Tasha K. Schaffner

Tasha is the founder and sole member of Schaffner Family Law and Mediation, which she established in 2002. Early in her career, she litigated hundreds of civil and criminal cases—everything from traffic tickets to murder jury trials—before deciding to focus exclusively on family law.

“I come from a divorced family,” Tasha explains, “and I’ve been through the divorce process myself. So, I understand it from all angles.” That personal and professional experience fuels her passion for Collaborative Divorce. She has seen firsthand the positive difference this approach can make for families, especially when children are involved. “I truly believe it’s a better way to move forward.”

Clients describe Tasha as a fearless advocate who isn’t afraid to take a case to trial when necessary. She understands how stressful it can be to place your future in the hands of someone new, which is why she puts thoughtful strategy and careful analysis into resolving both legal and emotional challenges. And when a fight is unavoidable, Tasha is fully prepared to put her highly refined litigation skills to work.

Tasha’s practice spans all aspects of family law, including collaborative divorce, adoption, and helping clients reach mediated resolutions that truly work for their families. She is a trained family mediator and collaborative professional, with additional coursework in counseling through the University of Cincinnati.

A graduate of Santa Clara University School of Law, Tasha is admitted to practice in Kentucky, California, Ohio, the Eastern District of Kentucky, and the United States Supreme Court. She has served on the board of directors for the Kentucky Bar Foundation and currently serves on the KBA Ethics Committee and the board of the Northern Kentucky Bar Association. Tasha is also a member of the Academy of Northern Kentucky Collaborative Practitioners, the International Association of Collaborative Practitioners, the Cincinnati Academy of Collaborative Practitioners, and the American Association of Family and Conciliation Courts—and she’s proudly a Kentucky Colonel.

Outside the office, Tasha is crazy about her daughter, her horses, and her donkey, Lacey. When she’s not riding, volunteering with Girl Scouts, or helping clients, she enjoys traveling, seeking out new adventures, and sampling new wine varieties.

Professional Experience

• Schaffner Family Law & Mediation
  • Sole Member and Managing Attorney, 2002 to Present

Lead a family law and dedicated family law mediation practice in Crestview Hills, Kentucky, focusing on domestic relations litigation, custody matters and client centered dispute resolution.

Department of Public Advocacy

• Assistant Public Advocate, 2001 - 2002

Provided comprehensive representation to indigent clients, handling all phases of criminal defense litigation focusing on safeguarding clients’ constitutional rights.

Licenses and Bar Admissions

• California Bar Association (CA Bar No. 211874), 2000 to Present (currently inactive status)
• Kentucky Bar Association (KY Bar No. 89114), 2002 to Present
  • Limited Practice License, 2001 - 2002
• Ohio Bar Association (OH Bar No. 0098625), 2020 to Present
• Eastern District of Kentucky, 2003
• United States Supreme Court, 2026

Education

• Santa Clara University School of Law, J.D. 2000
  • Top 10% of graduation class
• University of Akron, B.A.,1995
  • Summa cum Laude
• Northern Kentucky University, Alternative Dispute Resolution Center
  • 40-hr Mediation Training, 2026
• National Family Law Trial Institute, Advanced Child Custody Seminar, 2018
  • 3-day seminar on advanced child custody issues
• Kentucky Bar Association, Leadership Conference Invited Participant, 2018
• University of Cincinnati, School of Counseling and Psychology, 2013 - 2014
  • Coursework in Abnormal Psychology and Diagnosis of Mental Health Disorders
• AAML/Harvard Negotiation Seminar, 2012
  • Two-day program focused on negotiation skills
• Center for Principled Family Advocacy, Basic Collaborative Law Training, 2009
  • Two-day training to practice in collaborative cases.
• National Criminal Defense College, 2003
  • Two-week trial college focused on advocacy and trial skills
• Litigation Persuasion Institute, Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy, 2002
  • One week trial college focused on advocacy and trial skills

Honors, Committees & Awards

• Northern Kentucky Bar Association, 2003 - Present
  • Board Member 2025 to Present
• Kentucky Bar Association, 2001 to Present
  • Ethics Committee, member 2021 to Present
  • Annual Convention Planning Committee, 2014
• Kentucky Bar Foundation, Life Fellow, 2007 to Present
  • Board Member, 2007-2016
  • President, 2015-16
• Academy of Northern Kentucky Collaborative Professionals, 2009 to Present
  • Board Member 2010-2014
• Salmon P. Chase Inns of Court, 2004 - 2015
• Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, 2003-2012
  • Board member, 2003 to 2012
• National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, 2003-2010
• Clarence Darrow Prodigy Award, Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, 2005
  • Excellence in Advocacy Award, Department of Public Advocacy, 2002
• Horton Award, Department of Public Advocacy, 2002

Speaking Engagements

• Northern Kentucky Bar Association, Lunch and Learn Series, Preparing Your Cross-Examination, 2026
• Kentucky Justice Association, Understanding Domestic Violence: Your Role as a Domestic Violence Advocate, 2026
• Northern Kentucky Bar Association, Domestic Forms and Changes to Kentucky Domestic Violence Law, 2016
• Radio Show Guest Speaker, Cooney, Faulkner and Stephens, The Effect of Obergefell v. Hodges, 2014
• Kentucky Bar Association, Kentucky Law Update, Bar Foundation Update, 2014, 2015
• Radio Show Guest Speaker, Mary Ann Zeleznik Show, Helping Teens Understand Financial Literacy, 2012
• Kentucky New Lawyer Training, 2012
• Kentucky Bar Foundation, CARE Program, speaker 2009-2013
• Northern Kentucky Bar Association, Criminal Dockets in Kenton, Boone and Campbell counties, 2009

Publications

• Blog, Schaffner Family Law
• Vlog, Schaffner Family Law

Professional Memberships

• Northern Kentucky Bar Association
• American Association of Family and Conciliation Courts
• Academy of Northern Kentucky Collaborative Practitioners
• International Association of Collaborative Practitioners
• Cincinnati Academy of Collaborative Practitioners
• American Bar Association

Public Service

• Girl Scouts of Kentucky’s Wilderness Road -- Troop Co-leader, Parent Volunteer, Camp Leader
• Beechwood Elementary School Santafest, Parent Volunteer and Volunteer Coordinator
• Beechwood Parent Teacher Student Association, Volunteer
• Ronald McDonald House, Volunteer