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SEPTEMBER 2025
BE SMART, GET RINEHARDT Rinehardt Law | BeSmartLegal.com | 419-LAW-2020
Growing Together: Reflections on Our Journey
When I opened the doors of Rinehardt Injury Attorneys in 2001, it was just me and one legal assistant (Patti Basilone) working out of a converted family home in Mansfield. I had spent the first 16 years of my career practicing alongside my father and six other attorneys, but I felt called to build something of my own — a firm dedicated not just to winning cases, but to treating every client with the dignity and compassion they deserve. Those early days were lean but meaningful. As the practice grew, I added three more team members to help serve our clients. In 2008, my wife, Hillary, joined me, and together we began shaping the practice into what it is today. With each passing year, as our caseload
grew, so did our team. Every hire represented not just an expansion of staff, but an investment in giving our clients better service and stronger advocacy. In 2013, we expanded to Columbus, allowing us to serve more people across Central Ohio. Two years later, we welcomed Attorney Melanie Fahey to the firm, bringing additional strength to our litigation practice. By 2017, space in Mansfield had become tight, so we built an annex with five new offices to accommodate our growing staff. Growth continued in 2019 when we moved our Columbus office to Orchard Knoll, providing a more accessible and professional space for clients. In 2020, Attorney Rachel Rinehardt joined the firm, stepping in to manage our Columbus office and bringing her own energy and expertise to our litigation team. This year marks another milestone. We welcomed our fifth attorney, Sarah Paul, along with two new legal assistants who will serve as treatment coordinators for our clients. Today, we have a staff of 18 dedicated professionals — five attorneys and 13 support team members — each committed to delivering the highest level of service. To support this growth, we have expanded our Columbus office with three additional offices, refreshed our décor, and made important upgrades to our Mansfield location, including a wider concrete driveway, siding and soffit repairs, and a new handrail for the accessible walkway.
While the firm looks much different than it did in 2001, our mission has not changed. Our goal has always been, and always will be, to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients while giving each case the personal attention it deserves. The secret to our success is our collaborative approach — our attorneys and staff work together on every case, combining our skills and perspectives to develop the strongest strategies. We believe this teamwork has led to the outstanding settlements and jury verdicts our clients have received. Looking back, I am proud of how far we’ve come. Looking ahead, I am even more excited about the future. As we continue to grow, we remain grounded in the values that started it all: hard work, compassion, and relentless advocacy for those who need us most.
– John Rinehardt Founding Attorney
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Alyssa: Brynlee started her first year of middle school as a 5th grader. She loves math!
Kristin: Adriana is starting her first year as a freshman at The Ohio State University, where she is studying criminology. She hopes to become a criminal profiler someday and study the minds of those who commit crimes. While she hasn’t found a favorite subject yet, she’s pretty sure her least favorite will be math!
Kason started 3rd grade. He likes math, but art is his favorite subject!
Stephanie: Mariah started her Senior year at University of Akron where she is studying criminology. Mariah also works part time in cat rescue at One of a Kind Pet Rescue.
Welcome Attorney Sarah Paul
supporting the Humane Society, local charities, and putting on community events like the Thanksgiving turkey giveaway.” A Proven Advocate Sarah graduated from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law in May and recently sat for the Ohio Bar Exam in July. Sarah has already distinguished herself as one of the top trial advocates in the country. She recently won Baylor Law’s Top Gun National Mock Trial Competition — a grueling, winner-takes-all tournament where competitors receive the case file just 24 hours before trial. “It pushes you to think quickly, craft arguments on the fly, and adapt in real time,” Sarah explained. With new evidence, witnesses, and case law added each night, the pressure was intense. “I think I slept a total of nine hours during the whole competition,” she admitted with a laugh. But the hard work paid off: Sarah emerged as the national champion, sharpening her trial skills and reaffirming her passion for advocacy.
Academic Excellence in both Criminal Law and Trial Practice and has been a standout member of Ohio State’s Trial Team, winning multiple championships at the national level. Life Beyond the Courtroom When she’s not preparing for trial or serving clients, Sarah enjoys a wide range of interests that keep her balanced and energized. She loves experimenting with new recipes, playing video games, tending to her plants, and spending time with family and friends. A true Buckeye and Columbus Crew fan, she can often be found cheering on her favorite teams. And if you’re ever looking for a great cup of coffee, Sarah may already be one step ahead — she’s always on the hunt for new cafés to try. Looking Ahead Sarah’s arrival marks an exciting chapter in our firm’s growth. With her exceptional trial skills, genuine compassion, and community-minded spirit, we know she will be a tremendous asset to both our team and the clients we serve. We invite you to join us in welcoming Sarah Paul to the Rinehardt Injury Attorneys family.
We are thrilled to introduce the newest member of the Rinehardt Injury Attorneys team, Attorney Sarah Paul . Sarah joins us with a passion for advocacy, a proven record of trial excellence, and a deep commitment to helping people through life’s hardest challenges. Why Personal Injury Law? For Sarah, the choice was clear. “I was drawn to injury law because it gives me the chance to help people when life has taken an unexpected turn,” she shared. What stood out most about Rinehardt Injury Attorneys was the way our team treats clients. “Everyone here truly cares about people, not just their cases, and that’s exactly the kind of environment I wanted to be in. I also really appreciated how much the team cares about the local community,
Her accolades don’t stop there. Sarah has been recognized with the CALI Award for
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WELCOME OUR NEW TREATMENT COORDINATORS, ALYSSA AND LAUREN At Rinehardt Injury Attorneys, our Treatment
Lauren
great to see how kind and nice everyone is to the whole staff, like you are all family. I made the change from my business because I wanted something that was better for my family and allowed me more time to spend with my kids. I really love interacting with people, and I love that every day is a little different here. Also, the staff here are wonderful .” Outside of work, Alyssa enjoys photography, traveling, reading, and most of all, being a mom. We’re thrilled to have her warmth, creativity, and people-first approach on our team. We’re equally thrilled to welcome Lauren to the team. Lauren comes to us from a career in education, where she found purpose in supporting students and their families. “While I’ve decided to move in a new direction professionally,” she explained, “I still wanted to be of service, advocate for others, and make a positive difference in people’s lives. I am drawn to being part of a team that collaborates to help clients move forward with confidence.” DIRECTIONS 1. Cover chicken breasts with plastic wrap and pound gently with meat pounder until 1/2-inch thick. Or, alternatively, cut the breasts in half horizontally. 2. Whisk water, fish sauce, honey, salt, and pepper together in bowl. Transfer mixture to 1-gallon zipper-lock bag, a bowl, or a container. Add chicken, press out air and seal bag if using, and turn bag or toss so contents are evenly distributed. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. 3. For a Charcoal Grill: Open bottom vent completely. Light large chimney starter filled with charcoal briquettes. When top coals are partially covered with ash, pour evenly over grill. Cover and open lid vent completely. Heat grill until hot, about 5 minutes.
Coordinators are here to take some of the stress out of the recovery process. They’ll check in after important doctor visits, help communicate with your providers, keep track of medical records, and answer billing questions. If you need help with transportation, they can assist with that, too. Behind the scenes, they keep your attorney up to date so your case moves forward smoothly. This extra layer of support means fewer gaps in care, faster treatment timelines, and cleaner medical documentation. It also allows us to suggest second opinions when they may be helpful and ensures the transition to the demand phase of your case is seamless — so you can stay focused on healing while we handle the details. We’re excited to welcome Alyssa to the team as one of our new Treatment Coordinators. Some of you may already know her — she’s the talented photographer who has taken our team photos for the past couple of Christmas cards. Alyssa shared that she was drawn to Rinehardt Injury Attorneys because of the people: “Doing photos for you guys was so
Alyssa
3 Rinehardt Law | BeSmartLegal.com What Lauren enjoys most in her new role is connecting with clients each day — checking in on their progress, building relationships, and being a steady source of support during treatment. “It’s rewarding to know that even small conversations or updates can help clients feel more understood and cared for. Being part of their journey and seeing them move forward, step by step, reminds me why the work we do matters.” Outside the office, Lauren keeps busy as the head coach of her two daughters’ soccer teams. She also loves to run, read, and spend time with her family. A fun fact: She has lived internationally, with time spent in both Japan and Hong Kong. Together, Alyssa and Lauren bring warmth, dedication, and energy to their roles as Treatment Coordinators, helping our clients feel supported every step of the way. For a Gas Grill: Turn all burners to high, cover, and heat grill until hot, about 15 minutes. Leave all burners on high. 4. Remove chicken from brine, letting excess drip off (do not pat dry), then toss with oil in second bowl until evenly coated. 5. Clean and oil cooking grate. Reduce heat on gas grill to medium. Place chicken on grill and cook (covered if using gas) until chicken develops dark grill marks, 3–5 minutes. Gently release chicken from cooking grate, flip, and continue to cook until chicken registers 165 degrees, 3–5 minutes longer. Transfer chicken to cutting board and tent with aluminum foil. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
The Best Grilled Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
INGREDIENTS • 4 (6–8 oz) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed • 1/3 cup water • 3 tbsp fish sauce (Red Boat brand is Hillary’s favorite and is available at most grocery stores and on Amazon.com)
• 2 tbsp honey • 1 tsp table salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
INSIDE THIS EDITION 2404 Park Ave. W., Mansfield, OH 44906 419-LAW-2020 BeSmartLegal.com
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Hard Work, Compassion, and Relentless Advocacy 2 Attorney Sarah Paul Joins the Team 3 We’ve Added 2 New Treatment Coordinators The Best Grilled Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts 4 It’s Back to School Season!
It’s Back to School for the Kids of Rinehardt Injury Attorneys
Rachel: Addie , age 12, is entering 7th grade at Sells Middle School in Dublin, OH. Her favorite subject is math, and she is also on the middle school cheer team!
Carrie: Raegan is going into 8th grade, and Ryan is in 7th grade this year. This is Ryan’s first year of playing tackle football and he loves it. He also enjoys playing basketball on the school team.
Allison is entering 3rd grade. Her favorite subjects are reading and writing. She also loves soccer and riding her bike! Collin is entering 5th grade. His favorite subjects are lunch, recess, and gym, but he enjoys reading as well. He loves football!
Lauren: Kate is entering 1st grade. Her favorite subject is math and she loves cheerleading and soccer, too!
Raegan was not a fan of going back to school and had Aug. 20 marked on her calendar as “Tragedy Begins.” She wants to make movies when she gets older and is auditioning for a role next month in “Shrek Jr. the Musical.”
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