J. Rita McNeil Danish, Esq.

Experience

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  Ohio Department of Commerce

  Jan 1992 - Jan 1994

  Chief Legal Counsel

  Served as manager of legal programs for nine (9) divisions such as Real Estate, Securities, and Financial Institutions, and as legal advisor to the Director, Division Heads, and legislative personnel. Duties also included managing employees in Real Estate Division, which is empowered to license and regulate all real estate brokers, salespersons, appraisers, and cemeteries throughout Ohio

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  The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law

  Jan 1993 - Jan 1995

  Legal Writing Adjunct Professor
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  Ohio Attorney General's Office

  Jan 1996 - Jan 1998

  Civil Rights Section, Section Chief

  Invited to Section Chief role by the Attorney General, providing advice, counsel, training, and litigation on behalf of the Ohio Civil Rights Commission as the manager and legal advisor for the office; oversaw a robust legal team of 10 associates.

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  City of Dayton

  Jan 1998 - Jan 2002

  City Attorney & Director of Law

  Recruited to improve relationship between city administration and the police while managing budget challenges and forging positive relationship with each police chief; resulted in invites to scenes of emergencies, deaths, and officer-involved incidents.

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  City of Cincinnati

  Jan 2002 - Jan 2008

  City Solicitor

  Negotiated and implemented one of the nation’s best memorandum agreements with the Department of Justice through collaboration between community, police, administration, and plaintiff that prompted action and delivered critical police reform.➤ Delivered Collaborative Agreement with Department of Justice, following a shooting, improving police/community relations.➤ Served as legal counsel for the mayor, City Council, and various departments, overseeing $4M budget and 80-person staff.➤ Represented the city’s Division of Real Estate, negotiating and finalizing deal to build The Banks. Show less

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  Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber

  Feb 2008 - Dec 2010

  Vice President for Government Affairs

  Contributed significantly to building relationships between business leaders and elected officials across party lines, leading advocacy efforts, directing programming, and initiating networking opportunities that strengthened government relations.➤ Coordinated Congress fly-ins and drive-ins to bring elected officials to the area to meet and network with business members.➤ Provided essential leadership of advocacy for more than 5,000 member businesses at the local, state, and federal levels. Show less

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  City of Greensboro N.C.

  Jan 2010 - Jan 2011

  City Attorney

  Recruited to support opportunities as the fast-growing city faced significant growth and economic development while overseeing a robust staff and budget, representing the city in all proceedings before any court or adjudicatory body.

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  JD² Strategists LLC

  Jan 2012 - now

  Principal and founder

  Remain dedicated to maximizing legal expertise; delivering transformational results for clients in the public and private sectors; and providing a relevant focus on DEI, economic growth and stability, government affairs, and civil rights. Bridge the gap for organizations that no longer maintain in-house counsel, providing financial and administrative relief to personnel.➤ Maneuver complex and challenging environments to deliver exceptional counsel with a focus on government operations.➤ Assist businesses in achieving DEI goals through project management, strategic planning, and communication services.➤ Advise governmental entities in multiple states, leveraging valuable relationships at local, state, and federal levels.➤ Maximize contract and procurement opportunities for minority- and women-owned enterprises. Show less

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  Central State University

  Jan 2012 - Jan 2014

  Business Law Adjunct Professor
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  Crabbe, Brown & James, LLP

  Jan 2013 - Jan 2014

  Of Counsel
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  Wright State University

  Jan 2013 - Jan 2014

  Administrative Law Adjunct Professor
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  Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Division of Domestic Relations and Juvenile Branch

  Jan 2014 - Jan 2014

  Judge

  Appointed by then-Governor John Kasich to serve as Judge of the Domestic & Juvenile Division; maintained jurisdiction over all proceedings involving the care of children in addition to administering justice to minor persons charged with a range of crimes.

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  Crabbe, Brown & James, LLP

  Jan 2015 - Jan 2017

  Of Counsel

  Delivered crisis management to municipal clients as one of 40 attorneys focusing on municipal law, government affairs, DEI, administrative law, labor and employment, civil rights, litigation, corporate law, domestic relations, and juvenile law. Left in 2014 to fulfill appointment by Governor to serve as Judge over the county’s Domestic & Juvenile Division.

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  Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP

  Jan 2017 - Jan 2023

  Partner & Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Strategic Business Partner

  Recruited by reputable law firm to serve as a trusted advisor, legal strategist, and dedicated community advocate—in two major cities—and deliver exceptional outcomes to a diverse client base across a range of sectors including K-12 and higher education, municipal law, crisis management, government affairs, human resources, public finance, and economic development. Uniquely positioned and committed to providing counsel and support to minority-, women-, and veteran-owned businesses in addition to infusing DEI into Taft’s culture across both offices and communities, leading as an advocate and catalyst for sustainable change.➤ Lead cities in strategically accomplishing goals by leveraging a cohesive understanding of municipalities and municipal law.➤ Appointed, by the Governor of Ohio, to the Ohio Civil Rights Commission (2021-2025) based on community contributions.➤ Empower economic growth and progress across communities through DEI advocacy, programming, and consultation. Show less

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  Signal Ohio

  Jan 2023 - now

  Chief Executive Officer