CSU College of Law

10/14/2026

Get to know 2026 Hall of Fame Honoree Becky Ruppert McMahon

She isn't a CSU Law graduate but has spent decades supporting the school's network from the outside.

“To me, CSU College of Law represents the best kind of legal education: one that measures success not only by producing outstanding lawyers, but by the communities those lawyers help build and strengthen,” Becky says. During her time leading the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, she witnessed that commitment every day in the caliber, character, and civic spirit of the law school’s graduates.

She adds, “Although I'm not an alumna, I've spent 31 years admiring, and admittedly envying, the extraordinary network of CSU Law graduates who continue lifting up one another and our region.”

Learn more about CSU Law’s 2026 Hall of Fame honorees and this year’s induction ceremony at https://buff.ly/PIJz0Qt

10/13/2026

Cory Scott now leads the Center for Cybersecurity & Privacy Protection after 25+ years securing major financial institutions and tech giants including LinkedIn, Microsoft, and Google. He also serves as Deputy Regional Lead for the Ohio Cyber Reserve, defending state government systems from cyberattacks.

Read about CSU Law’s Center for Cybersecurity and Privacy Protection here:
https://buff.ly/p0Yw8FC

10/12/2026

CSU Law is proud to be the new home of an important work of art, Dean Gillispie’s symbolic sculpture, Imaginal Cell.

The sculpture was recently relocated to Cleveland State University’s College of Law and the Terry Gilbert Wrongful Conviction Clinic from its original installation at the Garden of Hope in Chagrin Falls.

As described in article published on the CAN Journal, “Imaginal Cell features forty-four butterflies, each engraved with the name of an exonerated Ohioan and the number of years they spent behind bars for crimes they did not commit. Each fall, the names of newly exonerated Ohioans will be added. It’s a powerful symbol of transformation, resilience, and the possibility of a new beginning after injustice.”

Read the full article by Erin Hollenbank here: https://buff.ly/muQpSPN

A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place October 8.

After a year of transition, Karen Prasser leads an organization that advocates for justice on behalf of wrongfully convicted Ohioans.

10/12/2026

According to National University, listening to music while studying can help lower stress levels, reduce test anxiety and boost performance in high-pressure situations such as final exams.

Some students do prefer silence, but if you like to listen to music while studying, this National Jurist article offers playlist suggestions, including a few from the CSU Law Library!

Music has become more than something to fill the silence while reading hundreds of pages of case law. For many students, it creates the atmosphere needed to concentrate, block distractions, recharge after a long day or find just enough motivation to push through one more chapter before calling it a....

10/09/2026

Get to know 2026 Hall of Fame Honoree Peter Klein ’81

Peter Klein's late cousin, Sylvia Klein Adler, graduated from the then-Cleveland Law School in 1943 – and inspired Peter to follow the same path decades later.

"CSU Law, quite literally, changed my life," he says. “My experiences and training there were the jumping off point for a rewarding career providing deep professional satisfaction. I have been fortunate to attend several institutions of higher learning. CSU Law has been the lasting high-water mark.”

Today Peter is in private practice in South Florida, where he specializes in mergers and acquisitions and executive compensation.

Learn more about CSU Law’s 2026 Hall of Fame honorees and this year’s induction ceremony at https://buff.ly/PIJz0Qt

10/08/2026

Olivia Kentner joins CSU|LAW's development team after leadership roles in nonprofit and civic organizations, including the Office of Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval, where her community leadership earned her the 2025 Cincy Serves Award.

She's now building alumni and donor relationships here while pursuing her MPA at Ohio State.

Read Olivia's bio here: https://buff.ly/DHa65DZ

10/08/2026

Congratulations to Kirk Herath, Senior Fellow with the CSU Law Center for Cybersecurity & Privacy Protection and adjunct professor, on being named one of Ohio’s inaugural Cyber25 — the 25 leaders protecting Ohio’s digital future by Ohio Tech News and OhioX.

Kirk has spent his career at the intersection of cybersecurity, privacy, law, business, and public policy. His leadership has included serving as cybersecurity strategic adviser to Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and chairing CyberOhio, along with decades of experience helping shape cybersecurity and privacy strategy in the private sector. Today, he brings that extraordinary depth of experience to our students, our Center and the broader cybersecurity community.

We’re proud to have Kirk as part of the CSU Law community and to see his impact on Ohio’s digital future recognized statewide.

10/07/2026

Get to know 2026 Hall of Fame Honoree Janet Burney ’79

Some things run in the family. Janet Burney's sister, Nona, was inducted into the CSU Law Hall of Fame in 2017 and has been her lifelong role mode. This November, Janet joins her.

"My CSU Law education has given me much – courage, enhanced analytical and communication skills, a broader inquiring mind, and a call to action. I am reminded that to whom much is given, much is required,” Janet says. “I remain committed to pursuing justice and supporting future legal practitioners to do the same.”

Learn more about CSU Law’s 2026 Hall of Fame honorees and this year’s induction ceremony at https://buff.ly/PIJz0Qt

10/07/2026

AI & the Attorney-Client Privilege: A Dawn of a New Era?

Join us for this free CLE event as our experts discuss the question of whether information gathered by AI search is protected under the Attorney-Client Privilege (ACP) or the Attorney-Work Product doctrine, and where courts are landing on the issue.

Featured speakers:
- Doron M. Kalir, Senior Clinical Professor of Law; Director, Appellate Practice Clinic
- Brian Ray, Co-Interim Dean, BakerHostetler Chair in Law & Director, Center for Cybersecurity & Privacy Protection
- Harlan M. Sands, Professor of Law and Former CSU President
- Cory Scott, Executive Director, Center for Cybersecurity and Privacy Protection

Monday, October 12, 2026
5:00pm - 6:00pm

Learn more: https://buff.ly/bvr52Io

CLE credit: 1.0 hours for in-person attendees

10/06/2026

Before directing the P. Kelly Tompkins Leadership & Law Center, Debbie Hoffman was Chief Legal Officer at Digital Risk and founder of Symmetry Blockchain Advisors, one of the earliest ventures in blockchain and fintech law. Her leadership has been recognized with numerous national honors across the legal, business, and technology sectors.

Read her bio here: https://buff.ly/0vC7bhO