Attorney Bio

Jack R. Hilgeman, ESQ.

Attorney Jack Hilgeman concentrates his practice in the areas of personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, nursing home negligence and product liability. Jack’s entire career has been dedicated to helping those injured by the negligence of others and has obtained more than $25,000,000 in settlements/judgments for his clients.

Jack is a fourth-generation lawyer having followed in the footsteps of his father, John P. Hilgeman, grandfather, Jack E. Staley, and great-grandfather, Honorable Simon L. Leis. In law school, Jack spent time in the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office before joining Cowan & Hilgeman in 2010. In 2011, Jack joined a small firm in San Diego, California, but returned home in 2012 where he joined a mid-sized Plaintiff’s firm and led the firm’s personal injury practice. With hard work and commitment to his clients, Jack quickly grew the firm’s personal injury practice by more than 1,000%. In 2017, Jack re-joined Cowan & Hilgeman and assumed leadership of the firm’s tort practice.

Many regional and national publications have recognized Jack’s success and tireless work ethic for his clients. The following publications have recognized him at the top of the legal profession:

The Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum® is one of the most prestigious groups of trial lawyers in the United States which is limited to lawyers that have won multi-million-dollar verdicts, awards and settlements. Fewer than 1% of U.S. lawyers are members.
AV Preeminent® with Martindale-Hubbell which is given to attorneys who are ranked at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal expertise, communication skills and ethical standards by their peers.
America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators which requires an attorney to litigate a matter with at least $2,000,000 in alleged damages at stake and meet the highest standards for legal achievements, professional experience, significant case results and/or verdicts, peer reputation, client satisfaction, other notable honors, media notoriety, and community impact, among other factors.
The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 which is only awarded to lawyers that demonstrate superior qualifications of leadership, reputation, influence, stature and public profile measured by objective and uniformly applied standards. Members must exemplify superior qualifications, trial results, and leadership as a lawyer under the age of 40. Selection is based on an objective process which includes peer nominations and third-party search.
Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers® which recognizes no more than 5% of lawyers based on the highest peer review and grades for verdicts/settlements, transactions, representative clients, experience, honors/awards, special licenses/certifications, position within the law firm, bar and professional activity, pro bono and community service, scholarly lectures/writings, education/employment background and other outstanding achievements.
AVVO Rating of Superb (10.0/10.0) which is based on an attorney’s qualifications, including experience, professional achievements, and disciplinary actions.

Jack is also involved in the community having participated in several pro bono programs including the Dayton Bar Association Wills for Heroes and Volunteer Lawyer Project. He currently serves as the Chair of the Dayton Bar Association Committee on Bar Exam and Qualifications wherein he has argued before the Office of Bar Admissions of the Supreme Court of Ohio.

Jack currently resides in the Dayton, Ohio, area with his wife, Danielle, and sons, Reis and Charlie.

BAR ADMISSIONS

Ohio
California
United States Supreme Court
United States Court of Appeals – Sixth Circuit
United States Court of Appeals – Ninth Circuit
U.S. Federal District Court – Southern District of California
U.S. Federal District Court – Northern District of Ohio
U.S. Federal District Court – Southern District of Ohio
Ohio Court of Claims

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators – 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent – 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 – 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
The Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum – Life Member
AVVO Top Attorney – 10.0/10.0
Super Lawyers Rising Stars – 2018, 2019, 2020
Super Lawyers – 2022, 2023

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts – University of Cincinnati, 2007, Honors
Juris Doctor – University of Dayton, 2010

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS

Dayton Bar Association
Dayton Bar Association Civil Trial Practice Committee
Dayton Bar Association Committee on Bar Exam and Qualifications (Vice Chair)
Dayton Volunteer Lawyers Association
Ohio State Bar Association
Ohio Association for Justice
American Association for Justice
The National Trial Lawyers
Miami Valley Trial Lawyers Association

Contact

Cowan & Hilgeman

Practice Areas

5-Star Reviews

    
 
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Abigail Arnett 
 32 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I first reached out 2 months after a car accident where the other party involved did not have insurance. She presented expired insurance to which the police department did nothing about. I was not in the wrong, and I was taken by ambulance after due to injury. I was worried due to the other party not having insurance, and medical bills hitting an all time high. I reached out to Jack and was immediately welcomed and felt like I was being taken care of from the start. I stated my concerns and we reached a conclusion which then started my case. I was spoken to clearly and felt genuinely cared for. Despite all the other lawyers reaching out to me after my accident, I chose to go with Cowan and Hilgeman due to the firms sincerity as well as being taken care of from the very beginning. I am very thankful to everyone I worked/talked with over the past year, and I am grateful we were able to sort everything out. I cannot begin to thank Jack for taking care of me and checking in throughout the case.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Alisa and William Hurtle 
 46 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Jack Hilgeman and the team at Cowan & Hilgeman were great to work with after my car accident. Jack jumped on my case last minute, right when I was up against a deadline and had just gotten a pretty disappointing offer from the insurance company. From there he walked me through everything — the paperwork, negotiations, mediation, all the way to getting it settled — and always kept me in the loop on what was going on. When the insurance company tried to lowball part of my claim, Jack pushed back and fought to get me a fair result. Dawn was also great to work with — she called regularly to keep me updated and on track, and she was really the face of the firm for me throughout the process. Everyone there was quick to respond and patient with all my questions. Really happy with how everything turned out — highly recommend Jack and his team.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Jennifer Born Rachek 
 185 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I reached out with some concerns about potential snow and ice injuries on our business property, and I’m so glad I did. My questions were answered clearly and thoroughly, which really put my mind at ease. I also appreciated how welcoming they were to any follow-up questions—it never felt like I was being a bother. I wouldn’t hesitate to reach out again for professional guidance in the future.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Angie Seraphinoff 
 188 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Jack Hilgeman was knowledgeable, responsive, and easy to communicate with throughout the process. He clearly cares about his clients and took the time to thoroughly answer all of my questions. I would highly recommend working with him!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Barbara Garcia 
 189 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great communication and explanation to my questions. Appreciate the details and hearing directly from Mr.Hilgerman on the voice memo. Thank you!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Jess R 
 192 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great advice, very helpful in all of my needs! Highly recommend!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   lynn berry 
 193 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very satisfied and they worked hard for me and did an exercise job!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   McCall Gorbach Foster 
 194 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Mr. Hilgeman provides clear and thoughtful insight, delivered with professionalism and warmth.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Robert Apfelbeck 
 195 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great lawyer response time very fast and very good at what he does jack hilgeman will be my next lawyer if i ever need another one thank you to cowen &hilgeman
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   B Lott 
 195 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I was looking for a lawyer and after so very rude and robotic law firms, I spoke with Jack about my case. He was very professional and personable and actually cared about my situation. I highly recommend his firm!