Brenda Burgy serves as our Director of Law Communications. After obtaining her bachelor’s degree in journalism, cum laude, from Ohio University, Brenda was a television anchor, producer, and reporter for Your Hometown Stations in Lima, Ohio. She then served as the Public Relations and Marketing Director for Mercy Health – St. Rita’s Medical Center, the largest employer in the region. Most recently, Brenda owned her own Public Relations and Marketing Consulting agency serving clients throughout northwest and west central Ohio. She has served on numerous boards and is committed to serving the communities where she lives and works.  While in television, Brenda frequently covered news worthy events at ONU and now enjoys sharing the success stories of our students and alumni.

Jean-Marie Kamatali teaches in the areas of human rights, immigration law, transitional justice and law reform. He is former dean of the law school at the University of Rwanda. He also participated in the legal and institutional rebuilding and reform of post-genocide Rwanda. He has taught at the University of Notre Dame Law School, Kent State University, and Indiana University Indianapolis and South Bend. He has also taught at the University of Leuven in Belgium. He is a regular consultant for the U.S. Government and the United Nations. His media appearance and op-ed contributions include NPR, Voice of America, Democracy Now, C-Span and New York Times.

Melissa Kidder graduated from Ohio Northern University in 2005 with a BFA and degrees in musical theatre and criminal justice. Rather than going into theatre, she decided to go to law school and graduated from the Pettit College of Law in 2008. She began her career as a staff attorney at the Ohio 3rd District Court of Appeals and then came to ONU as assistant director of academic support. Having an opportunity to practice law, she went to work for Eastman & Smith Ltd. as an associate attorney in the estate planning section. She was thrilled to return to ONU as director of legal research and writing, and now serves as the director of legal clinics and externships and assistant professor of law.

Lisa Light serves as our Director of Student Services and an Adjunct Professor for Legal Research and Writing. She is a 2012 Ohio Northern University graduate majoring in Sports Management. Lisa then returned home and obtained her JD from the University of Akron School of Law. Prior to joining ONU Law, Lisa was working as an assistant prosecutor with Montgomery County in the appellate division. While there, she wrote numerous appellate briefs and argued numerous cases in the Second District Court of Appeals. Lisa also filed memoranda with the Ohio Supreme Court. Prior to her experience with the prosecutor’s office, Lisa practiced domestic relations and probate law with a firm in Columbus. Lisa is excited to return to Ohio Northern University and looks forward to making an impact with ONU Law.

Matthew Morgan is the Assistant Director of Law Admissions and specializes in the enrollment and recruitment process. Matthew started his journey at Ohio Northern University in 2017 as an undergraduate Psychology student. After graduation, he became an Admissions Counselor for the Ohio Northern University Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Matthew is glad to continue his commitment to the ONU campus and community by recruiting future generations of invested and dedicated students to perpetuate university excellence.

Liannie Parahoo joined the Ohio Northern University Legal Clinic in December 2017. Prior to ONU, she practiced at a small firm in Barbourville, Ky., in various areas including state and federal criminal defense, personal injury, bankruptcy, appellate work and social security disability. She was an active member of the Criminal Justice Act panel representing indigent defendants at the federal level. She previously taught as an adjunct professor at Union College (Ky.) and Southeast Community College. Parahoo received her JD, with honors, from Roger Williams School of Law and her BS, magna cum laude, from Union College (Ky.).

After 36 years serving as Third District Court of Appeals Judge, Stephen Shaw, JD ‘75, serves as ONU Law’s externship director. Prior to serving on the bench, Shaw served as chief assistant Allen County prosecutor, felony and appellate divisions, assistant Allen County prosecutor for juvenile court and also worked as a private practice attorney in Lima and as an adjunct professor of law at ONU Law. As externship director, retired Judge Shaw works one-on-one with students to find an experiential learning opportunity that best suits their needs, experience level and interests. Throughout the semester, he serves as the faculty advisor while the student is working with their supervisor and getting invaluable hands-on practical lawyering experience. He continuously mentors students on their work product, professionalism, and professional development. Retired Judge Shaw obtained his LL.M in Judicial Process from the University of Virginia in 1995. 

ONU Law proudly has 100 percent placement in its externship program.

Holly Allenbaugh is the Director of Law Admissions, where she specializes in enrollment management, financial aid, university knowledge, and data analytics. Holly came to Ohio Northern University in 2013 as an B.A. undergraduate student on the pre-law track with a focus in Criminal Justice, and Psychology. After graduation she worked for Allen & Baughman Law Firm in Zanesville, OH.

In January of 2019, Holly returned to her roots, and came back to Ohio Northern University to begin working in the Financial Aid Office and in May of 2020, Holly earned her M.S.HE., Summa Cum Laude, from Purdue University.

Holly's love and passion for Ohio Northern bleeds through, as she works with her ONU Law Admissions team members, actively recruiting, and retaining law students for the college. 

Jane Ward joined the College of Law in 2015 and has been employed at ONU since 2007. Previously, she worked at Wright State University and University of Memphis. She earned an MA in journalism from the University of Memphis and a BA in communications from the University of Memphis.