Kara Costner Blackney is a 2010 graduate of the University of Dayton School of Law. While attending law school, she participated in the Juvenile Law Clinic where, under the supervision of a licensed attorney, she represented juveniles with delinquency charges in Montgomery Juvenile Court. 

 

Since being admitted to the practice of law in Ohio in 2010, Ms. Blackney has practiced law in different capacities throughout Montgomery and Hamilton counties. During her time in Montgomery County, she worked for the Montgomery County Juvenile Court where she advocated for children in dependency cases and delinquency cases. Ms. Blackney also trained and supervised volunteers who advocated with children in the courtroom. 

 

Ms. Blackney began working for the Hamilton County Public Defender's office in October of 2014. For five years she worked in the Guardian ad Litem division where she advocated for children in dependency cases both inside the courtroom and in the community. Ms. Blackney has a rare distinction of being undefeated in her cases before the First District Court of Appeals. 

 

In 2019, Ms. Blackney began work in the municipal division of the public defender's office where she represented individuals in criminal matters and advocating for their rights. As a public defender she tried cases before judges and juries with great success. Ms Blackney developed a reputation for aggressibe pre trial motion practice which resulted in many cases being dismissed. Ms. Blackney joined the Law Office of Arenstein and Gallagher in May of 2021.