SEOLS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Staff Attorney
- Professional Biography
Ann Roche works as a staff attorney in the Newark Office. She joined SEOLS in 2018 with a fellowship focused on re-entry into society for people formerly involved in the criminal justice system. She now works as a generalist with a focus on eviction defense.
Job Titles:
- Senior Staff Attorney
- Managing Attorney, Pro Bono & Community Outreach
- Professional Biography
Baylee Butler is the OSLSA managing attorney of pro bono & community outreach and works out of the SEOLS Chillicothe office. She joined SEOLS in 2015. She works with private attorneys and law firms to provide additional resources and support for OSLSA clients and staff. Baylee's specific areas of interest include child advocacy, education law, and community engagement. Baylee also serves as the co-chair of the OSLSA Education Law Team and is a member of the Ohio Education Law Taskforce.
Baylee was the 2018 recipient of the SEOLS Leadership Award. She has also served as a panelist for the Legal Services Corporation's Opioid Task Force Annual Meeting to discuss the impact of the opiate endemic on child and young adults in rural areas.
A native of Ross County, Baylee says, "I am honored to be able to give back to my hometown and the community that made me the person I am today." She says SEOLS makes a difference for clients' lives because advocates have "the opportunity to not only represent and provide access to the legal system for our clients, but also to collaborate with community leaders to address the root causes of poverty."
Baylee Butler is a senior staff attorney in the Chillicothe office. She joined SEOLS in 2015. She represents clients in a wide-variety of civil issues. Baylee's specific areas of interest include child advocacy, education law, and community engagement. Baylee also serves as the co-chair of the OSLSA Education Law Team and is a member of the Ohio Education Law Taskforce.
Job Titles:
- Staff Attorney
- Staff Attorney at Southeastern Ohio Legal Services
Caitlyn Petti McDaniel is a Staff Attorney at Southeastern Ohio Legal Services (SEOLS), where she represents low-income individuals who would not otherwise have access to an attorney.
Prior to her current position, Caitlyn worked for SEOLS as a Justice for All Fellow. In this role, she implemented Tenant Advocacy Project eviction prevention clinics in Lancaster, Athens, Zanesville and Marietta.
Caitlyn Petti McDaniel is a Staff Attorney at Southeastern Ohio Legal Services (SEOLS), where she represents low-income individuals who would not otherwise have access to an attorney.
Prior to her current position, Caitlyn worked for SEOLS as
Job Titles:
- Development & Grants Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Senior Attorney
- Professional Biography
D. Luke Meenach is a senior attorney with the Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic at the Columbus office. Luke says that the best part of his job is getting to help people navigate the complexities of the federal tax system. "I enjoy being able to help individuals in need achieve solutions to complex legal tax problems. It is difficult enough trying to navigate through life, and when unexpected events happen, it is nice to know you have an advocate who can help," he says.
D. Luke Meenach is a senior attorney with the Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic at the Columbus office. Luke says that the best part of his job is getting to help people navigate the complexities of the federal tax system. "I enjoy being able to help individuals in need achieve solutions to complex legal tax problems. It is difficult enough trying to navigate through life, and when unexpected events happen, it is nice to know you have an advocate who can help," he says.
Job Titles:
- Staff Attorney
- Professional Biography
Deborah Yoon is a staff attorney at the Steubenville office. She joined the team in 2022 and is a general practitioner.
Deborah is a native of Cleveland, Ohio but spent many years living in Columbus, Seoul, and Hong Kong. She is married and has five children and three grandchildren.
Job Titles:
- Staff Attorney
- Professional Biography
Dennis W. Bennett II is a staff attorney at the Chillicothe office. He joined the team in September 2022 and focuses on cases primarily involving Landlord/Tenant issues, Divorce, Domestic Violence, and Education.
Dennis is very passionate about being able to represent his community. He says, "I enjoy working with underserved communities and I believe that those who are unable to afford representation should be given good resources to achieve their legal goals."
Dennis W. Bennett II is a staff attorney at the Chillicothe office. He joined the team in September 2022 and focuses on cases primarily involving Landlord/Tenant issues, Divorce, Domestic Violence, and Education.
Dennis is very passionate about being able to represent his community. He says, "I enjoy working with underserved communities and I believe that those who are unable to afford representation should be given good resources to achieve their legal goals."
Job Titles:
- Director of Pro Bono & Community Engagement
Job Titles:
- Legal Secretary
- Legal Secretary at the Chillicothe
- Professional Biography
Jacob Leeth works as a legal secretary at the Chillicothe office. With his prior work experience in healthcare and financial counseling, he knew he'd be a great fit for SEOLS. "I have never worked for a better company. This company truly cares about the clients they serve and the employees they have. The leadership and fellow staff treat each other like family and want to help everyone exceed. Legal aid is a rewarding experience to be able to help the community," he says about his work.
Jacob Leeth works as a legal secretary at the Chillicothe office. With his prior work experience in healthcare and financial counseling, he knew he'd be a great fit for SEOLS. "I have never worked for a better company. This company truly cares about the clients they serve and the employees they have. The leadership and fellow staff treat each other like family and want to help everyone exceed. Legal aid is a rewarding experience to be able to help the community," he says about his work.
Personal
Jacob and his husband live with their 4 dogs and daughter. When not at work, he enjoys watching Soccer and Basketball and frequently goes hiking.
Job Titles:
- Operations Manager
- Operations Director for the Ohio State Legal Services Association
- Professional Biography
Jamie Shier is the Operations Director for the Ohio State Legal Services Association. She previously served as the Managing Attorney of the Public Benefits team at the Legal Aid Society of Columbus. She joined LASC as a staff attorney in June 2006, when she began addressing children's education and health law issues. After two years, she transitioned to the Public Benefits team in 2008. As an attorney with Public Benefits, her practice consists of helping clients obtain or maintain access to food stamps, cash assistance, Medicare, Medicaid, child care and Social Security benefits. She does so by providing legal representation at administrative hearings or through negotiating resolutions with administrative agencies. She also handles various presentations about her public benefits work and other LASC programs for community groups and organizations. Her favorite part of practicing with the Public Benefits team is personally interacting with her clients and helping them gain fair access to programs that provide for all of life's basic necessities. In 2016, Jamie expanded her law practice to include education advocacy once again, and she enjoys helping children and youth to access the special education and related services they need to be able to learn. She also enjoys representing students at school removal hearings to advocate for ongoing access to the curriculum. Jamie became the Managing Attorney of the Public Benefits team in January 2017 and she coordinates the work of eight attorneys handling Public Benefits, Employment, Education and Advance Directives issues. Before joining LASC and while in law school at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, she found her passion for public interest law by working with the Justice for Children program, earning a Certificate in Children's Studies and volunteering as a law clerk at LASC.
Jamie Shier is the Operations Director for the Ohio State Legal Services Association. She previously served as the Managing Attorney of the Public Benefits team at the Legal Aid Society of Columbus. She joined LASC as a staff attorney in June 2006, when she began addressing children's education and health law issues. After two years, she transitioned to the
Job Titles:
- Senior Attorney
- Senior Staff Attorney
- Professional Biography
Jason Heinrich is a senior staff attorney in the Athens office. He joined SEOLS in September 2022.
Prior to working in legal services, Jason spent two years as an AmeriCorps volunteer in Southeastern Ohio, serving people living with poverty in Appalachia. After completing his legal education, he worked for Legal Aid of West Virginia in Parkersburg, West Virginia. There, he primarily represented victims of domestic violence in family court. He also represented low-income clients in housing, unemployment, and consumer cases. Jason represented clients before the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals in cases involving child custody and child abuse and neglect.
Since joining SEOLS, Jason has been assisting clients with family, housing, consumer, and elder law cases.
Jason Heinrich is a senior staff attorney in the Athens office. He joined SEOLS in September 2022.
Prior to working in legal services, Jason spent two years as an AmeriCorps volunteer in Southeastern Ohio, serving people living with poverty in Appalachia. After completing his legal education, he worked for Legal Aid of West Virginia in Parkersburg, West Virginia. There, he primarily represented victims of domestic violence in family court. He also represented low-income clients in housing, unemployment, and consumer cases. Jason represented clients before the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals in cases involving child custody and child abuse and neglect.
Since joining SEOLS, Jason has been assisting clients with family, housing, consumer, and elder law cases.
Job Titles:
- Senior Attorney
- Staff Attorney
Jesse Moses joined SEOLS in 2018 and is a Senior Staff Attorney practicing in the New Philadelphia Office. With SEOLS, Jesse has been a general practitioner, handling a wide variety of court and administrative matters. He currently co-chairs SEOLS' Public Benefits Law Team, where he oversees and coordinates work on legal issues including Medicaid, Social Security, and Unemployment Compensation, among other things.
Jesse has always been driven to advocate on behalf of underserved people and communities. Prior to joining SEOLS, he spent many summers working with children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
In addition to his work at SEOLS, Jesse serves on the Boards of Directors for The Friends of the Homeless of Tuscarawas County and UHCAN Ohio.
Jesse Moses is a Staff Attorney, practicing in the New Philadelphia office. Before joining SEOLS, Jesse spent four summers working with children with developmental disabilities.
Jesse has always had a passion for helping those who need help the most. Jesse wants to use this passion in combination with his legal education to help clients in a variety of legal needs.
Job Titles:
- Human Resources Generalist
Job Titles:
- Retired Ohio University Faculty
Job Titles:
- Communications Assistant
- Professional Biography
Justin Spicer joined the Southeast Ohio Legal Services in August of 2021 as Communications Assistant. In this role, he focuses on communicating the life-changing benefits of Legal Aid and telling the stories of Ohioans living, working, and raising their families in poverty.
Justin's career began in the world of advocacy, campaigns, and government public service. This era of his professional life ignited his passion for advancing social justice and showed him firsthand the power of government and social change organizations to better the lives of citizens. Before joining SEOLS, Justin went on to work for a statewide medical society as Policy and Communications Manager, where he gained valuable experience in areas like publication and graphic design software, marketing, social media management, and more.
Justin Spicer joined the Southeast Ohio Legal Services in August of 2021 as Communications Assistant. In this role, he focuses on communicating the life-changing benefits of Legal Aid and telling the stories of Ohioans living, working, and raising their families in poverty.
Justin's career began in the world of advocacy, campaigns,
Education
• The Ohio State University, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Personal
Justin lives in the Short North neighborhood of Columbus. In his free time, he enjoys drawing and learning new art media and experiencing what's new and exciting in his hometown.
Job Titles:
- Senior Attorney
- Senior Staff Attorney
- Staff Attorney
Kate Weinland is a Senior Staff Attorney practicing out of the New Philadelphia SEOLS office.
Kate always strives to put her community first and is committed to serving others. She especially loves that her job allows her to connect her personal values to her career. "To be able to do the same in my career as a SEOLS attorney is truly an honor."
She's inspired by her colleagues who work tirelessly to help improve the lives of low-income Ohioans. "It is humbling work alongside my colleagues, who are compassionate, diligent and creative."
Kate is eager to grow and learn, while being an advocate for low-income individuals.
Kate Weinland is a Staff Attorney practicing out of the New Philadelphia SEOLS office.
Kate always strives to put her community first and is committed to serving others. She especially loves that her job allows her to connect her personal values to her career. "To be able to do the same in my career as a SEOLS attorney is truly an honor."
Job Titles:
- Managing Attorney
- Managing Attorney of the Athens
- Professional Biography
Lucy Schwallie is the managing attorney of the Athens office. She joined SEOLS in 2017.
Before joining SEOLS, Lucy was a law clerk for Judge Milan D. Smith, Jr., on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and worked for the Oregon School Boards Association, Walla Walla County, and the City of Chicago Inspector General's Office.
Lucy's work at SEOLS particularly focuses on helping students and their families advocate within the public school system as well as assisting workers that may be treated unfairly by their employers. She is motivated to help her clients attempt to overcome the systemic barriers that can prevent our low-income community members from thriving.
Lucy Schwallie is the managing attorney of the Athens office. She joined SEOLS in 2017.
Before joining SEOLS, Lucy was a law clerk for Judge Milan D. Smith, Jr., on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and worked for the Oregon School Boards Association, Walla Walla County, and the City of Chicago Inspector General's Office.
Job Titles:
- Staff Attorney
- Professional Biography
Mark Gnatowski is a staff attorney in the Chillicothe office. He joined SEOLS in 2022. Mark's specific areas of interest include family law, child advocacy, and community engagement. He is also a member of the SEOLS Family Law Team.
Mark says, "I am beyond lucky to serve low-income Ohioans and help them assert and protect their rights." He loves that the work at SEOLS helps clients regain their personal agency and sense of control in their life.
Mark Gnatowski is a staff attorney in the Chillicothe office. He joined SEOLS in 2022. Mark's specific areas of interest include family law, child advocacy, and community engagement. He is also a member of the SEOLS Family Law Team.
Mark says, "I am beyond lucky to serve low-income Ohioans and help them assert and protect their rights." He loves that the work at SEOLS helps clients regain their personal agency and sense of control in their life.
Job Titles:
- Staff Attorney
- Professional Biography
Mary L. Kovalesky works as a staff attorney in the Steubenville office and is the co-leader of the SEOLS Public Benefits Team. Mary joined SEOLS in September 2018 and has been involved with both the Public Benefits and Education Teams. Like most SEOLS attorneys, she is a generalist and has represented clients in administrative proceedings and in court cases in all five counties covered by the Steubenville office. Mary has spent much of her career practicing in public interest law, and she is grateful for the opportunity to represent individuals and serve in the communities where she was raised.
Mary L. Kovalesky works as a staff attorney in the Steubenville office and is the co-leader of the SEOLS Public Benefits Team. Mary joined SEOLS in September 2018 and has been involved with both the Public Benefits and Education Teams. Like most SEOLS attorneys, she is a generalist and has represented clients in administrative proceedings and in court cases in all five counties covered by the Steubenville office. Mary has spent much of her career practicing in public interest law, and she is grateful for the opportunity to represent individuals and serve in the communities where she was raised.
Job Titles:
- Coordinator for OSLSA
- Pro Bono Coordinator
- Professional Biography
Mary N. Gadd works as the Pro Bono Coordinator for OSLSA. Mary began her career as a law clerk at The Legal Aid Society of Columbus during law school. Most recently, she served as Clerk of Court for the City of Hilliard, and also spent several years as a staff attorney and magistrate with the Franklin County Probate Court. Mary previously worked in higher education at Capital University Law School and The Ohio State University College of Medicine, and also managed her own solo law practice. Mary's experience with pro bono started as a volunteer attorney with LASC after graduating from law school. She later became the first pro bono coordinator at Capital University Law School and also served as Chair of the Columbus Bar Association Pro Bono Committee.
"Having begun my career at The Legal Aid Society of Columbus, I am happy to be returning to this important work in legal services full-time in order to connect as many attorneys throughout Ohio with pro bono opportunities."
Mary N. Gadd works as the Pro Bono Coordinator for OSLSA. Mary began her career as a law clerk at The Legal Aid Society of Columbus during law school. Most recently, she served as Clerk of Court for the City of Hilliard, and also spent several years as a staff attorney and magistrate with the Franklin County Probate Court. Mary
Job Titles:
- Managing Attorney for Intake & Tax
Job Titles:
- Development Director
- Professional Biography
Melissa Linville is the Development and Grants Manager for Ohio State Legal Services Association. She comes into this position with ten years of experience as a staff attorney for The Legal Aid Society of Columbus. As a staff attorney, she implemented and maintained a Bankruptcy Pro Bono program and represented clients directly. She enjoyed working with members of the private bar, the bankruptcy court, as well as members of the community. Additionally, she planned LASC's annual Fresh Start Gala fundraiser.
Melissa is excited to work with the entire program to develop new funding opportunities and expand upon our existing work.
Melissa Linville is the Development and Grants Manager for Ohio State Legal Services Association. She comes into this position with ten years of experience as a staff attorney for The Legal Aid Society of Columbus. As a staff attorney, she implemented and maintained a Bankruptcy Pro Bono
Job Titles:
- Senior Staff Attorney
- Training Manager
Job Titles:
- Development & Grants Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Managing Attorney
- Senior Staff Attorney
- Senior Staff Attorney in the Chillicothe
Michael Gibbons-Camp is a senior staff attorney in the Chillicothe office. Since joining SEOLS in 2005, he has provided direct representation of clients in a wide variety of civil matters, with an emphasis on family law and protections for victims of domestic violence. He also focuses on preparing and maintaining pro se materials and working with courts to ensure unrepresented people have equal access to the court system.
Michael says his favorite part of his job is that it still is never routine, particularly "the spur-of-the-moment cases - custody cases, civil protection orders, and evictions that we get the day before trial and argue off the top of my head." He is motivated by "the fact that I make a real difference for people." Michael says SEOLS makes a difference for clients' lives because, "We make life a little easier, a little more fair, and a little less terrifying. We can't fix all of our client's issues, but we can listen, diagnose, and advise."
Michael Gibbons-Camp is a senior staff attorney in the Chillicothe office. Since joining SEOLS in 2005, he has provided direct representation of clients in a wide variety of civil matters, with an emphasis on family law and protections for victims of domestic violence. He also focuses on preparing and maintaining pro se materials and working with courts to ensure unrepresented people have equal access to the court system.
Job Titles:
- Staff Attorney
- Professional Biography
Miranda B. Anandappa is a staff attorney in the Athens office. Miranda joined the staff in 2018 and focuses on cases related to family law, housing, wills and estates. She also handles domestic violence civil protection order cases.
Miranda says that she loves her work because it's a great mix of teaching and learning. "One of my favorite parts of this job is holding our Senior Legal Clinics and working with our senior clients. They are such an open and appreciative group, and I feel I learn as much from them as they do from me."
Miranda B. Anandappa is a staff attorney in the Athens office. Miranda joined the staff in 2018 and focuses on cases related to family law, housing, wills and estates. She also handles domestic violence civil protection order cases.
Miranda says that she loves her work because it's a great mix of teaching and learning.
Job Titles:
- Managing Attorney
- Managing Attorney of the Steubenville
Pam has dedicated her career to pursuing justice. After graduating law school, she worked as an assistant prosecuting attorney in Cuyahoga County. In that role, she handled criminal trials and more than one hundred appeals. She then worked in private practice in Pennsylvania.
Pam enjoys her work at SEOLS because "we represent individuals with critical legal issues who otherwise might not be heard." She represents clients in a wide-range of legal issues.
Pam Bolton is the managing attorney of the Steubenville office. She joined SEOLS in 2016.
Pam has dedicated her career to pursuing justice. After graduating law school, she worked as an assistant prosecuting attorney in Cuyahoga County. In that role, she handled criminal trials and more than one hundred appeals. She then worked in private practice in Pennsylvania.
Job Titles:
- Senior Staff Attorney
- Senior Staff Attorney II
- Senior Staff Attorney in the Athens
Peggy P. Lee is a senior staff attorney in the Athens office. Peggy joined SEOLS as a staff attorney in 1996. Peggy works on a wide-variety of civil legal issues. As a member of SEOLS's Housing Team, she has focused on both landlord-tenant housing cases in the subsidized and nonsubsidized contexts as well as defending homeowners from foreclosure. In that capacity, she has presented at national and statewide conferences and performed trainings and webinars on various foreclosure-related topics to SEOLS staff, pro bono private attorneys, and housing counselors, while also helping individual distressed homeowners.
Peggy also has helped homeowners through non-litigation work. In 2010, with the National Housing Law Project, she successfully advocated for a policy change and the implementation of the Home Affordable Modification Program for USDA Guaranteed mortgage loans. In 2009, she successfully obtained an agreement by USDA to reverse or stop the foreclosure process in its Eastern Region due to the agency sending faulty acceleration notices.
Peggy is a recipient of several awards for her outstanding work. For her foreclosure-related work, Peggy received the Ohio State Legal Services Association & Southeastern Ohio Legal Services Leadership Award in 2009 and the National Consumer Law Center's Consumer Advocate of the Year award in 2013. Peggy also received the Cornell Law School Alumni Exemplary Public Service Award in 2012.
Peggy P. Lee is a senior staff attorney in the Athens office. Peggy joined SEOLS as a staff attorney in 1996. Peggy works on a wide-variety of civil legal issues. As a member of SEOLS's Housing Team, she has focused on both landlord-tenant housing cases in the subsidized and nonsubsidized contexts as well as defending homeowners from foreclosure.
Job Titles:
- Staff Attorney
- Professional Biography
Ryan McCarthy is a staff attorney in the SEOLS New Philadelphia office. He joined the team in 2022 and works as a generalist primarily in housing and family law issues.
Ryan likes that his position allows him to help those who have been put in an unfair situation. "I think we are often able to offer needed clarity to people in difficult and stressful situations. Especially where power imbalances place them in disadvantaged positions," Ryan says.
Ryan McCarthy is a staff attorney in the SEOLS New Philadelphia office. He joined the team in 2022 and works as a generalist primarily in housing and family law issues.
Job Titles:
- Senior Attorney
- Professional Biography
Ryan W. Maxwell is a senior attorney at SEOLS at the New Philadelphia office. He currently works as the team lead for the SEOLS Housing Team and is chairing the Mobile Home Subcommittee for the Ohio Housing Taskforce.
Ryan W. Maxwell is a senior attorney at SEOLS at the New Philadelphia office. He currently works as the team lead for the SEOLS Housing Team and is chairing the Mobile Home Subcommittee for the Ohio Housing Taskforce.
Job Titles:
- Board Chair / Retired Attorney - Franklin County
Job Titles:
- Staff Attorney
- Professional Biography
Sarah Carmack works as a staff attorney for SEOLS. "I have enjoyed learning about new areas of law and seeing the tangible impacts we can have on people's lives," she had to say about her work with SEOLS.
Sarah Carmack works as a staff attorney for SEOLS. "I have enjoyed learning about new areas of law and seeing the tangible impacts we can have on people's lives," she had to say about her work with SEOLS.
Education
University of Mississippi School of Law (J.D., 2019)
University of Mississippi (B.A. in Psychology, B.A. in History, 2015)
Personal
Sarah moved to Athens, Ohio in August of 2022. Shortly after, she joined the SEOLS team in March 2023.
Job Titles:
- Senior Attorney
- Senior Attorney in the Columbus
Sondra O. Bryson is a senior attorney in the Columbus office. She joined SEOLS in 2016. Sondra represents clients in bankruptcy cases.
Prior to joining SEOLS, Sondra operated Bryson Legal, LLC, with her husband and was actively involved with the pro bono and reduced-fee bankruptcy programs at the Legal Aid Society of Columbus. She has sixteen years of bankruptcy experience including eight years as an attorney.
Sondra says, "As cliché as it sounds, I became a lawyer because I wanted to make a difference. Being at SEOLS allows me to focus on that goal by making sure that people who can't afford to pay an attorney have equal access to bankruptcy relief. It is a powerful yet complicated remedy that is difficult to navigate without an attorney."
Sondra O. Bryson is a senior attorney in the Columbus office. She joined SEOLS in 2016. Sondra represents clients in bankruptcy cases.
Prior to joining SEOLS, Sondra operated Bryson Legal, LLC, with her husband and was actively involved with the pro bono and reduced-fee bankruptcy programs at the Legal Aid Society of Columbus.
Job Titles:
- Staff Attorney
- Professional Biography
- Staff Attorney in the SEOLS Newark
Thomas E. Zani is a staff attorney in the SEOLS Newark office. He serves as the Fair Housing Outreach/Enforcement Attorney for OSLSA. Thomas worked in the Steubenville SEOLS office for 18 years and returned to the program in June 2022. During his time away, he worked at Capital University Law School's Family and Youth Law Center and the Columbus Bar Association.
For media inquiries contact Melissa Dutton at 614-737-0144 or mdutton@seols.org.
To learn more about ways to give, connect with our Development Director, Melissa Linville at 614-737-0155 or mlinville@oslsa.
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Job Titles:
- Senior Staff Attorney
- Senior Staff Attorney in the Newark
Valerie Vodrey Hendrickson is a senior staff attorney in the Newark office. Before joining SEOLS in 2016, Valerie worked in the juvenile section of the Office of the Franklin County Public Defender, and before that, for nonprofits including the ACLU of Ohio and Girl Scouts of America, as a fundraiser for OSU, and in food service. After more than a decade of anti-sexual-violence advocacy, she spent a brief stint as Newark's domestic violence specialist, but now enjoys being a general practitioner.
Valerie loves being a legal aid lawyer, especially when her work results in a client staying housed, keeping benefits, getting income, or breaking free of an abuser's hold. As she puts it, "Any time I can solve someone's problem, tear through some red tape, or get an unheard voice some air time, I'm doing something right."
Valerie Vodrey Hendrickson is a senior staff attorney in the Newark office. Before joining SEOLS in 2016, Valerie worked in the juvenile section of the Office of the Franklin County Public Defender, and before that, for nonprofits including the ACLU of Ohio and Girl Scouts of America, as a fundraiser for OSU, and in food service. After more than a decade of anti-sexual-violence advocacy, she spent a brief stint as Newark's domestic violence specialist, but now enjoys being a general practitioner.
Valerie is a seventh-generation Appalachian Ohioan from the former pottery capital of the world: East Liverpool, Ohio. She has lived happily in central Ohio for the past ten years. When she's not at work, her hobbies include meeting strangers' dogs, gardening, cooking, and reading science fiction. She shares her life with her partner, Adithya, who shares her passion for social justice.