Amy R. Williams

Attorney at Law

Like Jodie, law was a second career for me. Before becoming an attorney, I spent eight years working in Cincinnati, New York City, and Hollywood as an assistant producer on television shows and movies, as well as a publicist for various celebrities. After several years in California, I returned home to Cincinnati to be closer to family and to pursue a career in law.

While attending law school, I worked for five years as a police dispatcher — an experience that ultimately helped shape my decision to focus my legal career on criminal defense. After graduating from law school and passing the bar, I began my legal career working alongside another attorney for approximately two years before opening my own practice.

For 12 years, I owned and operated a successful solo law practice focused on criminal defense. During that time, I represented clients from arraignment through trial, including both jury and bench trials, in matters ranging from traffic offenses and misdemeanors to serious felony charges, including murder and rape.

In 2020, when COVID-19 shut down both the courts and schools, I chose to scale back my practice so I could focus on my young children. During that time, I remained actively involved in their school community and have served on the Executive Board of the PTO, continuing a commitment I have maintained for the past six years. I have been grateful for the opportunity to spend meaningful time with my children and their friends while they were still young.

As my children have gotten older, I have gradually returned to legal work and recently made the decision to formally close my solo practice and join Ganote Law, LLC. I am excited for the opportunity to work with Jodie, whom I have known for more than 25 years, and to support the continued success of her practice.

Associations

• Kentucky Bar Association (2007-Present)
• Warning Order Panel Attorney, Campbell & Kenton Counties (2008-2022)
• Cincinnati Bar Association: (2006-2020)
• Northern Kentucky Bar Association (2006-2020)
• Hamilton County Arbitration Panel (2010-2020)
• Ohio State Bar Association (2006-2017)
• Kenton Greater Cincinnati Criminal Defense Lawyers Association

Former President (2013-2014)

Bar Admissions

• State of Ohio
• Commonwealth of Kentucky
• Southern District of Ohio Federal Court
• United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
• United States Supreme Court

Education

• D. – Northern Kentucky University-Salmon P. Chase College of Law – 2006

CALI award for highest grade in Criminal Law (2002); Honor Council Representative; Student Bar Association Representative; Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity Community Service Chairperson

• A.– University of Cincinnati – 1997

Awards & Honors

• National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys: 2018 Nationally Ranked Top 10 Under 40 Attorney Award, for Excellence in The Field of Criminal Law
• Avvo: 10.0 Superb” Rating Which Is only Given to Attorneys with A Demonstrated Track Record of Success and High Levels of Expertise in Their Fields.
• Expertise.Com: Identified as One of The Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Cincinnati
• National Highway Traffic Administration & the Standard Field Sobriety Test: Certification
• National Criminal Defense College: Trial Practice Institute Certification
• Cincinnati Lawyers’ Club: Present Vice President
• Cincinnati Bar Assocation: Prior Trustee on The Board
• Cincinnati Bar Assocation, Women Lawyers’ Section: Prior Chair

Bar Admissions

• Ohio State Court

• Kentucky Commonwealth Court

• Southern District of Ohio Federal Court

• United States Supreme Court

Education

• J.D. – Northern Kentucky University-Salmon P. Chase College of Law – 2007
• M.Ed. – Xavier University – 1994
• B.S. – Northern Kentucky University – 1992
• B.A. – University of Kentucky