Legal and Paralegal Studies

John J. Schlageter, III, Esq., is a Senior Lecturer and the Program Director of the University of Toledo’s ABA-approved Legal and Paralegal Studies Program. Mr. Schlageter has experience working with paralegals, is knowledgeable about developments in paralegal education and committed to the education and utilization of paralegal services. Mr. Schlageter is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati (BA) and the University of Toledo, College of Law (JD). After earning his degree in law, John was admitted to the Ohio and Michigan Bars, as well as the United Stated District Court, Eastern District of Michigan. John has been a partner in local law firms and his main areas of practice have included corporate, estate planning, personal injury, litigation, employment, and domestic relations law. John is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association, the Michigan State Bar Association, and the Michigan Trial Lawyers’ Association. John has taught a variety of classes including Litigation, Business Associations, Contracts, Law Practice Management, Civil Procedure, Introduction to Law, Administrative Law, Mediation, and Mock Trial. In addition to arranging and monitoring internships, Mr. Schlageter has also served as a coach for the University of Toledo Mock Trial Team and an advisor for the Undergraduate Law Society. John completed forty hours of Mediation Training by the International Academy of Dispute Resolution in Des Moines, Iowa and met all other requirements to become an authorized Mediator of the Academy. John has also completed 40 hours of SCAO Approved Mediation training through the Institute of Continuing Legal Education’s General Civil Mediator Training. Along with Professors Henry Cheeseman and Kathleen Reed, John has co-authored two textbooks entitled Business Organizations for Paralegals and Contract Law for Paralegals. John served on the American Bar Association Paralegal Approval Comission from 2020-2023.

Nicole Spiros Tuori, Esq., received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Miami University in 1996 and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from The University of Toledo, College of Law in 1999. She has been an associate with the law firm of Spiros and Stewart of Lambertville, Michigan for 6 years where she litigates cases in domestic relations, criminal law, banking and juvenile law. Since becoming a part-time professor in 2004, Nicole has taught courses in Real Estate Transactions, Torts, Administrative Law and Contracts.

James M. Tuschman, Esq., received his Bachelor’s degree in Business from Miami University at Ohio and his JD degree from the Ohio State University College of Law. Mr. Tuschman has been a trial lawyer for the past 50 years. He is of counsel to the firm of Barkan and Robon, Ltd. He is a member of the Ohio and Toledo Bar Associations, the Ohio Trial Lawyers Association, the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and the National Alumni Council of the Ohio State College of Law. He has received national recognition by being listed in the Best Lawyers in America, his selection as a Fellow in the International Society of Barristers, and his selection as a member of the National Trial Lawyers (representing the top 100 trial lawyers in Ohio) and his inclusion on the 2013 and 2014 Ohio Super Lawyers list. He has lectured nationally on various topics including medical malpractice and the art of trial advocacy and has served as Chief Operating Officer of a multi-state litigation firm. Mr. Tuschman has practiced before the United States Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th and 7th Circuits, the Ohio Supreme Court and various federal and state trial courts. He has served as a member and chairman of the University Board of Trustees and as a member and chairman of the Ohio Board of Regents (both gubernatorial appointments). He now serves as Vice Chairman of the Board of the Toledo Lucas County Port Authority. He has used and trained paralegals throughout his entire litigation career.

Brandi Blasses is a graduate of The University of Toledo (BA) and The University of Michigan Law School where she served as Michigan Journal of Law Reform, Associate Editor. She is an attorney with Schafer and Weiner PLLC Bloomfield Hills, Michigan witha focus on bankruptcy and business litigation. Brandi has conducted research on various topics, including Michigan receivership law, Michigan Uniform Voidable and the legal grounds for finding a Constitutional right to literacy. Brandi's memberships and affiliations include Turnaround Management Association, NextGen Board Member and the American Bankruptcy Institute.

Alan D. Mutchler, Esq., is a graduate of Oakland University (BA) and The University of Toledo (JD). He was an attorney with the Toledo Legal Aid Society for sixteen years during which time he supervised legal interns from The University of Toledo, College of Law and was Managing Attorney of the Civil Division. The Ohio Supreme Court selected him to serve on the Ohio Supreme Court Committee on Child Support Enforcement, to establish child support guidelines. These recommendations have since been adopted and are now part of the Ohio Revised Code. In 1995, he was appointed Magistrate of the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division. He has presented to local and state bar associations, state colleges and universities (UTMC), professional associations, and the American Association for Paralegal Education. Magistrate Mutchler has served as an editorial consultant for legal textbooks; is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA), Ohio Association of Magistrates (OAM), Paralegal Advisory Board, and served as a participant in the Ohio Supreme Court Domestic Relations Summit (2014). He began teaching in UT's Paralegal Studies Program in 1982 and has taught a variety of courses, including Administrative Law, Family Law, Introduction to Law, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Clinic Experience.

Briana K. Palmer, J.D. is a two-time University of Toledo graduate. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree from the Paralegal Studies program in 2020, and she earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Toledo College of Law in 2023. Briana has participated in competitive mock trial at both the undergraduate and law school levels, earning several awards. She is also a member of the Order of the Barristers, a professional national honors society that accepts inductees for their outstanding performance in both trial advocacy and brief writing. Briana has worked as a Civil Balliff at the Toledo Municipal Court and as an intern with the City of Toledo Prosecutor's Office. She currently serves as the Paralegal at Shinaver Law Office, LLC of Northwood, Ohio and will become Of-Counsel upon admittance to the Ohio Bar. Briana teaches both Basic and Advanced Legal Research and Writing for the Legal and Paralegal Studies Program at the College of Health and Human Services.