Donald P. Klekamp College of Law

Please join us in congratulating Professor Lynn Bai, whose essay, “Accelerated Share Repurchases, Corporate Governance, and Market Integrity,” co-authored with Michael Seigne, has been published on Columbia Law School’s Blue Sky Blog, which focuses on corporations and capital markets.

Read the essay: https://clsbluesky.law.columbia.edu/2026/08/12/accelerated-share-repurchases-corporate-governance-and-market-integrity/

Welcome to UC Klekamp Law, G.E.N.E.S.I.S. participants!

Klekamp Law is proud to welcome the incoming students of the 2026 G.E.N.E.S.I.S. Program — Growth. Empowerment. Nexus. Encouragement. Strength. Intellect. Support.

Through workshops, mentorship and community-building, G.E.N.E.S.I.S. gives students the opportunity to build confidence, make meaningful connections and develop a strong foundation as they prepare to begin law school.

We’re excited to have you here and look forward to seeing all that you accomplish at the University of Cincinnati Donald P. Klekamp College of Law.

From Military Service to Public Service: Kevin Sullivan ’26 Finds His Next Mission Through Law

When Kevin Sullivan ’26 testified before the Ohio House Judiciary Committee on behalf of the Ohio Innocence Project, he had just 72 hours to prepare.

Working alongside OIP Legislative Director Pierce Reed and classmates Caroline Waller ’26 and Madisen Zent ’26, Sullivan quickly studied the proposed legislation, anticipated lawmakers’ questions and prepared to advocate for criminal justice reform.

“I was definitely nervous,” Sullivan said. “But with the amount of preparation that I had and the teamwork between Pierce, Caroline, Madisen and me, I was confident I’d be ready.”

For Sullivan, advocacy is an extension of a lifelong commitment to service. Before law school, he spent 19 years in the military, where he found purpose in helping others solve problems and ensuring they had the support they needed. He and his wife have also served as foster parents and continue supporting families working to keep children safely out of foster care.

“When I started thinking about what came next, I knew I wanted to continue serving others,” he said. “Understanding the law was a way to continue doing that.”

Drawn to research, writing and public policy, Sullivan joined OIP’s Policy Program, where students research legislation and advocate for reforms aimed at preventing wrongful convictions. His Statehouse testimony strengthened his interest in policy advocacy and showed him the many ways a legal education can create meaningful change beyond the courtroom.

After graduating in May, Sullivan continued working with OIP through a postgraduate fellowship while pursuing a career in government.

From military bases to the Statehouse, Sullivan’s mission remains the same: using his skills to serve others and strengthen his community.

Watch Sullivan’s testimony beginning at 54:30: https://ohiohouse.gov/committees/judiciary/video/ohio-house-judiciary-committee-3-4-2026-programId-205396

Part 2

My dad would always say, ‘If you want to do something, go do it.’ If I can’t do it, then I’ll find out. But I have to try.

I grew up a daddy's girl, always attached to his hip.

As a kid, we didn't have a car. We were living on the West Side of Cincinnati and one day he was like, "You want to take a walk with me?"

I remember I was wearing jeans and a Batman shirt. We walked all the way to the downtown library and back in the heat of summer so he could check on his job application.

No complaints. He was never mad. It was just something he had to do. He used to sell his blood sometimes to put food on the table.

I've watched him rebuild his life twice. He’s always going to figure it out.

My mom also worked really hard. They genuinely tried.

When I was 13, my parents lost their home. I moved in with my cousin. I think because I always had a place to go, I never thought about it as being homeless. My cousin, my dad, my sister—someone would step in if I needed something.

We were still figuring life out together as a family, even if we weren’t under one roof.

A driving force for me in law school is thinking about giving back. When I have to read over 40 pages of homework, I'm thinking of being able to support my dad. Some people say that’s not enough to get you through law school.

It is for me.

I don't necessarily believe in keeping success all to myself. I want my future to look like everyone that I know, grew up with, my family, my dear folks, my friends, everyone else is there with me.

Now that I’ve attended law school, I’ve gained the perspective that even if you have just a few resources, honestly, anyone can go to law school. Anyone can be successful.
—
De’Onna Nixson JD Candidate, Class of 2026

Part 1

Those first few weeks as a summer associate at a local law firm, I was kind of nervous. Like, ‘Me? You want me to do this?'

I had imposter syndrome.

Before law school, I spent a few years figuring out my path, and I had the chance to work in the entertainment industry at places like Paramount and NBC.

During that time, I was fortunate to build relationships with mentors who helped me start thinking differently about my career path. One of those mentors, Darrell Kelly, is an entertainment attorney who graduated from Cincinnati Law and Howard University. Before speaking with him, I had never seriously considered law school, but Darrell encouraged me to take the LSAT.

I was nervous because I graduated from Howard as a film major, and I had no legal experience. But I thought I should at least try because otherwise I’d never know.

The following year, Cincinnati Law sponsored my ticket to the Black Lawyers Association of Cincinnati Scholarship & Awards Banquet Gala. The event was so inspiring, and it was one of the things that ultimately led to my decision to come here.

Last year, through the LCLD program (Leadership Council on Legal Diversity), I met another one of my mentors. We met monthly and talked about what I could do to become a successful 1L. Over the summer, we talked about navigating expectations and growing professionally.

I always tell people how valuable mentorship is. Having people willing to share guidance and perspective can make unfamiliar paths feel possible. All it takes is someone encouraging you to see possibilities you had not considered for yourself.

Because of experiences like that, I try to pour into others the same way people once poured into me.

One way I do that is by helping with the Genesis program at Cincinnati Law. It’s a way for first-generation students to get introduced to law school and it was super helpful to me. I’m also a student ambassador through the Admissions Experience Champion program, where I give tours, talk to prospective students, and help them.

I try to pay it forward. Anytime I move forward in life, even just a little, I try to pass the torch.

— De’Onna Nixson JD Candidate, Class of 2027

“In the past, you could only succeed in Kenya if you lived in an urban area.

After the constitution was changed in 2010, there was more accountability at the grassroots level. I could see the impact.

When somebody in the rural area—that lady who sells vegetables—can access their local representative, or if your rights are infringed, you can go to courts and the law works, it ignites development.

For me, it was like, okay, there's something here.

After high school, I joined the University of Nairobi where I did my bachelor's of law and was later awarded a Fulbright scholarship.

I had friends who studied in the U.S. tell me it's not all about the studies, it's also the experiences that will shape you. I wanted something affordable, but also something that would give me a good quality of life and experiences.

Cincinnati Law gave me that.

Kenya is a common law country, so I could relate to the U.S. legal system. But what was not familiar to me was the Socratic method of teaching. I was not used to being called on in class. It was scary in the beginning.

But you adapt. Once you understand the routine, you come prepared.

That experience shaped me.

I want people engaged at every level. Today, as head of one of the biggest savings and credit cooperatives in Kenya, people come, they tell you their challenges. They tell you their dreams. You assess, and ultimately we give credit and the financing. As a cooperative, it’s about bringing people together, ensuring we share in financial prosperity.

You hear stories of people saying that it transformed their lives.

I do a lot of local outreach to farmers and small business people to hear their stories. Even when I’m working with the African heads of state, looking at different economies, and brainstorming what is best for African countries, I want to make decisions that will impact grassroots community development.

I believe I'm on the right path because every day I am creating solutions. I look forward to coming to the office because somebody out there is looking for a helping hand, and I am in a position to impact them.”

— Stephen Mudibo, LLM ’20

The University of Cincinnati Donald P. Klekamp College of Law congratulates Professor Jacob Katz Cogan on his recent leadership appointments with the American Society of International Law (ASIL).

At ASIL's Annual Meeting, Professor Cogan was elected as a Counsellor, an honor reserved for individuals who have made significant contributions to the Society and to the study and development of international law. The Society maintains just 24 Counsellors at a time. Professor Cogan was also appointed Chair of ASIL's Budget Committee and a member of the Society's Executive Committee.

Please join us in congratulating Professor Cogan.

Human rights challenges are evolving. So must the strategies to address them.

Join the Urban Morgan Institute for Human Rights 2026: Current Challenges & Strategies on November 6–7, 2026, at the Donald P. Klekamp College of Law.

This two-day conference brings together leading scholars, advocates, and practitioners to examine urgent global issues, share innovative approaches to advancing social justice, and foster meaningful dialogue across disciplines.

Connect with international changemakers and engage in conversations that can shape the future of human rights.

November 6–7, 2026

Register Today!

https://engage.uc.edu/law-urban-morgan-institute-for-human-rights-conference-current-challenges--strategies