Bench & Bar May/June 2026

COLUMNS

FOR CHASE STUDENTS, LAW SCHOOL CAN BE AN OUT-OF-CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE

S almon P. Chase College of Law students are more than students. They are a fellow in a highly competitive American Bar Association program for public service. A speaker on equitable law firm compensation at the ABA Midyear Meeting. Courtroom advocates before a United States Court of Appeals. Defense attorneys in gaining a dis missal of charges. And the author of a draft of a petition for certiorari to the Supreme Court of the United States. IMAGINE BEING IN CLASSES WITH:

ABBY WOOLVER TON , who had a big stage at the ABA Midyear Meeting in San Antonio for her idea on how large law firms can equi tably compensate lawyers. She pre sented her proposal

judges for a moot attended by supportive students at Chase, devoting substantial time to reviewing the record and providing feed back. Attorneys from Squire Patton Boggs reviewed the briefs and docket; and repeat edly refined our arguments to present them in the strongest possible form.” After graduation, Michelle will work for a nonprofit in Washington, D.C., doing con stitutional law and freedom of information work. Sidonie will be an associate with the Cincinnati firm of Wood + Lamping.

from a planned law review note – that the traditional compensation model discrimi nates against women, particularly mothers with family responsibilities, and should be replaced with a three-prong approach that balances various interests – at a ses sion of the Commission on Women in the Profession. “The presentation was an incredible experi ence and a great success. I received valuable feedback and encouragement, along with opportunities to collaborate with the com mission and its members,” she says.

ZEINAB ELKHANSA , one of about 30 law students from through out the nation to be awarded the Janet D. Steiger Fellowship of the American Bar Association to work in consumer protection departments of state

attorneys general and other agencies. The fellowship – named for the first woman to chair the Federal Trade Commission – is a highly competitive award for students to gain experience in public service. As a fellow, she will spend eight weeks this summer with the Office of the West Virginia Attorney General. “My role will involve supporting attorneys in investiga tions and enforcement actions aimed at protecting consumers from deceptive and unfair business practices. I will assist with legal research, drafting memoranda and analyzing legal issues.” After graduation in 2027, she hopes to practice in public service, with an attorney general, prosecutor or nonprofit.

KRISTINA HALL and LAUREN EAR HART , who achieved the type victory every defense lawyer wants: Getting charges against their client dismissed without having to go to court to do it. “We represented a juvenile client through the Chase Children’s Law Center Clinic who was facing multiple serious charges. After carefully reviewing hours of camera foot age and other discovery, we determined the evidence against our client was extremely weak. Ultimately, we persuaded the prose cutor that there was not enough implicating evidence to pursue any charges, leading to the dismissal of all charges. “This experience underscored how much time and effort can matter in a case. We have been able to work with clients at the Children’s Law Center Clinic under limited licenses to practice law, with the supervision and guidance of Professor Jennifer Brink man, who has been an incredible mentor and resource throughout this process.”

SIDONIE MANGEOT and MICHELLE SIBILIA , who were still months away from graduation when they did something few lawyers do: Argue before a United States Court of Appeals. Their case was a crim inal appeal to the Sixth Circuit, based in Cincinnati. “Our Sixth Circuit Clinic professors, Colter Paulson and Nathan Colvin, were invaluable throughout the process. We spent signifi cant time practicing in the courtroom. Chase Professors Jack Harrison, Alex Kreit and John Bickers generously served as

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