Sunshine Law, and the Ohio Student Records Act. When sued, counties, townships, municipalities, and school districts and their employees have a number of defenses not available to private litigants. Our attorneys have long represented governmental entities and public employees and we are familiar with applicable requirements and defenses.

Healthcare Litigation

Spengler Nathanson attorneys are experienced in many types of healthcare-related litigation, from malpractice defense and nursing home defense to medical device/products litigation and non-compete enforcement actions.

Insurance Coverage Disputes

The interpretation of an insurance policy often means the difference between coverage or no coverage. Our attorneys have effectively represented clients in insurance coverage litigation. From motion practice to trial, our clients are well represented.

Insurance Defense

Spengler Nathanson attorneys have defended insureds for over 40 years as panel counsel for such insurance companies as St Paul Insurance, Travelers Insurance, CNA Insurance and HAS. Counsel, the insured, and the claims handler work together to bring the claim to a desirable outcome.

Intentional Tort Claims

Over the years, the General Assembly and the courts have struggled with the elements of a workplace intentional tort. Our thirty-plus years of defending employers against these claims uniquely qualifies Spengler Nathanson attorneys to provide you the representation needed in this type of litigation.

Labor and Employment

Spengler Nathanson attorneys are well-versed in helping employers in various industries with labor and employment matters. We can leverage this expertise to find solutions for healthcare providers too. We also work to stay up-to-date on changes to the Affordable Care Act and other legislation affecting employer health insurance, employee benefits, and other operational matters.

Local Government Counseling

The firm has a long history of representing local, political subdivisions on a wide range of practice areas such as public meetings and public records issues, zoning and land-use planning, financing, drafting legislation, water and sewer construction and regulation, annexation, employment/labor issues, tax levies and administration, economic development initiatives, airport and seaport operations and police and fire department contracts.

Mediation/Arbitration

Spengler Nathanson attorneys have mediated innumerable disputes before court-appointed mediators and mediators selected and retained by the parties to a dispute. Mediation can often result in a resolution of a claim and our attorneys are experienced in all phases of the mediation and arbitration process.

Nursing Home Claims

Nursing home claims are on the rise. As panel counsel for insurance companies providing coverage for claims arising in nursing homes, we can provide your company and its employees with a solid defense of such claims.

Personal Injury

Injuries arising from motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls, swimming pools, and other premises liability situations are a daily occurrence. Our attorneys have successfully represented the injured party and the defendant in countless personal injury cases. Our attorneys have solid expertise in federal and state courts throughout the state.

Political Subdivisions

A large percentage of our litigation and labor practice involves advising and representing political subdivisions such as counties, townships, cities, villages, police agencies, park districts, fair boards, county nursing homes, and schools districts and in representing these clients in administrative and court proceedings. We have expertise in the laws and regulations that apply to political subdivisions and their employees.

Premises Liability

Premises liability law is the body of law which makes the person who is in possession of land or premises responsible for certain injuries suffered by persons who are present on the premises. A premises owner faced with a lawsuit should notify his insurance carrier. Our attorneys have successfully defended premises owners against such claims for years.

Public and Administrative Law

Our attorneys enjoy a rich history representing public clients in Northwest Ohio, including school boards, port authorities, park districts, municipalities, counties, townships, airport authorities, and more. Our firm has been home to two former City of Toledo Law Directors, a former counsel to the Ohio Department of Commerce, and a former State Senator. We know the legal problems confronting local public bodies both as lawyers and as participants in the political process.

Public Employee Liability

Public employers and their employees are subject to liability for a broad array of claims that private employers and employees do not face. Spengler Nathanson’s attorneys have expertise in these areas of the law.

Public Records and Open Meetings

Spengler Nathanson’s extensive representation of school boards and other local and state governmental bodies has given us a wide range of experience dealing with Ohio’s public records and open meetings laws.

Public Sector and Public Employee Defense

Public employers and their employees are subject to liability for a broad array of claims that private employers and employees don’t face. Spengler Nathanson’s attorneys have expertise in these areas of the law.

Strategy and Healthcare Innovations

The healthcare industry is ever-changing and with change comes innovation. Spengler Nathanson attorneys stand ready to be a strategic and innovative partner for many players within the industry, from health systems and providers to business start-ups.

Title IX Compliance (No Gender-Based Discrimination)

Our attorneys regularly assist clients with questions about Title IX and preparation of and updates to Title IX and related policies. We also serve as counsel for boards of education, colleges, and universities in litigation arising under Title IX and related statutes.

Will Contests

A will contest is a court proceeding in which a court is called upon to determine the validity of a will. Understanding what’s involved in bringing a will contest requires a general understanding of wills, estates and the probate process. Spengler Nathanson attorneys can help you understand the process and what can be expected in bringing a will contest.

Our Attorneys