UC Law '89 + 30

Contributed by Shawn Organ

All is great. It’s been a quick 30 years. Right after law school I married my girlfriend of 8 ½ years, Beth. We moved back to Dublin, Ohio, where Beth and I met as freshmen in high school. I started working for U.S. District Court Judge George C. Smith as a law clerk and, only five months after the wedding, Beth and I were expecting our first, Kelsey—who arrived on Halloween. Two more followed in the next 5 years, Connor in 1992 and Alec in 1995.

After 2½ years with the judge, I took a position at Jones Day in Columbus. It was a great job that gave me an opportunity to get into court and handle trials on a consistent basis. I had the great fortune to learn under fellow UC alum, Rick Chesley. I was an associate at Jones Day for 6 years, then a partner for 11 years.

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Contributed by John O’Connor

The name of my employer has not changed since our last reunion. However, Steel of West Virginia has changed, growing from two plants to four plants. We built a new galvanizing plant and purchased the former Kentucky Electric Steel mill. This allowed me the professional opportunities of establishing new safety, environmental, and human resources policies, plans, and procedures for these plants; hiring new work forces; and negotiating an initial CBA for the former Kentucky Electric plant. When I look back at my time with Steel of West Virginia, Taft, Buchanan, Dinsmore, and AK Steel, I recognize my good fortune for the unique opportunities I have had to gain front line experience in labor and employment matters. My time at AK Steel stood out – seeming almost overwhelming at times – but I certainly grew professionally from it.

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Contributed by Michael Hammond

After law school I stayed local, and in 1991 started my own firm focusing on corporate immigration matters. Our main office is in the Carew Tower and we have branch offices in LA, Phoenix, and Portland. I personally focus on IT and healthcare clients. I enjoy a lot of traveling and speaking for clients and industry events.

I have two children, both of whom were born during law school (brilliant family planning). My son Ben lives in Columbus and is the restaurant GM for Nordstrom. He and his wife are expecting my second grandchild in November. My daughter Kelsey lives in Cincinnati; she’s a paralegal at our firm and has a son, Jaxon, who is 9.

In my free time (and there is a ton of free time that comes with running your own law firm), I enjoy hiking and running (both at about the same pace). I also enjoy hot yoga and I would love to have you join me every Wednesday at the downtown CAC yoga studio at 6. Wine afterwards to maintain balance in life.

Contributed by Loretta Helfrich.

Things in my world are great! After 29 years with Robert, I am looking forward to many more with this wonderful supportive man. Both sons (Charles, 24, & Joseph, 22) are grown and supporting themselves– now there’s an accomplishment! We still have 2 furry beasts –don’t tell them they are cats.

I recently opened an art gallery – Purple Paisley, Local Artisan Shop – in Covington. This venture is off to a stellar start – beautiful rehabbed building and many talented local artists in a wide variety of mediums.

My family law practice is now mediation only. The extra free time I have spent with family and hanging out in Michigan and Florida. I have been very fortunate.

(Editor’s note: Loretta forgot to mention that she also runs Helfrich Jewelry Creations, a purveyor of handcrafted earrings and necklaces.)

Contributed by Michael Pettry

I am still in the FBI and am currently assigned to the Office of the General Counsel’s Legal Instruction Unit at the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA. In addition to providing legal instruction to New Agents and Analysts, I teach police officers from around the world who attend the FBI National Academy. I also provide legal instruction to the FBI’s Language Professionals and assist with moot courts for the FBI Laboratory’s Forensic Examiners. A highlight of my job is also being able to train police officers and prosecutors from around the world. So far this year I have traveled to Cairo, Egypt, and Tashkent, Uzbekistan, to support such programs.

My wife, Karen, and I live outside of the historic city of Fredericksburg, Virginia. My son Ryan is a senior at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond and my daughter Anna is a sophomore at Radford. The last ten years living in Virginia have flown by and we enjoy being able to be at the beach one weekend and then up in the mountains the next.

I hope to see many of you at the reunion.

Nothing much has changed for me since the last time. I’m still President & CEO of Graeter’s Ice Cream Company. We have grown the company a bit since last time. We now have 55 stores in nice cities across five states, employ over 1,000 people, and are available in grocery stores from coast to coast–but I still consider us to be a small business. And I am still married to my wife Nancy. Our son Will is 19 and a sophomore at Clemson. Our daughter Kate is 17 and is a senior at Walnut.