Deborah L Kenney
Auto Biography
I grew up in Southeastern Ohio, starting life very humbly in the small town of Antioch. By the time I was in the fifth grade, we moved to Woodsfield, the County Seat of Monroe County.
I learned to play the piano when I was six years old, practicing on the piano my Grandmother Pearl was given by her Grandmother Fordyce. By the time I was eleven years old, I was the church organist and played the pipe organ at our country church.
Quickly I became known for my music and became the school pianist.
From the time I was five years old, I knew that I wanted to be a Buckeye. Without family funds, I knew I had to be creative to find a way to go to school.
My first job was at the Monroe County Home when I was fourteen years old, an eye opener for a teenager. I tried to work at least every summer to save for college. I continued to play the piano, and also got my first horse, Jeanie, and won awards at the Monroe County Fair in 4-H.
As a Woodsfield High School Redskin, I participated in band, French Club and several activities, then graduated from Woodsfield High School in 1976, near the top of my class.
Between the money I had saved, the scholarships I had qualified for and the loans I took out, I was finally admitted to the Ohio State University! My first years were spent living in the Stadium Scholarship Dormitory, where I got a fine taste of campus life, and Woody Hayes.
I became a journalism major, as I loved to write. Still, I continued working at Lazarus during the school year, and eventually the newspaper in my home town, the Spirit of Democracy.
Following the best years of my life being a Buckeye, I graduated from The Ohio State University in 1980 with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism
Not being content with my Journalism Degree, I wanted to further my education, and applied to and was admitted to the Ohio State University Law School. I graduated from The Ohio State University Law School in 1983 with a degree of Juris Doctor
Following graduation, I knew I wanted to have as my home a medium sized town. I began knocking on doors until I found a job in the town I would eventually call home: Newark. My first job as a lawyer was thus as an Assistant Licking County Prosecuting Attorney. I worked at that office from 1983 to 2002, at first on a full time basis, then as a part-time attorney representing Licking County Townships in relation to zoning and all township business matters.
I decided to open my own private office in 1985, and soon developed a reputation for being a family law attorney. I have maintained my private office continuously since then.
In 2002, I left the prosecutor’s office, and shortly thereafter became the Solicitor for the Village of Kirkersville, where I advised the Village of business matters and prosecuted all village misdemeanor crimes. I remained as solicitor until 2009, when I retired from public service.
My office is located in the old First National Bank Building at One South Park Place, famous for the Gargoyle over the door. Kept in character for the era of its construction in the 1870's, the building was retrofitted with tin ceilings and stained glass. It has become filled with my personal antique collection as well as my Buckeye collection – providing clients and visitors with my own eclectic mix of Victorian and Buckeye sports.
A visit to my office will no doubt also allow you to form an acquaintance with Mini Moose, my latest rescue dog, who assists my with my practice on a near daily basis.
My current hobbies and interests include riding one of our five horses with my husband, camping, skiing, playing the piano, reading, and a newly acquired interest of ballroom dancing.
I have one son who is eighteen years of age, a graduate of Newark High School, who is a scholar and a musician, and who will be attending school at my alma mater commencing Fall, 2010.
I am a member of the Licking County Bar Association, where I serve on the Family Law Committee, and the Ohio State Bar Association.
My Assistants
Deirdre M. Garven
Officer Manager and Legal Assistant
I was born and raised in Utica, Ohio and have been in the legal field since 1997. I have worked for various law firms in Licking County, Ohio, upon my graduation from Northridge High School and the CTEC studying Legal and Govt. Technologies in 1997.
From 1999 to 2004, I worked for Debbie. In 2009, I would come in and help her out when needed and I returned full time in February 2010.
While obtaining my first decree I married and had my first daughter Catherine. Although school was a struggle with a newborn in tow I obtained an Associates Degree in Legal Administration from the Central Ohio Technical College in Newark, Ohio in 1999.
I went on to have two more children, Jasmin and Danielle, and received my Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from the Mount Vernon Nazarene University in 2004. While attending college I obtained a 3.46 GPA.
In 2007, I took time off from the legal game to have my fourth and final child Kordelia. Since then I have divorced and recently came back to work for Deborah L. Kenney. I have been with Deborah Kenney's office several times over the years from July 2005 to December 2007, December 2008 to January 2010 and just recently returning in November 2011.
I currently live outside of Newark, Ohio with my four children and volunteer with the Policy Council with the Utica Leads Headstart, where my youngest daughter currently attends.
My work experience has been primarily in the areas of Domestic Relations Law and Bankruptcy Law.
Brandy L. Jeffers
Paralegal and Legal Secretary
I am a 1993 Graduate of Warren High School, in Vincent, Ohio.
I attained my Associates Degree in Paralegal Studies from Columbus State Community College Columbus, Ohio, in June 2008. I have nine years of experience as an administrative assistant to a large non-profit organization in Columbus, Ohio, and over four years experience as a legal secretary and paralegal.