Biography
After graduating Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Miami University with a major in Political Science, she went on to the University of Cincinnati to pursue her Juris Doctorate. Michaela graduated from the law school at the University of Cincinnati in 1992 and has been helping people throughout Ohio ever since.
Michaela has been representing clients in all aspects of family law matters in both Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts over the last thirty-one years. She represents clients in complex litigation and collaborative cases across Hamilton, Clermont and Warren counties in Ohio. Her representation spans divorce, dissolution, custody, parenting, child support and spousal support both pre and post decree.
Michaela represents clients in each stage of the litigation process from pretrial to final hearing and on to the Court of Appeals. Michael has appeared before the Supreme Court of Ohio on family law and other matters. She helped create new law in the area of adoption.
In her collaborative practice, Michaela loves finding creative solutions to her clients' problems. She enjoys facilitating negotiation and positively leading clients towards a new normal.
Practice Areas
- Domestic Relations/Juvenile/Family Law
- Family Law Appellate
Bar Admissions
- Ohio, 1992
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio, 1993
Professional Associations
- Cincinnati Bar Association, Member, 1992 to Present
- Ohio State Bar Association, Member, 1992 to Present
- International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, 2013 to Present
- Cincinnati Academy of Collaborative Professionals, 2013 to Present
Education
- University of Cincinnati College of Law, Cincinnati, Ohio
- J.D. - 1992
- Honors: magna cum laude
- Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
- B.A.
- Honors: magna cum laude
- Major: Political Science
Representative Cases
- Vaughn v. Vaughn, 2022-Ohio-2533 (Twelfth District 2022)
- Migliara v. Migliara, 2022-Ohio-2111 (First District 2022)
- Menkhaus v. Menkhaus, 2022-Ohio-2369 (First District 2022)
- In Re Adoption of P.L.H., 2017 – Ohio – 5824 (Ohio Supreme Court 2017)
- State v. Ruff, 2015 – Ohio – 995 (Ohio Supreme Court 2015)
- State v. Jacquillard, 2014 – Ohio – 4394 (First District 2014)
- State v. Crayeraft, 2012 – Ohio-884 (Twelfth District 2012)
- State v. Smith, 117 O. St. 32 447, 2008, Ohio Supreme Court
- State v. Hundley, 2007-Ohio-3556, 2007, First District C.A.
- State v. Griffin, 142 O. App. 3265, 2001, First District
Classes & Seminars
- Law Advisor, Clermont Northeastern High School, 2005 to Present
Fraternities or Sororities
- Phi Beta Kappa
Past Positions
- Gene A. & Michaela M. Stagnaro, Co. LPA, Attorney, 2001 to 2010
- Michaela M Stagnaro, Atty., Attorney, 1993 to 2001
Languages
- English