Meet Our Board of Governors
President
Daniel R. Griffith
Senior Vice President, Director of Wealth Strategy – Huntington National Bank
Dan is the senior vice president, director of wealth strategy at Huntington National Bank. He earned his law degree from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and received his undergraduate degree from Mount Union College.
Bio
President-Elect
William G. Chris
Principle – Roderick Linton Belfance LLB
William "Bill" is the principle at Roderick Linton Belfance LLB. He earned with law degree from the University of Toledo College of Law and received his undergraduate degree from the University of Akron.
Immediate Past President
Michelle L. Kranz
Civil Litigation Attorney – Zoll & Kranz, LLC
A board member since 2018, Michelle has extensive litigation experience before both state and federal courts as well as appellate court experience. She focuses her practice in the areas of national pharmaceutical and product liability mass torts, antitrust and personal injury. Michelle received her J.D. from the University of Toledo College of Law and her undergraduate degree from Miami University.
Bio
Chief Executive Officer and Corporate Secretary
Mary Amos Augsburger
CEO - Ohio State Bar Association
As CEO, Mary is an officer of the Association, and manages the day-to-day operations and aided by a strong background in public policy and advocacy, she works to advance the Association’s mission to promote justice and advance the legal profession. Mary earned her law degree from Capital University Law School and her undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University.
Bio
District 1: Butler, Warren, Clinton, Hamilton, Clermont counties
Eric K. Combs
Partner – Dinsmore & Shohl LLP
Term Expires: 2026
Bio: Eric is a partner at Dinsmore & Shohl LLP where he practices civil litigation. He recieved his B.A. in Political Science from Miami University and his J.D. from Wisconsin Law School.
District 2: Darke, Preble, Shelby, Miami, Montgomery counties
Judge Gary J. Carter
Judge – Sidney Municipal Court
Term Expires: 2027
Bio: Judge Carter works full time as the judge at Sidney Municipal Court. He earned his law degree from the University of Dayton School of Law and his undergraduate degree from Wright State University. He is serving in his first term on the Board.
District 3: Fulton, Williams, Defiance, Henry, Wood, Paulding, Putnam, Hancock, Van Wert counties
Matthew A. Miller
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney – Office of the Paulding County Prosecutor
Term Expires: 2025
Bio: Matt practices criminal and government law at the office of the Paulding Prosecutor where he joined the team in 2008. In his community, he is a member of the county bar association and the Kiwanis Club. He earned his law degree from Capital University Law School and is serving his first term on the Ohio Bar Board of Governors.
District 4: Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky counties
Vallie Bowman-English
Clerk of Court – Toledo Municipal Court
Term Expires: 2026
Bio: Vallie is past president of the Toledo Bar Association and the Ohio Association of Municipal/County Clerks. She has served on the Ohio Bar Council of Delegates and is board member of the Ohio Access to Justice Foundation. She earned her law degree from the Ohio Northern University Claude W. Pettit College of Law.
District 5: Seneca, Wyandot, Crawford, Marion, Morrow, Delaware counties
Robert J. Rice
Magistrate – Delaware County Probate/Juvenile Court
Term Expires: 2026
Bio: Robert is a magistrate at the Delaware County Probate/Juvenile Court and prior to his current role, he was a staff attorney at the court. He received his J.D. from Regent University School of Law and his undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee.
District 6: Logan, Champaign, Clark, Greene, Union, Madison, Fayette counties
Gregory R. Flax
Partner – Martin, Browne, Hull & Harper PLL
Term Expires: 2025
Bio: Greg has served on the Board since 2018. He practices in agriculture law, environmental law and business litigation. Prior to attending law school, he operated a family farm in Clark County. Greg graduated magna cum laude from the University of Michigan School of Law and received his undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University.
District 7: Franklin County
Jay E. Michael
Attorney – Jay E. Michael Law, LLC
Term Expires: 2026
Bio: Jay earned his B.S. degree from West Liberty State College in West Liberty, W.Va., and his J.D. degree from Capital University. He gained experience in law firms before starting his own practice. Jay is certified as an estate planning specialist by the Ohio State Bar Association.
District 8: Pickaway, Ross, Vinton, Highland, Pike, Jackson, Gallia, Brown, Adams, Scioto, Lawrence counties
Richard W. Clagg
Partner – Oths, Heiser, Miller, Waigand & Clagg, LLC
Term Expires: 2027
Bio: Richard is a partner with Oths, Heiser, Miller, Waigand & Clagg, LLC practicing in estate planning, probate and real estate. He earned his J.D. from Capital University Law School and his undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University. He is serving in his first term on the Board.
District 9: Knox, Coshocton, Licking, Muskingum, Fairfield, Perry counties
Wendi Fowler
Assistant Vice President & Trust Officer – Park National Bank
Term Expires: 2025
Bio: Wendi has served on the Ohio Bar Council of Delegates and is a member of the Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law Section Council. In her community, she serves as vice president of the Mount Vernon Kiwanis Club and as an ambassador to the Knox County Chamber of Commerce, among other roles. She recieved her law dgeree from Case Western Reserve University.
District 10: Erie, Lorain, Huron, Medina, Ashland, Richland, Wayne, Holmes counties
Andrew "Andy" P. Lycans
Member – Critchfield, Critchfield & Johnston, Ltd.
Term Expires: 2026
Bio: Andrew Lycans is an attorney with the firm of Critchfield, Critchfield & Johnston where he heads the firm’s oil and gas and intellectual property practices. Lycans earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Akron and his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School. He has previously served as an Ohio Bar governor and is currently filling an unexpired term ending June 30, 2026.
District 11: Summit, Portage counties
Maura E. Scanlon
The Scanlon Group
Term Expires: 2027
Bio: Maura is employeed at The Scanlon Group and focuses her practice on civil personal injury litigation. She received her J.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Law and her undergraduate degree from the College of the Holy Cross. She is serving her first term on the Board.
District 12: Cuyahoga County
Michael J. Frantz, Jr.
Partner – Frantz Ward LLP
Term Expires: 2025
Bio: A board member since 2018, Mike is a partner in his firm’s construction practice group. He earned his law degree from Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University.
District 13: Mahoning, Columbiana counties
Mark A. Hutson
Mark A. Hutson, Attorney at Law
Term Expires: 2026
Bio: Mark's practice focuses on transactional work and litigation, civil and commercial litigation, acquisition and development of real estate and more. He recieved his B.A. from The Ohio State University and his J.D. from Capital University Law School.
District 14: Stark, Carroll, Tuscarawas counties
Howard L. Wernow
Partner, Registered Patent Attorney – Sand, Sebolt & Wernow Co., LPA
Term Expires: 2024
Bio: As a partner at Sand, Sebolt & Wernow Co., LPA, Howard works closely with patents, trademarks, copyrights and related litigation. He recieved his J.D. from University of Akron School of Law.
District 15: Jefferson, Harrison, Belmont, Guernsey, Monroe counties
Kyle W. Bickford
Shareholder and Secretary – Hanlon, McCormick, Schramm, Bickford & Schramm Co., LPA
Term Expires: 2027
Bio: Kyle is a shareholder and secretary with Hanlon, McCormick, Schramm, Bickford & Schramm Co., LPA and with a general civil practice focusing on litigation. He earned his J.D. from Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law and his undergraduate degree from Ohio University. He is serving in his first term on the Board.
District 16: Allen, Auglaize, Hardin, Mercer counties
Zach G. Ferrall
Partner – Noble, Montague, and Moul, LLC
Term Expires: 2027
Bio: Zach is a partner at Noble, Montague, and Moul, LLC. He earned his law degree from Ohio Norther University Pettit College of law and his undergraduate degree from Wright State University and the University of Cincinnati. He is serving in his first term on the Board.
District 17: Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Morgan, Noble, Washington counties
Scott M. Robe
Attorney – Robe Law Office
Term Expires: 2025
Bio: Scott is an attorney at Robe Law Office and serves as the President of the Athens County Bar Association. He received his J.D. from Regent University Law School and his undergraduate degree from Ohio University.
District 18: Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake, Trumbull counties
Matthew Vansuch
Partner – Brouse McDowell LPA
Term Expires: 2025
Bio: Matt serves on Brouse McDowell’s Litigation, Business Transactions and Corporate Counseling and Business Restructuring, Bankruptcy and Commercial Law practice groups. At the Ohio Bar, her serves on the Deans and Practitioners Advisory Council. He earned his law degree from the University of Akron College of Law.
At-Large Appointees:
Janice Allen Baughman
Partner – Allen & Baughman, Attorneys at Law LLP
Term Expires: 2025
Bio: Jan practices in the areas of real estate, banking, probate, estate planning, adoption, business and others. She is a past secretary for the Muskingum County Bar Association and past president of the Perry County Bar Association. She earned her law degree from Capital University Law School.
Robert S. Salem
Clinical Professor of Law – University of Toledo College of Law
Term Expires: 2026
Bio: Rob practices in the areas of family law, probate, domestic violence, civil rights and others. He earned his J.D. from University of Toledo College of Law.
Marlon A. Primes
Member (Equity Partner) – Brennan Manna Diamond
Term Expires: 2027
Bio: Marlon is a member with Brennan Mann Diamond and serves as their equity partner. His practice focuses on employment law, commercial litigation, internal investigations and health care fraud. Marlon received his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and his undergraduate degree from Ohio University.
