Volunteer Spotlight: Catherine Dunlay, Bricker Graydon

Cathy was one of our 2023 Rockstar Volunteers for her thoughtful work and willingness to assist Autism Connections in finding the best path forward when it was considering a major organizational change. She carefully reviewed the original plan and recommended another (better!) course of action, despite the extra time and effort involved. Her pro bono service with Autism Connections will have a lasting impact for the autism community in southwest Ohio.

“Whenever a new issue or concern popped up, she handled it with a smile and chuckle, and never seemed frustrated or flustered…She was simply amazing and went above and beyond…and deserves this recognition!” – Mary Helen Richer, CEO, Autism Connections

Professional Background

Cathy is a highly regarded health care attorney at Bricker Graydon and has more than 30 years’ experience. She began her career with a general corporate/business focus, and then transitioned into healthcare law, where she has focused most of her career. Cathy is a frequent speaker at regional and national conferences and has a long list of accolades, including a Best Lawyers in America listing for over 15 years and being named a Cincinnati Lawyer of the Year in health care law for multiple years.

Community Involvement

Why does Cathy volunteer with PBPO?

“I was so excited to first learn about PBPO because it was hard for me to find pro bono opportunities where I could use my work experience. A lot of the opportunities I was finding were best suited to attorneys with a litigation background. Through PBPO I have the opportunity to help wonderful small charities to solve problems for which my experience is useful. “

In addition to her volunteer work with PBPO, Cathy volunteers as a mentor at Oyler School, a Cincinnati public school in the heart of Lower Price Hill, and is also active in the League of Women Voters and VoteRiders. VoteRiders helps people get all of the identification documents they need to be ready to vote, including birth certificates, social security cards, and State IDs. Her previous volunteer experience includes serving as an officer and on the board of The Arthritis Foundation and of St. Vincent Family Center.

Outside of work and volunteer engagement, Cathy likes to read a broad variety of fiction and to spend time in the woods hiking. She is a proud mother of three adult children and enjoys her grandchild.