KMK Law Congratulates the Participants of the Sixth 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 sixth annual Diversity Case Competition for first-year law students from diverse backgrounds on January 12 & 13, 2024. This year the competition was comprised of 14 teams from 5 law schools in Ohio and Kentucky.

The competition simulates the real-world associate experience, complete with the assignment, evaluation and feedback processes used in law firms. Using the case model, students displayed analytical, problem solving, and communication skills – all skills that are keys to success in the legal industry. The competition also exposed students to attorneys in private practice, public interest, and outside corporate counsels, who served as assigning partners, coaches, and judges.

“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. “Beyond the competition itself, students have the chance to interact with seasoned attorneys and outside corporate counsels, serving as mentors and judges. The result is not just a chance to win the competition, but an opportunity for skill development, professional networking, and exposure to diverse perspectives that will undoubtedly shape their future success in the legal industry."

The top teams of the competition included:

First Place – University of Cincinnati College of Law

• Amilcar Torres-Enriquez
• Dominic Roschival

Second Place – The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law

• Elizabeth Agranovsky
• Zachary Paganini

Third Place – University of Cincinnati College of Law

• Joele Newman
• Megan Hasson

“Thank you to the volunteer judges from our legal community, law students, and the University of Cincinnati College of Law, all of whom have been instrumental in bringing this program to life year after year,” said Alan Fershtman, Managing Partner. “Their commitment has been integral to the success of the Diversity Case Competition. At KMK Law, we are thrilled to host the nation’s first and only diversity case competition, and we extend our thanks to everyone involved.”

2024 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 Dayton School of Law
• University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law

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

• Taylor Baumeister, Associate, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Samantha Berten, Associate Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Chris Brinkman, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Michael Brumm, Vice President & General Counsel, Trew, LLC
• Raymond Bullucks, Associate General Counsel, TriHealth
• Andrew Barras, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Caitlin Case, Senior Regulatory Counsel, VP, Fifth Third Bank
• Adam Centner, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Kate Christoff, Director of Legal Talent & Diversity, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Tiffany Clark, General Counsel, Xtek Inc.
• Stacy Cole, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Thaddeus Driscolle, EHS Senior Counsel, GE Aerospace
• Alan Fershtman, Managing Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Karin Goitman, Associate, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Hunter Hardy, Associate, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Mike Hurst, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Elizabeth Hutson, Staff Attorney, ProKids
• Dan Izenson, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• 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.
• Krista Meyer, Staff Counsel, GEICO
• Kassidy Michel, Associate, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Lisa Wintersheimer Michel, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Carson Miller, Associate, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Priya Mistry, Senior Counsel, The Procter & Gamble Company
• 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
• Greg Robinson, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Molly Russell, Senior Attorney, The Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati
• Luke Shaffer, Associate, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Mark Sims, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp
• Ben Stewart, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Jason Stitt, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Taylor Stott-Trout, Associate Counsel, Contract Administration, Prolink
• Cecelia Tio, Corporate Counsel, Lumin Digital
• Phil Tracy, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Anitra Walden-Jacobs, Senior Counsel, Labor & Employment, 7-Eleven, Inc.
• Darcy Watt, Partner, Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Zachary Weber, Corporate Counsel, Labor & Employment, The Kroger Co.
• Jerad Whitt, Associate, 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^® 2023 recognized KMK as a leading law firm in Ohio in Banking & Finance, Bankruptcy & Restructuring, 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 37 Metropolitan Rankings in the 2024 “Best Law Firms” Report. Founded in 1954, KMK has approximately 135 lawyers and a support staff of 120 employees. Additional information is available at www.kmklaw.com.