Ara Mekhjian became Section Chief of the Health and Human Services Section in 2017. As Chief, he manages approximately 30 attorneys and 4 non-attorney personnel and provides legal advice to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and clients on healthcare-related legal issues, HIPAA, and other privacy and confidentiality laws. Ara has approximately 20 years of experience representing healthcare providers, payors, and regulators in transactions and/or litigation.
Before joining the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Ara worked in private practice in the healthcare departments of two large law firms in Columbus, Ohio. He clerked for Lawrence M. McKenna, of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.
BAR ADMISSIONS
- State of Ohio
- U.S. District Courts, Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
EDUCATION
- Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 1997
- New York University, B.A., 1994
Katherine Bockbrader became the Assistant Section Chief of the Health and Human Services Section in 2017. Since joining HHS in 2001, she has represented several State agencies and healthcare boards, including the Medical Board, Dental Board, and Nursing Board, in administrative hearings, administrative appeals, and original actions in State and federal courts. Before becoming the Assistant Section Chief, Katherine served as the Unit Coordinator of the Section’s Regulatory Board Unit for over 10 years.
Before joining the Attorney General’s Office, Katherine clerked in federal court for Judge John D. Holschuh and Magistrate Judge Mark R. Abel. She also served as an Adjunct Professor at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law.
BAR ADMISSIONS
- State of Ohio
- U.S. District Courts, Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
EDUCATION
- Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, J.D., cum laude, 1996
- Ohio State University B.A., cum laude, 1992
Alex Miller became and Assistant Attorney General in the Health and Human Services Section in August 2019. He represents the Ohio Department of Medicaid and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services in their administrative hearings and other legal matters. Prior to joining the Attorney General’s Office, Alex was a staff attorney with the Ohio Department of Education for three years, where he investigated allegations of educator misconduct.
BAR ADMISSIONS
EDUCATION
- Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2015
- Miami University, B.A., 2012
Andrew Fraser joined the Ohio Attorney General’s Office in November of 2017 and the Health and Human Services Section in May 2020. He represents the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities and the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services in administrative hearings, appeals, civil litigation, and other matters.
BAR ADMISSIONS
- State of Ohio
- U.S. District Courts, Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
- State of New York
EDUCATION
- Boston University School of Law, J.D., 2014
- New York University, B.A., Magna Cum Laude, 2011
Angela graduated from the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law in 2002 and then worked as a staff attorney for the Hon. John A. Connor in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. In 2007, she joined the Attorney General’s Office in the Tobacco Unit and Executive Agencies Section, where she represented numerous clients, including the State Fire Marshal, the Department of Health, and the Department of Commerce. Angela also represented the State of Ohio in tobacco litigation. She has been a certified specialist in administrative law since 2016. She recently returned to the Attorney General’s Office after a year serving as a Master Commissioner at the Ohio Supreme Court.
BAR ADMISSIONS
- State of Ohio
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
EDUCATION
- The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, J.D., 2002
- University of Dayton, B.A., 1998
Brad Steen joined the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and the Health and Human Services Section in September 2022. He represents the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities and the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services in administrative hearings, appeals, civil litigation, and other matters.
BAR ADMISSIONS
EDUCATION
- Capital University Law School, J.D., cum laude, 2022
- The Ohio State University, B.S.S.W., 2016
Brian Murphy joined the Attorney General’s Office and the Health and Human Services Section in January 2022. He represents the Department of Job and Family Services in appellate litigation involving unemployment compensation benefits. Prior to joining the Attorney General’s Office, he worked as an assistant prosecuting attorney in the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office and then the Lorain County Prosecutor’s Office.
BAR ADMISSIONS
- State of Ohio, 2005
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, 2005
EDUCATION
- Cleveland State University, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, J.D., with honors, 2005
- John Carroll University, B.A., Communications, with honors, 1999
Bruce Horrigan joined the Ohio Attorney General’s Health and Human Services Section in March 2022. He serves as Unit Coordinator representing the Department of Developmental Disabilities and Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services in both administrative hearings and civil litigation. Prior to joining this Section, he served the Attorney General’s Office for fourteen years in the Transportation Section representing the Ohio Department of Transportation in eminent domain cases. Having come the Attorney General’s Office in 2001, after a decade in private practice, he was initially assigned to the Corrections Litigation Section where he represented the State’s interests in the areas of federal habeas corpus and other prison litigation. He is a member of the Cleveland Regional Office.
BAR ADMISSIONS
- Supreme Court of Ohio
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio
- United States Court of Appeals – Sixth Circuit
EDUCATION
- Cleveland State University, Cleveland – Marshall College of Law, J.D., 1990
- George Williams College, B.S., 1980
Caitlyn joined the Health & Human Services Section in 2022. She represents the Ohio Department of Medicaid and the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services in administrative hearings and litigation in state and federal court.
Since joining the Attorney General’s Office in 2011, Caitlyn has also worked in the Criminal Justice, Health Care Fraud, and Constitutional Offices Sections. She has defended various state agencies and statewide officeholders in both state and federal court and has criminally prosecuted Medicaid-provider fraud cases. She also served as a member of the Public Records Unit. Caitlyn also spent three and a half years serving as the Deputy Director of Outside Counsel, where she engaged, retained, and oversaw private-sector attorneys appointed to provide legal representation to State agencies for non-collections matters.
BAR ADMISSIONS
- State of Ohio
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
EDUCATION
- The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, J.D., 2011
- Ohio Wesleyan University, B.A., summa cum laude, 2008
Christie Limbert joined the Attorney General’s Office in 2013 as an Assistant Attorney General in the Charitable Law Section. In 2015, she transferred to the Executive Agencies Section where she represented a variety state agencies in administrative and civil litigation. In 2022, Christie joined the Ohio Civil Rights Commission as General Counsel, where she served as the primary legal advisor to the Commission and supervised the Commission’s reconsideration officers and alternative dispute resolution team. Christie returned to the Attorney General’s Office in late 2022 to the Health and Human Services Section, where she represents the Ohio Department of Insurance in administrative and civil litigation. Christie received the Ohio Attorney General’s Office Excellence in Writing Award in 2019, and she is certified by the Ohio State Bar Association as a Specialist in Administrative Law.
BAR ADMISSIONS
EDUCATION
- The University of Toledo College of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 2013
- Bowling Green State University, B.A., summa cum laude, 2010
Crystal joined the Ohio Attorney General’s office in March 2013 as the Assistant Section Chief in Workers’ Compensation. In October 2018 she transferred to the Health and Human Services Section as a Principal Attorney handling Administrative Hearings for the Ohio Department of Insurance, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities and the Optometry Board. Crystal started her legal career at Gallagher, Gams, Pryor, Tallan & Littrell, LLP where, in 2002, she became the first female partner in the firm’s 90+ year history. Crystal defended several Fortune 500 insurance companies during her years with the firm, including defending two companies in class action lawsuits and successfully defeating class certification in both cases. Crystal focused her practice in the areas of insurance defense, medical malpractice, bad faith litigation, contract law and sports law. She represented a few NFL players, all former Ohio State Buckeyes. In 2010, Crystal accepted a position as Lead Counsel for Nationwide Insurance where she managed Bad Faith litigation in the state of Florida.
Crystal obtained her law degree from Capital University Law School in 1995 and was admitted to the Ohio Bar the same year. She graduated cum laude from Capital University in 1989 with a BA in Business Law and Political Science. She is a 1987 Honors Graduate from the University of Rio Grande where she earned an Associate Degree in Government and History. Crystal is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association, where she is active in the Administrative Law, Insurance and Animal Law Committees. Crystal was a member of the Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys (OACTA) from 1999 to 2013, where she served as a Trustee and Board Member from 2005 to 2013. In 2004 OACTA presented Crystal with the Outstanding Young Lawyer Award. Crystal has been admitted to the U.S. District Courts, Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio and the U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit.
David Lefton is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati and The Ohio State University College of Law. He is admitted to practice in Ohio, the Northern and Southern Federal District Courts in Ohio, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court. David started with the Attorney General’s Office in Cincinnati in 1987. In 2001, he transferred to Columbus. David has worked in the Civil Rights, Employment Services, and Health and Human Services Section.
David is currently the Unit Supervisor for Unemployment Compensation. He manages a group of seven attorneys representing the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, concerning unemployment benefit cases, tax appeals, public records requests, and legislative reform issues.
BAR ADMISSIONS
- State of Ohio
- U.S. District Courts, Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
EDUCATION
- Ohio State University Moritz College of law, J.D.
- University of Cincinnati, B.A.
Douglas Unver rejoined the Attorney General’s Office in July 2019, and the Health and Human Services Section in September 2021. Doug represents the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services’ Unemployment Compensation division. Doug also represents the Ohio Counselor Social Worker Marriage Family Therapist (CSWMFT) Board. Before joining the Attorney General’s Office, Doug was in private practice.
BAR ADMISSIONS
- State of Ohio
- U.S. District Court for the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio
EDUCATION
- Capital University J.D. 1990
- The Ohio State University B.A. 1987
Grant Wilson joined the Health and Human Services Section of the OAG in January 2023. Prior to coming to working for the OAG, Grant worked as an Assistant Ohio Public Defender for the Ohio Public Defender Commission in its Ross County Office. He engaged in the full spectrum of adult criminal defense for the indigent accused in Ross County, Ohio.
BAR ADMISSIONS
EDUCATION
- Ohio State University, B.A. in History, 2013
- University of Cincinnati College of Law, J.D., 2021
Henry Appel has been in the Health and Human Services since 2005. During that time, he has handled complex cases involving the Department of Medicaid and the Department of Health, and has represented State boards in proceedings to discipline medical professionals. From 2000 until 2005, he acted as an appellate attorney for death penalty cases as part of the Capital Crime Section.
Henry has argued dozens of cases in state courts of appeal, over fifteen cases in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and two cases in the Ohio Supreme Court. For the past eight years, he has been a faculty member for the Attorney General’s annual trial advocacy training for newly hired staff.
Before joining the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Henry worked in private practice as a criminal defense lawyer and a general civil litigator.
BAR ADMISSIONS
- State of Ohio
- U.S. District Courts, Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, Eleventh Circuit
EDUCATION
- Ohio State University College of Law, 1997
- Earlham College, B.A. 1993
Iris Jin joined the Health and Human Services Section in February 2023. She represents the Ohio Department of Medicaid and Ohio Department of Job and Family Services in administrative hearings and litigation in state and federal court.
Since joining the Attorney General’s Office in 2021, Iris has also worked in the Constitutional Offices Section and served as a member of the Public Records Unit. Earlier in her career, she served as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office, Civil Litigation Section.
BAR ADMISSIONS
- State of Ohio (2014)
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
EDUCATION
- The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, J.D., 2014
- Miami University, B.A., magna cum laude, Political Science, 2011
Julie Brigner joined the Health and Human Services Section in May 2017. She represents the Ohio Department of Medicaid and Ohio Department of Job and Family Services in R.C. Chapter 119 administrative hearings and various state and federal courts. Julie has over 20 years of litigation experience.
Julie previously worked in the Taxation and Executive Agencies Sections. She also worked in the litigation departments of two law firms in Columbus, Ohio.
BAR ADMISSIONS
- Ohio Supreme Court
- U.S. District Courts, Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth and Federal Circuits
EDUCATION
- Ohio State University School of Law, J.D., May 1996
- Northwestern University, B.A., 1993
Justin T. Radic became an Associate Assistant Attorney General in the Health and Human Services Section in 2017. In this role, he represents The Ohio Department of Medicaid and The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services in administrative hearings and litigation.
Previously, Justin worked as a staff attorney for The Ohio Department of Education, as an Assistant Prosecutor for Licking County, Ohio, and also managed his own private practice for several years.
BAR ADMISSIONS
- State of Ohio
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio
EDUCATION
- Loyola University Chicago School of Law, J.D., May 2007
- The Ohio State University, B.S.B.A, March 2001
Kelly Richardson joined the Health and Human Services Section as an Assistant Attorney General in 2020. She represents the Ohio Department of Medicaid and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services in their administrative hearings and other legal matters.
BAR ADMISSIONS
- State of Ohio
- U.S. District Courts, Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio
EDUCATION
- Ohio Northern University, Claude W. Pettit College of Law, J.D., LL.M., May 2019
- Ashland University, B.A., May 2016
Kyle Wilcox joined the Health and Human Services Section in 2001. His main client is the State Medical Board of Ohio. Kyle has over 17 years of experience representing regulatory board clients. Before joining the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Kyle was a member of the prosecutorial staff at the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office in Columbus, Ohio.
BAR ADMISSIONS
- State of Ohio
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
EDUCATION
- University of Toledo School of Law, J.D., 1994
- Bowling Green State University, B.A., 1990
Laurence (Lad) Snyder is a Senior Assistant Attorney General and has been a member of the bar for over 30 years. Lad has worked as Prosecutor for Cuyahoga County and as counsel for the Ohio Lottery Commission. He has been with the AG’s office for most of the last 20 years and has worked in the Executive Agencies and Criminal Justice sections of the office. He has handled over 100 appeals in State District Courts of Appeal and the Federal Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.
BAR ADMISSIONS
- State of Ohio
- U.S. District Courts, Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
EDUCATION
- Cleveland-Marshall Law School, Cleveland State University, J.D.
- Cleveland State University, B. A.
Lindsay Miller started working at the Ohio Attorney General’s Office in 2021 as an Associate Assistant Attorney General in the Health and Human Services Section. She provides legal advice to various healthcare regulatory boards and represents them in administrative hearings.
Prior to joining the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Lindsay served as an Enforcement Attorney at the State Medical Board of Ohio. Lindsay started her legal career at the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office where she prosecuted felonies in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas.
BAR ADMISSIONS
EDUCATION
- Capital University Law School, J.D., 2007
- Miami University of Ohio, B.A., 2002
Patrick MacQueeney serves as an Assistant Attorney General in the Health and Human Services Section. Patrick has served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Ohio Attorney General’s Office for over 20 years. Before joining the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Patrick served as an Ohio Assistant Prosecuting Attorney and engaged in all phases of civil litigation, criminal prosecution and appellate practice on behalf of the State of Ohio and is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association.
BAR ADMISSIONS
EDUCATION
- William and Mary, J.D.
- University of Virginia, BA
Rick Baum has been with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office since 2007. He serves as the Managing Attorney of its Toledo Regional Office and as an assistant attorney general in its Health and Human Services Section. As Managing Attorney, Rick oversees eight attorneys and 11 non-attorney personnel representing 10 sections of the Office. As an Assistant Attorney General, he represents the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services in trial and appellate courts in a 25-county region in northwest and central Ohio.
Before joining the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Rick worked in the Appellate Division of the Lucas County, Ohio Prosecutor’s Office. He also clerked for James D. Bates, of the Lucas County, Ohio Court of Common Pleas.
BAR ADMISSIONS
- State of Ohio
- U.S. District Courts, Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio
- U.S Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
- United States Supreme Court
EDUCATION
- University of Toledo, J.D., 1990
- University of Michigan, B.A., 1986
Robin is a Senior Assistant Attorney General in the Health and Human Services Section of the Ohio Attorney General’s Cincinnati office. Before joining the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Robin owned a law practice that served individuals and small businesses.
BAR ADMISSIONS
- State of Ohio
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
EDUCATION
- University of Dayton, School of Law, J.D.
- Western Michigan University, B.S.
Samantha Rupp joined the Attorney General’s Office and the Health and Human Services Section in February 2021. She represents the Department of Medicaid and the Department of Jobs and Family Services in administrative hearings and civil litigation. Prior to joining the Attorney General’s Office, she clerked for the Honorable Edmund A. Sargus, Jr., of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio and the Honorable George C. Smith, of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.
BAR ADMISSIONS
- State of Ohio
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio
EDUCATION
- The Ohio State University, Moritz College of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2018
- The University of Pittsburgh, B.A., summa cum laude, 2014
Theresa Dirisamer has worked in the Health and Human Services Section since joining the Ohio Attorney General’s Office in 2015. She represents the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, the Ohio Department of Children and Youth, and the Ohio Department of Medicaid. She provides these departments with legal advice and services, including representation during administrative hearings, appeals, and civil litigation.
BAR ADMISSIONS
- State of Ohio
- U.S. District Courts, Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
EDUCATION
- The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, J.D., 2015
- Case Western Reserve University, B.A., 2012
Tracy M. Nave is a Principal Attorney General in the Health and Human Services Section of the Ohio Attorney General's Office. Since her admission to the Ohio bar in 2001 she has handled all manner of defense litigation, including constitutional challenges and employment law defense in federal court. She has acted as a regulatory prosecutor for health care agencies. She was also appointed as Chief Counsel for the Board of Pharmacy. Tracy has litigated wage and hour complaints throughout the state and prosecuted unfair labor practices before the State Employment Relations Board. She has handled various major litigations for the Office and teaches trial advocacy for the Ohio Attorney General's Office, the New Jersey Trial Institute, and the National Association of Attorneys General Training and Research Institute. She is certified by the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) to act as a trial advocacy instructor. She lectures on a variety of issues including Exhibits, Witness Control and Preparation, Advanced Cross Examination and Opening Statements/Closing Arguments and Sexual Harassment.
BAR ADMISSIONS
- State of Ohio
- U.S. District Courts, Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
EDUCATION
- The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, J.D., 2001
- The Ohio State University, B.A. with honors in philosophy, cum laude, 1998
- Columbus State Community College, A.A., magna cum laude, 1996
Vivian P. Tate joined the Health and Human Services Section in 2017. As one of the Section’s Principal Assistant Attorneys General, she represents the Department of Health and assists with civil matters on behalf of other state agencies. She served in the Attorney General’s Charitable Law Section for fourteen years before transferring to HHS.
Before joining the Ohio Attorney General’s Office in 2003, Vivian worked in the private sector for a national non-profit organization, served in the AG’s Charitable Law Section and practiced law in Michigan.
BAR ADMISSIONS
- State of Ohio
- U.S. District Court , Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
EDUCATION
- Wayne State University Law School, Detroit, MI, J.D.
- Bowling Green State University, B.S.
Rachel Rubey joined the Attorney General’s Office and the Health and Human Services Section in March 2024. She represents the Department of Developmental Disabilities and the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services in administrative hearings and civil litigation. Following law school, she clerked for the Honorable Mark R. Abel, United States Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Ohio. Prior to joining the Attorney General’s Office, she worked for an organization providing permanent supportive housing for individuals with mental illness.
BAR ADMISSIONS
- State of Ohio
- U.S. District Courts, Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
EDUCATION
- Ohio State University, J.D., 2003
- Ohio State University, M.S.W., 1996
- Ohio State University, B.A., 1992
Breeanna Wells joined the Health and Human Services section in 2023 after graduating law school. She represents the Ohio Department of Health in administrative and civil proceedings. Prior to joining HHS, she clerked as a student intern with the Attorney General’s Criminal Justice Section working in Capital Crimes.
BAR ADMISSIONS
EDUCATION
- Capital University Law School, magna cum laude, 2023
- Capital University, B.A., magna cum laude, 2020
Michael Seidensticker joined the Attorney General’s Office in the Health and Human Services Section in September 2024. Michael is an Assistant Attorney General and represents the Ohio Board of Nursing in administrative hearings and civil litigation. He previously clerked with the Antitrust Section and externed at the Kenton County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office in Kentucky.
BAR ADMISSIONS
EDUCATION
- University of Cincinnati College of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2024
- Miami University of Ohio, B.A. in Public Administration, cum laude, 2021