KMK Law Congratulates the Participants of the Third Annual Diversity Case Competition for First Year Law Students

The Cincinnati law firm of Keating Muething and Klekamp PLL (KMK Law^®), in partnership with the University of Cincinnati College of Law’s Center for Professional Development, hosted the third annual Diversity Case Competition for first-year minority law students on January 15 & 16, 2021. This year the competition, which was held virtually, was comprised of 17 teams from 7 area law schools.

The competition simulates the real-world associate experience, complete with the evaluation and feedback processes used in most law firms. Using the case model students competed for cash prizes by displaying their analytical, problem solving, and communication skills – all skills that are key to success in the legal industry. The competition also exposed students to practicing attorneys and Fortune 500 corporate counsel, who served as coaches and judges.

“This program is a part of our ongoing commitment to inclusion and diversity at KMK Law,” said Bethany P. Recht, KMK Partner and Chair of the Diversity & Inclusion Committee. “While we missed the opportunity to meet and network in person this year, our virtual competition provided the law students the opportunity to showcase their legal abilities and sharpen their professional skills just as our event has in years past.”

This year’s program opened with guest speaker Malik Zaire, former quarterback for the University of Notre Dame and the University of Florida, and current commentator for college football on the CBS Sports Network.  Zaire shared the importance of networking, communication, and taking advantage of professional opportunities.

The program also included guest speakers Chief Judge Jeffrey P. Hopkins of the United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Ohio and Dean Verna Williams from the University of Cincinnati College of Law.  Judge Hopkins shared insights from his career and spoke of the importance of the Cincinnati Bar Association and BLAC Roundtable efforts in supporting the diverse population of young lawyers.  Dean Williams talked about the success of the Annual Case Competition and the significance of the competition being held on Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend.

Prizes were awarded to the following: 

First Place ($3,000) – University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law

• Shantale Davis
• Ashlei McPherson

Second Place ($2,000) – The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law

• Ashtar Abboud
• Ghofran Miari

Third Place ($1,000) – University of Cincinnati College of Law

• Inma Sumaita
• Ashley Nkdai

2021 Case Competition Participants

Law Schools:

• Cleveland Marshall College of Law
• Indiana University Maurer School of Law
• University Cincinnati College of Law
• University of Dayton School of Law
• University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law
• University of Louisville Louis D. Brandies School of Law
• The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law

Volunteer Judges, Panelists, and Legal Community Participants:

• Megan Bracher, Senior Counsel, The Procter & Gamble Company
• Tim Bunting, Assistant General Counsel, Juniper Networks
• Jim Burke, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Joel Chanvisanuruk MPA, JD, Assistant Dean of Academic Success and Bar Programs, University of Cincinnati College of Law
• Joe Callow, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Mike Cappel, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Melanie Cheek, Associate, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Alan Fershtman, Managing Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Renee Filiatraut, Retired / Former Litigation Counsel, AK Steel Corporation
• Sampak Garg, Director of Government Affairs and Senior Corporate Counsel, Juniper Networks
• Tom Hankinson, Senior Counsel, Supply Chain, GE Aviation
• Miranda Hogg, Bank Counsel, First Financial Bank
• Remington Jackson, Associate Counsel, The Port Authority
• Mina Jones Jefferson, Esq., Associate Dean & Chief of Staff, University of Cincinnati College of Law
• Shelly Kendricks, Principal, Counsel, L3Harris
• Jim Kennedy, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• James Kezele, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Carly Knue, Associate, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Ken Kreider, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Shannon Lawson, Associate, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Joe Lehnert, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Mary Catherine Malley, Senior Corporate Counsel, Juniper Networks
• Mel Matthews, Associate, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Melanie McKinney, Vice President, Legal Counsel, Fifth Third Bank
• Lisa Wintersheimer Michel, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Priya Mistry, Counsel, The Procter & Gamble Company
• Julie Mulhern, Director of Legal Recruiting and Professional Development, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Julie Muething, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Erica O’Brien, Senior Labor & Employment Practices Counsel, Cintas Corporation
• Claire Parrish, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Jim Parsons¸ Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Bethany Recht, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Collin Ryan, Associate, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Stephanie Scott, Associate, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Nick Simon, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Mark Sims, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Melinda Snyder, Principal Assistant Attorney General, Office of the Ohio Attorney General
• Ben Stewart, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Brandi Stewart, Assistant US Attorney, US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio
• Jason Stitt, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Amanda Stubblefield, Associate, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Adreanne Stuckey, Environmental Counsel, Duke Energy
• Taylor Trout, Associate, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Dan Utt, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Anitra Walden-Jacobs, Labor and Employment Counsel, Speedway LLC
• Darcy Watt, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Allie Westfall, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Jerad Whitt, Associate, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• John Williams, Associate General Counsel, FirstGroup
• Donald Willis, Senior Director and Associate General Counsel, The Procter & Gamble Company
• Danyelle Wright, Vice President, Employment and Labor Law and Chief Diversity Officer, The E.W. Scripps Company

About Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL

The law firm of Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL (KMK Law^®), based in Cincinnati, Ohio, is a nationally-recognized law firm delivering sophisticated legal solutions to businesses of all sizes—from Fortune 50 corporations to start-up companies. Chambers USA: America’s Leading Business Lawyers® 2020 recognized KMK as a leading law firm in Ohio in Banking & Finance, Bankruptcy & Restructuring, Corporate and Mergers & Acquisitions, Labor & Employment, and General Commercial Litigation. KMK Law earned five National Rankings in Commercial Litigation, Corporate Law, Land Use & Zoning Law, Project Finance Law and Venture Capital Law and 40 Metropolitan Rankings in the U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers publication of its 2021 “Best Law Firms” Report. Founded in 1954, KMK has approximately 130 lawyers and a support staff of 150 employees. Additional information is available at www.kmklaw.com.