Donald P. Klekamp College of Law

The Cincinnati Law Review is thrilled to announce the publication of Volume 94, Issue 4.

This issue is particularly special as it contains a piece highlighting the contributions and legacy of the College’s late dean, and the Law Review Suite’s namesake, Victor Schwartz. The issue also contains two fascinating pieces written by friends and colleagues of Victor Schwartz relating to mass tort litigation: one on the newly amended Federal Rule of Evidence 702 and the other on the drivers of unsupported claims.

Additionally, Issue 4 contains a piece written by a speaker at the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts and UC Law Help Center’s 2025 Access to Justice Symposium, which the Law Review is proud to have assisted and sponsored.

This incredible piece is entitled Violent White Exclusionary Destruction of Black Property is a Public Nuisance: The Tulsa Race Massacre and Beyond.

The final lead article contains original research conducted by the author and an analysis of how military appellate courts review sexual assault convictions. This important and timely piece is entitled The Shadow Corroboration Doctrine in Sexual Violence Cases.

Finally, this issue features the exceptional work of five Cincinnati Law Review members:

• Kennedy Aikey

• Sophie Ballah

• Jacob Davenport

• Abigail Oberbeck

• Maggie Traubert

University of Cincinnati Law Review members also continued contributing valuable legal scholarship online through the Law Review Blog, with recent work published by:

• Josh Smith

• Stella Brocker

• Katie Bunch

• Mofe Koya

• Jack Frischen

• Andrew Pyles

• Brookelynn Stone

• Nathan Steineker

• Joanna Swaiss

• Kennedy Aikey

• Maggie Traubert

Read the full Volume 94, Issue 4 here:

https://scholarship.law.uc.edu/uclr/

Read the latest Law Review Blog posts here:

https://uclawreview.org/2026/

Congratulations to the authors, editorial team and entirety of Volume 94 on their continued contributions to legal scholarship. We look forward to seeing what they can accomplishes next.

Last week, the Donald P. Klekamp College of Law proudly celebrated the remarkable achievements of our 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award honorees during our annual Distinguished Alumni Luncheon.

We were honored to recognize:
• Mina Jones Jefferson, Law ’90
• Scott E. Knox, Med ’83, Law ’85
• Emma S. Off, Law ’11
• Judy L. Pershern, Law ’84

From advancing equity and professionalism in the legal field, to championing LGBTQ+ rights, leading innovation-driven business growth, and supporting future generations of law students through philanthropy and mentorship, each honoree represents the very best of the Cincinnati Law community.

The afternoon also included networking with alumni, faculty, students and friends of the College, along with updates from Dean Haider Ala Hamoudi on the continued momentum and future of the Donald P. Klekamp College of Law.

Congratulations again to this year’s honorees and thank you for the lasting impact you continue to make on the legal profession and our communities.

One of the most challenging things about the first year of law school is imposter syndrome.

A lot of people will think, ‘How did I even get in here compared to all of these people who are so driven, so smart, and so good at what they do?’ But very quickly you realize that everybody’s just trying to get by and it’s actually not that big of a deal.

Between undergrad and law school, I worked as an AmeriCorps volunteer at a local nonprofit that offered free housing advice. It was unfortunate to see people working over 40-hours a week and still not being able to afford a home, something so essential. It was not fair. That’s when I knew I needed to go to law school, and Cincinnati Law specifically, because of opportunities like the Domestic Violence Clinic, the Urban Morgan Institute for Human Rights, and the Jones Center for Race, Gender, and Social Justice.

Law school is preparing me to make an impact on an individual level. Being part of the Jones Center connected me with the opportunity to co-author a shadow report to the United Nations highlighting human rights violations against LGBTQ+ communities in the U.S. It was a collaborative effort with Cornell Law and the University of Miami, and it deepened my understanding of international law. It was one of those experiences that showed me how much is possible when you’re surrounded by people who believe in this work.

Being in law school is probably the perfect place to be during a time like this. There’s a lot of despair.

But knowing all of these people who really care about social justice and will be the next generation of lawyers, the next generation of legislators and judges—gives me hope.

—Melissa Navarra, JD Candidate ‘27

I joined the Marine Corps out of high school. My dad is a Marine along with my grandfather, it just felt like what I was meant to do. Like I was meant to be a part of something bigger. I never thought I would go to college, I thought I would retire from the Corps. I got out in 2019, and my wife and I moved to Texas. We bought 10 acres and started a little hobby ranch raising cattle, horses, goats, chickens, and pigs. At the same time, I was working construction while in undergrad.

Construction is honorable work, but I missed having a deeper sense of purpose. In the Marines, I was serving my country and protecting the freedoms we often take for granted. So I started thinking about what I could do to feel that sense of purpose and service again.

That’s what eventually pushed me towards law school.

While finishing my degree at Texas A&M, my wife and I found out we were expecting our first child. I decided to work for a year after undergrad. It felt less stressful starting law school with a one-year-old rather than a one-month-old.

But then, when I got home from orientation at Cincinnati Law, my wife told me she and my son had gotten me a gift. When I opened the gift bag, I saw a pregnancy test. Positive.

Our next son was born a week before finals in the Spring of my 1L year.

Law school with kids is just…different. I’d wait until 9 or 9:30pm, after the kids were asleep. I never want them to think that my career matters more than they do.

I lost sleep. A lot of it. But at the end of the day, no matter how school was or how a test went, I’d come home and my family was there.

Cincinnati Law emphasizes serving the community. From Youth Court to the Domestic Violence Clinic, I’ve had a lot of opportunities to give back, even before becoming a lawyer.

As a 1L, I volunteered with the Hamilton County Youth Court diversion program. Seeing youth get a second chance hits different because I have my own kids. You start thinking about how one moment can change everything.

At the end of the day, I just want my kids to have more opportunities than I did.

They are why I am here.

—Trey Rutledge, JD Candidate ’27

Last month, members of the Donald P. Klekamp College of Law community were honored at the 33rd Annual Black Lawyers Association of Cincinnati Scholarship & Awards Banquet, an evening dedicated to celebrating leadership, service, and the future of the legal profession.

We are especially proud of Olivia M. Riggs, Kaia Woodford, Anita Adobea Preko, and Will Gronefeld for being recognized for their academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to serving their communities. Their accomplishments reflect the passion and purpose of our students and the impact they are already making both inside and outside the classroom.

The event also recognized Distinguished Service Award Honoree Mina Jones Jefferson, Esq., a Donald P. Klekamp College of Law graduate whose decades of leadership, mentorship, and advocacy have helped shape the Cincinnati legal community and create opportunities for future generations of attorneys.

Thank you to the Black Lawyers Association of Cincinnati for continuing to invest in students, celebrate excellence, and strengthen the future of the legal profession through events like this one.

Get an inside look at life in Cincinnati through the eyes of our students during the Virtual Cincy Student Takeover!

From favorite local spots and hidden gems to everyday moments around the city, our students are sharing what makes Cincinnati feel like home. Follow along this week as they take you around the Queen City and showcase the experiences that make being part of the Donald P. Klekamp College of Law community so unique.

📍May 18–May 22

On May 15, we celebrated a historic moment for the Donald P. Klekamp College of Law as we officially honored the naming of the College alongside Donald P. Klekamp, his family, alumni, faculty, staff, students, and members of the broader University of Cincinnati community.

The celebration reflected not only the impact of the largest gift in the College’s nearly 200-year history, but also the legacy, leadership, and generosity behind it. Remarks from Neville G. Pinto, President of the University of Cincinnati, Dean Haider Ala Hamoudi, and university leadership highlighted what this moment means for the future of legal education, student opportunity, and the continued momentum of the College.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating this exciting new chapter for the Donald P. Klekamp College of Law. The future is bright, and we’re just getting started.

From classrooms and clinics to courtrooms and communities, the Class of 2026 has spent the last three years building the skills, resilience, and passion needed to lead with purpose.

As the Donald P. Klekamp College of Law celebrates graduation, we recognize not only the accomplishments of our graduates, but the impact they are already making through advocacy, service and leadership.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026 — your next chapter starts now, and we can’t wait to see where it takes you. ⚖️🎓

https://www.uc.edu/news/articles/2026/05/university-of-cincinnati-klekamp-law-celebrates-2026-graduation.html

Congratulations to the newest graduates of the Donald P. Klekamp College of Law!

Today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter, and we could not be prouder of everything you have accomplished along the way.

Your hard work, determination, and resilience brought you to this moment, and the future ahead is full of possibility. To those preparing to take the bar exam in the months ahead, we are cheering you on every step of the way.

Once a Bearcat, always a Bearcat.

From the classroom to legal practice, law alum Charlie Rittgers shares insight on his career journey, advice for current students, and the experiences that helped shape his path after graduation.

“One of the biggest lessons I learned was the importance of building relationships and staying open to opportunities you may not expect.”

Read more in our latest 5 Good Questions feature highlighting Charlie’s story and reflections on life after law school.

motions-and-merits.law.uc.edu/2026/01/01/5-good-questions-law-alum-charlie-rittger/