Our Team

TAMMY R. BENNETT
Executive Director

Serving as a board member of the LLI, Tammy stepped into the role of Interim Executive Director to help advance the organization’s mission to expand opportunity and access to legal education and career pathways. She brings more than two decades of experience as an employment attorney and educator, with a career that includes service as Partner and Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer at Dinsmore & Shohl, Senior Legal Counsel for Macy’s, Associate at Vorys, and Vice President at the University of Cincinnati Foundation.

She currently serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Cincinnati College of Law, where she teaches courses that connect legal theory with practical application. Before attending law school, she earned an M.A. in Sociology, serving as both a teaching and research assistant. 

She is honored to inspire and uplift Ohio’s future leaders, helping them access higher education and pathways to careers in the legal field.

dr. Antonique flood Program director

Dr. Flood joined LLI in November 2024. With over 15 years of experience in curriculum development, advising, and teaching, she is deeply committed to expanding access and fostering academic excellence. She holds a doctorate in Higher Education from Ohio University, where her research explored how instructors and students approach justice-centered learning. Having designed and led numerous educational initiatives, she brings a strong foundation in creating impactful programs that prepare students for academic and professional success. Through LLI, Dr. Flood is dedicated to empowering students to pursue compelling and meaningful careers.

Nikkie Thompson
Office Manager & Program Coordinator

Ms. Thompson joined LLI in July 2023. She is an alumna of The Ohio State University with a background in Paralegal Studies and Criminology. Having spent a decade as a litigation paralegal, Ms. Thompson developed a deep appreciation of the law and its impact on society. This experience has ignited her true passion for helping shape the next generation of legal professionals and inspired her to join LLI. As a first-generation college student she understands the value of representation and empowerment for underrepresented communities in legal capacities. She has actively engaged with various organizations that aim to inspire and support individuals who share similar backgrounds. Ms. Thompson is excited to embark on a new career path supporting LLI’s mission.

Honorable Jeffery P. Hopkins
President
United States District Court Judge for the Southern District of Ohio

David Alexander
Senior Partner, Squire Patton Boggs

Karim A. Ali
Partner, Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP

Neema Bell
Partner, Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP, Ret.

Tammy R. Bennett
Adjunct Faculty

Brandon Craig

Assistant Director, Office of Equal Opportunity & Access, University of Cincinnati

Vernita Cockrell

Associate Attorney at Whitt Sturtevant LLP

Frank DeSantis
Partner, Thompson Hine

Ronald V. Johnson, Jr.

Chief Ethics Officer at KeyBank National Association

Brandon McClain

Former Recorder of Montgomery County

Kathy Northern
Associate Dean of Admissions, Director of Diversity and Inclusion, and the Jones Day/Robert M. Duncan Associate Professor of Law

Robert Solomon

Vice President office for Inclusion Diversity & Equal Opportunity at Case Western Reserve University

Michael N. Ungar

Partner, UB Greensfelder

Jim Weiler

Chief Sustainability Officer, The Robert Weiler Company

EJ Wunsch
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary, The Wendy’s Company

Marcus L. Wainwright
Director at Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & Dougherty

Rebecca E. Zietlow

Dean, University of Toledo, College of Law