Practice Areas include: Real Estate Law, Estate Planning, and Business Law
Licensed in Ohio

John Yonas received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from The Ohio State University College of Business in 1997. He received his juris doctor degree from The Ohio State University College of Law in 2000. After graduation, John worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers, as a Tax Attorney and Consultant. At PricewaterhouseCoopers, John worked with a wide range of clients all the way from Fortune 500 companies all the way down to small entrepreneurs to implementing tax planning strategies. After leaving PricewaterhouseCoopers, John worked for Frost Brown Todd where he focused his practice on real estate law, estate planning, and business law. In 2004, John formed his own law firm and American Homeland Title Agency.

Practice Areas Include: OVI, Criminal Law, Family Law, Personal Injury Law, Employment Law, & Civil Litigation
Licensed in Ohio and Federal Court

Jason Phillabaum graduated from the University of Kentucky with degrees in Math and Music. He went on to graduate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School with Juris Doctorate in only 2 1⁄2 years. He started practicing law in 2000. After Law school Jason Phillabaum worked as an assistant prosecutor for over 11 years, involved in some of the most complicated cases in the County. Jason litigated hundreds of jury trials and bench trials, and he handled over 15,000 cases in the past two decades. In addition to criminal and civil cases, Jason assists many families in complicated and highly contested divorce and child custody matters. He is dedicated to every case, and he fights for his clients' rights. Jason is very active in the community, and he is a Kentucky Colonel. He served as campaign manager for local political races, served on various local boards, assisted numerous non-profits, and served as a volunteer for local events. Jason also provides legal analysis for radio and local news reporters. He enjoys watching his children play sports (baseball and volleyball).

Practice Areas Include: Real Estate Law and Associate Attorney overseeing the Title Department
Licensed in Kentucky

Megan Abbott received her Bachelor’s degree in History from Northern Kentucky University and graduated from Salmon P. Chase College of Law. She started practicing law in October of 2001. Her career has included prosecuting misdemeanor and child support cases as an Assistant County Attorney for Kenton County, Kentucky, but has now moved to full time work in real estate focusing on real estate sales and refinances. She greatly enjoys working with both those who are well versed in the process and those who are first time participants. As the legal title department manager, she works with all employees of the American Homeland Title Agency to help people’s home buying/selling needs become reality. Her greatest reward is researching all aspects of a closing to solve any title issue that may arise. In her spare time, she is a mother of a college student, enjoys woodworking, and celebrates all things Stanford University. Fear the Tree!

Practice Areas Include: Real Estate Law, Estate Planning, and Business Law
Licensed in Ohio

James Boyd received his Bachelor’s degree in History with a minor in Religion from Miami University in 2014. He earned his law degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Law and was admitted to practice in Ohio in 2019. His practice focuses on estate planning for families. James enjoys guiding clients through the estate planning process and helping them gain peace of mind. James gained advocacy skills through his experiences with Pro Seniors Inc. and the Hamilton County Probate Court handling estate and trust administration cases. He also developed leadership skills as Justice of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity and Vice President of the Student Bar Association while attending the University of Cincinnati. While in law school, James helped reinitiate the UC Law Women, a student organization to promote women equality in the legal community. James lives in Cincinnati with his wife. He enjoys traveling, gaming, and golf. James currently serves on the University of Cincinnati, College of Law, Alumni Board of Trustees.

Practice Areas Include: Real Estate Law, Civil Litigation, and Business Law
Licensed in Ohio & Kentucky

Hope Platzbecker received her Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Eastern Kentucky University in 2018. She graduated from Salmon P. Chase College of Law in 2021. Hope went to law school because she finds it interesting how the law interacts with most aspects of our lives and finds helping people through their legal issues to be a rewarding experience. Hope was born and raised in northern Illinois and enjoys making trips there when she can (a Packers fan). She also enjoys hiking and spending time with her husband and their Jack Russell Terrier. Hope also serves as a Treasurer on a Non-Profit Board.

Practice Areas Include: Real Estate Law, Criminal Law, Juvenile Law, and Personal Injury Litigation
Licensed in Ohio

Michkayla Edmondson graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice in 2019. She went on to attend and graduate from Capital University Law School with a Juris Doctorate in 2022. While attending law school Michkayla participated in Capital University Legal Clinic, externed under Justice Melody Stewart at the Ohio Supreme Court, and worked at the Franklin County Public Defender’s Office in the Juvenile and Municipal Division. She was an active member of the Black Law Student’s Association “BLSA” and is currently a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Michkayla was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. “Go Bucks!” She enjoys painting, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Practice Areas Include: Real Estate Law, Business Law, and Government Representation
Licensed in Ohio, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and District of Columbia

Jim Schroeder holds two master’s degrees and earned his Juris Doctorate from Rutgers University where he was both an Eagleton and Marshall Brennan Fellow. He has completed advanced training in nonprofit leadership at Duke University and Public Sector Labor Relations at Rutgers. Jim is a licensed attorney in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and the District of Columbia. He is a Kentucky Colonel and writes a column for the Brown County Press.

Practice Areas Include: Appeals (including Constitutional Law), Consumer Debt Settlement, Juvenile Law, Criminal Law, Landlord/Tenant and Foreclosure Defense, & Civil Litigation
Licensed in Ohio

James Fantetti graduated summa cum laude from the University of Cincinnati with a Batchelor’s degree in Philosophy in 2001. James went on to attend the University of Cincinnati College of Law where he earned his Juris Doctorate degree in 2004. Upon graduation, he worked for two years as a Law Clerk for the Ohio Twelfth District Court of Appeals. In 2006 James became an Assistant Prosecutor working for the Butler County Ohio Prosecutor’s Office. Over his 16 years as an assistant prosecutor, he prosecuted thousands of cases ranging from minor misdemeanors to serious felonies. In 2020, James left public service and entered private practice. He loves spending time with his daughter in nature. James enjoys painting landscapes in his free time.

Practice Areas Include: Commercial Real Estate, Mergers & Acquisitions, Business Law, Wills & Trusts.
Licensed in Ohio

Douglas Linn brings a talent for managing large business transactions to the firm. He has practiced transactional business law for over a decade and understands the flow of a deal, from a term sheet through to maintaining a closing date. He graduated from Miami University in 2007 with degrees in History and Philosophy, with a focus on formal logic. He earned his law degree from Indiana University in 2010 and has been practicing since then. He maintains a transactional practice at Linn Legal and strategically works with Yonas & Phillabaum to resolve litigation issues for clients. Douglas is the chair of the Probate and Estate Legal Association of Cincinnati. In his spare time, he enjoys growing roses and herbs in his greenhouse and garden. He supports and fundraises for Kindervelt, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Hayden & Crew, and the Kennedy Heights Montessori Center.

Emma Ball joined Yonas & Phillabaum as a paralegal in 2023. She works mainly for Jason Phillabaum, handling a variety of criminal, civil, and domestic relations cases. Emma received her Bachelor’s Degree in History, with a minor in Criminal Justice, from Kentucky Christian University. She developed numerous essential life skills from the softball diamond as a high school student athlete and as a four-year collegiate athlete. Emma’s lifelong passion has trained her on simple time management skills to elite competition under high pressure situations. “An all-star softball player succeeds by failing 70% of the time and then finding a way to dig down and excel.” Her desire to help others fuels her passion for law. In Emma’s free time, she enjoys hiking, yoga, spending time outdoors, and watching baseball.

Julieanne Fischer graduated from Lynchburg College in Lynchburg, Virginia, with a degree in Art History and Graphic Design. After graduation, Julie worked in galleries and museums in Los Angeles, Washington D.C., and New York. She eventually combined her love of art with digital technology and moved into producing visual effects and animation for award-winning films, documentaries, television shows and commercials. While pursuing her visual effects career, Julieanne lived all over the world in such places as Iceland, London, Beijing and across the U.S. In her spare time Julieanne likes to explore cheffy restaurants, and volunteers in the arts. She also loves to hike, ski and is addicted to Nordic crime fiction.

Carlina “Carly” Holloway received her Bachelor’s Degree in Apparel Merchandising and Product Development from Bowling Green State University and her Associate’s Degree in Textile Development and Marketing from Fashion Institute of Technology. Currently, she is pursuing a law degree from University of Cincinnati College of Law with an expected graduation date of May 2024. Carly is an entrepreneur, selling vintage furniture and vintage clothing. She and her husband have worked alongside each other since 2019 in both New York City and Cincinnati. In law school, Carly serves as the President of the Business Law Society, and she is a member of Cincinnati University of Law’s Trial Team. She's received academic recognition and is expected to graduate May 2024. In the little free time she has, Carly enjoys serving at her church, going to comedy shows, and making music with her husband.

Heather Burton graduated from Beckfield College with an associate degree in Business Administration. Heather manages the Brown County office as Yonas & Phillabaum expands to 6 offices in 6 counties. With over 7 years of experience in the real estate industry, Heather has developed a deep understanding of the real estate market and its trends. When Heather is not working, Heather enjoys spending time with her family and traveling around the country.

Say "Hello" to Salem, our office’s emotional support K9. Salem is a 1-year-old Blue German Shephard. Salem began training to be an emotional support dog earlier this year. In addition to boosting office morale, Salem provides emotional support to our clients during difficult meetings and conferences. When Salem is off duty, he is a ball full of energy. Salem loves to play with his two German Shepard siblings, Sydney, and Maui. He and Maui spend a lot of time wrestling around the house and outdoors. Salem finishes the day guarding his house against any noise that may find its way in. Salem accepts payment in the form of treats, belly rubs and especially peanut butter.