Ashtabula’s No. 1 General Practice Attorneys

David E. Pontius, the managing partner of Andrews & Pontius, focuses his legal practice on representing those who have suffered injury or death caused by motor vehicle accidents, medical negligence, and nursing home abuse; tackling the issues faced by school boards, townships and other governmental entities; and counseling the firm’s business and corporate clients. David returned to Ashtabula in 1981 to practice law and in 1999 joined fellow general practice attorney Mark W. Andrews to form Andrews & Pontius. David resides in Saybrook Township with his wife, Lynn, and youngest daughter, Meadow. David and Lynn also have two adult children, Adam and Caitlyn. David, Lynn, and Meadow enjoy watching the Lake Erie sunsets and are avid boaters.

Areas of Practice

• Negligence Litigation, including Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, Medical Negligence, & Nursing Home Abuse 
• Commercial Litigation 
• School Law (representing four Ashtabula County school districts)
• Corporate & Business Law 
• Township & Municipal Law

• Ohio Association for Justice, Past Member of the Board of Governors
• Ohio State Bar Association 
• American Bar Association 
• American Association for Justice

Education & Court Admissions

• University of Toledo College of Law, J.D., 1979 
• The Ohio State University, B.A., Journalism, 1974 (Editor: The Lantern, 1974) 
• Supreme Court of Ohio, 1979
• Supreme Court of the U.S., 1992
• U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit, 1984
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio, 1980

• Ashtabula County Bar Association, President 1992 to 1993
• Ohio Supreme Court Commission on Certification of Attorneys as a Specialist, Past Chair
• Past Member, Community Board of Directors of First Merit Bank, N.A., now Huntington Bank
• Past Solicitor for the City of Ashtabula & the Villages of Jefferson, Orwell & Rock Creek

Jeffrey A. Ford began practicing law in 1982, and he completed his education at The Ohio State University. He joined fellow general practice attorneys Charles M. Diamond and Duane Dubsky in 1983 to form the Ashtabula County law firm Diamond, Dubsky, and Ford. In 2002, Diamond, Dubsky, and Ford merged with Andrews & Pontius, where he is now a partner. Jeff is a member of the Ashtabula County and Ohio State Bar Associations.

Areas of Practice

• Personal Injury
• Insurance Law 
• General Litigation 
• Family Law 
• Probate & Estate Planning

• Ashtabula County Bar Association
• Ohio State Bar Association

Education & Court Admissions

• The Ohio State University, B.A., 1979 
• The Ohio State University College of Law 1982
• Supreme Court of Ohio, 1982 
• U.S. District Court Northern District of Ohio, 1983

• Ashtabula County Public Defender Commission, 2012 to present
• Ashtabula County Board of MR/DD, 1983 to 1989
• Prior Member, After School Discovery Board

Philip E. Cordova is a partner at Andrews & Pontius and focuses his legal practice in domestic relations, divorce, family law, child support, spousal support, and custody. Philip works in trial courts in Ashtabula, Lake, Geauga, Cuyahoga, and Trumbull counties as a general practice attorney. Philip resides in Geneva, OH, with his wife, Karen, and two daughters, Isabella and Addison. He is an avid Cleveland sports fan and proud Ohio State Buckeye supporter.

Areas of Practice

• Family Law

• Ashtabula County Bar Association 
• Ohio State Bar Association 
• Chairperson, ACBA Certified Grievance Committee

Education & Court Admissions

• Kent State University, B.B.A., Business Management, Dean’s List, 1990
• University of Akron School of Law, Akron, OH, J.D., 2001
• Supreme Court of Ohio, 2001

• City Council of Geneva

Jason L. Fairchild began practicing law in 2005 with Andrews & Pontius, where he is now a partner. Jason received his A.A. in 1995 from the Monterey Peninsula Community College while he was attending the Defense Language Institute-Foreign Language Center during his service with the United States Army. He later obtained his B.A. in 2002 from Chaminade University of Honolulu. Following his honorable discharge from the United States Army in 2002, Jason attended the University of Akron School of Law where he obtained his J.D. in 2005. Jason currently resides in Concord Township, Lake County, OH, with his wife, two favorite hockey players, and beautiful daughter.

Areas of Practice

• General Practice 
• Criminal Defense 
• Civil Litigation

• Ashtabula County Bar Association
• Ohio State Bar Association

Education & Court Admissions

• Monterey Peninsula Community College, Monterey, CA, A.A., General Studies With Emphasis in the Czechoslovakian Language, 1995
• Chaminade University of Honolulu, Honolulu, HI, B.A., Political & Historical Studies With Distinction, 2001
• University of Akron School of Law, Akron, OH, J.D., cum laude, 2005
• Supreme Court of Ohio, 2005
• United States District Court, Northern District 2007

• Ashtabula County Drug Court Advisory Committee, 2015 to present 
• Madison Township Civil Service Commission, 2015 to present 
• United States Army, Military Intelligence Branch, 1994 to 2002

Joseph J. Loftus became an associate at Andrews & Pontius, LLC in 2019 after obtaining his J.D from the University of Toledo College of Law. While attending law school, Joseph focused his studies in litigation and was an active member of Toledo’s Moot Court team. His practice areas include domestic relations, family law, juvenile law, civil litigation, and criminal defense. He practices in trial courts in Ashtabula and the surrounding counties.

Areas of Practice

• Family Law
• Juvenile Law
• Criminal Defense
• Civil Litigation
• General Practice

• Ashtabula County Bar Association
• Ohio State Bar Association

Education & Court Admissions

• Lake Erie College, Painesville, Ohio, B.S., Legal Studies, magna cum laude, 2016
• University of Toledo College of Law, Toledo, Ohio, J.D., 2019
• Supreme Court of Ohio, 2019

Joseph resides in Geneva, Ohio where he was born and raised. He enjoys fitness, reading, and spending time with family and friends.