Jodi Littman Tomaszewski (CWR ’95, LAW ’99) spent her entire legal career at the Northeast Ohio law firm of Dworken & Bernstein, becoming the firm’s first woman partner in 2007.
Throughout her life, Tomaszewski “set an example, not just for her girls [daughters Emma, Chloe and Paige], but for all young women who strive to balance a career and family,” said former classmate Lesley Gordon (LAW ’99).
When Tomaszewski died unexpectedly in 2021, those close to her were spurred to action in her memory. Nearly 500 former classmates, colleagues, friends and family members contributed more than $100,000 to establish a scholarship at Case Western Reserve University School of Law in the double alumna’s honor.
“The overwhelming support is a perfect example of the impact Jodi made on so many,” said her husband Jeff Tomaszewski (CWR ’95; GRS ’05, physiology). “The scholarship will help secure her legacy for years to come.”
The Jodi Littman Tomaszewski Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to an academically exceptional second- or third-year law student who possesses the drive, passion and altruistic spirit of its namesake, providing critical financial support at the same stage as when Tomaszewski launched her career.
“When Jodi began her legal career, almost all the partners at many law firms were men,” School of Law Co-Dean Michael Scharf, JD said. “She was a trailblazer. And we would like to have this scholarship enable other students to follow in her footsteps and break down those barriers.”
Originally published in the summer 2023 issue of Forward Thinking magazine