Dean's Office and Administration

Grace Allison, BSBA, ‘24, serves as the Director of Law Admissions. Grace is a recent graduate of Ohio Northern University (ONU), where she majored in public relations. Through her time at Ohio Northern, she worked in the undergraduate Admissions and Financial Aid offices and served as an Orientation Leader Coordinator. Living in Ada her whole life, Grace has always had ties to ONU and is excited to continue to give back and work at a place that has shaped her into who she is today.

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.

Bridget Buckley joined ONU's Taggart Law Library in 2022 as a Reference & Instruction Librarian. Bridget graduated from Capital University with a double major in English Literature and Criminology. After graduation, she worked at the Columbus Metropolitan Library before moving to Portland, Oregon to attend Lewis & Clark Law School where she received her JD in 2020. Before joining ONU, Bridget served as an International Wildlife Law and Policy Analyst at the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA US), focusing on research related to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). She is currently working toward her Master's in Library and Information Science from Indiana University and Purdue University.

Tina Hunt serves as Assistant Director of Law Admissions. Tina joined ONU Law, serving as an Administrative Assistant in Career Services before transitioning into Law Admissions. Tina is passionate about supporting students on their legal education journey and is proud to contribute to the ONU Law School community. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors, spending time with family, and watching her children thrive in their athletic and educational pursuits. Tina obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from Bowling Green State University.

Dustin Johnston-Green currently serves as the director of the Taggart Law Library as well as reference and electronic resources librarian and holds the rank of professor of law. Prior to his appointment at Ohio Northern, he worked at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo’s Charles B. Sears Law Library while completing his Master of Library and Information Science and his Juris Doctor. He graduated with both degrees from SUNY at Buffalo in 2016.

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 associate professor of law.

Alexandra Oliverio, BSBA, ’23, joins Pettit College of Law as the Videographer for our emerging online JD program. Alexandra served as a student multimedia assistant and project manager for ONU’s Communications and Marketing department while earning her bachelor’s degree in Marketing and minor in Public Relations, graduating Cum Laude. She has been instrumental in producing video content for the University and College of Law since 2020. Alexandra is excited to continue her collaboration with ONU and drive the innovation of education through the new online JD program.

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.).

Amber Schumacher serves as Director of Law Career and Professional Development. Schumacher joined the College of Law in 2019 as assistant to the Associate Dean and most recently served as Senior Administrative Assistant in the Dean’s Office. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Holistic Nutrition in 2015 and obtained her bachelor’s degree in Clinical Psychology with a minor in Business Administration in 2024.

In her role, Schumacher supports law students in every aspect of their job search; providing them individualized counseling, networking opportunities, online resources, and connections to a vast network of supportive alumni. 

She enjoys helping students navigate every step of their journey, and transition successfully from law student to legal professional.

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.

Kelly Stevens, JD '18, serves as the Assistant Director of Bar Preparation, teaching ONU Law's Bar course of study throughout the academic year, and supporting our students as they prepare for the Bar Exam throughout the summer months. 

Professor Stevens is a licensed attorney whose primary focus was Family Law where she negotiated separation agreements, prenuptial agreements, access and custody of children, and specific issues relating to Family Law. Professor Stevens is a proud ONU Law alumnae and is thrilled to provide the level of support and connection to our current students that she received when she attended ONU.

Shelby Willamowski, JD, ’18, serves as the Director of Student Services, supporting more than two-dozen student organizations that play a vital role in creating a sense of community for our law students. Previously, she practiced law at Huffman, Kelley & Brock in Lima focusing on family, criminal, probate and personal injury law. A Double Bear, Shelby obtained her bachelor’s degree in Political Science, graduating Cum Laude. She is excited to be back on campus in her new role, working for her alma mater, and helping to enrich the lives of our students.