J enifer L. Wilhelm provides her broad experience as an advocate and as a magistrate to a broad range of civil litigation, including land use, medical and legal malpractice, personal injury claims and business litigation. Her academic background and role as a law school educator demonstrate the breadth of her knowledge and skills in attacking complicated litigation matters for clients of Leppla Associates. As a former prosecutor, magistrate and law professor, Ms. Wilhelm has been an advocate for child protection, resolving conflict in families and excellence in the legal profession. She has served on several community task forces involving the welfare of children and families and has presented numerous courses & seminars promoting professionalism and the role of the lawyer as problem solver.

Child Protection Litigation prior to becoming a Magistrate, Ms. Wilhelm served for 10 years in the Child Protection Unit of the Montgomery County Prosecutor's Office, representing Montgomery County Children Services. She litigated hundreds of cases involving injuries to children, medical issues, educational neglect and mental health issues. She developed expertise in Muncheusen Syndrome by Proxy as well as other syndromes associated with child abuse and neglect. She advised Children Services on issues of confidentiality and proper administration of client records.

Child Protection Magistrate — for over five years, Ms. Wilhelm served as a Magistrate in Montgomery County Juvenile Court, presiding over thousands of cases involving Child Protection, Family Conflict, Paternity & Support. She resolved cases using principles of respect for all parties, creative problem-solving and judicial leadership in ways that allowed those coming before the Court to feel their voices were heard. Magistrate Wilhelm placed particular emphasis on insuring that the rights of individuals and children with special mental health and other needs were protected to the utmost and they were provided with effective legal representation. This was demonstrated most recently in a Court of Appeals decision recognizing these efforts.

Clinical Legal Education — Ms. Wilhelm has taught several courses as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Dayton School of Law, including Children & the Law, Family Law, Mental Health Issues in Juvenile Court and Interviewing, Counseling & Negotiation. She most recently served as a Visiting Clinical Professor in the Law Clinic, supervising third-year law students as they represented indigent clients in Dayton Municipal Court. She also moderated a recent presentation at the Gilvary Symposium on Legal Assistance and the Foreign-Born on the topic of Legal Protection for Battered Immigrants.

Jenifer L. Wilhelm practices in the following areas of law: Injury Litigation, Land Use Litigation, Attorney-Related Litigation, Partnership/Business Litigation, Probate and Estate Planning

Admitted: Ohio Supreme Court in 1990

Law School: University of Dayton School of Law, J.D., 1990, Magna Cum Laude

College: University of Dayton, B.A., 1987, Berry Scholar

Professional Afflications: Ohio Association of Magistrates 2000-2008, Ohio State Bar Association 1990 - Present, Dayton Bar Association 1990 - Present, Miami Valley Trial Lawyers Association - 2008