Legal Staff

Brian D. Heskamp, General Counsel

Phone: 216-696-6525 x4370 | Message Brian

Brian Heskamp joined the Diocese of Cleveland Legal Office as Associate General Counsel in February 2016 and became General Counsel in March 2026. Prior to joining this office, Brian was an attorney at Thacker Martinsek, LPA and prior to that at Cooper & Walinski, LPA. Brian has advised the Diocese, affiliated organizations, parishes, and schools on a wide range of matters since he joined the Diocesan Legal Office. In private practice, Brian’s experience was primarily in litigation, and business advice and compliance, including a variety of contract, employment, insurance coverage, real estate, fair housing and related matters. Brian earned an Bachelor’s degree in education and a Master’s degree in public administration from Bowling Green State University. He holds a J.D. from Ave Maria School of Law, magna cum laude. 

Contact Brian regarding the following:

• General Diocesan Legal Matters
• Corporate Governance & Compliance
• Diocesan Policies
• Religious Liberty and First Amendment Issues
• Tax Exempt / 501(c)(3) Matters
• Group Ruling Matters
• Endowments and Burses
• Catholic Community Foundation Support

Kelly A. Dumovic, Associate General Counsel

Phone: 216-696-6525 x4380 | Message Kelly 

Kelly, who attended the University of Akron School of Law, has been the Associate General Counsel of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland for over seven years, assisting parishes and       schools with legal concerns of daily operations. Prior to her diocesan position, she was Assistant Law Director for Cuyahoga County Law Department, assisting the eight Health and Human Service Agencies with governance, compliance, risk assessment, negotiated contracts, and analysis and revision of County procurement policies and code requirements. She was also Guardian Ad Litem for Medina Courts, advocating for the best interests of children in custodial disputes.

Contact Kelly regarding the following:

• Construction related matters
• Architect and Engineer contracts
• Real estate sales and purchases
• Real estate leases and licenses
• Easements
• Property tax exemptions
• School policies, handbooks, and CHALTA issues
• General school matters

Kathleen Donovan Onders, Associate General Counsel - Operations

Phone: 216-696-6525 x1073 | Message Kathleen

Katie Onders joined the Diocese of Cleveland as Associate General Counsel in July 2026. Prior to joining the Diocese, Katie was Assistant General Counsel at Roundstone and prior to that managed the Lawyer Referral Service at the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association. Katie has experience advising business departments on compliance with federal and state laws, contracts, employee benefit plans and handbooks, estate planning, and insurance matters. Katie earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at Bowling Green State University and a J.D. from Cleveland State University College of Law.

Contact Katie regarding the following:

• General legal and operations / business support
• Service contracts (e.g. operational agreements for goods or services)
• Technology contracts
• Legal compliance (e.g. governmental licensing, liquor permits, charitable gaming such as raffles, fundraising initiatives and donations, festivals)
• Ministry risk management (waiver / release forms, volunteer driver program forms, volunteer work program forms, screening requirements)
• Record retention
• Endowments and Burses
• Loans and Mortgages
• Employee benefit plan support
• Intellectual property matters
• Trust and estate matters
• Facility use agreements

Matthew Convery, Associate General Counsel – Employment and School Law

Phone: 216-696-6525 x1071 | Message Matthew

Matt Convery joined the Diocese of Cleveland Legal Office as Associate General Counsel in July 2026. Before joining the office, he led corporate investigations at Lumen Technologies. He previously served as a Senior Assistant Attorney General with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and as a Civil Prosecutor with the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, where he litigated and advised on matters for state and county agencies. Matt also serves as a Major in the U.S. Army Reserve Judge Advocate General’s Corps. His experience includes litigation, internal investigations, and compliance advice, particularly in employment-related matters. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Miami University and a Juris Doctor from Cleveland State University College of Law.

Contact Matt regarding the following:

• General support for employment related matters, including FMLA, ADA, and FLSA
• General support for school related matters and school policies.
• Advice related to employee misconduct, volunteer misconduct, and student misconduct and conducting investigations
• Employee terminations and significant disciplinary issues
• Student expulsions and serious discipline
• Obligations regarding sexual harassment
• Section 504 obligations and compliance where applicable
• EEOC and OCRC complaints
• Subpoenas
• Family law issues
• Wage garnishments

Colleen Rigo, Legal Office Manager

Phone: 216-696-6525 x1072 | Message Colleen

Colleen Rigo joined the Legal Office in August, 2022. Colleen provides administrative support to the Legal Office and can be contacted for any general matters or questions. 

Michael English, Contract Manager

Phone: 216-696-6525 x1074 | Message Michael

Michael English joined the Legal Office in April, 2024. Michael supports the legal office in the management of contracts and agreements and real estate matters.