After relocating to Covington in December 2021, the city held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for DBL Law Tuesday, officially welcoming them back to the city.
Dressman, Benzinger and LaVelle, a Northern Kentucky law firm with roots in the region dating back to 1955, relocated from Crestview Hills and the renovated Monarch Building at 119 E. Fourth Street in Covington.
“We’re back home,” said DBL Law partner Bob Hoffer.
DBL Law moved from Covington to Crestview Hills in 1982 in order to expand its business. The Monarch Building is an architecturally and historically important building to Covington and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The building originally housed a telephone company. The name derives from the Covington-based Monarch Tool Company.
“The return of DBL Law is clear evidence that Covington is on the ascension,” Covington Mayor Joe Meyer said. “The investment, the jobs, the activation of a vacant building and the infusion of intellect accelerates the city’s momentum in a big way.”
The 34,000-square-foot development cost $11.3 million. Ground was broken for the project on Sept. 17, 2020, and the final steel beam was placed in April 2021.
The Monarch Building features unobstructed views of the Roebling Suspension Bridge into downtown Cincinnati, a new office building to the west of the existing building, an atrium-like area that provides natural light, and approximately 30 on-site parking spots.
“DBL made a huge commitment to the city of Covington,” said Developer Alan Haehnle. “I mean beyond means for them to come down here and make this happen. That commitment’s got to be recognized.”
Haehnle partnered with Albert Fedders of Fedders Construction in Newport and Construction Manager Chris Thurston for the building renovation.
The space provides DBL Law with room for future growth and could help the firm recruit and retain talented employees.
“Today we return to our original origin,” Hoffer said. “It’s a vibrant community. If you look around, this community has become a home to all of our employees.”
