I’ve known I wanted to be a lawyer since I was a young girl, listening to my father talk about cases and trials at the dinner table. Fairness has always been my driving force — knowing that no one ever deserves or wants to be in a situation where they need an attorney. I believe that one of the greatest joys in life is interacting with and helping other people, and it’s this knowledge that I take with me to my practice every day. We want our clients to know that we are in this battle together.
Inspiration in my life: My father. Since I was a young girl, I would hear him talk about cases and trials at the dinner table. It is what inspired me to be a lawyer.
When I’m not helping clients: You can find me outdoors! I love spending time with my family being active and in the fresh air whenever possible.
My advice for young professionals: Find time to do things that are only for you and stay physically active.
I like giving back because: it’s the right thing to do. Simple as that.
My greatest accomplishments: The two most majestic experiences of my life are skydiving and peering down a ski slope in the Swiss Alps.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Actively assists with Firelands Habitat for Humanity projects
Erie County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for children, Board Member
AREAS OF PRACTICE & CONCENTRATIONS
Civil Rights
Traumatic Brain Injury
Trucking Collisions
Wrongful Death Actions
Class Actions
Mediation
Insurance Law
Admiralty and Maritime Law
Railroad Law, FRSA, FELA
LITIGATION PERCENTAGE
100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
BAR ADMISSIONS
Ohio, 2006
U.S. District Court Northern District of Ohio, 2011
EDUCATION
The Ohio State University, Michael E. Moritz College of Law, Columbus, Ohio, May, 2005
J.D., Alternative Dispute Resolution Certificate
Honors: Scholarships: James F. Flynn Memorial, Wilbert G. and Hilma R. Schwer, and Women Lawyers of Franklin County
Honors: Award: Community Service
Case Western Reserve University, Weatherhead School of Management, Cleveland, Ohio, May, 1998,
M.B.A.
Honors: Scholarships: Dean’s Academic Scholarship, Ewing Marion Kauffman Scholar
Honors: Award: Community Service
Ashland University, School of Education, Ashland, Ohio
M.Ed.
Saint Ignatius of Loyola University, Baltimore, Maryland, December, 1991, B.A.
Honors: Dean’s List, Alpha Sigma Nu- National Jesuit Honor Society
REPRESENTATIVE CASES
Oatman v. InfoCision, Inc., et al., 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 106453 (N.D. Ohio 2013)
Stevenson v. Western & Southern Mut. Holding Co., 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 42026 (N.D. Ohio 2012)
Range v. Cincinnati Life Ins. Co., 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 41520 (N.D. Ohio 2012)
HONORS & AWARDS
Fortune Women Leaders in the Law, 2015
Martindale Hubbell AV rated - 2014-2019
National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers; Top 25 Brain Injury Lawyers; Top 10 Bad Faith Insurance Lawyers, 2015-2019
America's Top 100 Personal Injury Attorneys- 2019
Ohio Super Lawyer, Rising Star, 2014-2016
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
American Association for Justice (AAJ): State Delegate - Secretary; Civil Rights Section - Treasurer; Railroad Law Section - Secretary; Membership Oversight Committee - Member; National Finance Council - Member; Public Education Committee - Member
AAJ Leadership Academy 2017
Cleveland Academy of Trial Lawyers, Member
Disability Rights Bar Association, Member
Education Law Association, Member
Erie County Bar Association, Member
Ohio Association for Justice: Member, Trucking Safety Committee Chair; Board Member
Ohio State Bar Association, Member
Pound Civil Justice Institute, Member
Public Justice Foundation, Member
The National Trial Lawyers, Member
PAST EMPLOYMENT POSITIONS
Ohio Department of Development, Assistant Chief Legal Counsel, 2007 - 2011
Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office, Assistant Prosecutor, 2006 - 2007
Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office, Gang Unit Legal Intern, 2005 - 2006