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

The law firm of Keating Muething and Klekamp PLL (KMK Law^®), in partnership with the University of Cincinnati College of Law, hosted the seventh annual Diversity Case Competition for first-year law students on January 17 & 18, 2025.

This year, the competition was comprised of 17 teams from 4 law schools in Ohio and Kentucky. The event simulates the real-world associate experience, complete with the assignment, evaluation and feedback processes used in law firms. Using a case model, students demonstrated analytical, problem solving, and communication skills –key traits for success in the legal profession.

The competition also provided participants with invaluable exposure to attorneys from private practice, public interest, and corporate counsel roles. These attorneys served as assigning partners, coaches, and judges, further enriching the experience for the students.

“The Diversity Case Competition is more than a legal challenge; it is a transformative experience for first-year law students,” said Bethany P. Recht, KMK Partner and Co-Chair of the Diversity & Inclusion Committee. “This program not only allows participants to showcase their skills but also fosters professional growth, networking opportunities, and exposure to diverse perspectives that will shape their legal careers.”

The top teams of the competition included:

First Place – The Ohio State University, Moritz College of Law

• Samantha Peacock
• Ana Wacker

Second Place – Salmon P. Chase College of Law, Northern Kentucky University

• Peter (Pete) Cashen
• The-Moor Kelly

Third Place – University of Cincinnati College of Law

• Shantinique Bright
• Michael Dawson

“The Diversity Case Competition continues to set a new standard as a best-in-class event for law students,” said Alan Fershtman, Managing Partner at KMK Law. “We are proud to host the nation’s first and only diversity case competition, providing participants with an unparalleled opportunity to engage in a meaningful learning experience.”

2025 Case Competition Participants

Law Schools:

• Salmon P. Chase College of Law, Northern Kentucky University
• The Ohio State University, Moritz College of Law
• University of Cincinnati College of Law
• University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law

Volunteer Judges, Coaches, Assigning Partners, and Planning Team:

• Sydney Auteri, Associate, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Mianda Bashala, Associate, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Taylor Baumeister, Associate, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Brandon Brown, Attorney, Hamilton County Prosecutors Office
• Michael Brumm, Vice President & General Counsel, Trew, LLC
• Amanda Stubblefield Burton, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Caitlin Case, Senior Regulatory Counsel, VP, Fifth Third Bank
• Kate Christoff, Director of Legal Talent & Diversity, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Chris Colloton, Associate, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Eric Cook, Of Counsel, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Andrew Ferguson, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Alan Fershtman, Managing Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Karin Goitman, Associate, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Greg Hartmann, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Miranda Hogg, Counsel, Cross River
• Mike Hurst, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Elizabeth Hutson, Staff Attorney, ProKids
• Dan Izenson, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Chris Jones, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Andy Kaminski, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Dara Kendall, Senior Vice President & General Counsel, The Procter & Gamble Company
• James Kezele, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Carly Knue, Assistant General Counsel, Trew, LLC
• Ken Kreider, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Shannon Lawson, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Joe Lehnert, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Jeremy Lifter, Staff Attorney & Asset Manager, Tire Discounters, Inc.
• Lisa Wintersheimer Michel, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• John Milligan, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Priya Mistry, Senior Counsel, The Procter & Gamble Company
• Adam Newton, Counsel, The Procter & Gamble Company
• Stephaney Panoushek, Commercial Contracts Attorney, Medpace
• Rachel Pappenfus, Associate, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Claire Parrish, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Jim Parsons, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Zach Peterson, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Bethany Recht, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Mark Reuter, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Jacob Rhode, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Kelzé Riley, Associate, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Greg Robinson, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Molly Russell, Senior Attorney, The Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati
• Alesha Schneider, Senior Counsel, The Procter & Gamble Company
• Debby Stiene, Administrative Assistant, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Ben Stewart, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Jason Stitt, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Taylor Stott-Trout, Deputy General Counsel, ClearPoint Health
• Phil Tracy, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Dan Utt, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Darcy Watt, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Samuel Weaver, Associate, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Zachary Weber, Corporate Counsel, Labor & Employment, The Kroger Co.
• Danyelle Wright, VP, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Labor & Employment, The E.W. Scripps Company
• Jerad Whitt, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL

 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. KMK Law has achieved Mansfield Certification Plus status. KMK Law has been awarded a Top Workplaces honor by The Enquirer Media since 2012. Chambers USA: America’s Leading Business Lawyers® 2024 recognized KMK as a leading law firm in Ohio in Banking & Finance, General Commercial Litigation, and Real Estate and in Ohio: South Central in Corporate/Mergers & Acquisitions. 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 2025 “Best Law Firms” Report. Founded in 1954, KMK has approximately 140 lawyers and a support staff of 120 employees. Additional information is available at www.kmklaw.com.