Join us on Thursday, February 15, 2024, for a LUNCH (12:00-1:30pm) meeting at The Transept (1205 Elm St, 45202), for a presentation by Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers.

Melissa Powers began her legal career in 1991, working as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Hamilton County’s Juvenile, Municipal, and Common Pleas Courts. She also practiced in the Appellate Division, arguing cases for the 1st District Court of Appeals. Most notably, in 1997, she obtained a confession from Joseph Paul Franklin, a white-supremacist serial killer. This confession finally solved the 17-year-old double murder of two boys in Cincinnati.

In 1998, Melissa left the Prosecutor’s Office to begin her private litigation practice.  

In 2006, Melissa was appointed a Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge. During her 10 years on the Municipal Court bench, she established the first Hamilton County Veterans Treatment Court to address the unique needs of justice-involved combat veterans. This highly successful treatment court was a model used throughout the State of Ohio.

In 2016, Melissa was elected to serve on the Hamilton County Juvenile Court. There, she presided over custody, dependency, and delinquency cases, including hundreds of violent felonies committed by juvenile offenders. Melissa was the Juvenile Court Administrative Judge from 2020-2022, responsible for managing 300 employees and a $35 million budget.

On January 24, 2023, Melissa was sworn in as Hamilton County Prosecutor.

Melissa is a lifelong Cincinnatian, graduating from McAuley High School in 1979, the University of Cincinnati in 1984, and the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1991. She has served on numerous boards, including Cincinnati Works, Operations Legal Help Ohio, Cincinnati Fire Foundation, and the Tri-State Veterans Community Alliance. Melissa is married and is the proud mother of four children and grandmother of four grandchildren.

This meeting is sponsored by Rotarian Carl Kappes. 

RSVPs are required to attend, whether you are eating lunch or not, so if you would like to attend, please click HERE by 5:00 p.m., Friday, February 9, 2024, or contact [email protected]. 

Meal Choices – 

Regular Entrée: Chicken Milanese w/Pomodoro sauce, kale & red pepper risotto, vegetable hash (GF/DF)

Salad Entrée: Roasted grape harvest salad with chicken, sweet potato, beets, bleu cheese & vinaigrette.

Vegetarian Entrée: Butternut squash ravioli with cream sauce, spinach & toasted almonds.