Wende C. Cross at W. C. Cross and Associates

Born in Orange, New Jersey, and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, Wende Cross obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Miami University, Ohio in 1988. Upon graduating from the Salmon P. Chase College of Law (Northern Kentucky University) in 1992, she began her legal career as a civil litigator with one of the premier law firms in Lexington, Kentucky. In January, 1995, Ms. Cross was recruited by the U.S. Department of Justice and began a career in public service accepting the appointment to serve as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. She later served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio as well.

During her ten years as a federal prosecutor, Ms. Cross prosecuted hundreds of cases involving white collar crimes, complex fraud schemes, drug offenses, weapons offenses, tax evasion and immigration violations in both Kentucky and Cincinnati, Ohio. “As a defendant, it’s good to have a former prosecutor on your side” says Cross. I know the law from both perspectives and I am able to uniquely defend a case by foreseeing what strategies the prosecutor will attempt to use”. Johnnie Cochran was a prosecutor before he was a criminal defense attorney. Need I say more?

When asked why she decided to switch sides to criminal defense after having spent so many years in law enforcement, Cross said “to level the playing field.” “My experience has shown that I am a justice seeker. That hasn’t changed. I continue to seek justice. Now, it’s for individual people who have been denied access to competent counsel, due process, and equal rights under the law.”

The law firm of W. C. Cross & Associates Co., LLC is located at 3460 Reading Road, Cincinnati, Ohio. “The decision to purchase our building, which is located in the heart of Avondale, was strategic” says Cross. “We wanted to be easily accessible to the communities which we serve. We hear lawyers say all the time that they are for the people, but many of their offices are located in plush high rise buildings downtown or in the suburbs. For many clients, that can be very intimidating. We’re located in a local neighborhood.”

Asked about plans for providing service to the community, Cross has a strategy that involves educating the community about their rights. “The Bible says our purpose is to please God, and serve people. I plan to do that in a variety of ways. In the past, I have offered free seminars in various communities in Cincinnati to train the public about their legal and civil rights.” Similar seminars have been offered to senior citizens regarding Wills preparation.