Experience
Aspiring to be an attorney since childhood, Jenifere began her career at Meyers, Roman, Friedberg and Lewis in the firm’s Divorce and Family Law Department. Throughout her 18 years of practicing law, Jenifere has worked diligently to develop a skill set and approach to handling domestic relations matters with the ultimate goal of assisting families in transition to understand and accept their “new normal” rather than to adopt positions that could further alienate them.
Jenifere is a strong advocate of the benefits of Collaborative Law and is trained in Collaborative and advanced Collaborative techniques as well as in mediation. She has a strong relationship with the judiciary in the Northeast Ohio Domestic Relations and Juvenile Courts; and is comfortable as well as confident in the courtroom, representing clients in cases ranging from simple uncontested matters to complex litigation situations.
In addition to her practice, Jenifere also serves on the Firm’s Management Committee and, as Administrative Partner, helps steer the firm’s continued success and longevity.
Jenifere currently lives in Westlake with her husband and two daughters. She is active with her daughters’ school, Ruffing Montessori School West in Rocky River, and is on the Board of Trustees.
Civic and Professional Involvement
- American, Ohio State and Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Associations, Family Law sections
- Cleveland Academy of Collaborative Professionals, Founding Member
- Domestic Violence & Child Advocacy Center, Co-Chair, Development Committee
- Center for Principled Family Advocacy, Former Trustee and Current Member
- International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP)
Accomplishments
- Meyers, Roman, Friedberg & Lewis Management Committee, Administrative Partner 2016 – present
- Named by Crain’s Cleveland Business as one of the 2018 Most Notable Women in Law
- Ohio Super Lawyers, 2020–2023
- Rising Star, Ohio Super Lawyers, 2012-2018
Publications
- Speaker on various domestic relations and family law topics most often centering on the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction
- Worked extensively on a case of first impression and ground-breaking decision: Simcox v. Simcox, 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 56754 (N.D. Ohio 2008); as it relates to the Grave Risk Defense & Undertakings pursuant to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction
Bar Admissions
- Ohio
Education
- Villanova University, B.A., 2000
- Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, J.D., 2003