UC Klekamp Law celebrates the 2026 Distinguished Alumni

Each year, the Donald P. Klekamp College of Law recognizes alumni whose careers reflect the highest ideals of the legal profession-leadership, service, innovation, and impact. The 2026 Distinguished Alumni honorees have built extraordinary legacies across law, business, public service, and philanthropy, leaving a lasting mark on their professions and communities. Read their stories and watch their videos. You'll see why they were celebrated.

Mina Jones Jefferson '90

Leading with Purpose: A Career of Service and Innovation

Alumni Board president Brandon Craig, Judge Wende Cross, honoree Mina Jones Jefferson, and Dean Haider Hamoudi

Mina Jones Jefferson has built a distinguished career at every level of the legal profession, bringing a unique perspective shaped by leadership roles in private practice, legal education, and law firm administration. Beginning her career as an associate and rising to partner in private practice, she later transitioned to legal education, where she led career and professional development initiatives and ultimately served as associate dean and chief of staff at the College of Law. Most recently, she served as a member of the executive leadership team at Bricker Graydon Wyatt LLP.

Throughout her career, Jefferson has been recognized for her ability to see the legal profession as an interconnected system. Whether guiding attorneys, students, or organizations, she applies strategic and systems-based thinking to identify barriers to success and create pathways for growth, advancement, and inclusion.

A respected leader within the profession, Jefferson has been appointed by the Supreme Court of Ohio to both the Commission on Continuing Legal Education and the Commission on Professionalism. Her commitment to professional development extends nationally through her service with the National Association for Law Placement, where she served two terms on the Board of Directors and was ultimately elected board president. She has also supported the next generation of legal professionals through service on Miami University's Women in Law Leadership Symposium committee.

An accomplished speaker and mentor, Jefferson is driven by a passion for helping others reach the moment when potential becomes purpose-what she describes as the transition from "working on it" to truly "walking in it." Her dedication to community service is reflected in leadership and board service with numerous Greater Cincinnati organizations, including ProKids, the Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati, the Cincinnati Bar Foundation, and Mount Notre Dame High School.

Jefferson's impact has earned widespread recognition. She was named a Cincinnati Business Courier Women Who Mean Business honoree in 2022, selected as a national Bizwomen 100 recipient in 2023, and recognized by CIO Views as one of the 10 Most Influential HR Leaders to Follow in 2025.

Watch Mina Jones Jefferson's Thank You video: Mina

Scott Knox '85

Celebrating a Leader, Advocate, and Community Champion

Retired Judge Marianna Bettman, honoree Scott Knox, Alumni Board president Brandon Craig, Dean Haider Hamoudi

For more than three decades, Scott Knox has been a leading advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning rights; estate planning and administration; and Social Security Disability and SSI benefits. Throughout his career, he has combined legal expertise with a deep commitment to expanding access to justice and advancing equality.

Knox has played a pioneering role in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning rights; estate planning and administration legal advocacy in Ohio. He opened the first estate in the state in which a man was legally recognized as the spouse of his deceased husband and successfully argued two pro bono lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning rights; estate planning and administration rights cases before the Ohio Supreme Court. He has also shared his expertise as a lecturer for the Ohio Judicial College, helping educate probate court judges on marriage equality and its legal implications.

His contributions have been widely recognized by both the legal profession and the broader community. Knox received the 2022 Nicholas J. Longworth III Alumni Achievement Award from the College of Law and has been named CityBeat Magazine's "Best Lawyer" seven times. Earlier honors include the Stonewall Cincinnati Ron Adkins Leadership Award and the Human Rights Campaign Cincinnati Chapter David C. Crowley Leadership Award, both recognizing his longstanding advocacy on behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning rights; estate planning and administration communities. He has also been recognized by the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine's Infectious Diseases Center and University of Cincinnati Hospital for his legal advocacy on behalf of individuals living with HIV.

Beyond his legal practice, Knox has dedicated significant time to civic and community leadership. He currently serves on the boards of the Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library Foundation, the Holocaust & Humanity Center, Equality Cincinnati PAC, the Ohio Lesbian Archives, and the Hamilton County Democratic Party Executive Committee.

Among the many honors he has received, Knox considers two particularly meaningful: serving as Grand Marshal of the Cincinnati Pride Parade in 2005 and receiving the Cincinnati Bar Association Potter Stewart Inn of Court Andrew B. Dennison Courageous Advocate Award in 2014. The award recognizes attorneys who uphold the profession's highest ideals through their commitment to representing those who are poor, unpopular, or otherwise without a voice-a principle that has defined Knox's career.

Watch Scott's Thank You video: Scott

Emma S. Off'11

A Strategic Leader Shaping the Future of Entrepreneurship

Brandon Craig, friend Jay Brinker,, honoree Emma Off, and Dean Haider Hamoudi

Emma Off is a respected business leader, attorney, and venture capital executive whose career has been defined by helping organizations grow, innovate, and create lasting value. As president and CEO of CincyTech, one of the Midwest's most active venture development organizations and early-stage investment firms, she leads efforts to identify, support, and accelerate high-potential startups that are shaping the future of the region's innovation economy. She assumed leadership of the organization in January 2024.

Before joining CincyTech, Off built a distinguished legal career advising private equity firms, investment funds, and public and private companies in the United States and abroad. She guided clients through complex transactions and strategic initiatives, including mergers and acquisitions, capital raises, joint ventures, corporate reorganizations, governance matters, and investments across a broad range of industries. Her ability to navigate sophisticated business challenges earned her a reputation as a trusted advisor to executives, investors, and entrepreneurs alike.

Off's leadership has been recognized across both the business and legal communities. She has been named a Forty Under 40 honoree, a Purpose Jobs Top Woman in Tech, and a Cincinnati Business Courier Bosses to Watch. Cincinnati Magazine has recognized her among the region's Top 300 Most Powerful Business Leaders in both 2024 and 2025. Nationally, she has been ranked by Chambers USA for Corporate/M&A work and recognized by Legal 500 as a Next Generation Partner and one of the country's leading mergers and acquisitions attorneys.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Off is deeply committed to strengthening the region's civic and innovation ecosystems. She serves on the boards of ArtsWave and Ohio Life Sciences, contributing her leadership and expertise to organizations that advance economic growth, scientific innovation, and quality of life throughout the region.

Watch Emma Off's Thank You video: Emma

Judy Pershern '84

A Legacy of Leadership, Service, and Giving

Alumni Board president Brandon Craig, Nora Burke Wagner, honoree Judy Pershern and Dean Haider Hamoudi

Judy Pershern has dedicated her career and volunteer leadership to creating opportunities for others. A retired vice president and counsel of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, she built a distinguished 28-year career while establishing a reputation as a committed advocate for education, philanthropy, and community engagement.

A deeply engaged alumna of the University of Cincinnati College of Law, Pershern has played a significant role in strengthening the College and expanding opportunities for students. Over the years, she has served in numerous leadership capacities, including on the college's advisory board and international advisory board, and as chair of the Women in Law Committee. Her commitment to fostering connection and engagement among alumni has helped shape programs that continue to benefit students and graduates alike.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Pershern and fellow alumna Melanie Stinson Newby '74 co-founded the Women in Law Program, creating a network to connect UC Law alumnae while generating meaningful philanthropic support for the college. The initiative has helped advance programs including the Summer Public Interest Fellowship, the UC Legal Access Clinic, and international study-abroad partnerships. Most recently, Pershern established a scholarship fund dedicated to supporting first-generation college students, further reflecting her commitment to expanding access to legal education.

Her service to the university extends beyond the College of Law. Since 2019, Pershern has served on the University of Cincinnati Foundation Board, including a term as chair of the Committee on Trustees and Governance. In recognition of her extraordinary philanthropic leadership and generosity, she was inducted into the Herman Schneider Legacy Society.

Pershern's impact reaches throughout the Greater Cincinnati community. She has chaired the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women initiative and served on the United Way of Greater Cincinnati Allocation Committee. Her ongoing volunteer leadership also includes service with ArtsWave, Impact 100, and the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative, reflecting a lifelong commitment to strengthening the organizations and communities she serves.

Watch Judy Pershern's Thank You video: Judy

Judy Pershern, Emma Off, Mina Jones Jefferson, Scott Knox stand on Nippert Stadium steps.

Lead photo: Honoree Mina Jones Jefferson, Dean Haider Hamoudi, Honoree Scott Knox, Honoree Emma Off, Honoree Judy Pershern, Alumni Board president Brandon Craig.

Photos and videos created by Joey Yerace.

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