Joe Garber returned the Ohio Department of Insurance in April 2011 as Chief Legal Counsel. Garber is the Department’s top legal advisor and directs the agency’s legal services operations. 

Garber has an extensive public service and insurance background. He began his legal career as a Franklin County Assistant Prosecutor, specializing in violent felony offenses and was a member of the white collar crime unit. Garber has also served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Office of the Ohio Attorney General, representing the Department of Public Safety’s Ohio Investigative Unit.  

He began his insurance career at the Department in 2000 as staff counsel assigned to the Market Conduct Unit. Garber also spent eight years with Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, providing legal support on matters involving underwriting, claims handling, product development, litigation, strategic planning, performance metrics, and internal controls.   

Garber received an accounting degree from The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business in 1987 and earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Toledo College of Law in 1991. He is also a Certified Public Accountant (inactive).