2025 Fellows Class

Vallie Bowman-English has served as Clerk of the Toledo Municipal Court since 2003, leading innovations to improve public access and court efficiency. She launched the first court mobile app in the country and implemented e-filing systems in collaboration with local agencies. Bowman-English serves on the Ohio State Bar Association Board of Governors, is a past president of the Ohio Association of Municipal/County Court Clerks, and chairs the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council of Northwest Ohio. She earned her law degree from Ohio Northern University College of Law.

William G. Chris is a partner at Roderick, Linton, Belfance LLP with over 40 years of legal experience in business litigation and alternative dispute resolution. He is deeply committed to legal ethics and has presented across Ohio on related topics. Chris serves as the 2025-2026 President of the Ohio State Bar Association, where he has long been active in leadership. He earned his law degree from the University of Toledo College of Law.

Zach Ferrall is a partner at Noble, Montague, and Moul, LLC, and serves as Law Director for the City of St. Marys. He is actively involved with the Ohio State Bar Association and serves on its Board of Governors. Ferrall also contributes to his community through service with the Auglaize Bar Association, the United Way board, Rotary Club, and Big Brothers Big Sisters. He earned his law degree from Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law.

Mark  Hutson is a solo practitioner with a focus on municipal law, estate planning, and civil litigation. He has held several leadership roles, including past president of the Columbiana County Bar Association. Hutson currently serves as the District 13 representative on the Ohio State Bar Association Board of Governors, helping to shape policies and advocate for legal professionals in his region. He earned his law degree from Capital University Law School.

Judge Michael Kemerer serves in the Mansfield Municipal Court and has dedicated his career to public service and fair administration of justice. Before becoming a judge, he was the First Assistant Law Director for the City of Mansfield for 17 years, including time as an intern. He has also served as Criminal Solicitor for the Village of Bellville and as an adjunct faculty member at North Central State College. Judge Kemerer is actively involved in various community organizations and is committed to legal education and professional development throughout Ohio. He earned his law degree from the University of Toledo College of Law.

Roy Krall is a Shareholder at Cavitch, Familo, & Durkin, Co., L.P.A. focusing on estate planning, trust and probate law, and business law. He is a certified specialist in Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law by the Ohio State Bar Association and has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America and Ohio Super Lawyers. Krall serves and volunteers with several nonprofit organizations. Krall is a Fellow of the Akron Bar Association
Foundation and the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association Foundation. He earned his law degree cum laude from Case Western Reserve University School of Law.

Ali W. Latif is a trilingual attorney at the Law Office of Ali Latif, LLC, where he works to provide affordable legal representation to people from all backgrounds. He volunteers as a Spanish translator for the Schoenbaum Family Center at The Ohio State University and Eakin Elementary School. Latif also contributed as a civil rights attorney at The Legal Aid Society of Columbus. He is known for his client-focused approach and dedication to justice and equity in legal access. He earned his law degree from Capital University Law School.

Judge Peper Firestone serves on the Henry County Family Court, overseeing domestic relations, juvenile, and probate matters. She began her career as a journalist and public relations professional before earning her law degree. After teaching college-level classes in China, she returned to Ohio to practice family law, probate, and real estate law at Peper Law Firm. She later served as an assistant prosecutor handling civil, juvenile, abuse, neglect, and dependency cases, before becoming magistrate in Domestic Relations Court in 2020. Judge Peper Firestone is deeply involved in her community, including board memberships for Henry County Hospital Foundation and Symphony of Trees, and is active in her church and professional associations. She earned her law degree from the University of Toledo College of Law.

Rachel Reight is a partner at Baasten, McKinley & Co., L.P.A., representing clients in labor and employment law matters. She is a certified specialist in labor and employment law by the Ohio State Bar Association and actively contributes to the legal community through leadership and volunteerism. Rachel is a member of the Ohio and Stark County Bar Associations and participates in multiple OSBA labor law committees. She volunteers as a judicial panelist for mock trial competitions at the high school and collegiate levels and mentors attorneys through the Supreme Court of Ohio Lawyer to Lawyer Mentoring Program. Rachel also speaks at workshops for public educators and county agencies. She earned her law degree from the University of Toledo College of Law.

Amanda Tholke is an Associate at The Lewis Law Firm in Cincinnati, specializing in criminal defense. She previously served nearly ten years as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Hamilton County, handling felony trials, grand jury presentations, and supervising dependency cases. Tholke also worked for the Cincinnati Law Department and served as a law clerk in the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas. She is known for her courtroom expertise and dedication to justice. She earned her law degree from Boston University School of Law.

Kelly J. Tomlinson is Director of Academic Success and Bar Preparation and Assistant Professor of Legal Writing at the University of Toledo College of Law. She teaches legal research and writing, legal ethics, and bar preparation. Tomlinson is active in the Toledo Bar Association, Toledo Women’s Bar Association, Morrison R. Waite American Inn of Court, American Bar Association, and Ohio State Bar Association. She is also a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. Kelly earned her law degree from the University of Toledo College of Law.

Howard Wernow is a partner at Sand, Sebolt & Wernow Co., LPA, where he focuses on patent prosecution and intellectual property litigation. His clients include startups, individual inventors, and large corporations. Wernow frequently lectures and writes on intellectual property topics and is dedicated to promoting innovation through legal protection. Wernow also serves on the Board of Directors for Friends of Stark Parks. He earned his law degree from the University of Akron School of Law.

JaMesha Williamson is an estate planning and business law attorney focused on helping families and entrepreneurs build generational wealth and legal resilience. She serves as Vice President of the Bradfield Community Center and is a member of the United Way of Greater Lima Community Impact Committee. Williamson also provides leadership through mentorship and local civic engagement. She earned her law degree from the University of Dayton School of Law.