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

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, from Fortune 500 companies to small entrepreneurs, 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, and 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 mutt and mini–Australian Shepherd. Hope also serves as a Treasurer on a Non-Profit Board.

Practice Areas Include: Real Estate Law, Criminal Law, Family Law, and Civil Litigation.
Licensed in Ohio

Connor Nelson received his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with Honors from Marshall University in 2019. While in college, Connor interned for US Senator Joe Manchin. He then went on to receive his Juris Doctorate from the University of Cincinnati College of Law and was admitted to practice in Ohio in 2022. After law school, Connor joined the Hamilton County Public Defender’s Office, working as a Trial Attorney, during which he represented hundreds of clients throughout every stage of the criminal process. As an associate of Y&P, his practice now focuses on both courtroom litigation and real estate transactions. Connor is a Madisonville resident, where he resides with his fiancé, Victoria, and retired racing greyhound, Dexter. In his free time, Connor enjoys cooking and trying new food with his fiancé, golfing, and gaming.

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

Bryce Clayton holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Western Kentucky University and a Juris Doctor from NKU Chase College of Law. Prior to joining Yonas & Phillabaum, Bryce’s previous experiences include working in intellectual property law, business law, and tort law. Bryce is married to his wife, Morgan, and has one dog, a Labrador Retriever mix named Remy. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and dog, playing disc golf, water sports, and snowboarding.

Practice Areas Include: Appeals (including Constitutional Law), Consumer Debt Settlement, Juvenile Law, Criminal Law, Landlord/Tenant and Foreclosure Defense, and 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 Riley joined our team as a paralegal in 2023. She works mainly for Jason Phillabaum, handling a variety of criminal, civil, and domestic relations cases. Emma also supervises the legal support staff. Emma received her Bachelor’s Degree in History, with a minor in Criminal Justice, from Kentucky Christian University. Emma played softball in high school and as a four-year collegiate athlete. Her time on the softball diamond trained her on time management skills and the ability to compete 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 her free time, Emma enjoys hiking, yoga, spending time outdoors, and watching baseball with her husband Cole and her furbaby Archie.

Grace Larkin joined our team in 2025. She graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and English. Go Cats! A lifelong athlete, Grace grew up as a competitive swimmer. Her years in the pool instilled discipline, resilience, and a team-oriented mindset - qualities that continue to serve her well in her career. Prior to her current role, Grace worked as a pretrial intern in Fayette District Court, where she assisted with criminal case processing and court operations. She also served as a lobbyist intern at McCarthy Strategic Solutions in Frankfort, where she was involved in legislative tracking, client research, and policy advocacy. Outside of work, Grace enjoys going on walks, going to Kentucky sporting events with friends, and watching Rams football games with her boyfriend, Aidan.

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.

Abigail “Abby” Graus joined Yonas & Phillabaum as a paralegal in 2025. She works mainly for James Boyd and Hope Platzbecker, handing a variety of civil, real estate, and estate cases. Abby received her Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, with a minor in Psychology, from Florida State University. Prior to working with Yonas & Phillabaum, Abby was an investigative intern with the Leon County Public Defender’s Office. She is fueled by her passion to support those who find themselves overwhelmed by the complicated legal system. Abby is excited to grow her knowledge of the legal world and one day aspires to go to law school and become an attorney herself. In her free time, Abby enjoys traveling, watching football (Seminoles and Bengals), exploring new coffee shops, and spending time with her family.

Isabel Parham joined Yonas & Phillabaum as a Paralegal in 2025. She works for Megan Abott and Connor Nelson, assisting with real estate, civil, and criminal cases. Isabel received her Bachelor’s Degree in English, with a minor in Sociology, from Ball State University. Immediately following college, Isabel moved to Cincinnati to work as a fourth-grade English teacher through Teach for America. Prior to joining Yonas & Phillabaum’s team, she worked as a legal editor, updating municipal codes for clients across the country. Isabel’s experience as an editor and proofreader has shaped her into a detail-oriented, organized, and driven person, and she is excited to leverage these skills as she expands her knowledge of the legal field. In her free time, Isabel enjoys reading, baking, and spending time with her cats.

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.