A co-founder of the Deters, Benzinger & LaVelle law firm, Charlie Deters, is retiring and withdrawing from the firm, according to a Wednesday announcement.

Deters' name will no longer be associated with the Crestview Hills-based law firm, according to a news release from Deters and his family. Three sons who formerly were members of the firm have left over the past decade to start their own practices - Eric Deters in 1998, and Jed and Jeremy Deters in 2007.

A graduate of Covington Latin School, Villa Madonna Academy (now Thomas More College) and the University of Cincinnati College of Law, Deters, 78, has practiced law for 53 years. He joined Dressman, Dunn and Deters in 1955 as a partner, then joined with Gerald Benzinger and the late Jack LaVelle to form Deters Benzinger.

Deters remains chairman of the Deters Co., which owns several fast-food and convenience store franchises, and is the controlling owner of the Farmers National Bank, which has four offices in Northern Kentucky, and the Independent Bank of Ocala, in Florida. Deters also operates two thoroughbred horse farms, in Walton, where he resides, and in Ocala, Fla.

Deters Benzinger is the largest Northern Kentucky-based law firm, and the 15th largest in the Tri-State, with 34 attorneys, according to Courier research. The firm also has a downtown Cincinnati office in the Carew Tower.