Ohio State Bar Foundation Announces 2024 Community Service Award Winners for Newer Attorneys

Columbus, OH (October 2024) The Ohio State Bar Foundation is pleased to announce the winners of the District and Regional 2024 Community Service Award for Newer Attorneys. Regional awardees are selected from the district awardees (highlighted).

This award recognizes attorneys under age 40 or with less than 15 years of practice who dedicate substantial time and effort to local social service, civic, artistic, or cultural organizations. The award focuses on service and must be outside the recipients’ practice of law and provided without compensation.  Particular attention is paid to recipients who exemplify the ideals of the legal profession and, through their actions, serve as a credit to the profession.

“We are proud to honor these incredible attorneys for their commitment to giving back to their communities,” said Belinda Barnes, OSBF Board President. “We hope they are inspired by this recognition, and we look forward to the impactful work they will continue to do.”

NW Region

• Sarah Corney (District 3, Findlay)
  Corney is a trust and estates partner at RCO Law, where she focuses on assisting clients with their philanthropic legacies. She has served as a pro bono legal guardian through the Hancock County Probate Court for 10 years and is on the board of Hope House for Homeless, which provides critical housing resources in the Findlay area. Additionally, she serves on the compliance and audit committee of Blanchard Valley Health Systems. A dedicated mother of four, Corney is actively involved in her children’s activities, including cross country meets and 4-H at the Wood County Fair. She earned her undergraduate degree from the College of Wooster and her law degree from the University of Toledo College of Law.
• Kayla Henderson (District 4, Toledo)
  Henderson is a member of RCO Law, where she specializes in defending healthcare providers in medical malpractice and professional liability claims. She actively engages in community service through her roles on the Toledo Bar Association’s Board of Trustees, where she is vice chair of the Common Pleas Court Committee, and as a board member for the Society for Ohio Healthcare Attorneys. Henderson also dedicates her time to Paws and Whiskers Cat Shelter, Inc., serving as Secretary on the Board of Directors. Passionate about collecting vinyl records and supporting local businesses, she enjoys spending time with family and friends. Henderson earned her undergraduate degree from Ohio Wesleyan University and her law degree from the University of Toledo College of Law.
• JaMesha Williamson (District 16, NW Regional Winner, Lima)
  Williamson is a community-oriented attorney dedicated to helping families and businesses plan for their futures. She currently serves as the Vice President of the Bradfield Community Center and is active with the United Way of Greater Lima, where she chairs community impact initiatives. Known for her commitment to access to justice, Williamson has hosted multiple legal clinics in collaboration with various organizations, providing vital resources for expungement and sealing of records. Her collaborative efforts have significantly impacted her community, resulting in numerous applications for sealing records. Williamson earned her undergraduate degree in Political Science and her law degree from Ohio Northern University and the University of Dayton School of Law.

NE Region

• Kimberly Hall (District 10, Wooster)
  Hall is a member at Critchfield, Critchfield & Johnston, Ltd., where she chairs the Employment Law Practice Group. With extensive experience in counseling employers on labor and employment matters, she also represents clients in state and federal courts and various regulatory bodies. Hall is dedicated to community service, serving on the Board of Directors for the Heartland, Stark and Muskingum Lakes Chapter of the American Red Cross and as a Board Member for the Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce. She has also been involved with OneEighty, Inc. as a past Board Secretary and Risk Management Committee Chair and served on the Board of the Wayne County Humane Society. Hall earned her undergraduate degree from the College of Wooster and her law degree from Moritz College of Law.
• Imokhai Okolo (District 11, NE Regional Winner, Akron)
  Okolo is a trial attorney and social justice activist committed to serving marginalized communities. After transitioning from corporate law, he founded The Okolo Law Firm to provide accessible legal representation. He co-founded People Feeding People, a nonprofit that has distributed substantial food resources to families in Akron. Okolo also plans to establish a free mobile legal clinic to further serve his community. He earned his undergraduate degree in Social Justice Studies from Miami University and his law degree from the University of Akron School of Law.
• Delante Spencer Thomas (District 12, Cleveland)
  Spencer Thomas serves as the Chief Ethics Officer for the City of Cleveland, advising on Ohio Ethics Law and supporting police reform initiatives. Previously, he was Deputy Inspector General and Ethics Counsel for Cuyahoga County. An adjunct law professor, he is also active in community organizations and serves as president of the Norman S. Minor Bar Association. Spencer Thomas earned his undergraduate degree from Syracuse University and his law degree from Cleveland State University.
• Nils Peter Johnson (District 13, Canfield)
  Johnson is the managing partner at Johnson & Johnson, where he focuses on estate planning and real estate law. He is actively involved in the Canfield community, serving as past president of the Canfield Rotary Club and on the board of the OH WOW! Children’s Center for Science and Technology. Johnson also participates in the Mahoning County Bar Association’s Grievance and Ethics Committee. He earned his undergraduate degree from Bates College and his law degree from Vermont Law School.
• Joseph Cindric (District 18, Painesville)
  Cindric practices primarily in real estate and business transactions at Dworken & Bernstein Co., LPA. He represents a diverse range of clients, including businesses and real estate developers, and is involved in community initiatives that enhance local resources. Cindric enjoys spending time with his family and exploring the parks of the Cleveland area. He earned his undergraduate degree from North Park University and his law degree from DePaul University College of Law.

SW Region

• Adam Turer (District 1, SW Regional Winner, Cincinnati)
  Turer is a partner at Robbins, Kelly, Patterson & Tucker, representing clients in civil litigation and real estate matters. He is dedicated to community service, having held leadership roles in various youth sports organizations and served on the executive board of Cincinnati Youth Collaborative. Recently, Turer joined the Board of Trustees of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati to empower young leaders. He earned his undergraduate degree from Washington and Lee University and his law degree from Northern Kentucky University—Salmon P. Chase College of Law.
• Jessica Salisbury-Copper (District 2, Dayton)
  Salisbury-Copper is the Vice Chair of Thompson Hine’s business litigation practice group, focusing on complex commercial disputes and financial services litigation. She is recognized for her contributions to community service, serving on the Operating Board for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Miami Valley and engaging with various legal and civic organizations. Salisbury-Copper earned her undergraduate degree from Morehead State University and her law degree from Ohio Northern University College of Law.

SE Region

• Laura Silwani (District 17, SE Regional Winner, Marietta)
  Silwani serves as the Magistrate at Marietta Municipal Court, overseeing civil and criminal dockets. Previously practicing family law, she is active in her community, currently serving as President of the Marietta Main Street Board and previously on the Washington County Behavioral Health Board. Silwani is dedicated to creating a lasting impact through her volunteer efforts. She earned her undergraduate degree from Miami University and her law degree from the University of Pittsburgh.

Central Region

• Michelle Thompson (District 7, Central Regional Winner, Columbus)
  Thompson is an attorney at Perez Morris Law Firm, where she manages cases across various legal domains, including complex business disputes and labor law. She is actively involved in the legal community, serving on the NAMWOLF Emerging Leaders Initiative and engaging with multiple nonprofit organizations. Thompson earned her undergraduate degree from Saint Xavier University and her law degree from the University of Dayton School of Law.