Diane Menashe has tried more than 100 cases to jury verdict. She has extensive experience in criminal defense, having represented clients in the most serious cases imaginable, including more than 30 clients charged with the death penalty. Earning favorable jury verdicts, which Diane has done a significant number of times, is of equal importance as negotiating the absolute best pretrial outcomes for her clients.

Diane brings to Ice Miller her rare trial skills and experience, as well as the respect of the judges in state and federal courts in Ohio. Although her practice has been largely focused on complex criminal cases, at Ice Miller she applies her strategic and analytical thinking to the business disputes of Firm clients, which often involve forensic, technical and financial experts – issues all within her core knowledge.

Diane’s skills have been recognized far beyond Ohio. She teaches annually as faculty of the Trial Advocacy Workshop at Harvard Law School with some of the most recognized trial lawyers and judges from across the country. She also regularly lectures at seminars and conferences on best trial practices and death penalty litigation.

Diane’s career makes her uniquely qualified to serve as the Firm’s first Director of Litigation Training and Pro Bono Activities. With Diane at the helm, Ice Miller ensures our newer lawyers learn the necessary trial skills to become effective advocates and trial lawyers for our clients. Not only does she conduct in-house training and oversee the Firm’s long standing Mock Trial program, but she marries litigation training with our engagement in pro bono activities. While our pro bono work certainly predates Diane’s arrival, she elevates and increases our level of pro bono work so we can address the unmet needs of our community with more impact.

Diane, a four-year collegiate rower, coached the Tulane Law School varsity women’s rowing team while attending law school at the University. She brings the team approach to her work at Ice Miller.