Jennifer Kappus joins the Cleveland State University College of Law faculty for the 2023-24 academic year as a Visiting Legal Writing Professor, bringing a variety of experiences in the legal and regulatory compliance fields.
“I love analyzing the law, and I have a passion for legal writing,” explained Professor Kappus. “I had a great experience in law school, and I enjoyed the work of a lawyer throughout my career. After overcoming an obstacle in practice, I would often think about how I would teach students to tackle that issue or project if I were a professor. Now, I am excited for the opportunity to pass on what I have learned to future generations of lawyers.”
Professor Kappus is a graduate of Case Western Reserve School of Law where she served on Law Review as an Executive Symposium Editor and Associate Editor, and worked as a Legal Writing and Research Fellow.
Professor Kappus most recently spent five years as a Compliance Officer at KeyBank focusing on interactions with government officials, ethics, and high-impact regulatory issues facing the financial services industry. She began her legal career as a litigation associate at Tucker Ellis LLP and then as a judicial attorney with Justice Terrence O’Donnell at the Ohio Supreme Court.
Legal writing was a focal point of Kappus’ work as a judicial attorney and an associate with Tucker Ellis. But even as a compliance officer with KeyBank, her legal writing and analytical skills continued to help her with various projects and led to engaging projects that were outside typical compliance job duties.
“I enjoy the entire process of legal writing,” said Kappus. “You start out with a problem or an issue, and then you delve into researching what the answer is and how best you can advocate for your client. Then, you work on how to convey the law and your arguments in a fair but persuasive manner and continually edit and improve your work product until your points come across clearly and effectively. For me, it’s always been a very engaging and satisfying process.”
Professor Kappus is excited to support and educate the next generation of lawyers as they develop their legal research, analysis, and writing skills. She has recently worked with area high school students as a volunteer with the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association’s 3Rs Program, where she visited high schools in the Cleveland School District to teach students about their legal rights and responsibilities.
A Cleveland native along with her husband and their two sons, Professor Kappus already has familiarity with CSU|LAW. In her brief time in the law building thus far, she has been impressed with the student-centric mission of the law school.
“What stands out to me about CSU|LAW is their focus on the student,” said Kappus. “Everyone I encounter is striving to do everything they can to support their students and ensure their success. The students themselves are not only engaged and determined but also seem to truly care about each other and those in their communities.”