SUPER ATTORNEYS
ColumbusJewishNews.com | COLUMBUS JEWISH NEWS | 39
MARCH 20, 2025
Local Lawyers / Super Attorneys Local Jewish attorneys included in this section completed a questionnaire that was emailed to attorneys and/or firms. The Q&A form was also available at columbusjewishnews.com. Some opted not to answer all questions and some answers were edited for clarity and brevity. To view the list of Local Lawyers / Super Attorneys online, including attorneys added after deadline, visit issuu.com/cjpc. Attorneys did not pay to be included in this directory. Compiled by Andrew Isaacs and Becky Raspe. Mitchell Adel
Alex Alfonso
Law firm: Cooper, Adel, Vu & Associates Age: 49 Hometown: Columbus Undergraduate: Ithaca College Law school: Capital University Law School How has Judaism played a role in your career? Growing up in an extended Jewish family has helped me build a firm ethical foundation for my law practice. The teachings of my parents and grandparents guide me as I connect with clients, colleagues and the community. How do you unwind when not working? I enjoy traveling to visit with family. I also like playing golf, live music, puzzles and competitive games. What advice would you give your 14-yearold self? Trust the process and take the long road. Life doesn’t always unfold the way you expect, but with persistence and dedication, you can build something meaningful. Stay true to your values, and don’t rush into things. Focus on developing yourself and helping others along the way, as that’s where the real fulfillment comes from. What is your favorite sports team? Buffalo Bills If you could have dinner with any one person, living or deceased, who would it be? Why? My deceased father. I realize with all the possibilities this seems silly, but his health and mind declined so rapidly, it was shock how little time we had. I would want one more night/conversation to have a chance at another memory that would echo long after. Favorite local restaurant: Domo Sushi Kitchen Bar First part-time job: Retail sales at Champs Sports Do you have an Israel experience? In my 20s, I was selected to go on the March of the Living. My journey began with a few days in Poland, followed by a sunny week in Israel. The contrast between the emotional heaviness in Poland and the uplifting energy in Israel has stayed with me until this day.
Law firm: Grossman Law Offices Age: 31 Hometown: Columbus Synagogue: Congregation Agudas Achim Undergraduate: DePaul University Law school: The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law How has Judaism played a role in your career? Judaism informs my moral compass. It guides how I make career choices, how I treat others, and how I raise the floor of my ethical obligations. How do you unwind when not working? Spend time with my spouse and our three dogs (Mishmish, Umberto, and Babayel), Hebrew calligraphy, cook, work out. What advice would you give your 14-yearold self? Don’t worry so much about the end destination. All your memories and meaningful experiences occur along the journey. What is your favorite sports team? The greatest team the world has ever seen: Columbus Crew If you could have dinner with any one person, living or deceased, who would it be? Why? Anthony Bourdain. I would love to have a conversation with him about the cultural memory and food and how this interplay is expressed in other societies and groups. Favorite local restaurant: It’s a tie between Yoshi’s Japanese restaurant and Ginevra Cafe. Best Japanese and Somali food in Columbus respectively. First part-time job: I was a lifeguard at a community pool in Blacklick. Do you have an Israel experience? So many. I spent 7 months learning Arabic and Hebrew at Givat Haviva and had the opportunity to meet many amazing people working towards a better future for all Israelis.
Leon Bass Law firm: Leon Bass Law Age: 52 Hometown: Worthington Synagogue: Congregation Beth Tikvah Undergraduate: Michigan State University
Law school: The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law How has Judaism played a role in your career? Growing up in the Jewish community instilled in me values that have shaped both my professional and personal growth, including leadership, integrity, dedication and a strong work ethic. How do you unwind when not working? I enjoy spending time with my family, including my wife Meagan and our two kids, Stella, 2, and Wesley, 4. I also enjoy playing music and performing for charity causes in my band, Grassinine. What advice would you give your 14-yearold self? I would explore the concept of authenticity, emphasizing the importance of discovering and embracing one’s true self, reminding myself that authenticity fundamentally influences both personal and professional fulfillment. By remaining true to ourselves, we foster genuine connections, uphold integrity in decisionmaking, and cultivate a strong sense of purpose. What is your favorite sports teams? The Ohio State Buckeyes football (and Bengals too!) If you could have dinner with any one person, living or deceased, who would it be? Why? My grandfather, Isaac Kambelis, who came to Columbus from Greece during the Holocaust with his wife, Rachel, my grandmother, and his three daughters, Bella, Martha, and Sophie (my late mother), leaving family, some of whom were taken to concentration camps. He passed away from cancer when I was 13 years old. On his deathbed he told me that education is always my top priority and that he was not able to pursue his education. Favorite local restaurant: Hard to say as Columbus has so many great choices. Probably Butcher and Rose right now – I am a steakhouse guy. But I always enjoy Lindey’s downtown, The Avenue, Martini, Barcelona and Tucci’s. First part-time job: When I was 13, my aunt Marty was a real estate agent at Sibcy Cline Realtors in Cincinnati where I grew up, and got me a job in their relocation department helping make relocation packets for people moving to the Cincinnati area. I then got a few of my friends from school jobs working there with me, and it was a party. Do you have an Israel experience? Yes, I was privileged to take a six-week group
trip with my youth group when I was 16, thanks to help from the Rockdale Temple (Cincinnati) Sisterhood’s scholarships as well as a national scholarship. That was memorable experience that I will never forget, including that time when the Jordan army held us at gunpoint for a few minutes along the border and when we almost got lost out on the Dead Sea.
David Bressman Law firm: Bressman Law Age: 59 Hometown: Powell Undergraduate: University of Dayton Law school: The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law How has Judaism played a role in your career? It provides a moral foundation for an increasingly immoral world. How do you unwind when not working? Spoiling my grandkids and irritating my children What advice would you give your 14-yearold self? Invest in Berkshire Hathaway. What is your favorite sports team? Cleveland Indians [never, ever, the Guardians] If you could have dinner with any one person, living or deceased, who would it be? Why? My 14-year-old self to inform him of all the mistakes he is going to make. Will be a long dinner. Favorite local restaurant: The Hamburger Inc. First part-time job: Delivering newspapers for the Norwalk Reflecto Do you have an Israel experience? Took my family there when my boys were both 13. My wife and I want to go back especially to Caesarea.
Gwen Silverberg Callender Organization: Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio, Inc. Age: 58 Hometown: Shaker Heights Undergraduate: University of WisconsinMadison Law school: The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law How do you unwind when not working?