About Jack R.
Jack R. Hilgeman is an attorney who built his career around courtroom work and bar association service. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Cincinnati and later completed his legal studies at the University of Dayton School of Law. Those academic steps set the stage for litigation work across state and federal forums.
Early in his career Hilgeman focused on gaining broad court admission. He is admitted to practice in Ohio and California and holds memberships allowing him to appear in several federal courts, including the U.S. District Courts for the Southern District of Ohio, Northern District of Ohio and Southern District of California. His admissions extend to the 6th and 9th U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court. He is also admitted to the Ohio Court of Claims. That range of admissions has framed a practice able to address matters at trial and on appeal.
Professional associations have been a steady part of his work. Hilgeman maintains memberships in the American Association of Justice and the Ohio Association of Justice. He is active locally as well, holding roles in the Dayton Bar Association and participating in the Miami Valley Trial Lawyers Association. He serves as Vice-Chair of the Dayton Bar Association Bar Examination Character & Fitness Committee, a position that involves evaluating applicants’ fitness to enter the bar. He also sits on the University of Dayton School of Law Alumni Board, keeping ties to his law school and its students.
His legal practice is based at Cowan & Hilgeman. There he handles litigation matters that arise in both state and federal systems. His courtroom experience spans jury trials and bench proceedings, and his practice has included appellate filings in the circuit courts and, on occasion, matters presented to the Supreme Court. Colleagues describe him as thorough and practical in preparing cases for trial and appeal.
Outside the courtroom he has contributed time to bar governance and bar exam character and fitness work, roles that require attention to ethics and professional standards. That service complements his litigation practice and keeps him involved in the community of practitioners who shape court procedures and professional conduct standards.
He currently practices at Cowan & Hilgeman, focusing his work on civil litigation and trial practice.
