Welcome

Welcome to Policy in Practice, brought to you by Carpenter Lipps & Leland LLP. Our goal is to provide you with a one-stop shop of news and information regarding public policy issues in Ohio and throughout the nation.

In addition to the news, Policy in Practice will also provide insight and view points from noted opinion leaders, and maybe an opinion of our own from time to time. I hope you find this service useful, and if you have any suggestion please do not hesitate to contact me directly at leland@carpenterlipps.com.

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David Leland, Partner

Phone: (614) 365-4111
Fax: (614) 365-9145
E-Mail: leland@carpenterlipps.com

David Leland heads the Firm’s public policy and government regulation practice. David is one of Ohio’s best-known lawyers, by virtue of his many years of highly visible work in the political arena. Business First recently named him as one of the best Central Ohio lawyers in government relations law.

David has been a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, and has served as State of Ohio Democratic Party Chair (1995-2002). David was also appointed to the Federal Service Impasse Panel by President William J. Clinton in 2000.

Most recently, David was the Finance Chair/Senior Advisor to the successful 2006 campaign of Ohio Governor Ted Strickland. The campaign raised a record $17 million under his direction. He also served as President/CEO of the Strickland-Fisher Inaugural Committee, Inc.

David also is a long-time baseball fan, and serves as Treasurer on the Board of Trustees for The Columbus Baseball Team, Inc. (Columbus Clippers).

Education and Honors:
The Ohio State University (B.A., 1975)
Capital University Law School (J.D., 1978)
Member, Capital University Law Review

Bar Admissions:
State of Ohio, 1978

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Nichole Reiss
Phone: (614) 365-4127
Fax: (614) 365-9145
E-mail: reiss@carpenterlipps.com

Nichole Reiss practices in the Firm’s public policy and governmental regulation section. Her work involves assisting clients in, among others, the energy, utilities, banking and financial, manufacturing, and insurance sectors. Nikki aids clients with the legislative process, monitors and researches legislative developments of interest to specific clients, and facilitates client communications with the executive and legislative branches of Ohio government. Prior to obtaining her J.D. at the Boston College Law School, Nikki—an Ohio native—was part of the 2001 internship class at Ohio’s Legislative Service Commission, the bi-partisan agency charged with drafting and analyzing prospective legislation. In particular, she worked with the House Democratic Caucus and served as staff supporting the Higher Education Budget Subcommittee. In addition to her public policy and governmental work, Nikki also has litigation experience related to representation of creditors’ committees in bankruptcy actions.

Nikki has supported the Legal Aid Society through pro bono efforts. She also coaches a high school mock trial team and is an active member of Friends of the Zoo, the young professionals group supporting the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium. As an extension of her civic involvement, Nikki has also been an active participant in Ohio’s Voter Protection Team with respect to Presidential elections. She is also a passionate baseball fan, and plans to complete her tour of every active major league park within the next 3 years.

Education and Honors:
Ohio Wesleyan University (B.A., summa cum laude, 2000)
Boston College Law School (J.D., 2005)

Bar Admissions:
State of Ohio, 2005
United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, 2006

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Colleen M. O’Donnell
Phone: (614) 365-4131
Fax: (614) 365-9145
E-mail: odonnell@carpenterlipps.com

Prior to joining the Firm, Colleen was a law clerk to Judge Sara Lioi of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. She also served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Consumer Protection Section of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. Colleen is a 2006 graduate of the Case Western Reserve University School of Law, where she was active in the Student Bar Association and its commencement fundraising efforts. While in law school, Colleen also served as a judicial extern to the late Judge John M. Manos of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.

In her spare time, Colleen is an avid runner, and has completed several marathons and half-marathons. She has volunteered in Columbus and Cleveland to assist in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Colleen is also a Big Sister in the Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Central Ohio organization She has also worked on several political campaigns, including those of Jim Petro and her father, Justice Terence O’Donnell.

Education and Honors:
Miami University (B.A., 2003)
Case Western Reserve University School of Law (J.D., 2006)
Law Clerk to Hon. Sara Lioi,
United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, 2007
Judicial Extern to the late Hon. John M. Manos,
United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, 2004

Bar Admissions:
State of Ohio, 2006
United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, 2008
United States Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, 2008