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MEET THE BOARD

2022-2023

EXECUTIVE BOARD

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CELIA SCHNUPP

President

Celia Schnupp is an Attorney with Perez & Morris.  In that role, she serves as a strategic legal partner for large corporations, small businesses, medical practices and individuals.  Celia effectively manages her clients’ litigation, compliance, employment and general business needs. As an advocate for her clients in a variety of settings, she delivers creative and effective solutions, while balancing business needs with each client’s definition of a successful outcome. Celia is an experienced trial and appellate attorney, trying cases at all levels of state and federal courts. Her background includes complex business litigation, employment defense, including the defense of discrimination claims, healthcare fraud and billing compliance, HIPAA, trade secret/non-compete disputes, and contract disputes involving fraud, misrepresentation and bad faith.  With more than a decade of experience, her confident demeanor in court was developed from her experience as a staff attorney to the Honorable Richard A. Frye in Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, working on the specialized Commercial Docket.  Prior to joining Perez Morris, Celia was an attorney with the Columbus office of Taft Stettinius & Hollister.

 

In addition to spending time with her children and large extended family, Celia enjoys “passing the torch” by helping girls and women develop their interests and create a foundation for a successful career.  Beyond serving as Treasurer for the Women Lawyers of Franklin County, she also is the President of the Board of The Ohio State University Dance Team Alumni Society, Board Secretary for her homeowner’s association, and is actively involved in pro bono services with the Legal Aid Society of Columbus. She received her undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University and earned her J.D. from Capital University School of Law.

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ALEXIS PRESKAR

President - Elect

Alexis Preskar is Attorney Services Counsel at the Supreme Court of Ohio.  She previously worked as a business litigator at a mid-size firm, where she participated in trials, successfully argued motions, and handled complex partnership disputes.  She also serves as the Chair of the Government Agencies Committee for the Columbus Bar Association.  

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BRIDJETTE HAIRSTON

Secretary

Bridjette Hairston currently serves as Staff Attorney to the Honorable Stephen L. McIntosh at the Franklin County Common Pleas Court where she manages the civil docket of 300+ cases on a regular basis. Prior to the Court, Bridjette held legal positions at the Ohio Attorney General's Office, Franklin County JFS, the Legal Aid Society of Columbus, and the Ohio Civil Rights Commission. 

Bridjette is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University School of Law and earned her J.D. with a concentration in Litigation/Alternative Dispute Resolution.  She is licensed to practice law in the State of Ohio and is admitted in The United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.

Bridjette is actively involved in her local community, passionate about mentorship, engaged in Diversity & Inclusion initiatives, and volunteers with her daughter's volleyball team. 
 

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KIMBERLY DESPAS

Treasurer

Kimberly is an attorney in Taft’s Litigation practice group, representing businesses and individuals in a range of complex matters. She brings experience in insurance coverage litigation, serving both insurers and the insured. Adept at advising clients through all phases of litigation, Kimberly’s practice also includes business and intentional torts, negligence, construction law, education law, personal injury, premises liability, and constitutional law claims.

Prior to joining Taft, Kimberly was an associate focused on civil insurance defense at a regional business and litigation firm in Columbus, Ohio. Also having spent time at a small plaintiff’s law firm, she has a broad understanding of both sides of the law.

Kimberly earned her J.D. from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, where she was managing editor of The Ohio State Journal on Dispute Resolution. She received her B.A., cum laude, in psychology and sociology from the University of California, Berkeley. Before attending law school, she worked within the special investigations unit of a large corporate insurance firm.

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GINA PIACENTINO

Trustee 

Gina M. Piacentino is the Owner & Founding Member of The Piacentino Law Group. She brings to the firm an extensive knowledge of legal practice and experience. 

 

Gina M. Piacentino graduated from Miami University, cum laude and graduated from the University of Akron School of Law. While in law school, Gina worked for the City of Canton Prosecutor’s office in Canton, Ohio and for two boutique law firms in Akron, Ohio. She focused on representing small to mid-sized privately held companies, in facilitating real estate transactions, and in general business issues. Immediately upon graduation from law school, Gina assumed the management of the Piacentino & Piacentino Law firm. Established in Marion, Ohio, for more than 70 years, the prestigious firm specialized in litigation. She bridged between civil matters as well as overseeing all business and marketing decisions. Gina was then charged with creating and establishing the Columbus office of O’Connor Acciani & Levy. At the time, the Cincinnati based partnership had no presence in Central Ohio. Within three years her leadership and skill grew the office so that the practice quickly became a very reputable firm in Columbus. Gina specialized in personal injury litigation. 

 

Gina currently practices in the areas of personal injury, probate, contract disputes and other civil ligation matters. She remains active in the Columbus area community and serves on several boards and committees. She has presented in several venues, speaking by invitation on a wide array of topics including subrogation, regulatory practices, ethics, client management, and business ownership. She is the immediate past-president of the Women Lawyers of Franklin County.

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KAILEE GOOLD

Trustee

Kailee Goold is VP of Litigation and Legal Operations at Cardinal Health, a Fortune 20 company. Kailee is known for her workshops that drive innovation, authenticity, and effective communication. She works with industry groups and law firms to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession.

Kailee is actively engaged on social media (@kaileegoold) and in the community. In addition to her work with WLFC, Kailee is President of the Board of Community for New Direction (@CNDonline).

2022 - 2023 Committee Chairs

Membership - Sara Valentine

Law School Chair - Dinu O'Reilly

Events Co-Chair- Michelle H. Wong-Halabi

Events Co-Chair: Liz Mote

Community Relations Co-Chair - Jhay Spottswood

Diversity Co-Chair - Hannah Botkin-Doty

Diversity Co-Chair - Nita Garg

Dining Circle - Sunni DiNicola

Community Relations Co-Chair - Casey Rieth

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