ABOUT DANIELLE

Born and raised in Columbiana County to two parents who were also born and raised in Columbiana County, Danielle Menning knew from a young age that she wanted to be an attorney. She attended Crestview Local Schools from kindergarten through 12th grade, graduating in the top ten of her high school class. While there, she played several sports and was named First Team All Tri-County shortstop her senior year. She was also involved with several community service projects and often volunteered at her church.

She attended Kent State University Salem and was a member of their prestigious Honors College, and earned a full scholarship. Danielle majored in English, honing her research and writing skills, graduating from the main branch of Kent State in 2006. In addition to improving her research and writing while in college, she participated in numerous community service projects, even traveling to Memphis, Tennessee twice for a community service project to repair Zion Christian Cemetery. 

After obtaining her college degree Magna Cum Laude, Danielle attended the University of Akron School of Law. While there, she was one of three students from her year to be hired at the Legal Clinic, which was a highly competitive and sought-after position. The Legal Clinic afforded Danielle the opportunity to experience the life of a trial attorney assisting with criminal cases. During her second year at the Legal Clinic she was an intern for the Appellate Review Clinic, which represented clients on appeal to State and Federal Courts, participating in the drafting of an appellate brief from the research stage to the oral argument. 

Danielle, while in law school, also taught Street Law Junior to fourth and fifth grade students at an Akron City School, which allowed them to learn about the Bill of Rights, participate in mock trials, and make learning about the law and the Constitution fun. Another internship Danielle thrived in during law school was as judicial intern for Judge Elinore Marsh Stormer at the Summit County Court of Common Pleas. While interning for Judge Stormer, Danielle was able to draft judicial opinions based on cases the trial judge heard during Danielle’s internship. Additionally, Danielle was an Assistant Editor for the Akron Law Review. Danielle graduated from The University of Akron School of Law in May of 2009 with honors.

Following law school, passing the bar exam, and being sworn in as an Ohio attorney in 2009, Danielle worked for a law firm in Niles, Ohio that focused on civil litigation. She then worked with an oil and gas brokerage firm while simultaneously starting a business with her husband. That business, started in 2011, blossomed into an extremely successful wedding photography business. For the last five years, Danielle has been an Assistant Columbiana County Prosecutor working on serious criminal cases involving both adults and juveniles.

While Danielle and her husband were operating that business (Menning Photographic), they founded the Youngstown chapter of The Rising Tide Society, which was a group of creative entrepreneurs who value community over competition, promote business education, celebrate camaraderie, and participate together in community service projects. Throughout their entrepreneurial journey, Danielle and Josh also founded Menning Films, which is a video production company specializing in faith-based films. 

Menning is pro-life and a pro-gun conservative. She actively supports Ohio crisis pregnancy centers and participates in the Walk for Life. She’s also a proud gun owner and is member of the conservative Federalist Society. Danielle lives with her husband and their three children in Fairfield Township, Columbiana County.  She has coached youth softball for several years, is a board member of the Parent Teacher Organization, board member of the softball association, and volunteers at their church as a Sunday school teacher.