Ready to lead, ready to serve: the Class of 2025 begins their legal journeys

Micaela Beatham-Garcia, originally from Plattsburgh, NY, spent her undergraduate years in Ohio—first at Ohio University (OU) and later at UC Law. "During my time at OU, I had the chance to visit several law schools through the pre-law chapter of Phi Alpha Delta. When I visited UC Law as a sophomore, I was immediately struck by how genuine and grounded the students were. They spoke highly of their experiences, and it was clear they felt supported and engaged in their law school journey," Beatham-Garcia shared.

As she began the application process, Beatham-Garcia knew she wanted to be in an urban setting with access to a variety of practice areas and strong experiential learning opportunities. "UC Law stood out to me because of its exceptional clinics, externships, and extracurricular programs, as well as its strong connections to the legal community. Given my interest in public interest law, UC’s longstanding reputation and commitment to this area was especially compelling. Beyond the law school, I also came to appreciate Cincinnati as a vibrant and welcoming city that offered everything I was looking for—and more."

During her time at UC Law, Beatham-Garcia embraced many of the unique opportunities the school has to offer, from working with the Trial Team to participating in the Indigent Defense Clinic. "As a 1L, I had the incredible opportunity to contribute to an amicus curiae brief through the Jones Center, collaborating with professors, fellow students, and volunteer attorneys. Although it was initially intimidating, the experience helped me build confidence in my legal writing and solidified my interest in litigation and public interest work."

She continued, "I found incredible mentorship through Professor Paskan, who not only guided me through that experience but continued to support me throughout law school. After my first year on UC Law’s Trial Team, Professor Paskan and I co-coached the new team, which further developed my skills in trial advocacy and evidence. The Trial Team was instrumental in reinforcing my passion for litigation and my goal of becoming a trial attorney. I am also deeply grateful to Dean Margolis and Professor Bergeron for their dedication to the trial advocacy program, as well as to my co-counsels, Robbie Webb and Connor Hurley—I'm both lucky and grateful to have competed alongside you both.”

Later in her law school career, Beatham-Garcia participated in the Indigent Defense Clinic, which she calls one of the most impactful experiences of her time at UC Law. "I had the privilege of representing clients from arraignment through expungement, appearing in court regularly. Working under the guidance of the Hamilton County Public Defender’s Office was both humbling and empowering. Their unwavering commitment to justice, even in the face of immense challenges, solidified my desire to continue their important work."

Looking ahead, Beatham-Garcia plans to join the Hamilton County Public Defender’s Office after graduation. "I’m excited to begin my career as a public defender and to continue serving the community through dedicated, client-centered representation."

Christo Fosse, a proud Chicagoan turned Cincinnati transplant, reflects fondly on his journey to UC Law. “During my time at Xavier University here in Cincinnati, I fell in love with the city—its people, neighborhoods, and close-knit communities. I knew that four years wouldn't be enough, so attending UC Law felt like the natural next step (though I do disclaim any affiliation with UC when the Crosstown Shootout comes around). After three years at UC Law, I’m happy to say that Cincinnati’s legal community mirrors the city itself—tight-knit, energetic, and highly engaged.”

Throughout his time at UC Law, Fosse had the opportunity to gain valuable experiences. He was a member of both the University of Cincinnati Law Review and Moot Court for two years, serving as articles editor and executive director, respectively, during his 3L year. Outside the classroom, he was also involved in the Sixth Circuit Clinic, where he could apply the skills he developed in Law Review and Moot Court to real-world situations.

“Beyond refining my advocacy and writing skills, each of these experiences allowed me to be part of true communities within law school. Practicing law, I’ve learned, is fundamentally a collaborative endeavor. It’s about knowing how to leverage each person’s strengths to achieve the best possible outcome for your client. But it also requires humility—understanding that there’s always room to grow and improve. These experiences have emphasized this lesson, and I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to learn from such dynamic attorneys and professors.”

This fall, Fosse will begin his career as a Litigation Associate at Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL (KMK Law), where he previously worked as a Summer Associate after his 1L and 2L years. The following year, he will clerk for Judge David Bunning of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky. After that, Fosse plans to return to civil litigation, with hopes of eventually focusing on appellate work.

Tobias Dose, originally from Hamburg, Germany, now calls three cities home. After nearly two decades in New York City, he relocated to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 2021 when his wife accepted a new position. “As you can probably tell, I’m a bit older,” he jokes.

Having lived in several major business hubs around the world, Dose has developed a global business perspective, which he has applied in his career and plans to continue leveraging in the future. He explains how he came to UC Law and his journey as a law student—once again. “In 2021, when my wife’s job brought us to Cincinnati, I saw it as an opportunity to build on the legal foundation I had already established in Europe. I enrolled in UC Law’s LL.M. program in 2022, and after completing it in 2023, I transferred into the J.D. program to further immerse myself in the U.S. legal system.”

During his time at UC Law, Dose sought to expand on the legal education he received in Germany and combine it with his experiences working for a management consulting firm specialized in transatlantic business development in New York.  “After a valuable summer associate experience, I spent my 3L year completing a year-long externship with the same firm. That extended opportunity was crucial—it allowed me to develop my skills further, gain exposure to complex transactional matters, and contribute more meaningfully over time. I also pursued the International Legal Studies specialization under the guidance of Professor Jacob Cogan, which was both engaging and highly relevant to my interests. I was particularly interested in the increase in transactional course offerings and the revitalization of the Corporate Law Center—both of which reflect UC Law’s growing commitment to preparing students for business-oriented legal practices.”

Now a graduate of UC Law, Dose is preparing for a career as a transactional attorney, with a focus on cross-border mergers and acquisitions.

Connor Hurley, a Nashville, TN native, chose UC Law for its unique social justice opportunities. "I was drawn to programs like the Ohio Innocence Project (OIP) and the Criminal Defense Clinic (CDC), which offered the direct, hands-on experience with clients that I was looking for."

One of the highlights of Hurley’s UC Law experience was the opportunity to develop professional skills and build relationships through clinical work. "My time at both OIP and the CDC gave me the chance to form meaningful relationships with clients and represent them both in and out of court. Combined with my involvement on UC's Mock Trial team, these experiences have equipped me with the skills I need to advocate effectively and passionately for clients as soon as I graduate."

Looking ahead, Hurley plans to pursue a career as a public defender. This summer, he will begin his career at the San Bernardino County Public Defender’s Office after taking the California Bar exam.