KMK Law Congratulates the Participants of the Fourth 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, hosted the fourth annual Diversity Case Competition for first-year minority law students on January 14 & 15, 2022. This year the competition, which was held virtually, was comprised of 11 teams from 6 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 KMK’s ongoing commitment to inclusion and diversity at KMK Law,” said Bethany P. Recht, KMK Partner and Chair of the Diversity & Inclusion Committee. “While we once again missed the opportunity to meet and network in person this year, our virtual competition has provided the law students the opportunity to engage with local attorneys, showcase their legal analysis, and sharpen their professional skills just as our event has in years past.”

This year’s program opened with guest speaker Jaia Thomas, a Walnut Hills alum who now works as a sports and entertainment attorney. Thomas is the founder of Diverse Representation, an organization focused on increasing the exposure and number of African-American agents, attorneys, managers, and publicists who work in the sports and entertainment industry.

The program also included Dean Verna Williams from the University of Cincinnati College of Law who spoke 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 Cincinnati College of Law

• Alexandria Anderson
• Justeen Jackson

Second Place ($2,000) – University of Cincinnati College of Law

• Aqdas Khudadad
• Kelze’ Riley

Third Place ($1,000) – Salmon P. Chase College of Law, Northern Kentucky University

• Jarvis Graham
• Maiya Lane

2022 Case Competition Participants

Law Schools:

• Case Western Reserve University Law School
• Salmon P. Chase College of Law, Northern Kentucky University
• University Cincinnati College 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:

• Taylor Beckham, Associate, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Kasey Bond, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Raymond Bullucks, Hospital Operations Counsel, Prospect Medical Holdings, Inc.
• Joe Callow, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Melanie Cheek, Employment Practices Counsel, Cintas Corporation
• Kate Christoff, Director of Legal Recruiting & Professional Development, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Nicole Cloyd, 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
• Richard Hutson, Vice President & Senior Counsel, Fifth Third Bank
• Dan Izenson, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• James Kezele, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Shannon Lawson, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Joe Lehnert, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Carson Miller, Associate, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• John Milligan, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Priya Mistry, Counsel, The Procter & Gamble Company
• 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
• Greg Robinson, Associate, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Nick Simon, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Ben Stewart, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Jason Stitt, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Taylor Trout, Associate, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Anitra Walden-Jacobs, Labor and Employment Counsel, Speedway LLC
• Allie Westfall, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• John Williams, Associate General Counsel, FirstGroup

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^® 2021 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 four National Rankings in 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 2022 “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.