Attorneys & Staff

Jennifer Cunningham-Minnick, Staff Attorney
Jen is a staff attorney with Student Legal Services, where she provides legal guidance to students facing both civil and criminal issues. With over a decade of legal experience, Jen brings extensive expertise in courtroom advocacy and client representation across diverse legal contexts.

Before joining SLS, Jen specialized in housing law at Community Legal Aid in Western Massachusetts. She represented tenants in eviction proceedings, advocated for necessary housing repairs, and addressed other legal challenges threatening her clients' homes. Prior to her work in Massachusetts, Jen served as a public defender in Dayton, Ohio, where she represented indigent clients in Municipal Court. Her caseload included offenses such as OVI (Operating a Vehicle Impaired), traffic violations, misdemeanors, and violent crimes. Jen routinely conducted trials, motion hearings, and court appearances, honing her skills as a tenacious advocate for her clients. Jen also has experience as a staff attorney for the 12th District Court of Appeals, where she developed her expertise in appellate law.

Jen earned her B.A. from The Ohio State University and her J.D. from the University of Cincinnati College of Law (magna cum laude, Order of the Coif).  She is licensed to practice law in Ohio.  Outside of her legal work, Jen enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time with her husband and three daughters.

Makayla Sejat, Office Manager & Community Outreach Coordinator

Makayla is a KSU alumni graduating in Fall 2022 with a degree in Speech Pathology/Audiology with Minors in ASL and Psychology. During undergrad Makayla served as the Secretary for Student Legal Services. Following undergrad, she served for AmeriCorps in Detroit, Michigan while pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from KSU. Makayla is excited to be back at SLS to help educate and support students!

Molly R. Hegarty, Managing Director 

Molly Hegarty is a graduate of the Moritz College of Law at The Ohio State University and is licensed to practice law in Ohio. In 2011, Molly played a pivotal role in launching the newest Student Legal Services, Inc. office at Ohio State. Under her leadership, Ohio State SLS has doubled both its service provision and staff, significantly impacting the student community. Molly draws on her professional experience to direct office operations, human resources, university and community relationships, marketing and outreach and educational efforts of the largest Student Legal Services office in the country.

In 2024, Molly’s responsibilities expanded to include leadership of the Kent State University Student Legal Services office. She remains deeply committed to the SLS mission of helping students overcome barriers to academic success and is excited to contribute to the growth and success of the KSU SLS team.