Columbus, OH (May 2024) - The Ohio State Bar Foundation (OSBF) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2024 Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under. The award is given to attorneys who work to make a difference in their communities, outside of their practice area, and without compensation.
“I am honored to celebrate the winners of the OSBF Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and under. These exceptional individuals exemplify the profound impact lawyers can have on society through their dedication to giving back. Their contributions serve as a beacon of inspiration, demonstrating the transformative role attorneys play in making our world a better place. We salute their outstanding efforts,” said Belinda Barnes, OSBF President.
Recipients of the Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under were recognized at a luncheon hosted by the Ohio State Bar Association on May 7, 2024 at the Athletic Club in downtown Columbus.
Congratulations to the following recipients:
Southwest
- Chelsea J. Clark, Cincinnati
Chelsea Clark is an associate at Dinsmore & Shohl LLP, specializing in complex commercial litigation. Clark is committed to empowering students and organizes impactful mentorship programs and activities as the Team Lead for the Dinsmore Mentor Team at Glenn O. Swing. She serves as co-chair of the Mock Trial Committee at the Cincinnati Bar Association’s Young Lawyer Section (YLS) Board. She also volunteers with Adopt-A-Class, a non-profit organization in the Greater Cincinnati area providing mentorship for students in underserved communities. Clark is a graduate of St. Mary’s College and earned her law degree from Indiana University Maurer School of Law.
- Stephen A. Moberg, Springfield
Stephen A. Moberg, 35, is a solo practitioner based in Springfield, OH. His leadership as the Board Chair for Project Woman, an organization combating domestic violence and sexual assault, has made a substantial impact on the organization's mission. Moberg is a graduate of Wittenberg University and earned his law degree from the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law.
“Stephen is a strong advocate of the mission of Project Woman. Over the past 7 years, he has demonstrated increasing levels of leadership with Project Woman and currently serves as Board Chair,” said Laura Baxter, Project Woman Executive Director. “Stephen is a great asset to the leadership and governance of the organization.”
- Morgan Napier, Dayton
Morgan Napier is a Commercial Litigation Associate at Faruki PLL. Her commitment to community service and professional engagement includes serving as a Trustee-at-Large for the Ohio Women’s Bar Association (OWBA) where she contributes to the Leading with Style Committee. Napier is the Publicity & Public Relations Chair for the Dayton Chapter of the Federal Bar Association and is an active member of the Dayton Bar Association. She is a graduate of the University of Kentucky and earned her law degree from the University of Dayton School of Law.
“I have great appreciation for Morgan's generosity and attitude. Morgan is an outstanding and engaged young attorney and I am pleased to nominate her for this recognition,” said Jeff Cox, Partner, Faruki PLL.
Northwest
- Katherine Hunt-Thomas, Toledo
Katherine Hunt-Thomas is a Disability Rights Attorney and Director of Advocacy at the Ability Center of Greater Toledo. She also serves as a part-time professor of Disability Law at The University of Toledo College of Law. Under her leadership, the Ability Center’s Advocacy Program has been nationally recognized for their efforts to become the most disability-friendly community in the nation. Prior to her work at The Ability Center, Katie worked with Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, providing legal aid for Ohio's low-income individuals. Hunt-Thomas is a graduate of Pace University and earned her law degree from the University of Toledo College of Law.
“Katie has led several of these collaborative projects for community service organizations serving individuals with disabilities. She has a unique ability to bring people together for collaboration to address common issues,” Dani Moran, CVRT, Program Director, the Sight Center. “The opportunity to work as a group to address these issues, with her leadership, enables each organization to reach deeper into our missions.”
Central
- Caitlyn Johnson, Columbus
Caitlyn Nestleroth Johnson is a Senior Assistant Attorney General at the Ohio Attorney General's Office. Johnson is a dedicated legal professional and community servant. She is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Columbus, the Columbus Bar Association, and the Ohio State Bar Association. Johnson is actively involved in legal education and youth development and serves as a mentor and mock trial judge with the Ohio Center for Law-Related Education. She is a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University and earned her law degree from the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law.
"Caitlyn represents the best ideals of what it means to be an attorney,” said Scott T. Lindsey, Attorney with Lindsey Law Office. “She is truly deserving of recognition, and I would be proud to have her as the standard-bearer for community service among young attorneys."
South
- Adrienne Buckler-Callihan, Portsmouth
Adrienne Buckler-Callihan is the founder and owner of Buckler Callihan Law, LLC. From coaching the Valley Local Schools Mock Trial Team to actively participating in the Scioto County Pro Se Legal Clinic, Buckler-Callihan exemplifies a commitment to legal education and community empowerment. She serves on the boards of the Scioto County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Scioto County Health Department, and Salvation Army. Buckler-Callihan is a graduate of the Ohio State University and earned her law degree from the Northern Kentucky University College of Law.
“Adrienne is highly intelligent, hard-working and energetic, professional, friendly, and service-oriented. She has spent many hours giving back to Scioto County and is, indeed, a credit to our profession,” said Anna E. Davis, Staff Attorney, 4th District Court of Appeals.
Northeast
- Jonathon “JC” Elgin, Shelby, Shelby
Jonathan (“JC”) Elgin, an attorney at JC Elgin Co., LPA, has been a dedicated community servant throughout his career. He served as civil counsel for various county and township offices at the Richland County Prosecutor’s Office and played a key role in the formation of the YMCA of North Central Ohio. He served on the Richland County Board of Elections and remains an engaged and influential member of the community. Elgin is a graduate of the Ohio State University and earned his law degree from Ohio Northern University—Claude W. Pettit College of Law.
“JC has continuously proven to be a beacon of service, using his legal expertise and a sense of social responsibility to drive changes within our community. He led the charge that integrated the Shelby and Mansfield YMCA’s into the YMCA of North Central Ohio — a synergy that has strengthened our community,” said Mindy Yocum, founder and owner of Yocum Law Office.
- Vonsheay Brown, Akron
Vonsheay Brown is the Assistant Director of Law - Civil Division for the City of Cleveland and a dedicated community servant. Brown’s commitment extends to various community initiatives, including Stand Down for Houseless Veterans, Feed My Starving Children, Sister Circle, and the Empowered Girls Summer Camp where she helps educate and empower minority youth. Brown is a graduate of Michigan State University and earned her law degree from the Michigan State University College of Law.
“I'm so impressed by Vonsheay’s dedication to her community. She has served with her legal knowledge, mentoring skills, and whether it’s packing food for hungry children, working with homeless veterans, or assisting women’s self-defense classes, Vonsheay is improving her community for the better,” said Drew Odum, OSBF Trustee and Senior Legal Counsel at The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company.
- ShaRay Lewis, Youngstown
ShaRay Lewis is a State of Ohio Assistant Public Defender and the President/Founder of Building Minority Leadership Inc., an organization addressing challenges faced by minority populations to reduce crime and recidivism risk factors. During law school, Lewis served as a summer associate for Community Legal Aid She held the Diversity Chair position at the American Constitution Society and received recognition from the Supreme Court of Ohio and the Ohio Access to Justice Foundation for outstanding pro bono service. Lewis is a graduate of Youngstown State University and earned her law degree from the University of Akron School of Law.
“ShaRay’s unwavering dedication to community service, her leadership in building minority leadership, and her impact on underprivileged communities make her not just a deserving candidate, but an exemplary one,” said Mindy Yocum, founder and owner of Yocum Law Office.
- Megan Bennett, Cleveland
Megan Bennett is a Partner at Frantz Ward LLP. She is actively involved with the West Side Catholic Center, serving on its Board of Directors since 2020. Bennett is a founding member of the Magnificat High School Blue Streak Barristers, providing valuable support to students interested in legal careers. Her dedication extends to professional organizations, including the Cleveland Chapter of SHRM, where she served on the Legal Affairs Committee. Bennett is a graduate of the University of Dayton and earned her law degree from Cleveland State University College of Law.
“Megan is one of our star younger attorneys, and as great of an attorney as she is, she is an even greater person. It’s not just how much time she gives, but it is the nature of the services she provides,” said Mike Frantz, Jr., Partner, Frantz Ward LLP.
- Carmen Hamper, Ashtabula
Carmen M. Harper is a solo practitioner at Carmen M. Harper, Attorney at Law, specializing in juvenile and family law. Carmen is deeply involved in community service and serves as Vice President of the Ashtabula County District Library Board of Trustees and is a board member of the Ashtabula County District Library Foundation. Harper is a graduate of Butler University and Ohio Northern University—Claude W. Pettit College of Law.
“There is no finer choice than Carmen M. Hamper to receive this award. Carmen has made and continues to make a great positive impact on our profession, the justice system, and our community,” said Robin Stanley, Attorney at Ibold & O'Brien.
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