Our Staff

Judith Goldstein - Executive Director

Judy Goldstein began her career in the Ohio Attorney General’s Office working in the Civil Rights Section. In 2002, she joined the Equal Justice Foundation, where she served as the Senior Attorney representing low income and elderly clients in complex civil consumer class-action litigation cases. Ms. Goldstein then went on to serve as the foundation’s Executive Director. Most recently, Ms. Goldstein served as the Unit Coordinator in the Criminal Justice Section’s Corrections Litigation Unit of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office where she worked to improve conditions of confinement for youth in Ohio juvenile detention facilities.

Judy is a graduate of The Ohio State University where she earned a bachelor‘s degree in International Business. She received her law degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law, and is licensed to practice law in the State of Ohio. Judy has served as a member of the Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer American Inn of Court, Columbus Bar Association, Ohio State Bar Association and Women Lawyers of Franklin County.

Fawn Gadel - Associate Director & Clinical Supervisor

Fawn Gadel is the Associate Director at the Family and Youth Law Center.  She began her work with the center during her first year of law school in 2004 as a legal intern, transitioned to a staff attorney in 2007 and became the Assistant Director in 2014. 

Fawn received her Bachelor’s degree in marketing magna cum laude from Xavier University and her Juris Doctor from Capital University Law School cum laude, concentrating in Children & Family Law.  Outside of work, Fawn loves to spend time with her husband and two children.  She is an avid Xavier University basketball and St. Louis Cardinals fan. 

Erin Stemm - Social Work Projects Coordinator

Erin Stemm received her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Ohio University in 2007, and earned her Masters of Social Work from Ohio State University in 2012, and is a licensed Social Worker.  Before joining FYLAW, Erin worked for 8 years at Franklin County Children Services as a child welfare caseworker in several different departments. Child welfare remains her passion.

Outside of work, Erin loves to spend time with her son and husband. Erin loves The Ohio University Bobcats, is an avid Harry Potter fan, and loves playing her trumpet with The Capital Pride Band of Columbus.

Jackie Martin - Administrative Coordinator

Jackie Martin brings to the Center over twenty years of administrative experience including serving as the Director of Administrative Policy to former Michigan State Senate Majority Leader Dick Posthumus. After relocating to Ohio twelve years ago, she bridged her legislative experience with her passion for advocating for people (particularly children) with disabilities by managing a public policy advocacy grant for the Cerebral Palsy Association of Ohio. In addition to administrative support, Jackie assists the Center with event planning and financial management.

Christine Morris - Assistant Director of Information Technology

Christine Morris earned her Bachelor's degree at Ohio University, majoring in Management Information Systems. She has been with the Center for over 11 years. Christine is involved in overseeing all the Family and Youth Law Center's websites. In addition to the various project website, Christine takes on the social media for the center. She has been able to demonstrate her technical experience with a strong background in web development.

Denise St.Clair - Executive Director (Retired)

Denise oversees the Center’s adoption and child welfare programming and is a frequent presenter and trainer on child welfare issues for a variety of audiences. She is a member of the Board of the Ohio Family Care Association, co-chair of the Ohio Open Adoption Law Task Force, and a member of the Ohio Youth and Young Adult Transition Steering Committee.

Denise holds a JD degree from the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law, where she was editor-in-chief of the law review and a member of the Brandeis Society.