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Founder Kermit Sitterley (1910-2004)

Founder Kermit Sitterley (1910-2004)

Sitterley, Vandervoort & Nixon Ltd is steeped in family history, with roots that go back five generations of Sitterleys and three of Vandervoorts, all living, working and raising families in the Lancaster area. Our firm was founded in 1933, when the recent Ohio State University School of Law graduate Kermit Sitterley joined forces with Judge Brooks Shell, who had then just stepped down from the Fairfield County Court of Common Pleas.

After Judge Shell passed away, Kermit Sitterley continued to serve clients in the Fairfield County community for the next 65 years. Ever mindful of the importance of family, Kermit invited his son, William J. Sitterley, and his son-in-law, Peter M. Vandervoort, to join him as partners. Kermit’s grandchildren followed suit, with Pete’s sons, Craig M. Vandervoort and Jeffrey K. Vandervoort, joining the firm in 1992 and 1999.


In 2015, Steven A. Davis joined the firm. His success in civil litigation, as well as his expertise in oil and gas leasing and pipeline right-of-ways, expanded our services for landowners and clients facing lawsuits. In 2018, Steven A. Davis transitioned to an “Of Counsel” relationship, and in 2021 he fully retired from the practice of law.


In 2019, the firm welcomed Joseph M. Nixon as an Associate Attorney after he passed the Ohio Bar Exam and was sworn in as an attorney. In 2020, Joseph M. Nixon was invited to become a Principal Member of the firm.

In 2023, Sara M. Valentine was invited to become a Principal Member of the firm.

In 2023, Nathan R. Kemmerer joined as an Associate Attorney.

In 2024, Christina A. McGill joined as an Of-Counsel Attorney.

Get to know our team of attorneys.