LeeAnn M. Massucci

"We're all products of the experiences we've been through." - LeeAnn Massucci

LeeAnn Massucci's experiences have made her the attorney she is today, and while her path may have been unconventional, it's led her to where she's meant to be: helping families and children through challenging legal situations. She takes pride in leading the way in Ohio courts for creative family formation that serves the best interests of the children involved.

Serving for 13 years as Head Women's Tennis Coach at The Ohio State University was a good fit for LeeAnn's competitive nature. After retiring from coaching, LeeAnn owned and managed a coffeehouse/bar, which served as a popular local gathering place. Owning the coffeehouse gave her valuable business experience and involvement in the community, but LeeAnn wanted deeper involvement and a greater opportunity to serve.

Law school was the logical next step. Now, as an attorney, LeeAnn weaves together aspects of her previous work: preparing tirelessly and fighting as hard to win in courts of law as on tennis courts. Having worked a great deal with children both as a tennis coach and in her family law practice, LeeAnn is particularly sensitive to their needs and well-being. She believes strongly that all people deserve access to quality family law representation, and devotes a significant part of her practice to pro bono legal work. As a former coach, it's also a natural fit for her to participate as a mentor for younger attorneys through the Columbus Bar Association; this also allows her to give back to the community that has supported her.

LeeAnn understands that her clients and their children are also shaped by their life experiences. For this reason, she immerses herself in each client's case, remaining accessible to them so she can help their experience of the family law process be as positive and empowering as possible.

One of LeeAnn's proudest moments as an attorney was her 2012 oral argument victory in the Ohio Supreme Court, where it is uncommon for family lawyers to appear. In that case, Rowell v. Smith, 133 Ohio St.3d 288, 2012, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that a juvenile court has the authority to grant temporary visitation rights to a non-relative (in this case, the biological mother's former partner) when it deems that doing so is in the best interest of the child  involved. View LeeAnn's oral argument before the Supreme Court of Ohio.

LeeAnn is the only Ohio member selected to serve on the National Family Law Advisory Counsel (NFLAC) of the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR). The Council is comprised of 44 family law attorneys from over 15 states. LeeAnn is also a founder of the National LGBT Bar Association.

Sharing her knowledge with others has continued to be a priority for LeeAnn. She served as an adjunct professor at Capital University Law School from March 2006 through April 2010. She also taught a 40 hour divorce mediation course required by Supreme Court of Ohio for court appointed mediators to become certified. LeeAnn has taught certificate students, practicing attorneys, magistrates and judges.