Jillian B. Von Gunten is a lifelong resident of Zanesville, Ohio, committed to helping the residents of her community by using her education and experiences. Licensed to practice law and act as a Title Insurance Agent since 2012, she is an experienced attorney with a broad practice area encompassing estate planning, wills and trusts, probate matters and adoptions, business law, real estate and property law, banking and commercial law, collections, municipal law, and misdemeanor prosecution. Jillian believes in strong advocacy for her clients that is measured with reasonable, practical solutions. Her clients benefit from her desire to “meet them where they are” – she demonstrates deep empathy and willingness to explain complex matters with each client with whom she interacts.
Jillian is a proud graduate of Muskingum University, graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre and Political Science in 2009. In 2023, Muskingum University honored Jillian by naming her as an Emerging Alumni Award recipient for significant professional and community contributions. Jillian earned a Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Capital University Law School in 2012, where she was a named a member of the Order of the Curia.
Jillian is committed to giving back to and growing the legal profession; as such she serves as the current President of the Perry County Bar Association, as well as incoming Secretary of the Muskingum County Bar Association. She was honored to be a recipient of the Ohio State Bar Foundation’s Community Service Award for Newer Attorneys for both District 9 and the Southeast Region of Ohio and is excited to be named an incoming Fellow of the Ohio State Bar Foundation. She remains committed to access to justice by providing pro bono legal services through Legal Aid Clinics in both Muskingum and Perry Counties since 2012.
Jillian’s commitment to service within her community extends beyond the legal field through leadership roles on numerous nonprofit boards, including serving as the President of Zanesville Community Theatre, Treasurer of the Southeastern Ohio Symphony Orchestra, President of the Zanesville Pride Group, and board member of the Muskingum County Arts Council and Midwest Repertory Ballet Company. Her contributions to local theater have been recognized with the Spirit of Community Theatre Award (2023).
Outside of legal practice, Jillian enjoys travel, participating in and supporting all forms of art, and passionately advocating for under-represented and at-risk populations within our community, especially LGBTIA+ individuals.
Accomplishments
Practice Areas
- General Practice
- Estate Planning, Wills, & Trusts
- Probate Law and Adoptions
- Business Law
- Real Estate and Property Law
- Banking, Commercial Law, & Collections
- Municipal Law & Misdemeanor Prosecution
Bar Admissions and Licensures
- Ohio, 2012
- Ohio, Title Insurance Agent, 2012
Education
- J.D., Capital University, 2012, Cum Laude
- Member Order of the Curia
- B.A., Muskingum University, Summa Cum Laude
- John Anthony Brown Outstanding Political Scientist Award: Two-time Recipient
- Agnes Moorehead Theatre Award
- Honor Societies: Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Alpha Theta, Omicron Delta Kappa, Pi Sigma Alpha
- Emerging Alumni Recipient 2023: Awarded by Muskingum University to recently graduated alumni for making significant contributions to their profession and the world by adhering to university values.
Professional Associations/Awards
- Muskingum County Bar Association (Incoming Secretary)
- Perry County Bar Association (President)
- Ohio State Bar Foundation (Incoming Fellow)
- Ohio State Bar Foundation’s Community Service Award for Newer Attorneys (for both District 9 and the Southeast Region of Ohio)
Board Membership
- Muskingum County Arts Council, 2024-Present
- Zanesville Pride Group, 2022-Present (Current President)
- Midwest Repertory Ballet Company, 2020-Present
- Zanesville Memorial Concert Band, 2017-2020
- Southeastern Ohio Symphony Orchestra, 2014-Present (Current Treasurer)
- Zanesville Community Theatre, 2004-Present (Current President)
Community Involvement/Pro-Bono Work
- Zanesville Community Theatre, 1989-Present
- Ohio Community Theatre Association, Outstanding in Acting Award, 2025
- Spirit of Community Theatre Recipient 2023
- Zanesville City Schools, Volunteer Reader