A Letter From Me...
Hi, thanks for taking the time to visit.
I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. I am a lawyer and civil rights advocate working in Cleveland, Ohio.
The throughline throughout my career has been one of social innovation and civil rights advocacy. If we had met in the early 2000s, you may have found me in a rural school teaching life skills to socio-economically disadvantaged children. If we connected a few years later, it might have been while I was working at the local women's shelter supporting survivors of domestic violence. If we met while I was finishing my undergraduate degree, you would have found me working with people who had physical and mental health challenges who wanted to return to the workforce.
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Building on these experiences, I went on to complete my Master's degree in Social Work and Social Administration,
and then a Juris Doctor, going on to become a licensed attorney. Throughout my education, I kept working with people who are undervalued in our society. I advanced on to administrative work including time as a fundraiser responsible for raising millions of dollars across multiple projects and organizations, time as a lobbyist advocating for small municipalities, and a role as a policy analyst working on police reform with the Department of Justice and City of Cleveland.
In 2018, I co-founded Enlightened Solutions. What started as a project with close friends discussed at my kitchen table, became a full-fledged social advocacy think tank. Today, my work with Enlightened Solutions focuses on building a more inclusive community, starting with those who are most underappreciated. Through this work I have published groundbreaking research, collaborated with over 200 community partners, reached nearly 2,000 survey participants, passed local legislation to address identified issues, and helped build an award winning NPR podcast shedding light on how our region can be more inclusive and economically competitive.
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In 2024 I joined an amazing law firm. At Sobel, Wade, and Mapley I began to flex my muscles as a lawyer. This firm has given me such amazing mentorship and support to grow into my potential as an attorney. Through this work I have been able to hold employers accountable to the law, and to utilize the legal system to pursue justice for community members.
I come from a rural, economically disadvantaged background. I was homeschooled, so my first day of college was my first day of school. At that time I did not feel I had the tools for success, I was afraid and without many resources. So many people helped me along the way. I would not be here today if it wasn’t for the community I found in the world. My career is dedicated to being that person for the people coming up behind me. When the most vulnerable flourish, we all benefit, our success, and failure as a community and as individuals is inextricably linked.
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Warmly,
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Bethany Studenic