Attorney
Aubrey's Bio
Aubrey Searcy is an attorney licensed to practice in Ohio and focuses his practice on representing nonprofit organizations as outside general counsel. He advises tax‑exempt entities on a wide range of general corporate matters, governance issues, and regulatory compliance. Aubrey also counsels clients on federal tax matters essential to maintaining tax‑exempt status, including navigating federal and state reporting requirements and operational rules applicable to 501(c)(3) and other exempt organizations.
Before joining Tovella Dowling, Aubrey practiced at a large national law firm in its nationally recognized, “Red Book” listed public finance practice group. In that role, he served as bond counsel, underwriter’s counsel, and borrower’s counsel in a broad array of tax‑exempt financings for state and local governmental entities as well as nonprofit organizations, such as nonprofit colleges and universities, large nonprofit health systems, and nonprofit senior living providers. Aubrey has worked on transactions ranging from simple, low principal amount equipment financings to complex multi-state health system financings exceeding $1 billion in principal amount.
Aubrey earned dual degrees in Economics and French from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. He went on to attend Capital University Law School also in Columbus, where he graduated summa cum laude with his Juris Doctor.
Deeply committed to advancing diversity within the legal profession, Aubrey serves on the board of the John Mercer Langston Bar Association, the local African‑American bar association in central Ohio. He regularly mentors and supports diverse law students throughout Columbus, providing guidance on academic success, on‑campus interviewing, and securing summer and post‑graduate employment.
Outside of the office, Aubrey enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling and staying active. He is an avid runner and an aspiring triathlete and always has several of races on his calendar.
Ohio
I believe the law should not feel like a barrier between people and what they are trying to build. At its best, it should be a tool; one that protects, empowers, and creates a clearer path forward.
That belief is deeply personal to me. As the son of a small business owner, I saw firsthand how difficult it can be to navigate legal and regulatory obligations without significant resources or ready access to counsel. A rule that may appear straightforward on paper can feel overwhelming when someone is also responsible for sustaining a business, supporting employees, and providing for a family. Those early experiences taught me that legal knowledge is most valuable when it can be translated into guidance that people can understand and put into practice.
That belief has guided every stage of my legal career. As a public finance attorney, I helped state and local governments and nonprofit organizations access the tax-exempt bond market to fund projects serving their communities. Today, in working more directly with tax-exempt organizations, I remain driven by the same goal: to provide thoughtful, excellent counsel while making even the most intricate legal requirements practical and navigable.
At Tovella Dowling, I have the opportunity to bring that purpose to organizations working every day to create meaningful change. Our clients carry ambitious missions and significant responsibilities. My role is to help ensure that legal complexity does not distract from, delay, or diminish that work.
For me, practicing law is ultimately about helping people move forward. It is about giving clients the clarity to understand their options, the confidence to make difficult decisions, and the freedom to remain focused on the work they set out to do.