Game Is On

LeeAnn Massucci has spent more than two decades helping clients get through family crises. But before that, she excelled on a different kind of court—leading the women’s tennis team at the Ohio State University.

In 1986, she became the youngest head coach in the Big Ten—at all of 24 years old. “Coaching wasn’t just about winning matches,” Massucci reflects. “It was about guiding young people through some of the most formative years of their lives.”

At the same time, it sharpened her leadership skills, patience and empathy. “The life lessons I took from coaching—managing a team, working through adversity, staying focused—prepared me for law,” she says.

That ability to navigate challenges has also been crucial on a personal level. In the spring of 2023, Massucci was diagnosed with cancer, a battle that she continues to face. “It’s a challenge, but I approach it like everything else—one step at a time,” she says.

Massucci’s love of tennis began in Geneva, Ohio, where she grew up. Excelling in junior tennis competitions, she earned a scholarship to the University of Alabama, later returning to her home state to pursue a master’s degree in education at OSU.

After 13 years of coaching, Massucci switched gears and opened the Clubhouse Café, an LGBTQ+-friendly coffeehouse and bar in downtown Columbus. The café quickly became known for its inclusive and welcoming atmosphere. “It was more than just a bar,” she says. “It was a place where people came together for political fundraisers, movie nights and community events.”

Running the café brought new challenges—long hours, staff management, and the unpredictability of the food industry. “It taught me the value of hard work, perseverance and community,” she says. After five years, she sold the café to focus on her next venture: law school. Massucci’s partner, Lori Brown, was urging her to either go for—or let go of—her dream of becoming a lawyer. Massucci says college counselors had discouraged her from studying prelaw because of the time demands of being on the tennis team.

So at age 39, she headed to Capital University Law School in Columbus, where she ended up earning the dean’s award for outstanding female graduate in 2003. The back-to-school transition wasn’t easy. “I hadn’t pulled an all-nighter since grad school,” she says.

Plus, everyone was trying to steer her away from her passion: family law. “Without exception,” she says, “every attorney I talked to while I went through law school said, ‘Don’t do that. You are not the kind of person who can leave it at the office.’”

She tried a few other areas, including clerking at a personal injury firm. “But I eventually was a law clerk at a family law firm, and I was hooked,” she says. “Working with families in crisis is hard, but incredibly rewarding.”

One of Massucci’s proudest moments came in 2012, when she argued a case before the Supreme Court of Ohio, a rarity for family law attorneys. In Rowell v. Smith, which she won, the court affirmed that juvenile courts have the authority to grant temporary visitation rights to a nonrelative, such as a biological mother’s former partner, if it serves the child’s best interest. “It was an incredibly rewarding experience knowing the impact the decision would have on so many nontraditional families,” she says.

Massucci believes each step along her journey prepared her for where she is now. “Coaching, running a café, and practicing law all require similar skills,” she says. “You have to connect with people, understand their needs, and help them through difficult situations.”

LeeAnn Massucci’s Advice for Young Lawyers

• “People told me not to go into family law, but I knew it was the right fit for me. Always trust your instincts—they’re often smarter than you think.”
• “Resilience is key. Life throws challenges at you, but it’s how you respond that matters.”
• “Building a supportive community—whether in a café or a law office—is one of the most rewarding things you can do. Relationships are everything.”