From the Deans' Suite - 7/15/25 - Champions of Justice
“There’s never a wrong time to stand up for what’s right”
That was the inspiring theme of American Bar Association President Bill Bay’s talk last week at the Cleveland City Club. At once a truism and a battle cry, President Bay was referring to the ABA’s response to the disturbing rise in attacks on the legal profession and personal threats to judges and their families. Threats against judges, once rare and unthinkable, have become alarmingly commonplace. U.S. District Court Judge Dan Polster joined President Bay decrying these unprecedented attacks and emphasized that judges need all of us to help defend against them:
We speak through our opinions. We need others, what I call “Champions of Justice,” to speak for us.
From the Deans' Suite - 7/8/25 - Strong Start with Jump Start
These last two weeks have marked exciting milestones for our incoming students as they began CSU Law’s Jump Start Program. Last night, Dean Brian Ray and I had the pleasure of welcoming more than 100 students for the first evening of the in-person Jump Start Program, and last week our new JD Online students began their own Jump Start sessions.
Jump Start is a cornerstone of the academic support we provide for every incoming student. Jump Start has come a long way since it began back in 2016 as an optional program with just 15–20 students. The student feedback was so positive that we quickly decided to require every student to participate.
From the Deans’ Suite - 7/1/25 - New Day, New Deans
On our first day as Co-Deans, we would like to express our deep gratitude to Dean Lee Fisher for his nine years of visionary leadership. His legacy leaves CSU Law well-positioned for an exciting future.
That future is already taking shape! We’re on track to bring in another record-setting 1L class. We’re launching innovative programs, including Centers for Intellectual Property and Innovation, International Law, and Law & Leadership. We’re welcoming talented new faculty and staff to the CSU Law family. Add an alumni network that never stops showing up, and it’s easy to see why CSU Law is thriving.
CSU|LAW Welcomes Assistant Dean for JD Admissions & Financial Aid Korey Mercer
Cleveland State University College of Law welcomes new Assistant Dean for JD Admissions and Financial Aid Korey Mercer.
“CSULAW is the summation of my academic, professional, and personal background,” said Mercer. “As I look at the history and vision of the law school, I am reminded of my own values and what even compelled me to go to law school and become a leader in the legal profession.”
CSULAA Alumni of The Year Recipient Profile: Awatef Assad ’95
Cleveland State University Law Alumni Association Alumni of the Year recipient Awatef Assad ’95 is an active proponent of equity, inclusion and diversity in the legal profession. Awatef’s journey to her current position as Cuyahoga County Deputy Director for Risk Management is one that went against the odds. She is the first woman to become an attorney from her hometown of Beit Hanina, a Palestinian tow
CSULAA Alumni of The Year Recipient Profile: Kemper D. Arnold ’80
Cleveland State University Law Alumni Association Alumni of the Year recipient Kemper D. Arnold ’80 has developed a thriving business law practice over the past four decades. But the law was not Kemper’s first career. He started his journey as a professional scuba diver.
Alumni Profile: Vincent T. Lombardo ’81 and Barbara J. Stanford ’80
Cleveland State University College of Law alumni Vincent T. Lombardo ’81 and Barbara J. Stanford ’80 both fondly remember their days in law school. The duo recalls separately taking Evidence with (now Professor Emeritus) Stephen R. Lazarus and how much each enjoyed the course.
While CSU|LAW set Lombardo and Stanford on a path to career success in the legal field and beyond, their most lasting memory is having met each other in law school. They married in 1982.
“I am forever grateful to CSU|LAW for giving me a legal education – and the opportunity to meet my wife! I had always wanted to be an attorney and CSU|LAW allowed me to fulfill my dream,” explained Lombardo.
Graduate Profile: 2022 Class Valedictorian Lucy Richman
“Some of us may go on to become judges, or to practice civil rights law, or – hopefully all of us – to incorporate pro bono work into our practices. But living justice should not be limited to our legal work. Having a law degree gives us a powerful tool to live justice, but it doesn’t mean that we can’t live justice outside of law.”
Speaking to her fellow CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law Class of 2022 graduates, class valedictorian Lucy Richman noted that there are many different ways to follow through on the second half of the law school’s “Learn Law. Live Justice.” motto.
Adjunct Professor Kirk Herath Appointed as Ohio’s Cybersecurity Strategic Advisor
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced that CSU C|M|LAW Adjunct Professor Kirk Herath has been appointed to the role of Cybersecurity Strategic Advisor, a new position created within his administration. Herath will guide Ohio’s wide-ranging cybersecurity efforts across agencies, including the Adjutant General’s Office, the Ohio Department of Administrative Services, and the Ohio Department of Public Safety.