Home: Columbus, OH. Age: 47. Birthplace: Columbus, OH. Profession: Attorney. Organization: Pierrot Law and Consulting. Title: Owner and attorney. Alma mater: The Ohio State University.
Current project: Swearing in the spring CASA volunteer class. Latest accomplishment: Launching a new firm inspired by my father's strength. Latest contribution to others: Volunteering with Toys for Tots, the Man PLEASE Check Yourself! prostate awareness event and the Uplift Her breast cancer survivor celebration. What’s been your big (or biggest) leap? Leaving the bench to open my own firm. Hobbies: Television and film, especially great science-fiction universes, classic animation and time with my family. Recent travel or adventure: South Africa, visiting my daughter during her Peace Corps tour in neighboring Lesotho. Recently viewed and recommended: Widow's Bay, Cape Fear and Your Friends & Neighbors.
Personality profile: Nerdy, inquisitive and duty-bound. Moral compass: I try to treat people the way I'd want someone to treat my mother or grandmother. What is your greatest joy? Seeing my kids happy. What is your greatest fear? Failing my kids. What is your guilty pleasure? Debate videos online. What natural talent have you neglected? Imitations and voice work. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Scientists, physicists, engineers and dog trainers. How do you relieve stress? I walk, exercise and play with my dog.
What was your favorite college course? Comparative Studies: Film and Literary Adaptation. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? Stephen King. What’s the best advice you received growing up? If it was easy, everyone would do it. Look around you. If they can do it, why not you? What’s the best advice you received in your career? Justices are like ninjas. They attack one at a time. What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? AI automation. I appreciate it, but it is also extremely concerning. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? My friends who are positive and inspiring. What world event has had the greatest influence on your life? The Oklahoma City bombing in 1995 left a deep mark on me.
What is your big idea?
CourtRide, a program that helps children and families get to their court proceedings.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? Building a practice that removes friction, explains things honestly and meets people where they are. What change would you like to see in the world? A world that treats a person's worst moment as something to move through, not something that defines them. What message do you want to send out into the world? Bet on yourself, even when the safe choice is right in front of you, and treat every person the way you'd want someone to treat your mother. What widely held belief do you reject? The belief that people end up in the justice system because of their own bad choices.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? The Name on the Door. What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Chiwetel Ejiofor. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? Frederick Douglass and Martin Delany. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? Paleontologist. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? With my kids, having the best meal and watching their favorite movies. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? The birth of my daughter.
Favorite quote: "Even hope may seem but futile, When with troubles you're beset, But remember you are facing Just what other men have met" (Edgar Albert Guest). Desired epitaph: He saw it through.
