LeeAnn M. Massucci

- Owner and Principal
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"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.
Areas Of Practice
- Divorce & Dissolution
- Legal Separation and Annulment
- Child Custody & Visitation
- Child Support
- Property Division
- Spousal Support
- LGBTQ Family Law
- Unmarried Parents
- LGBTQ and Stepparent Adoption
- Family Violence and Protection Orders
- Modifying and Enforcing Court Orders
- Grandparents' Rights
Certified Legal Specialties
- Certified Mediator
Bar Admissions
- Ohio, 2003
- U.S. Supreme Court, 2006
Education
- Capital University Law School, Columbus, Ohio
- Juris Doctor - 2002
- Honors: Dispute Resolution Certification, 2002
- Honors: Pro Bono Honoree Certification, 2002
- Honors: Dean's Award for Outstanding Female Graduate, 2003
- Capital University Law School, Columbus, Ohio
- 2004
- Honors: Divorce Mediation Certificate
- The Ohio State University
- Master of Education - 1985
- University of Alabama
- Bachelor of Science - 1983
Published Works
- Outlook Ohio Magazine, Lesbian Custody Disputes in Court: Progress and Pitfalls, Co-author, April 2012
- CBA Today, The New Art of Family Law, 2016
Representative Cases
- Rowell v. Smith, 133 Ohio St.3d 288, 2012
Classes/Seminars
- Ohio Association for Justice 2016 Annual Convention, The Implications of Same Sex Marriage Cases on Family Law Practices, 2016
- Ohio State Bar Association Family Law Highlights: U.S. Supreme Court Ruling on Marriage Equality, 2016
- Columbus Bar Association, Changes in the Law after Obergefell, 2015
- Ohio State Bar Association, LGBT Diversity and Inclusion Conference: Emerging Issues in the New Family Structure: DOMA Update, 2014
- Ohio State Bar Association, Guardianships Involving Minors, 2014
- Ohio State Bar Associations, Custody Disputes Involving Non-Parents, 2014
- Columbus Bar Association Bench Bar Retreat, Emerging Trends in Domestic Relations, 2014
- Ohio State Bar Association, LGBT Diversity and Inclusion Conference: Emerging Issues in the New Family Structure, 2013
- Columbus Bar Association, Lawyer's Quarterly, Emerging Law of Shared Custody, Winter, 2013
- Stonewall Center on High, LGBT Parenting and the Law: Rights, Protection, and Documentation, 2011
- Columbus Bar Association, Ohio's LGBT Landscape: Family and Employment Law, 2009
- Adjunct Professor, Capital University Law School, 2006 to 2010
Honors and Awards
- Ohio SuperLawyer
- Ohio SuperLawyer Rising Star
- Graduate of the Law Decade (GOLD) Award from Capital Law School, 2009
- Columbus Bar Foundation's Outstanding Individual in Pro Bono Service, 2009
- LAMBDA Legal's National Pro Bono Advocate Honoree, 2008
- Columbus Bar Association Barrister Leadership Graduate, 2005
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Ohio State Bar Association’s Council of Delegates, Board Member, 2014 to 2016
- Ohio State Bar Association, Family Law Committee
- Columbus Bar Association, Board of Governors, 2012 to 2016
- Columbus Bar Association, Family Law Committee, Former Chair, 2007 to Present
- Columbus Bar Association, Solo and Small Firm Committee
- American Bar Association, Family Law Committee
- United Way PRIDE Council, Founding Member
- LAMBDA Legal Cooperating Attorney
- National LGBT Bar Association, Founding Member
- Capital University Law School Board of Governors, 2018-Present
Pro Bono Activities
- United Way of Central Ohio Women’s Leadership Council, Founding Member
- Legacy Fund of the Columbus Foundation, Founding Member
- Legacy Fund of the Columbus Foundation, Board of Trustees, 2001 to 2006
- National Family Law Advisory Council (NFLAC) of the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) (Ohio Attorney Representative)
- 10th Appellate District Pro Bono Committee, Board Member, 2007 to 2016
- Capital University Law School Alumni Board, Past President, 2011 to 2012
- Central Ohio Association for Justice, Family Law Chair, 2014 to 2015
- Franklin County Domestic & Juvenile Court Community Advisory Board, Private Bar Liaison, 2006 to 2011