Erica Probst joined Kemp, Schaeffer & Rowe in 2002.  She became a principal of the firm in January, 2010. Erica has been licensed to practice law since 1999. Prior to joining the firm, Erica worked as a law clerk for the Honorable Thomas F. Bryant for the Third District Court of Appeals. Since joining our firm, Erica has successfully assisted her clients in the commercial litigation, bankruptcy and employment arenas.

As a commercial attorney Erica has successfully defended her clients’ commercial and business interests in federal and state Courts throughout Ohio. Erica has been involved of every phase of litigation including drafting, negotiating settlements, preparing discovery, taking depositions, representation at arbitration and trial. Her experience as a judicial clerk has developed her skills as a litigator. Erica has written briefs for every court in Ohio including state municipal and common pleas courts, Federal District Court (Northern and Southern Ohio), the Ohio Courts of Appeal, the United States Bankruptcy Court, the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel, and the Ohio Supreme Court. Erica put her brief writing skills to work recently and assisted in the successful defense of an appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court. In Re Guardianship of Walter Hollins, Jr. (2007), 114 Ohio St.3d 434.

As an employment attorney Erica has successfully prosecuted and defended employment litigation in administrative arenas including the National Labor Relations Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Ohio Civil Rights Commission and federal and state courts throughout Ohio. Erica’s previous experience managing a restaurant during law school has helped her understand the practical complexities of the employer / employee relationship as well as the laws to which employers nationwide are subject.

Erica has used her commercial experience to assist her clients, who are often creditors, in achieving successful results in bankruptcy court. Erica helps her clients negotiate better terms for payment in reorganizations, personal as well as business; files objections to confirmation when bankruptcy plans don’t offer her clients the proper treatment; seeks relief from stay to afford clients the right to regain their property and/or sell secured property in a commercially reasonable manner; defends preference actions to prevent attempted collection of pre or post-petition payments by a United States Trustee; and prosecutes non-dischargeability actions against debtors who commit fraud. Erica has also been involved in several appeals within the bankruptcy court, the United States District Court and the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel.

Erica prides herself on her passion for the law and her client advocacy. Erica enjoys her work and will continue to work for the rights of employers, employees, creditors and commercial entities for years to come.

Erica is blessed to be a wife and a mother as well as an attorney. Erica resides in Clintonville with her husband, Michael Probst, who is also an attorney in Columbus.  They have three beautiful children, Celia and Isabella Probst, identical twins who were born in May, 2007 and Charlie Probst, who was born in September, 2008.

Education

• Indiana University School of Law - J.D. 1999
• Indiana University - B.A. Political Science; B.A. Japanese

• State Bar of Indiana
• State Bar of Ohio
• U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
• United States Bankruptcy Court Southern District of Ohio
• United States Bankruptcy Court Northern District of Ohio

• Indiana State Bar Association
• Ohio State Bar Association
• Columbus Bar Association
• Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers
• National School Board Association's Council of School Board Attorneys
• Ohio School Boards Association