Mary Suhre
Operations Director
When asked about her core values, Mary Suhre highlights “integrity and open-mindedness” as her guiding principles. At Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers, Mary plays a pivotal role, juggling multiple responsibilities, including her role as the wife of owner Joe Suhre. She is integral to the operations team, focusing on developing and managing training programs to keep the firm’s systems running smoothly. Mary’s objective is to create an environment where team members feel supported and inspired, alleviating the burden of repetitive tasks and fostering a sense of creativity and ownership.
Mary also adds a personal touch to the workplace by making birthdays special with custom-made cakes and organizing enjoyable outings and holiday parties for the team. Her efforts in boosting team morale reflect her compassionate nature.
With nearly 27 years of experience in nursing, Mary has a diverse background in oncology, bone marrow transplants, and nutritional counseling, holding a certification in macronutrition. She applies her extensive medical knowledge to help individuals make healthier lifestyle choices and strengthen their well-being.
Mary deeply values the collaborative culture at Suhre & Associates, where she appreciates the team’s mutual respect and the belief that every role is essential to the firm’s success. Outside of work, Mary is a dedicated mother to three wonderful teenage boysโJoey, Mac, and Jacob. She actively supports them in balancing their schoolwork and sports commitments. Mary also remains active herself, challenging her limits in the gym and training her horse, Izzi. Her dedication to fitness and equestrian pursuits is a central part of her motivation and personal growth.
Maryโs empathetic and positive attitude is a significant asset to both her colleagues and the clients she serves, making her an indispensable member of the Suhre & Associates team.
Annette Denton
Legal Receptionist
First impressions are everything. Annette is the first smiling face you see when you enter our firm. She runs the front desk and facilitates all phone callswith heart. She serves at the frontlines in many capacities, which is why she is a leading player on our team. Prior to joining our team, she worked at a law firm for many years serving as their front desk receptionist, so the transition to Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers for her was seamless.
One of her favorite quotes to live by is, โNo matter how bad your life may seem, there are millions of other people who have it ten times worse than you. So, thank God for all your blessings, big and small.โ Annetteโs โglass half fullโ mentality is clearly shown in the energy she puts into her work. We know that we can depend on her to tackle any task with enthusiasm. In fact, commitment and dependability are a few of the values that drive her each day.
When she is not answering the phones, closing files or setting up appointments, she can be found spending time with her grandsons, knitting and crocheting.
Adrian Welch
Case Manager
A graduate of Miami University, Adrian Welch joined our team in 2021 and serves as one of the case managers for the firm. This role is a key player in communicating with our clients and handling their needs with confidence and reassurance.
She has a go-getter mentality and always makes herself available to the rest of the legal team. Every day is an opportunity to learn something new. In fact, one of Adrianโs favorite quotes is,โEducation is the one thing that no one can ever take away from you.โ
This quote holds a lot of truth. Knowledge is power and she uses her knowledge from Miami University to assist the attorneys and other staff members with various projects and tasks. One of Adrianโs responsibilities as case manager is creating effective and efficient procedures, guidelines, and processes. These guidelines are an essential part of our firm and help us make decisions for the benefit of our clients.
Outside of the office, you might find her hanging with the family, probably doing something outdoors. Adrian is a big fan of hiking, kayaking, and camping. She also loves a good book โone of her favorites is The Alchemist โa message about pursuing your dreams and following your heart. Itโs clear that Adrian is an โAโ player for the Suhre team and her work ethic and drive is top-notch.
Clayton Kute
Case Manager
Clayton Kute serves as one of the case managers for the firm. He primarily is the right-hand man for our Kentucky attorneys and works from our Louisville office. He has extensive experience handling the day-to-day tasks and responsibilities that come with this role. Prior to joining our team, he worked for a law firm. The skills and knowledge he gained has helped him perform his duties as case manager effortlessly.
Clayton is someone who values compassion in and out of the workplace. He enjoys being able to help people and listen to our clientโs needs. People often call our firm during one of the most difficult times of their life. If you find yourself speaking with Clayton, you are guaranteed to be in good hands.
Our goal at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers is to provide you with a successful outcome of your case. Clayton believes, โHow many people you bless, is how you measure success.โ
Clayton finds purpose in knowing that through his work he can help those who find themselves charged with a crime or in need of a solid defense team. When heโs not assisting our clients with their case, he is probably looking forward to his next tee time on the course.Heโs also a big fan of anything by John Grisham โan American novelist known for his popular legal thrillers. Between Claytonโs drive and experience, he is a key component within the Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers team.
Doug Vannatta
Client Intake and Relations Specialist
โA jury is twelve people trying to decide who hired the best attorney.โ โ Mark Twain
This quote by Mark Twain is one of Dougโs favorites. As the Client Intake and Relations Specialist for Suhre & Associates, Doug is dedicated to fostering relationships with those who interact with the firm. With nearly 15 years of experience in food service management (primarily in healthcare), he has discovered his passion for helping others. He believes his background in healthcare helped prepare him for the daily interactions he has now with individuals going through challenging times. Doug believes effective communication and empathy are key players in this industry. He joined our team in 2024 and currently serves our clients and potential clients for all our offices across Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.
Doug defines success as knowing that every interaction he had throughout the day helped make the person on the receiving ends day a little brighter and filled with more hope. He is driven by dependability and integrity. These values are instilled in him and the way he approaches life โ both personal and professional. Jocko Willink, a retired United States Navy Seal officer and author, is one of Dougโs inspirations. He resonates with Willinkโs approach to discipline and practices of extreme ownership in your day-to-day interactions.
Doug is a huge football fan. His โteamโ is the Green Bay Packers. Football and food basically go hand in hand โ and Doug also enjoys grilling and smoking meats. He loves figuring out what recipe tastes best. Doug and his wife reside in the Indianapolis area with their dog Ethel.
Henri Heywood
Case Manager
Growing up in a large family, Henri Heywood was always encouraged to be a role model for others. She would strive for the best possible outcome no matter the odds she faced. You could say she applies this life motto to her work at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers. She primarily serves as the case manager for our fearless leader, Joe Suhre. Although, that is not all that she does โ her many hats worn behind the scenes do not go unseen.
Henri, a native Cincinnatian, spent many years on the West Coast, but her heart brought her back to Ohio, where she found our firm and joined the team in 2021. Henri is a graduate of Xavier University’s Paralegal Program and has an extensive background in the legal community. She uses this knowledge and experience to her advantage. She brings a positive energy to the firmโs workplace and is always giving each client and case the dedicated attention that it needs.
Outside of the office, you might find her at a local go-kart racetrack or enjoying the scenic views of Cincinnati and the surrounding areas via bicycle. Without a doubt, Henri is a valuable member of the team and her daily outlook on life in general is an inspiration to us all.
Cassandra Theis-Vogl
Case Manager
Driven by compassion, Cassandra graduated from Montana State University with a focus in community health and has always tried to work to improve the outcomes and opportunities for her client base. She has a vision for a better, kinder tomorrow. One of the people that inspire her is her grandmother.
She considers herself to have a strong work ethic and able to overcome lifeโs obstacles in part to her grandmother who set that example throughout her life. Cassandraโs background in social services and case management translates well to her role as one of the firmโs criminal case managers. She joined our team at the start of 2022 and currently serves our clients in the Lexington area and surrounding counties.
Cassandra defines success as treating each client, phone call or conversation with potential clients as the first interaction of the day. She puts her best foot forward and is dedicated to all that Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers represents. She enjoys the different aspects of her role at the firm, including the individual needs and attention that each case requires. She strives to improve the outcome of our clientโs case and deliver an excellent service.
Living in Montana most of her life, Cassandra rode horses before she could walk and spent a great deal of time outdoors. She is grateful for those experiences and loves exploring the foothills of Kentucky. She resides in the Lexington area with her husband and two Greyhound dogs, Sandor and Finn.