FISHEL DOWNEY ALBRECHT & RIEPENHOFF - Key Persons
Skill is not enough. To be truly great at the law, you need passion like Angelica's.
Ben believes being an effective attorney is about being a true business partner.
Beth A. Hoeft joined Fishel Downey Albrecht & Riepenhoff LLP in 2007 as the Firm Administrator. Beth has more than 25 years of law firm experience in human resources, finance and management. She puts her wealth of experience to work overseeing the day-to-day operations of the firm, including managing facilities, personnel, finance and information systems.
Beth is a Louisiana native, but she and her husband have enjoyed living in Washington D.C., North Carolina and Ohio. Her career in legal began when she worked as a Billing Coordinator for a global firm employing over 200 attorneys. Some of Beth's most interesting projects have included forming and managing a billing department for a national law firm. She developed billing templates working with Elite software that is now being used in many firms. Additionally, Beth deployed a disaster recovery plan and successfully managed financial operations for a post-hurricane Katrina law firm in Louisiana.
Beth joined the Columbus Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators in 2009. She has served in several positions on the board and is a Past-President. Beth currently serves as co-chair of the Business Partner Relations Committee.
Professional Affiliations
Association of Legal Administrators Columbus Chapter, Board Member
Columbus Bar Association, Associate Member
Society of Human Resource Management, Member
Education
University of New Orleans
Dan is an experienced, effective trial lawyer recognized as one of the best in his field.
Emily Preston joined Fishel Downey Albrecht & Riepenhoff in the fall of 2022 as a law clerk. She is currently a second-year student at Capital University Law School, receiving the Trustees' Merit Scholarship. Emily is an active team member of the Labor and Employment Law National Moot Court Team, a staff member of Capital University Law Review, Volume 51, The Women's Law Association, and the Student Bar Association. As a member of the law review, Emily is working on an article discussing the legal restitution of Holocaust era artworks in United States courts.
Emily is originally from Chillicothe, Ohio, and prior to law school at Capital, she graduated Cum Laude from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., with an Honors Bachelor of Arts degree in History, specializing in Holocaust studies and war crimes, with a minor in psychology. While attending GW, Emily had the opportunity to work as a congressional intern for the United States House of Representatives, in addition to numerous other enriching experiences. In her spare time, Emily enjoys traveling, reading, cycling, Broadway shows, and spending time on the weekends with her family's two black labs, Guinness and Bailey, at her parents' home.
Eric Abels joined Fishel Downey Albrecht & Riepenhoff in 2022 as summer law clerk. He is currently a rising third-year student at The Ohio State University Michael E. Moritz College of Law, which he is attending on a full-tuition scholarship. Eric is an active member of the Ohio State Journal on Dispute Resolution, the Student Bar Association, and the Federalist Society, among other organizations. He is on track to receive the college's Certificate of Alternative Dispute Resolution upon graduation.
Eric is originally from Austin, Texas and, prior to enrolling at Moritz, graduated summa cum laude from the University of Alabama with a bachelor's degree in telecommunication and film. While attending undergraduate Eric worked in the sports broadcast industry, operating cameras and sideline reporting for various networks such as SEC Network, ESPN, CBS, and more. Despite settling in the Buckeye state, he is a proud fan of the Crimson Tide.
Erin graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University and worked in retail and outpatient hospital pharmacies before switching to PBMs and health insurance. Over the pandemic, she decided to go after a lifelong goal and completed the paralegal certificate program through the University of Akron. She is very excited to start her new career at Fishel Downey.
At Fishel Downey Albrecht & Riepenhoff LLP we believe that our strength in relationships goes beyond the attorney - client. We rely on the valuable support we receive day-in and day-out from the non-attorney staff members at FDAR.
We know it is a team effort to successfully meet and exceed the expectations of our clients. Therefore we have recruited and set-up an administrative staff team that allows us to collectively provide the very best in client services. With resourcefulness, professionalism and reliability at the core, our administrative team is dedicated to performing the necessary tasks that provide the utmost quality of legal, training and advisory services for our clients and to ensure that the firm is running in a highly efficient and productive manner.
Helen K. Sudhoff is an Associate Attorney, and 2021 graduate of the Michael E. Moritz College of Law at The Ohio State University. During Helen's second year at the Moritz College of Law, she was awarded the CALI Excellence for the Future Award for Environmental Law. Helen is also a member of the prestigious National Order of the Barristers (2021). She is also a published legal scholar and received the Best Brief award in the American Bar Association's (ABA) Appellate Advocacy Moot Court Regional Competition.
Helen initially joined Fishel Downey Albrecht & Riepenhoff in 2019 through the Columbus Bar Association Minority Clerkship Program. Helen also received her undergraduate degree in Environmental Policy and Decision Making from The Ohio State University. While she was an undergraduate at The Ohio State University, Helen was a coxswain for the Varsity Women's Rowing Team where she achieved first place gold medal finishes at three successive BIG10 Championships and third place bronze finishes at two successive NCAA Division 1 National Championships. She continues to use her leadership and athletic skills to mentor youth rowing teams in the Columbus area.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Columbus Literacy Council 's Board of Trustees
- Member of the Ohio State Bar Association 's Labor & Employment
Jacob is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association's Labor & Employment and Workers' Compensation sections and has served as a speaker and co-coordinator for continuing education seminars.
Solid principles. Strong relationships. Stability has its advantages with Jennifer.
Kimberly K. Hopkins joined Fishel Downey Albrecht & Riepenhoff LLP in March 2018. Prior to joining the firm, Kim worked in litigation and the health care industry. This experience provided her with exposure to many areas of law, including personal injury, employment law, family law, criminal law, employee benefits and administrative law (labor relations). Kim has an Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies from Columbus State Community College. She is a licensed Notary and holds a license to sell accident, health and life insurance.
Job Titles:
- FDAR As a Paralegal
- Paralegal / Legal Professionals
Lucinda K. Miller joined FDAR as a Paralegal in October 2016. She has worked in the Paralegal profession for over twenty years and specifically, fifteen years in defense insurance litigation. Lucinda graduated from Ohio University with her Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and graduated, Cum Laude, from Columbus State Community College with a Paralegal - Associate's Degree.
Lucinda has trial experience with presentation of exhibits and is familiar with the most current technology used at state and federal courthouses. In the last year, she presented exhibits at a three-week Federal Trial in Cleveland.
Lucinda held the position of Secretary for three years, on the Executive Board of PACO (Paralegal Association of Central Ohio). In the past, Lucinda has held other leadership positions and won various awards within the organization.
Job Titles:
- Law Director for the City of Bexley
Marc is highly regarded for his ability to handle tough situations beyond his primary practice area.
Marc also serves as the Law Director for the City of Bexley, representing the city in various aspects of municipal law.
Marc is the proud father of two children and has served on a number of community non-profit boards. He is a past president of the Board of Directors for the Columbus Jewish Community Center.
Mary C. Okin joined Fishel Downey Albrecht & Riepenhoff LLP in 2015 as a Legal Assistant. After earning her degree in Management, Mary spent 10 years with the Marriott Corporation in management and training at various hotels from Washington D.C. to Florida. Mary then returned to school to earn her degree in Elementary Education. She taught preschool and elementary aged children, most recently in Powell, Ohio, where she resides with her husband and daughter. It is Mary's interest in the legal field that brought her to Fishel Downey Albrecht & Riepenhoff LLP.
Melanie is an optimistic and creative problem-solver which gives her an ability to adapt to different situations.
Energy and persistence is what makes Stephanie a good team player.
Teri L. Culver joined Fishel Downey Albrecht & Riepenhoff LLP in 2017. Teri grew up in southern Ohio and graduated from Miami University. Her adventurous spirit took her out west to Colorado, where her legal career began. Teri worked in Denver at a small family law practice, which eventually led to a position in a Trust and Estates firm. When her family returned to Ohio in 2007, Teri filled a need at an immigration law practice where she found joy in helping individuals and families pursue their American dreams.
Tony joined FDAR in April 2021. His practice focuses on Employment Law and Civil Litigation. Prior to joining FDAR, Tony had a variety of valuable professional experiences. He spent four years working as a law clerk for judges Edmund Sargus, Peter Economus, and George Smith of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. After his clerkships, he spent nearly six years serving as a prosecutor at the Ohio Attorney General's Office where he worked to protect the vulnerable residents of nursing homes and other care facilities.
Tony received his Juris Doctor degree, cum laude, in May 2006 from the George Washington University Law School. During law school, he was an editor on the Law Review.
In addition to spending free time with family, Tony is an avid traveler. He also enjoys following his favorite teams and athletes, staying active, photography, and being engaged with current events. He is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Columbus.