Section Chief
Office: 614-466-7447
Stacy.Hannan@OhioAGO.gov
Stacy Hannan has been with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office since 2006, and currently serves as Section Chief for the Court of Claims Defense Section. Stacy’s litigation defense practice includes negligence, personal injury, employment discrimination, premises liability, and contract disputes. Prior to joining the Court of Claims Defense Section in 2013, Stacy worked as an Assistant Attorney General for the Office’s Criminal Justice, Executive Agencies, and Crime Victims’ Services Sections. In her free time, Stacy enjoys traveling with her husband Chris, spending time outdoors with her dogs, and cheering on Cleveland’s sports teams, for better or worse.
EDUCATION
- Cleveland State University, J.D., 2006
- Bowling Green State University, B.S.B.A., 1999
Assistant Section Chief
Office: 614-466-7447
Jeanna.Jacobus@OhioAGO.gov
Jeanna currently serves as the Assistant Section Chief in the Court of Claims Defense section. Her litigation specialties include medical malpractice, negligence, and wrongful death. She is regular trainer in topics of e-discovery, litigation holds, trial practice, depositions, and experts.
Jeanna previously served in the major litigation section where she represented the numerous state agencies, departments, boards, commissions, and state office holders that were subpoenaed by drug manufacturers and distributors in the lawsuits that the State of Ohio filed against those companies for causing the opioid crisis.
Jeanna is the Attorney General’s designee to serve on the Board of the Ohio Center for Law Related Education (OCLRE) and was recently recognized by the Ohio State Bar Foundation as the 2017 District 7 Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 & Under.
EDUCATION
- The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, J.D., Magna Cum Laude, the Order of the Coif
- University of Toledo, B.S., M.A.
Principal Assistant Attorney General
Office: 614-466-7447
William.Becker@OhioAGO.gov
William Becker heads up the Construction Litigation Group (CLG) in the Ohio Attorney General’s Court of Claims Defense Section. He began his career at the Attorney General’s Office prosecuting consumer fraud and defending workers’ compensation cases. Prior to re-joining the Attorney General’s Office, he was engaged in private practice for ten years doing plaintiff’s work. Since then, Mr. Becker has been an Assistant Attorney General representing the State in the Court of Claims in construction, wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases. He currently teaches trial practice for the National Association of Attorneys General and is an Adjunct Professor of Trial Practice at the University of Dayton School of Law. Mr. Becker also previously taught trial practice at Ohio State University’s Law School and Capital University Law School’s paralegal program.<
And most importantly, he is a proud husband, father and grandfather.
EDUCATION
- University of Dayton Law School, J.D., 1981
- University of Michigan, B.A., 1978
Associate Assistant Attorney General
Office: 614-644-7660
Daniel.Benoit@OhioAGO.gov
Daniel has spent his entire legal career in public service representing the State of Ohio. After serving as a county prosecutor since 2011, he joined the office of the Attorney General in 2019. Prior to joining this section, Daniel served in the Criminal Justice and Workers’ Compensation sections of the AGO. Currently, Daniel litigates a variety of issues while representing state agencies and universities in the Court of Claims. He is licensed in the Northern District of Ohio, the Southern District of Ohio, and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.
EDUCATION
- Mercyhurst University, B.A., 2006
- University of Toledo, J.D., 2010 cum laude
Senior Assistant Attorney General
Office: 614-466-7447
Michelle.Brizes@OhioAGO.gov
After law school, Michelle represented the City of Columbus in criminal prosecutions and civil litigation. She went on to work in private practice and electronic discovery project management in the Cleveland area. Michelle returned to her roots in public service and Columbus when she joined the Attorney General’s Office in 2019. Her practice is largely concentrated in defending negligence, premises liability, medical malpractice, and other tort claims on behalf of state agencies and universities.
EDUCATION
- The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, J.D.
- Wittenberg University, B.A.
Senior Assistant Attorney General
Office: 614-466-7447
Amy.Brown@OhioAGO.gov
Amy joined the Ohio Attorney General’s Office in 2006. In her role as a Senior Assistant Attorney General in the Court of Claims Defense Section, she defends Ohio’s agencies, departments, and universities in civil lawsuits in the Ohio Court of Claims, the Tenth District Court of Appeals, and the Ohio Supreme Court. Her civil defense litigation practice is diverse and focuses primarily on the defense of wrongful imprisonment, personal injury, wrongful death, employment discrimination, and contract dispute claims. She has litigated over 500 cases on behalf of the State of Ohio, including conducting more than 50 trials and 20 appellate oral arguments.
Amy is a recipient of the Ohio Attorney General’s Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Diversity, and Excellence Award. In addition to her litigation practice, she serves as the head coach for the Capital University Law School in the Ohio Public Service Mock Trial Competition, a judge for the Ohio High School Mock Trial Competition, a mentor in the Ohio Supreme Court’s Lawyer-to-Lawyer Mentoring Program, and a member of the Ohio Attorney General’s Sunshine Laws Task Force. She is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association.
Amy earned her Bachelor of Arts from the Ohio University and her Juris Doctor from the Capital University Law School. Prior to joining the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, she was a law clerk for the Ohio Court of Claims and participated in General Litigation Clinic and Mediation Clinic during law school.
Originally from rural southeastern Ohio, Amy now resides in the central Ohio area with her husband and their daughter. In addition to her career in public service with the State of Ohio, she serves as a Council Member for the Village of Lithopolis. She also regularly volunteers with several community organizations. She is the welcome center chair & volunteer coordinator for the Lithopolis Honeyfest Association to help raise awareness of the importance of the honey bee and a board member for the Friends of the Wagnalls Memorial Library. She provides free estate advanced directive planning services to low-income senior citizens through the Legal Aid Society of Columbus and volunteers with the Cancer Support Community of Central Ohio to help ensure that no one fights cancer alone.
EDUCATION
- Capital University, J.D.
- Ohio University, B.A.
Associate Assistant Attorney General
Office: 614-466-7447
Chelsey.Capezzuti@OhioAGO.gov
Chelsey joined the Ohio Attorney General’s Office in 2022, continuing her commitment to public service as Assistant Attorney General in the Court of Claims Defense section. In her role as an Assistant Attorney General, Chelsey defends state agencies, departments, universities, colleges, boards, and commissions in civil actions filed in the Ohio Court of Claims and the subsequent appeals from those cases. Chelsey also lends her assistance to other sections in the Ohio Attorney General’s Office for advice on criminal justice law and litigates educator disciplinary hearings initiated by the State Board of Education.
Prior to joining the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Chelsey spent many years as a prosecuting attorney with the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office where she investigated and litigated a variety of complex criminal prosecutions.
EDUCATION
- Capital University School of Law, J.D.
- The Ohio State University, B.A.
Principal Assistant Attorney General
Office: 614-466-5931
Martin.Cordero@OhioAGO.gov
Martin Cordero joins the Construction Litigation Group in the Court of Claims Defense Section after two decades with the Attorney General’s Office. For most of his AGO career, Martin was an attorney in the Transportation Section representing the Ohio Department of Transportation in eminent domain cases. He tried numerous multi-million dollar appropriation actions and participated in many appeals that are part of the eminent domain case law today. Martin was most recently Major Litigation Counsel involved in large complex civil litigation matters brought by the office. Martin has served in a variety of leadership roles and is proud of his public service to the State.
Martin is a Columbus native and obtained his undergraduate degree in computer science. After receiving his law degree, Martin maintained a solo practice concentrating on landlord/tenant and appellate practice.
EDUCATION
- Chicago-Kent College of Law, J.D.
- The Ohio State University, B.S.
Principal Assistant Attorney General
Office: 614-466-7447
Peter.Demarco@OhioAGO.gov
Pete is a seasoned litigator who has dedicated his career to public service. He joined the Ohio Attorney General’s Office in 1982, as a law clerk in the Public Utilities Section. Following his admission to the practice of law in Ohio, Pete served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Crime Victims Section, the Transportation Section and the Workers’ Compensation Section of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. Pete currently serves as an Assistant Attorney General in the Court of Claims Defense Section of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and has held that position since 1991. In his role as a Principal Attorney, Pete defends state agencies, departments, universities, colleges, boards, and commissions in civil actions filed in the Ohio Court of Claims and the subsequent appeals from those cases that are filed in the Tenth District Court of Appeals and the Ohio Supreme Court. Pete’s civil defense litigation practice involves some of the most complex and high profile litigation for the State of Ohio and focuses primarily on wrongful death, wrongful imprisonment, negligence, and premises liability claims. Pete is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association and was the recipient of the Ohio Attorney General’s 2005 Innovation and Excellence Award.
EDUCATION
- Capital University Law School, J.D.
- Wittenberg University, B.S.
Senior Assistant Attorney General
Office: 614-644-7660
Lauren.Emery@OhioAGO.gov
Lauren joined the Ohio Attorney General’s Office in 2016 where she began her career in the Charitable Law section pursuing civil litigation to recover misappropriated charitable funds and prevent fraudulent collection of money from the public. She next served in the Legal Initiatives section supporting the AGO administration in its pursuit of a wide array of legal and policy matters.
Lauren joined the Court of Claims Defense section in 2018 where she defends state agencies and universities in civil suits filed in the Ohio Court of Claims and appeals to the Tenth District Court of Appeals. Lauren’s practice areas include: medical malpractice, wrongful death, personal injury, premises liability, corrections litigation, and contractual disputes. Lauren serves as a member of the Office’s Professional Development Committee and Major Appeals Group.
Lauren was honored to have participated in both the Columbus Bar Association’s Barrister Leadership Program and the Ohio State Bar Association’s Leadership Academy.
EDUCATION
- Wake Forest University School of Law, J.D., Cum Laude, 2016
- Duke University Divinity School, M.Div., 2011
- Elon University, B.A., Summa Cum Laude, 2008
Principal Assistant Attorney General
Office: 614-466-7447
Daniel.Forsythe@OhioAGO.gov
Dan litigates disputes in the areas of personal injury, premise liability, medical malpractice, and inmate litigation. Dan defends state agencies and universities in the Ohio Court of Claims and the Tenth District Court of Appeals.
After college, Dan worked in broadcast news at the CBS affiliate in Syracuse, NY and then at MSNBC cable news station in Secaucus, NJ. He has been with the Attorney General’s Office since 2006.
EDUCATION
- The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, J.D.
- Syracuse University, B.A.
Senior Associate Assistant Attorney General
Office: 614-466-7447
Lindsey.Grant@OhioAGO.gov
Lindsey Grant joined the Attorney General's Office in March of 2013 in the Court of Claims Defense Section. As a member of that Section, she represented Ohio agencies, boards, commissions, institutions, and universities in civil lawsuits for money damages before the Ohio Court of Claims and the 10th District Court of Appeals. Her practice included defending the State of Ohio in lawsuits as diverse and wide-ranging as medical malpractice, contract disputes, negligence, defamation, employment discrimination, and assault.
She began practicing in the Charitable Law Section out of the Cleveland Regional Office starting in Summer 2016. There, she helped further the Attorney General's mission to provide oversight of the charitable sector in the State of Ohio and ensure that the charitable contributions of Ohioans were put to good use.
In January 2020, Lindsey rejoined the Court of Claims Defense Section and is happy to be once again defending Ohio’s agencies, boards, commissions, institutions, and universities in litigation.
Lindsey is licensed to practice law in the state courts of Ohio and the federal court of the Northern District of Ohio.
EDUCATION
- The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2011
- The Ohio State University, B.S., Magna Cum Laude with Honors in the Arts and Sciences, 2007
Senior Assistant Attorney General
Office: 614-466-7447
Howard.Harcha@OhioAGO.gov
Howard serves as a litigator in the Court of Claims Defense Section, where he defends state agencies and universities in civil actions filed in the Ohio Court of Claims and appeals to the Tenth District Court of Appeals and the Ohio Supreme Court. Howard’s litigation practice includes: construction litigation, contractual disputes, corrections litigation, employment discrimination, medical malpractice, personal injury, premise liability, and wrongful death.
Additionally, Howard serves as a member of our Office’s Construction Litigation Group and Professional Development Programming Committee. He regularly serves as a trainer in topics of trial practice and depositions. He has facilitated CLE trainings on:
- Overruled! Now What? - The Role of Evidence at Trial and on Appeal (2020)
- Lions, Tigers, & Experts Oh My! - A Step-By-Step Approach to Working with Experts (2022)
Howard was selected to join the 2023 OSBA Leadership Academy.
EDUCATION
- The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, J.D., Cum Laude, 2016
- The Ohio State University, B.S., Cum Laude, 2012
Senior Assistant Attorney General
Office: 614-466-7447
Peter.Jamison@OhioAGO.gov
Peter joined the Ohio Attorney General’s Office in 2010, representing prison officials and Highway Patrol Troopers in federal civil rights cases. He also represented several state agencies in administrative cases holding state license holders accountable for professional misconduct. Between college and law school, Peter served as an officer in the United States Army. He was stationed in California, South Korea, and Colorado. Peter was also deployed as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004 and 2005. Since joining the Court of Claims Defense Section in July 2021, Peter continues to use his litigation skills to represent various state agencies in claims before the Ohio Court of Claims and the Tenth District Court of Appeals.
EDUCATION
- Case Western Reserve University, J.D., 2010
- Bowling Green State University, B.S., Cum Laude, 2000
Senior Assistant Attorney General
Office: 614-466-7447
Charles.Janes@OhioAGO.gov
Bob practiced law in the private sector for 38 years before joining the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, in the Construction Litigation Group of the Court of Claims Defense Section. In private practice, Bob acquired extensive trial and appellate court experience as lead trial counsel in many types of complex litigation, including medical malpractice, legal malpractice, product liability (toxic torts, ethical drug and medical products), premises liability, real estate, banking, and insurance coverage disputes. He has tried over 100 jury trials to completion in courts throughout Ohio, and has been admitted as counsel pro hac vice in federal and state court litigation throughout the country. He has received an “AV” rating (the highest possible) from Martindale-Hubbell since 1992, and has been included on the list of “Top Lawyers in Central Ohio” published annually by Columbus C.E.O. magazine since 2009. He has also testified as an expert witness, and has been a lecturer on many occasions on trial procedures and strategies, medical-legal, insurance, real estate, and professional liability topics. He now concentrates on public sector construction litigation.
EDUCATION
- The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, J.D.
- The Ohio State University, B.A.
Principal Assistant Attorney General
Office: 614-466-7447
Jerry.Kasai@OhioAGO.gov
Jerry re-joined the Ohio Attorney General’s Office in 2012 as a part of the Construction Litigation Group in the Court of Claims Defense Section. Jerry specializes in public construction and procurement, and represents state agencies, universities, and other public entities in matters relating to these areas of law. He offers counsel at all stages of a public construction project from program development through completion and post-construction issues, including litigation. Jerry has represented various State agencies and universities in plaintiff actions against contractors, professional design firms, construction managers and sureties for issues such as design errors and omissions, defective contractor work, breach of the standard of care and fraud. Jerry also lends his assistance to other sections in the Ohio Attorney General’s Office for advice on public construction and procurement. Prior to joining the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Jerry was the Chief Counsel for the Ohio School Facilities Commission. Jerry has also presented at numerous seminars and programs on public procurement issues.
EDUCATION
- The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, J.D.
- Miami University, B.A.
Principal Assistant Attorney General
Office: 614-466-7447
Brian.Kneafsey@OhioAGO.gov
Before joining the Office, Brian was in private practice as a trial lawyer for twenty five years, including ten years in plaintiff’s practice in West Virginia and fifteen years in the defense of medical negligence cases throughout Ohio. In addition to dozens of jury trials, and even more bench trials, Brian has argued thirty seven appellate cases, with four being reported in the Ohio or West Virginia Supreme Courts.
Brian focuses his practice mainly in the area of medical negligence trial work through the representation of universities and correctional institutions in a variety of medical settings defending physicians, hospitals and medical personnel. He has also defended clients in cases involving premises liability, general liability and other areas of professional negligence.
Brian is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association, and West Virginia Bar Association. He is a presenter at continuing legal education and medical risk management seminars. He was also an Adjunct Professor for Capital University’s paralegal program and has assisted with the Mock Trial team at Capital Law School.
EDUCATION
- West Virginia University College of Law
- University of Kentucky, attended on a National Merit Scholarship
Principal Assistant Attorney General
Office: 614-466-7447
Randall.Knutti@OhioAGO.gov
Randall W. Knutti joined the Ohio Attorney General’s Office in 1998, and he is a Principal Attorney in the Court of Claims Defense section. Randy defends universities, Constitutional offices and state agencies in civil actions filed in the Ohio Court of Claims and in appeals in the Tenth District Court of Appeals and the Ohio Supreme Court. His civil defense litigation practice includes complex and high-profile litigation for the State of Ohio and focuses primarily on employment discrimination, defamation, contract disputes and appellate advocacy. He also assists other sections in the Office on a variety of litigation projects; and he regularly serves as a mentor for less experienced attorneys. During his career with the Office, he has tried more than 150 cases and argued more than 100 appeals. Before joining the Office, he concentrated his practice in business and securities litigation as a partner in the Columbus office of Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur LLP and as counsel in the Columbus office of Ulmer & Berne LLP.
EDUCATION
- University of Pittsburgh, B.S.
- University of Virginia School of Law, J.D.
Senior Assistant Attorney General
Office: 614-466-7447
Heather.Lammardo@OhioAGO.gov
Heather joined the Ohio Attorney General’s Office in the Court of Claims Defense section in 2021. She defends state agencies and universities in civil suits filed in the Ohio Court of Claims and appeals to the Tenth District Court of Appeals and the Ohio Supreme Court. Heather’s practice is concentrated primarily on employment defense and includes negligence, premises liability, inmate litigation, and contract disputes.
Prior to joining the Attorney General’s Office, Heather spent many years in private practice, where she developed expertise in employment defense litigation with a national specialty firm. Heather has volunteered with the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, where she also worked for a summer while in law school, representing and counseling individuals who are indigent or facing legal hurdles unique to their community.
In law school, Heather served as an Articles Editor on the Case Western Reserve Law Review and completed a judicial externship in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. Heather grew up with Lake Erie in her backyard and is happiest spending time with her husband and sons.
EDUCATION
- Case Western Reserve School of Law, J.D., 2004
- Notre Dame College, B.A., 2001
Principal Assistant Attorney General
Office: 614-466-7447
Jeffrey.Maloon@OhioAGO.gov
After clerking for Justice Robert Holmes of the Supreme Court of Ohio, Jeff’s career has been devoted to complex litigation. After spending most of his career representing patients and their families in medical negligence litigation, he came to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office in 2008. He currently represents the physicians and staff at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Jeff has received numerous honors during his career including Best Lawyers in America and as a Top Rated Lawyer in Medical Negligence Litigation by Martindale-Hubbell. Jeff has authored many professional articles and has made numerous presentations to lawyers and health care providers throughout the United States. Although born in Columbus, Jeff grew up in Union City, a small town that sits in both Ohio and Indiana.
EDUCATION
- Capital University Law School, J.D., with honors, 1983
- Ball State University, B.S., 1980
Senior Associate Assistant Attorney General
Office: 614-466-7447
Timothy.Miller@OhioAGO.gov
Tim has been with the Ohio Attorney General's Office since 2006. Since 2015, he has been in the Court of Claims Section. Tim's background is primarily in employment law. However, since coming to the Court of Claims Section, Tim has expanded his practice to include a variety of claims, including: general negligence; defamation; and wrongful death claims.
He is currently admitted to practice law in the State of Ohio, the United States Northern District of Ohio, The United States Southern District of Ohio, and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.
EDUCATION
- Capital University Law School, 2006
Principal Assistant Attorney General
Office: 614-466-7447
James.Rook@OhioAGO.gov
Jim’s practice focuses on construction litigation and IT matters. Prior to attending law school, he worked for the School Employees Retirement System investing money in commercial real estate. Jim began his legal career with Luper, Wolinetz, Sheriff & Neidenthal after law school. He had a solo practice for ten years before working Columbus City Schools in its extensive construction program. He was recruited from the school district to be a part of the Construction Litigation Group. Since joining the office in 2008, Jim received the Teamwork and Pride Awards. Aside from the practice of law, Jim has extensive experience in theater and opera.
EDUCATION
- The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, J.D.
- The Ohio State University
Principal Assistant Attorney General
Office: 614-466-7447
Anne.Strait@OhioAGO.gov
Anne has been with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office for more than 28 years and has been a member of the bar since 1983. She is responsible for representation of state departments, universities, agencies, boards and commissions against civil suits filed in the Ohio Court of Claims. The primary focus of her practice is the defense of medical malpractice cases involving The University of Toledo Medical Center, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, the University of Cincinnati, the Ohio Veterans Homes, and the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. She was formerly in the Health & Human Services Section, where she handled administrative licensure cases in front of the State Medical Board and other professional licensing boards. Prior to joining the AGO she was in private practice for eight years.
Anne has served as a mentor in the Ohio Supreme Court’s Lawyer-to-Lawyer Mentoring Program for eight years, and has mentored many young attorneys through AGO programs over the years as well. She and her husband, Robert, a photographer, live in the woods in the Hocking Hills with their Rottweiler, Attie and Labrador Retriever, Ryker.
EDUCATION
- The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, J.D.
- Kalamazoo College, B.A.
Principal Assistant Attorney General
Office: 614-466-7447
Eric.Walker@OhioAGO.gov
Eric has been an Assistant Attorney General in the Court of Claims Defense Section of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office since 1988. Eric has handled hundreds of cases on behalf of State entities covering a wide-range of subject matters, including employment, wrongful death, premises liability, medical negligence, automobile accident liability, and contract claims. He currently serves on the Section’s Appellate Review Committee, and has previously been a part of the Office’s Major Appeals Group and Professional Development Program.
EDUCATION
- University of Cincinnati, J.D.
- University of Akron, B.S.