Advisory Committee:

Committee Chair:

RENEE TOMKO has been a paralegal for seven years and is currently employed by Baker & Hostetler LLP (“Baker”). She works in the Business and Immigration practice areas. She has been with Baker since February of 2008, when she moved from Michigan to Columbus. In 2004, Renee obtained her Bachelor’s degree from Madonna University, in Livonia, Michigan, where she graduated with highest honors. She also holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Detroit College of Business, now known as Davenport University.

While working full-time and attending Madonna University full-time, Renee also helped initiate, form and organize the Madonna chapter of Lambda Epsilon Chi, the National Honor Society in Paralegal Studies. She was one of the initial inductees into the chapter.

Prior to her employment with Baker, she worked at Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP (“Honigman”) in Detroit, Michigan, first as a legal secretary, then as a paralegal. Prior to Honigman, Renee lived in St. Louis, Missouri, where she split her time between working as a legal secretary and managing a small pet-sitting business, as well as volunteering at the St. Louis Zoo as a docent.

Renee has served on the Bylaws committee and served on the Executive Board as Parliamentarian for the 2009 – 2010 and 2010 – 2011 terms. She is a member of PACO and the Columbus Bar Association. Renee lives in Gahanna with her daughter and a variety of pets, where she and her daughter enjoy visiting the zoo, movies, canoeing and hiking. Renee also enjoys scrapbooking, puzzles and reading in her spare time.

Bylaws Committee: Any amendment to the Regulations of the Association shall be presented to the membership for approval by this committee.

Committee Chair: RENEE TOMKO

Please click here to read Renee's bio.

Continuing Legal Education Committee: This committee shall help to provide understanding and the solution of problems relating to the work and duties performed by the members of the Association and in the education, counseling and training of said members.

Committee Co-Chair:

AMANDA S. COLEMAN, MS, is currently employed as a Paralegal Specialist with Nationwide. Amanda’s background, prior to Nationwide, includes:

Stonehenge Capital Company: focusing on tax, new venture, and market research. Jones Day: focusing on mergers & acquisitions. JP Morgan Chase: Compliance in their Investment Advisors group handling SEC regulatory matters. AEP: Contract Manager handling contract negotiations and FAA regulatory issues.

Before she entered the corporate legal arena, Amanda spent 7 years in the local court system starting as a Legal Investigator with the Columbus City Prosecutors office in the Franklin County Municipal Court, and ending her government career as a Bailiff to Judge Paul W. Martin of the Franklin County Common Pleas Court.

In June of 2007, Amanda completed two terms as President of PACO where she spent 4 years on the executive board and was awarded 2007’s “Paralegal of the Year” by the association.

In 2009, Amanda completed a Master's Degree from Franklin University in the area of Communication. She is a graduate of Mt. Vernon Nazarene University where she received her Bachelors in Business Administration, and also a graduate of Columbus State Community College where she received an Associates Degree in Paralegal Studies.

Professional affiliations include: Columbus Bar Association, National Federation of Paralegals Association, Ohio State Bar Association, and American Communications Association.

Committee Co-Chair: RENEE TOMKO

Please click here to read Renee's bio.

Job Bank Committee: The committee shall see that information regarding job openings is distributed through publications of the Association and endeavor to make employers and others aware that such service is available.

Commitee Chair:

VICKI BABBERT has been a paralegal since 1985 and at the time worked for Anderson, Brown, Gerbase, Cebull & Jones in Billings, Montana, an insurance defense firm. Vicki moved to Columbus, Ohio in 1987 and accepted a litigation paralegal position at Emens, Hurd, Kegler, Brown, Hill & Ritter. Since 1992, Vicki has been held the position of litigation paralegal at Schottenstein, Zox & Dunn. Vicki completed her paralegal studies at the College of Great Falls, which is now an extension of the Montana State University. In 2006, Vicki obtained her B.S. in Business Administration from Ohio Dominican University, graduating Magna Cum Laude.

When Vicki first arrived in Columbus in 1987, she had the pleasure of working with a past president of the Association who encouraged Vicki to join what was then LACO. Vicki did join the Association and in a year was sitting on the Board as Parliamentarian. As the years passed her two daughters demanded more non-working time and so she stepped back from leadership in the Association but was an active member and tried to consistently attend membership meetings. At the urging again of fellow PACO colleagues, Vicki has decided to commit time as a board member to PACO and currently holds the office of Treasurer.

Vicki is also the Treasurer for the Groveport United Methodist Church and is active in her church by singing in the Chancel Choir and assisting in activities of the Walk to Emmaus program.

Vicki is married to Keith and they reside in Canal Winchester where she and Keith spend a great deal of time taking care of the lawn, flowerbeds, and garden on three acres. Vicki also enjoys scrapbooking, NASCAR racing, riding on the back of Keith’s Harley Davidson, and exercise classes at the gym. Keith and Vicki also have four grown daughters between them, which they enjoy visiting or having them hang out at the house.

Mentoring Program Committee: The Mentoring Program Committee consists of Senior Paralegal Mentors who provide knowledge, assistance, guidance, and support to Junior and/or Student Paralegal Mentees.

Commitee Chair:

As a Certified Paralegal at Poling | Petrello, MINDI SCHAEFER assists in various types of litigation cases in the areas of medical malpractice, dental malpractice, professional liability, general liability, governmental entity liability, business planning, and business disputes. She is involved in all aspects including investigation, discovery, file management, and trial preparation.

In addition to her paralegal duties at Poling | Petrello, Mindi works as the firm’s Marketing Specialist, Extern Supervisor, and Paralegal Trainer. Her marketing duties include analyzing sponsorship & promotional activities, coordinating speaking engagements, and preparing publications. As the firm’s Extern Supervisor in their Columbus office, Mindi provides real life experience to paralegal students in Central Ohio. Lastly, Mindi assists in the training and supervising of new junior paralegals.

Prior to starting her career at Poling | Petrello, Mindi was employed at Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz (Dayton) from 1999 to 2004; Jenks, Pyper & Oxley (Dayton) from 2004 to 2006; and Reminger, Co., LPA (Columbus) from 2006 to 2011. She was also a member of the Greater Dayton Paralegal Association during her paralegal career in Dayton.

Mindi graduated from Sinclair Community College (Dayton) with an Associates Degree of Applied Science in Legal Assisting in 1999; Wright State University (Dayton) with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science in 2006; and Franklin University (Columbus) with a Master of Science Degree in Communication & Marketing in 2011. She obtained her OSBA Paralegal Certification in 2010 and American Alliance of Paralegals Certification in 2011.

Her professional affiliations include the Ohio State Bar Association, Notary Public for the State of Ohio, National Federation of Paralegal Associations, American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc., Columbus Bar Association, Paralegal Association of Central Ohio, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Cleveland Association of Paralegals, Miami-Jacobs Career College Advisory Board, Columbus Young Professionals Club, Legal Marketing Association, and Social Media Club of Columbus.

Mindi has participated in the following PACO Committees: Public Relations, Bylaws, Pro Bono, Newsletter, and Paralegal Day. In addition, Mindi created the Mentoring Program and OSBA Paralegal Certification Study Group Committees.

In her spare time, Mindi enjoys spending time with her husband Marcus and their dog Lucky. She is a Pampered Chef consultant who loves to cook and entertain with friends and family.

OSBA Paralegal Certification Exam Study Group Committee: This committee shall meet periodically to prepare for the OSBA Paralegal Certification Exam.

Commitee Chair:

NADINE VALCO, bio goes here.

Pro Bono Committee: This committee shall plan and provide for all pro bono activities of the association, includes charitable causes and assisting attorneys.

Commitee Chair:

TERESA SCHARF has worked in the legal community since 1997. She is the Litigation Paralegal for the law firm of Newhouse, Prophater, Letcher & Moots, LLC. Prior to joining the firm, she worked as the secretary for Attorney Frank A. Ray. Thereafter she joined another firm and while working full-time, simultaneously attended Columbus State Community College full-time, graduating cum laude with her degree in Paralegal Studies.

Teresa and her husband, Fred, have been happily married for over 30 years and they have two wonderful children, a son who is an officer in the military and a daughter who is a Senior at the Columbus College of Art & Design.

Professional Development Committee: This committee shall monitor legislation, and address issues concerning the profession.

COMMITTEE CHAIR bio goes here.

Programs Committee: This committee shall plan and provide the program for all Regular Meetings of the Association.

Commitee Chair:

NICKI WILLIS is currently employed as a legal secretary with Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP.

Prior to Vorys, she worked as a legal secretary in the Washington, D.C. area for Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP and King Pagano & Harrison.

Ms. Willis is currently enrolled in the Paralegal Studies program at Columbus State Community College where she is a member of the school’s Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and the Student Paralegal Association, and is scheduled to graduate in the summer of 2012. Once complete, Ms. Willis plans to further her education with a B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration.

As a student-member of PACO, Ms. Willis has served on the program and pro bono committees, and now currently is the committee chair of the program committee. She was the recipient of the 2009-2010 PACO Outstanding New Member award. In December 2010 she was awarded with a PACO Student-Member Scholarship.

Ms. Willis’ professional affiliations include: Columbus Bar Association, National Federation of Paralegal Associations, and the Ohio State Bar Association.

When she is not working or handling professional responsibilities, Ms. Willis can be found spending time with her children, volunteering in her community, and playing tennis.

Public Relations Committee: The committee shall provide and arrange for all publicity relative to the activities of the Association.

Commitee Chair:

As a Certified Paralegal at Poling | Petrello, MINDI SCHAEFER assists in various types of litigation cases in the areas of medical malpractice, dental malpractice, professional liability, general liability, governmental entity liability, business planning, and business disputes. She is involved in all aspects including investigation, discovery, file management, and trial preparation.

In addition to her paralegal duties at Poling | Petrello, Mindi works as the firm’s Marketing Specialist, Extern Supervisor, and Paralegal Trainer. Her marketing duties include analyzing sponsorship & promotional activities, coordinating speaking engagements, and preparing publications. As the firm’s Extern Supervisor in their Columbus office, Mindi provides real life experience to paralegal students in Central Ohio. Lastly, Mindi assists in the training and supervising of new junior paralegals.

Prior to starting her career at Poling | Petrello, Mindi was employed at Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz (Dayton) from 1999 to 2004; Jenks, Pyper & Oxley (Dayton) from 2004 to 2006; and Reminger, Co., LPA (Columbus) from 2006 to 2011. She was also a member of the Greater Dayton Paralegal Association during her paralegal career in Dayton.

Mindi graduated from Sinclair Community College (Dayton) with an Associates Degree of Applied Science in Legal Assisting in 1999; Wright State University (Dayton) with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science in 2006; and Franklin University (Columbus) with a Master of Science Degree in Communication & Marketing in 2011. She obtained her OSBA Paralegal Certification in 2010 and American Alliance of Paralegals Certification in 2011.

Her professional affiliations include the Ohio State Bar Association, Notary Public for the State of Ohio, National Federation of Paralegal Associations, American Alliance of Paralegals, Inc., Columbus Bar Association, Paralegal Association of Central Ohio, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Cleveland Association of Paralegals, Miami-Jacobs Career College Advisory Board, Columbus Young Professionals Club, Legal Marketing Association, and Social Media Club of Columbus.

Mindi has participated in the following PACO Committees: Public Relations, Bylaws, Pro Bono, Newsletter, and Paralegal Day. In addition, Mindi created the Mentoring Program and OSBA Paralegal Certification Study Group Committees.

In her spare time, Mindi enjoys spending time with her husband Marcus and their dog Lucky. She is a Pampered Chef consultant who loves to cook and entertain with friends and family.