Jefferson Edward Liston
Jeff is a veteran of over twenty-eight (28) years of courtroom trial experience in criminal, domestic, juvenile and personal injury law. He is Death Penalty qualified. A former Juvenile Court Magistrate, he is recognized throughout the state for his expertise in this area and is a regular lecturer at seminars educating Judges, lawyers and social workers. He frequently received referrals from other lawyers in complex issues involving child custody, abuse and allegations of sexual abuse. Over the years he has represented hundreds of fathers, mother, grandparents and relative and has served as Guardian ad Litem for many children. This provided Jeff a unique and valuable perspective in custody litigation. A seasoned, well respected attorney, he is recognized for his tenacity in the courtroom and knowledge of the law and the judicial system.
Areas of Practice
- Criminal Law
- Juvenile Law
- Divorce & Custody
Bar Admissions
- Ohio, 1978
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio, 1987
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1987
Education
- Case Western Reserve University Law School, Cleveland, Ohio
- J.D.
- Otterbein College, Columbus, Ohio
- B.A.
- Honors: With Distinction
- Major: Government
Published Works
- Justice Cut Short An Assessment of Access to Counsel and Quality of Representation in Delinquency Proceedings in Ohio (Co-Author)
Classes/Seminars
- Co-coordinator and Faculty Member, Statewide Conferences and Seminars on Juvenile Justice, Department of Youth Services and State Public Defenders
- Coordinator and Faculty Member, Statewide Conferences and Seminars on Juvenile Justice, Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Co-coordinator and Faculty Member, Numerous Statewide Seminars in the Area of Juvenile Justice, Ohio Contrnuitig Legal Education Institute
- Co-coordinator and Faculty Member, Numerous Seminars in the Areas of Juvenile Justice and Criminal Law, Columbus Bar Association
- Faculty Member, in the Areas of Juvenile Justice, Ohio Judicial College
- Presenter, National Juvenile Defender Leadership Summits
- Lecturer, in the Areas Juvenile Law, College, High School, Elementary Students, Churches and Civic Groups
Honors and Awards
- Who's Who in American Law, 2005 - Present
- Ohio Super Lawyers, 2005 - Present
- National Defender Center 2004 Award for Advocacy in Juvenile Justice
- Columbus Bar Association Community Service Award
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Columbus Bar Association, Former Chair, Juvenile Law Committee
- Columbus Bar Association, Member, Domestic Relations/Juvenile Court Study Task Force
- Columbus Bar Association, Member, Long Range Planning Committee
- Ohio Association Criminal Defense Lawyers, Former Member, Board of Directors
- Ohio Association Criminal Defense Lawyers, Former President
- National Association Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Ohio State Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Central Ohio Association of Juvenile Lawyers, Founding President
- Central Ohio Association of Juvenile Lawyers, Former Board Member
- Ohio Magistrate's Association, Founding President, 1989 - 1990
- Juvenile Justice Coalition, Member, Board of Trustees, 1994 - Present
Past Employment Positions
- Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Domestic Relations Division/Juvenile Branch, Magistrate, 1985 - 1990
- Private Practice, Jefferson Edward Liston, 1978 - 1985
Pro Bono Activities
- Ohio Public Defender Commission - Commissioner, 2006 - Present
- Member Governor's Task Force on the Investigation and Prosecution of Child Abuse
- Member of Franklin County Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee
- Member of Franklin County Juvenile Court Advisory Board
- Former member Board of Trustees, St. Joseph Montessori School
- Former Member of Board of Trustees of Youth Advocate Services
- Former Member of League Against Child Abuse, Community Advisory Board
- Former Founding Member of Children's Hospital Chemical Assessment Referral, Evaluation Services Advisory Board
- Former Member of Juvenile Justice Advocacy Group
