Meet Lizett

Meet Lizett

It’s hard to believe it’s now been 15 years since I made Lewis Center my home! My husband I have four children who are all current or future Olentangy students, and we plan to be Olentangy Lifers.

I was born and raised in Houston, Texas to Mexican immigrants who always emphasized that education is the key to your future and that no matter what life throws at you, nothing will ever take away your education and the potential that comes with it. 

My dad is an engineer, and my mom began teaching in Mexico at the age of 18. When my brother and I were young, she got her teaching certification in Texas and I would spend the end of every summer break helping her set up her classroom - moving tables, laminating posters, using the die-cut machine, and doing whatever needed to be done. Through her, I not only got an example of hard work and grit, but I also got a front row seat to just how much teachers do for their students. I witnessed her calling parents in the evening on her own time to discuss their children’s progress, and wandered the aisles of the Dollar Store to help her choose prizes for her students with her own money. I also learned to step up and help out wherever it is needed, whether it is your own project, or to selflessly help someone else.

I graduated from public school in Houston, Texas, and went on to double major in political science and theater at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, where I met my now husband. I then went to the University of Texas School of Law where I interned in the Family Violence Division of the Travis County Attorney’s Office. After graduating law school, I moved to Lewis Center with my husband and began working at the Columbus City Prosecutor’s Office. I eventually moved to the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office and prosecuted felony offenses, including major drug investigations. 

After nearly 10 years in the courtroom, I decided to shift to public policy work at the Supreme Court of Ohio, helping judges set up and maintain their specialized treatment court dockets and conducting trainings on the latest research and best practices. I became more interested in the why; why do people get involved in the criminal justice system and how do we really prevent the cycle of people coming back? This curiosity of how we can improve things and help others colors every aspect of my life.

I then received an amazing opportunity to work with an organization to help combat drug trafficking and ease overcrowding in the prison population of Colombia. This project was extremely fulfilling and allowed me to visit Medellín twice. 

Now I work at Taft, Stettinius, and Hollister, doing complex criminal investigations. I am blessed that my career and experiences have led me to a position that allows me to do meaningful work while caring for my family. I bring that hard work, determination, and collaborative spirit to everything I do.

Community involvement

• Olentangy Local Schools Policy Committee member since 2021; Chair since 2022;

• Arrowhead PTO Board Member 2020 - present;

• Member of the Delaware County Bar Association, Columbus Bar Association, Ohio State Bar Association, and Hispanic National Bar Association;

• Board member of the Columbus Bar Association Alliance since 2015, where we help foster an understanding between the community and the legal system, as well as raising funds for law-related projects such as OWjL camp at Ohio Wesleyan University, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Franklin County, Amethyst Recovery Services, and CHOICES Domestic Violence shelter, among others;

• Girl Scout Troop volunteer 2020-2021.