VETERAN. FATHER. LEADER.
Born and raised in Cincinnati, Pavan has dedicated his life to serving others.
A graduate of Princeton High School, Xavier University, and the Saint Louis University School of Law, Pavan chose to pursue a career in public service because he believes it is his duty to give back to his community. He began his legal career in Cincinnati working at the courthouse under Judge Nadine Allen, the first Black judge elected county-wide in Hamilton County's history. His passion for public service also led him to work as a political staffer on issues of voting rights and the judiciary before being appointed the Chief Legal Counsel for the Ohio Senate Minority Caucus, where he served under three Minority Leaders including Cincinnati's own Eric Kearney. At the statehouse, Pavan was responsible for monitoring and negotiating legislation on issues from criminal justice reform to voting rights, constitutional law, and ethics.
However, his passion to serve was still somewhat unfulfilled and he joined the US Army Reserve as a Judge Advocate days after his 30th birthday. In his role as a Major and military lawyer, Pavan has been repeatedly selected from special missions including two stretches in Korea advising the command of U.S. Forces Korea. He was also selected to serve in an additional duty as a Special Victims Counsel for three years where he represented victims of sexual assault.
Prior to becoming Clerk of Courts, he worked as an in-house attorney with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati, a $100 billion financial institution. Upon returning to Cincinnati in 2015, Pavan accepted opportunities outside of his daily career to use his vast background in law and policy to help train others. As a former adjunct professor at the University of Cincinnati College of Law and at Xavier University, Pavan volunteers his time to mentor and educate the next generation of Cincinnati’s leaders. Having taught courses from political science to legal research and writing to election law, Pavan believes it is his responsibility to guarantee that the next generation is ready to face the world after graduation. As Clerk of Courts, he takes that commitment to preparation and education to the courthouse every day.
Read more about Pavan's vision and what he has already accomplished.
A consummate public servant, Pavan volunteers his time in a multitude of legal and non-legal capacities. Committed to the law, he is currently a member of the Board of Trustees of the Cincinnati Bar Association, the Chair of the Cincinnati Bar Association’s Veterans and Military Law Committee, and a Barrister member of the Potter Stewart Inn of Court. He is also a former Board member of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Southwest Ohio and a former Co-Chair of the American Constitution Society’s Cincinnati Lawyer Chapter, ensuring that progressive values are heard in debates of law and policy. Pavan further defends progressive priorities as one of the five members of the Ohio Ballot Board, the committee that writes the official ballot language for questions submitted statewide in Ohio. In recognition of his dedication to forging a better justice system through sensible criminal justice reform, Pavan was appointed by the Hamilton County Commissioners as a member of the Facilities Governing Board of the River City Correctional Center from 2019-2022 where he served as Secretary of the Board until his resignation due to his appointment as Clerk of Courts. Finally, as a member of the dual professions of law and arms, Pavan remains engaged in national security issues as a Partner with the Truman National Security Project.
He is married to Dr. Shwetha Manoharan, a physician specializing in Obstetrics & Gynecology. They live in Anderson Township with their three sons and dog.
Use of military rank, job titles and photographs in uniform do not imply endorsement from any service branch or the Department of Defense.