Meet Lisa Rothwell

I was born and raised in Adams County, spending my first eighteen years in Tranquility, Ohio. After graduating from North Adams High School in 1986, I left for college at the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky, where I went pre-law and earned a bachelor’s degree in history and political science. At the time, it was just called Cumberland College, but when I graduated, I changed my mind. I didn’t want to go to law school. I wanted to work with children.​ So I pursued my teaching certification and a master’s degree in education with an emphasis in educational psychology at Union College in Barbourville, Kentucky. Then I came home and began substitute teaching for Ohio Valley School Local Schools. 

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I had several long-term sub jobs like 6th at West Union Elementary and at North Adams Elementary. I taught second grade at North Adams and tiptoed up into Highland County to cover a maternity leave at Fairfield Local in Leesburg. This led to a teaching contract as the social studies teacher from 1995 - 2000.

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In addition,  I coached softball and basketball; led youth group at Tranquility Community Church, and served as a foster parent for Adams County Children Services.

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Those years taught me something that no law school could: children need adults who show up, listen, and fight for them.

Eventually, I saw that the kids who needed the most help were ending up in court without a strong voice. That prompted me to go to law school at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where I graduated with my Juris Doctor and passed the Ohio Bar in May 2008.

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I was sworn in as an attorney by Judge Brett Spencer in 2008, and began practicing law in Adams County. 

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Since then, I’ve:

• Served as Solicitor for the Village of West Union (2008–2020) and Village of Seaman (2009–present), advising on all legal issues, drafting ordinances, and representing each village at county court.

• Worked as a Guardian ad Litem for Adams, Brown, and Scioto Counties for almost 18 years.

• Been appointed as faculty for GAL education by the Supreme Court of Ohio (January 2026).

• Run my own solo practice at Rothwell Law & Resolution Center, 124 North Cherry Street, West Union, focusing on family law, juvenile law, estate planning, and probate.

• Served as an Ohio Supreme Court trained mediator since 2012, developing and operating the Brown County Juvenile Court Mediation Program in 2020.

• Created and directed the EYES Program (Enhancing Youth Education through Support), a pilot program designed to minimize negative involvement of minors in the juvenile court system, focused on family support, truancy reduction, and interagency involvement. The program ran from September 2020 to June 2024 and now continues in Adams County.

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I’ve also served on the board of Health Source of Ohio (2012–2017) and South Central Development Company (2011–2012), a non-profit intermediary lender that helps small businesses and municipalities access funding. 

I currently serve on the Board of Trustees for Paxton Theatre in Bainbridge, Friends of North Adams Library and Adams County Youth Prevention Coalition and previously served on the board of Health Source of Ohio (2012–2017) and South Central Development Company (2011–2012), a non-profit intermediary lender that helps small businesses and municipalities access funding.

​My dad was Paul Rothwell, who ran for office with homemade signs, paneling, and stencils. He taught me that public service isn’t about slick slogans—it’s about showing up at bean suppers and cake auctions and listening to people.

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I’ve never run for office before. I’m not a politician. I’m a lawyer, a mediator, a former foster parent, and a teacher who never stopped showing up for Adams County’s kids.

Absent the times I was away for college and law school, I have lived in Adams County my entire life. I have no plans to leave. This is my home.

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