COLUMBUS, OHIO – January 30, 2026 – Kohrman Jackson & Krantz LLP (KJK) is pleased to welcome Michael (Mike) Schlonsky as a partner in the firm’s Columbus office. Mike brings more than three decades of experience as an attorney and senior executive advising companies, boards, and leadership teams through complex business, operational, and governance matters.
Before joining KJK, Mike spent over 30 years with Big Lots, a publicly traded Fortune 500 retailer, where he served in a range of senior leadership roles, including over 13 years as Chief Human Resources Officer. Reporting directly to the CEO and serving as a key member of the executive leadership team, he led enterprise-wide human capital strategy for a 35,000-employee organization spanning more than 1,400 retail locations, multiple distribution centers, and corporate headquarters. Throughout his career, Mike worked closely with boards of directors and executive leadership on executive compensation, governance, risk management, and organizational strategy.
Earlier in his career, Mike held senior roles overseeing human resources, store operations, risk management, compensation and benefits, and enterprise litigation oversight, with P&L responsibility for large, multi-location operations. His background also includes time in private practice and in-house counsel roles, providing a well-rounded perspective on both legal and business decision-making.
At KJK, Mike will advise business owners, executives, and boards as a strategic outside general counsel, offering guidance on crisis management, internal investigations, executive and organizational strategy, and the business implications of workforce and governance decisions. He works with companies ranging from early-stage startups to multibillion-dollar enterprises.
“Mike brings a rare blend of executive leadership and legal perspective,” said Dave Campbell, Partner-in-Charge of KJK’s Columbus office. “He knows his way around the boardroom, advised CEOs under pressure, and helped guide organizations through moments that truly matter. That real-world experience strengthens our ability to support clients as a trusted business partner, not just legal counsel.”
Mike is actively involved in the Columbus community and serves on the boards of several local organizations.
Mike is based in KJK’s Columbus office and can be reached at MAS@kjk.com or 614.427.5745.
About KJK
With offices in Cleveland and Columbus, KJK serves companies of all sizes and sectors, including Fortune 500 corporations, nonprofits, mid-market companies, small businesses, start-ups and other entrepreneurs. We are a full-service law firm built for business – and beyond. Our robust practice areas serve clients locally and nationally, with the combined experience of our skilled team of 50+ attorneys. For more information, visit kjk.com.