Thursday, November 7, 2019

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN COLUMBUS

SPORTS:


WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS:

Alumni Spotlight

What has been done with a J.D.?




This week, the Alumni Spotlight is shining on Jill Snitcher McQuian. Jill graduated from Capital University Law School in 1999. Jill has been the Executive Director of the Columbus Bar Association, a position she has held for 8 years. 


Prior to becoming the Executive Director, Jill was the Executive Director for the Ohio Association for Justice and held various positions at the Columbus Bar Association.  When asked why she got into the legal profession she said: “Like most, I wanted to help people and make a difference in the world.  I started working with the Columbus Bar Association when I was in law school.  I never intended to practice law in the traditional sense, I had intended to get involved in politics, but I realized that I liked working with the bar association so much, I couldn’t leave.”
Since coming to the Columbus Bar Association, Jill has developed the first-ever lawyer incubator program in the country, nurturing new lawyers in starting a solo practice and improving the client’s experience, created a legal staffing business, adding new source of revenue and helping lawyers find employment and launched the first association Health Exchange Portal in the country.  She also helped to create the first-ever statewide placement agency for certified legal interpreters. 
Jill’s most indelible memory of Law School in her words-“I remember literally bawling in Max Kravitz’s office after I nearly failed my exam (one I thought I had aced!).  I had never gotten a bad grade in my life, and I was mortified.  He helped me realize I wasn’t seeing the forest for the trees, and it was like an epiphany.  To this day, when I am struggling with a challenge, I remember to step back and look at it differently.  Professor Kravitz made a big difference in my life, and I remember him fondly.”
Jill is originally from Ashtabula, Ohio and has 2 sisters. She is married and has two sons.  Her “escape” is going to the gym. 
Jill holds a Bachelor degree in Political Science from The Ohio State University and graduated from Capital University Law School in 1999. 





Wednesday, October 30, 2019

THINGS TO DO IN COLUMBUS THIS WEEKEND...







Alumni Spotlight

What You Can Do With A JD

This weeks Alumni Spotlight goes to Mary Amos Augsburger. Mary graduated from Cap Law in 2002. Today, Mary is the CEA of the Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA). She is the first woman Executive Director and only the 4th Executive Director in OSBA's 138-year history. 

Mary Has described the OSBA as "a 26,000-member organization that is committed not only to advancing the professional interests of attorneys and legal professionals, but also to expanding access to justice and protecting the rule of law. 


























Before Joining the OSBA, Mary worked in public policy in the Ohio House and Senate during law school and for a short time after graduation and passing the bar exam. She then went to work at the firm of Squire Sanders before returning to her true passion of public service, working at the Ohio Department of Commerce.  From there, she worked as the director of policy and public affairs at the Auditor of State’s office and then as Legislative Counsel to the OSBA before becoming Executive Director of the OSBA in 2013.  “I am so grateful that my position at the Bar affords me the opportunity to work directly with policy makers at the state and federal level and alongside men and women (our member attorneys) who are as dedicated to defending the rule of law and advancing justice as I am.”








Mary is a great example of non-traditional pathways a J.D. can take a student. She is in charge of a huge organization and has utilized her J.D. to get her there. She is now influencing policy and helping to ensure the attorneys of Ohio have what they need to succeed.

Mary is one example of how useful a J.D. can be; there are many ways to use your degree once you graduate. So don't worry, everything will work out.