Andrew Geraghty (JD ‘25) at the University of Cincinnati College of Law

Civic Service is a Family Legacy

Andrew Geraghty’s Commitment to Serving Cincinnati

Third-year law student Andrew Geraghty’s face lights up when he talks about Cincinnati. A lifelong Cincinnatian, he considers himself a non-partisan ambassador of the city: a champion of its strengths while committed to addressing its challenges.

"I've had a great experience growing up here, but I know a lot of people who haven't," he said. " I want to be the person who steps in, listens, and builds bridges."

As an intern at Legal Aid of Greater Cincinnati while still in undergrad at Xavier University, Andrew was tasked with compiling eviction demographics. He was struck by the financial imbalance plaguing the city’s disadvantaged: landlords nearly always had legal representation, while tenants—mostly Black women and single mothers—did not.  

“A normal eviction hearing is over and done in 45 seconds. It was kind of like a turnstile in the subway,” he recalled. “I saw many people who were not given any recourse, and that’s what you want people to have above all else—a fair shot in our confusing legal system.”

Watching how evictions left some families not just homeless, but also made securing future housing nearly impossible, Andrew’s eyes opened to the systemic and legal barriers he hadn’t seen before. That’s when his path toward a law degree became clear.   

“I realized that as a person, you can advocate for people. But as a lawyer, you can advocate by changing the law,” he said.  "I wanted to be someone who works to make Cincinnati better."

When it came time to choose a law school, his passion for this career path nearly led him to leave his hometown. Weighing offers from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland and the University of Cincinnati College of Law, he considered what it might mean to pick up and move. 

"I almost left Cincinnati. I thought about it, I wanted to see what was out there," he said. "But then I toured Cincinnati Law, and I saw the people, I saw the energy, and I thought, ‘Okay, this is where I need to be.’ It wasn’t just about staying here—it was about seeing what I could build here, what I could contribute to our community. And that made all the difference."

Andrew Geraghty

Civic service runs deep in Andrew’s family. His grandfather, Dr. Ranjit Rath, immigrated from India in 1964 to practice cardiac surgery. His grandmother, a former RN at Good Samaritan Hospital, supported the Ronald McDonald House—a tradition his mother has continued as a board member and as a doctor at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Andrew’s father is also a board member of Catholic Charities of Southwestern Ohio. 

Their commitment to community left a mark on him, “What are you trying to change in your community? What are you doing to make the world just a little bit better every day?” are questions he asks himself.

This sense of purpose extends to his siblings as well. As one of a set of triplets, Andrew and his sisters chose unique paths to serve their community: Sarah is pursuing a medical degree, Elizabeth works in urban and community planning, and Andrew found his calling within the law. All three chose to pursue their graduate degrees at the University of Cincinnati.

“I’ve always reconciled our three jobs as three different languages on how to create a viable city,” he said. “There’s something to be said about homegrown talent. We know the different aspects of the city—the good and the terrible.” 

...I toured Cincinnati Law, and I saw the people, I saw the energy, and I thought, ‘Okay, this is where I need to be.

As a student at the University of Cincinnati College of Law, Andrew has gained hands-on experience working within different legal environments. He has researched police force patterns and recommended policy changes for the Cincinnati Citizen Complaint Authority, prepared motions and attended trials at the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas and conducted legal research for the City of Hamilton. His work in these spaces led to a Law Clerk position at Kroger’s Corporate Counsel Office.

"My externships and summer jobs were really helpful steppingstones to finding a long-term career," he said. “I saw a side of the city that I don’t normally get to see.” 

In his role as the networking chair with the Student Bar Association, he leveraged his network to bring in speakers like Mayor Aftab Pureval (‘08), whom he met while working on his 2018 congressional campaign, and First District Court of Appeals Judges Marilyn Zayas (‘97), Jennifer Kinsley, and Ginger Bock (‘07).

"I tried to bring in people who are making an impact on their community—people who have stepped up and vouched for others in this city," he said. “I’m grateful for them, and I hope to pursue the same kind of impact.” 

“What I’ve learned is that there’s always a way to do more. If you’re in a position to make things better, you have an obligation to step up.”


- Andrew Geraghty, JD ‘25

Drew Dear

Andrew wants to have a long career practicing law. However, he isn’t ruling out public office down the road.  That’s because civic engagement isn’t just a career goal for Andrew. It’s a responsibility. 

Ultimately, Andrew believes that local civic engagement is where change truly happens. As graduation nears, Andrew’s priorities have narrowed in on passing the bar and securing a job—in Cincinnati, of course. 

“I’ll always have an eye for helping people out,” he said. “I’m very motivated to stay here and define what I can do to benefit the citizens of Cincinnati and my future clients. There’s something intangible that keeps calling me back.”

For Andrew, being part of the change in Cincinnati isn’t just about roots; it’s about carrying out a family legacy and tradition, in his own way. 

“My grandfather came here from India with ten dollars in his pocket. He traveled 8,000 miles to find a home here. I want to make that count,” he said. “What I’ve learned is that there’s always a way to do more. If you’re in a position to make things better, you have an obligation to step up.”

Andrew Geraghty

Want to learn more about our students and their journey to (and through) law school? Read more stories on the "Meet Our Students" page. See yourself at Cincinnati Law!   

Author: Bachmeyer Press

Photographer: Asa Featherstone IV

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