
Randy Freking is a lifelong Cincinnatian, lives in Cincinnati with his wife, and they have four children. He is the founding partner of Freking Myers & Reul, a law firm devoted primarily to the rights of working people, whether they are minimum wage workers, blue collar employees, or white collar executives. Randy retired from an active role at the firm on December 31, 2020, and now focuses on grandchildren, community involvement, and improving his hometown.
Randy is a frequent lecturer on human resources and successfully represented hundreds of employees in trials in state and federal courts in Ohio and Kentucky during his career, securing several million dollar plus jury verdicts and settlements. He was co-counsel in a major class action against Duke Energy, which culminated in an $81 million settlement with one of the highest class participation rates in class action history.
Randy has been recognized in every edition of “Best Lawyers in America” since 1994, has received “Super Lawyer” designations since its inception, has been one of the top 10 vote recipients in Ohio for the designation of “Super Lawyer” in 2006 through this year’s surveys of Ohio lawyers, was recognized by Cincinnati Magazine as one of the most influential lawyers in Cincinnati in October, 2008, and has been recognized annually by Cincy Business Magazine as one of Cincinnati’s “Leading Lawyers”.
Randy has authored four books: Cincinnati’s 150-Year Opening Day History: The Hoopla Started With A Parade (Cincinnati Book Publishing, 2018); @Titanicstruggle: THE BEST OF MARTY BRENNAMAN (Cincinnati Book Publishing, March 2020)(co-author with Mike Zilliox); The Real Employee Handbook (Amazon, 2012); and The ABA Consumer Guide to Employee Rights (American Bar Association, 2015). He was a Contributor to Imagineers, Impresarios, Inventors: Cincinnati’s Arts and the Power of Her (Orange Frazer Press, 2020) and How ADR Works (BNA, 2002).
Randy is the host of two Podcasts: “Freaking Out About Work” (ongoing episodes) and “Freaking Out About Opening Day” (14 episodes), available at freakingoutabout.com and most podcast apps and ITunes (search Randy Freking).
Current Community Involvement:
- St. Vincent De Paul Society
- Henry Hosea House
- Math Tutor – Evanston Academy
- Math Tutor – Academy of World Languages
- Cincinnati Workers Rights Project
- Cincinnati Interfaith Workers Center
- Cincinnati Reds Community Fund, Board Member, Treasurer
- Chair of Annual “Opening Day Eve Party” Benefitting Reds Community Fund
- Cincinnati Bar Association Volunteer Lawyer
CAREER HISTORY
- President, Randy Freking Dispute Resolution and Consulting (January 1, 2021- Present)
- Of Counsel, Freking, Myers & Reul LLC(January 1, 2021 – Present)
- Partner, Freking Myers & Reul LLC, Cincinnati, Ohio (December 1,1990-2020)
- Associate and Partner, Frost & Jacobs, Cincinnati, Ohio (August 1,1982-November,1990)
Honors and Awards:
- “Best Lawyers in America” (Woodward-White), included in every edition since 1994.
- Commander of the Launch Award, 1997, Workplace Fairness
- Volunteer Lawyer of the Year, 2001
- Workplace Fairness Community Service Award, 2002
- Ohio “Super Lawyer”, 2004-present
- No. 2 Lawyer in Ohio, Law and Politics Magazine, January, 2007.
- Recognized in The Power Issue of Cincinnati Magazine, October, 2008
- One of Top Ten Lawyers in Ohio, Law and Politics Magazine (multiple years)
- Cincy Business Award, Top Labor/Employment Lawyer in Cincinnati, Ohio (multiple years)
- Owen J. Wrassman Philanthropic Award, 2017
Greatest Hits:
- Williams v. Duke Energy, a landmark class action settlement involving over one million electric customers throughout southern Ohio, settled for over $81 million after a decade of litigation(with co-counsel);
- Gates v. Avon Products, an age discrimination class action involving 150 mostly older females that was a large pension settlement after years of federal litigation;
- McGuffey v. Hamilton County, a retaliation and gender discrimination case on behalf of the current Sheriff of Hamilton County, settled on a favorable basis;
- Miller v. The Christ Hospital, a disability discrimination case on behalf of two deaf patients settled on a favorable basis (with co-counsel);
- Sacolick v. General Electric, an age discrimination trial victory for an older female;
- Mitchell v. AK Steel, a disability discrimination trial victory for a middle aged man who suffered a stroke on the Racer at Kings Island, subsequently terminated unlawfully;
- Hagopian v. Procter & Gamble, an age discrimination case for a middle aged male that was settled favorably within 48 hours of filing suit;
- Steinhoff v. Hooters, a sexual harassment trial victory 15 years before the “me too” movement;
- Burton v. Zwicker & Associates, a race discrimination trial victory for a youngish African American male (with co-counsel);
- Smith v. Glaxo Welcome, a gender discrimination trial victory on behalf of a middle aged male
- Robinson, et al. v. Coca Cola Enterprises, a race discrimination trial victory for a middle aged African American worker that led to a favorable settlement for 22 other African American employees;
- Violett v. Chi Chi’s, a trial victory for a young female server at the local Mexican Restaurant;
- Pulver v. The Celestial, a national origin discrimination trial victory for an older Swiss born chef;
- Imwalle v. Haag Streit Holdings, a retaliation trial victory for an older male; and
- Hundreds of other trial victories and/or settlements.