Ryan Law Welcomes Hilary Houston, Partner

January 20, 2026

Hilary focuses her practice on Ohio state and local taxation, with particular expertise in sales/use tax, real property tax exemptions, and the certification of pollution control facilities. With a career that began as a Hearing Officer for the Ohio Department of Taxation, Hilary provides clients with unique “inside” perspective on audit defense, compliance, and legislative advocacy.

She has a proven track record of representing clients before the Ohio Board of Tax Appeals and the Ohio Supreme Court. Her experience includes:

• Significant Litigation: Successfully argued before the Ohio Supreme Court to preserve property tax exemptions for state universities and supportive housing providers.
• High-Stakes Defense: Resolved a $25 million sales/use tax assessment and negotiated an $8 million settlement for a retail energy supplier.
• Legislative Advocacy: Drafted statutory amendments clarifying tax exemptions for the oil and gas industry and industrial water pollution control facilities.

Prior to joining Ryan Law, Hilary was a Partner at an Am Law 200 firm. She is a frequent speaker on Ohio’s evolving tax landscape.