A Teacher Who Became an Advocate

Before ever stepping foot in a courtroom, I was a high school math teacher in the Youngstown City Schools. I saw how my students were treated by the justice system and I got to hear them complain how they never felt heard. It was clear that my students were not treated fairly and they definitely were not innocent until proven guilty. 

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After some nudging by a fellow teacher,  I went to law school. I went with the goal of everyone being treated fairly, everyone having their voice heard and their day in court, but most importantly, to remind the system that behind every case number is a real person with a real story.

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From the Classroom to the Courtroom

During law school, I worked at the Legal Defender’s Office in Akron, representing people who couldn’t afford an attorney in the Akron Municipal Court. I learned early on that fairness isn’t automatic, it has to be fought for.

 

After graduation, I joined the Mahoning County Prosecutor’s Office. I carried my students’ stories with me into that role. My focus was always on making sure cases were handled fairly and that no one was railroaded.

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A Turning Point

While serving as a prosecutor, Ohio passed a law allowing qualified individuals to legally carry firearms. Not long after, I was assigned a case involving one of my former students. Under the new law, the charge should not have gone forward. I sought permission to dismiss it, but my request was denied.

 

That moment made me reevaluate my place in the justice system. If I wanted to stay true to the reasons I became a lawyer, I needed to step away from prosecuting, begin defending, and pursue a childhood dream of one day being a judge.

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Building My Practice in Trumbull County

I’ve lived my entire life in Trumbull County. In 2014, just before starting law school, I got married. My wife, who worked at Hillside Rehab Hospital when they closed, now helps me with my practice by answering calls and trying to keep me organized. This community is home for us, and it’s where I’ve built my career.

 

Since leaving the prosecutor’s office in 2022, I’ve represented hundreds of clients across Trumbull, Mahoning, and Ashtabula Counties. I hold a contract with the Public Defender’s Office in Warren Municipal Court and take felony appointments in both Trumbull and Mahoning Counties. Whether I am appointed or hired, I will always do my best to make sure your voice is heard, that you are treated fairly, and that we work together to get the best possible outcome.

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