Stacy Brooks practices law in the Ohio High Court

CHILLICOTHE – She is the mother of two children and has lived in Chillicothe for 15 years. She is also an attorney on the Ohio Supreme Court – and the wife of Chillicothe Mayor Luke Feeney.

She is Stacy Brooks.

“When Luke and I met at the Southeastern Ohio Legal Department,” she recalls, “he might have had the idea of ​​working in government or becoming mayor. I remember answering something like, ‘Oh, I think you’re going to be mayor.’ “

Feeney was actually elected in November 2015.

“I am very proud of everything he has done and is doing as Mayor,” she said.

Brooks grew up in West Carrollton, a suburb of Dayton. She graduated from West Carrollton HS and then from Xavier University with a major in science. She interned with an environmental education organization in the Bahamas and completed a Masters in Environmental Studies from the College of Charleston.

“I took a few courses in environmental law,” she recalls, “and realized that law and politics are really interesting ways to use science meaningfully and bring about political change. So I started looking at environmental law faculties and ended up at Vermont Law School. “

“I never thought of becoming a lawyer until I got my Masters,” she added. “But I probably should have recognized early on that it would fit well. I’ve always been a rule follower. I’ve always been competitive. And I’ve always taken care of others. “

While in graduate school, Brooks worked for a “marine policy organization” and began studying “how the law affects people and the environment.”

“And I thought having a legal career,” she continued, “whether in court or as a politician would be really interesting. When I got into law school, I realized that I could use a legal career to do many things – help vulnerable people, change laws, make a difference. “

Her first job at Southeastern Ohio Legal Services took her to Chillicothe. Over time, she opened her own practice to focus on working with families and children.

“But last year, 2020,” she said, “forced me, or maybe gave me the opportunity, to really think about what I want from my job and how to get it. I decided to run for judge my first time for an office. I didn’t win. But I got to know Jennifer Brunner during the election campaign.

Brunner won a seat on the Ohio Supreme Court. She is now Judge Jennifer Brunner. Brooks is Justice Brunner’s senior attorney.

“Stacy has a passion and commitment like no other,” said Courtney Lewis, Totem Supply Co. owner and councilor. “What makes you such a wonderful person is your heart and your care for others. Her love for public service is inspiring and she always gives whatever she’s got involved in, be it the Humane Society, the Ross County Coalition Against Domestic Violence or the YMCA, to name a few.

“For all her awards,” added Lewis, “what I like about her is that she is a wonderful and caring mother. Plus, Stacy will take her hard work and tenacity to the Ohio Supreme Court, and I can’t wait to see where that takes her. “

“My job allows me to do the job I envisioned when I ran for judge,” noted Brooks. “I do research and write a lot that I enjoy. I work on cases and help develop laws that will affect all of Ohio. I am very fortunate to work on the Ohio Supreme Court and for a judge who is passionate about the civil service and has had such a distinguished career. “

Put it all together – marriage, motherhood, chill out, job – and Brooks concluded, “I don’t know where I’d rather be now.”

About the series

Aces of Trades is a weekly series that focuses on people and their jobs – whether they are unusual jobs, fun jobs, or people who take on ordinary jobs and make them extraordinary. If you have a suggestion for a future profile, let us know at [email protected] or 740-349-1110.