Meet the Team

The Bucio Firm

The Bucio Firm Team

With a proven track record of success in handling over 10,000 cases, Chris and his team of professionals have represented all walks of life: attorneys, doctors, corporate CEOs, teachers, government employees, law students, court staff, professional athletes, farmers, and even law enforcement officers.

Regardless of your background, we want to help you get through this stressful time in your life. We understand the anxiety you are feeling from your criminal charge and we will aggressively defend you through this difficult chapter in your life. Contact us today!

Christopher R. Bucio

Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney

Christopher (Chris) is a trial lawyer. He is a regionally recognized criminal defense attorney dedicated to defending individuals and businesses facing every level of state and federal investigations and prosecutions. Outside of serving God and his family he is solely interested and committed to the practice of criminal defense. It is Chris's career mission to provide everyone he represents with a strong and outstanding defense, coupled with compassion and empathy.

Through the years Chris has been able to achieve a lengthy and consistent success rate for his clients in nearly all aspects of criminal defense throughout the Midwest Region. He is regarded as one of the most successful criminal defense attorneys based on his results at trial and ability to successfully navigate the most contested, difficult, high profile cases. Chris also regularly assists clients during sex‑offense investigations, guiding them through interviews, investigative procedures, and pre‑charge strategy to protect their rights from the very beginning.

As a result of his representation, skill, and hard work, many individuals charged with the most serious crimes such as: Attempted Murder, Aggravated Murder, Manslaughter, Kidnapping, Burglary, Rape, Abduction, Drug Trafficking, Felonious Assault, Gross Sexual Imposition, Breaking and Entering, Child Pornography, Escape, Felony DUI, and Felony Domestic Violence have resulted in not guilty verdicts at trial.

Rafael A. Villegas

Partner

Rafael A. Villegas is a partner at The Bucio Firm, where he focuses his practice on criminal defense and complex felony litigation. He represents clients at every stage of the criminal process, from initial investigation through trial and post-conviction proceedings.

Rafael has experience handling high-level felony matters, including violent offenses and firearm-related charges, drug charges, and regularly litigates suppression issues, evidentiary challenges, and constitutional claims. He is skilled in motion practice, strategic plea negotiations, courtroom advocacy, and trial practices.

At the Bucio Firm, Rafael is committed to protecting clients’ rights, challenging the State’s case at every opportunity, and pursuing the best possible outcome through thorough preparation and strategic defense.

Brad Detwiller

Legal Writer and Researcher

Brad is a dedicated legal researcher and writer known for his thorough, detail-driven approach to complex legal issues. He handles many of our most advanced writing assignments, consistently producing clear, well-supported work grounded in extensive research. Brad has strong expertise in federal matters, including habeas petitions and appellate filings, and he brings a high level of precision and analytical skill to every case he works on. His commitment to accuracy and depth makes him a reliable contributor to our team’s most challenging legal projects. Brad is also studying law in hopes of becoming a criminal defense attorney. 

Zoe Jackson

Paralegal

Zoe is a dedicated and detail-focused paralegal with experience supporting criminal defense attorneys. She regularly prepares sentencing memoranda, conducts in-depth legal research, and coordinates closely with clients throughout the pre-sentence investigation (PSI) process. Known for her professionalism and empathy, Zoe helps clients understand what to expect during their PSI interviews and ensures they feel prepared and supported at every step. Her strong writing skills, organizational ability, and commitment to accuracy make her an invaluable member of the legal team. Zoe will be studying law in hopes of becoming a criminal defense attorney.

Kendall Dickman

Office Assistant

Kendall is a detail-focused office assistant who plays a key role in preparing judicial documents for the team. She assists with drafting, organizing, and filing judicial materials, ensuring accuracy and clarity in every assignment. Alongside her judicial work, she also supports the office with various smaller tasks that help maintain smooth operations. Kendall’s precision, reliability, and steady support make her an invaluable part of the workflow. 

Stevie Ratliff

Paralegal

Stevie is a versatile and dedicated paralegal who supports nearly every aspect of the office’s operations. She serves as a primary point of contact for many clients, offering clear communication, steady guidance, and compassionate support throughout their cases. Known for her empathy and professionalism, Stevie helps clients feel heard and understood while ensuring that the office runs smoothly. Her commitment to both administrative excellence and emotional care makes her an invaluable member of the team. 

James Hammock

Law Clerk

James is a diligent law clerk who manages the initial stages of each case with professionalism and care. He oversees the first steps of the intake process, prepares initial filings, and guides clients through the early phases of hiring an attorney. With a clear, approachable communication style, James helps new clients feel informed and supported from the very beginning. His organization and steady guidance make him a key part of a smooth and confident start to every case.

Ariyan Wilcox

Discovery Analyst 

Ariyan is a dedicated discovery analyst who oversees every aspect of the discovery process with precision and care. She meets one-on-one with clients to review their discovery materials, helping them understand the evidence and how it fits into their case. Ariyan carefully examines and summarizes all evidence provided by the State of Ohio, turning complex information into clear, organized insights for the legal team. Her thorough approach and strong client-focused communication make her an invaluable part of building each case from the ground up.

Niki Woodruff

Operations Manager/HR

Niki is the Operations Director and head of HR, ensuring the entire office runs smoothly behind the scenes. She manages all financial responsibilities, oversees internal processes, and handles the essential operational work that keeps everything functioning day to day. Niki is also a key support for staff communication, helping team members stay aligned, informed, and organized. Her leadership, reliability, and ability to keep every moving part on track make her the backbone of the office.

Marissa Clark

Paralegal

Marissa is a dedicated paralegal who focuses extensively on CPS-related matters, particularly for clients dealing with both criminal charges and child protective involvement. She is deeply committed to helping families, offering steady support, clear guidance, and unwavering compassion as they navigate the difficult steps required to reunify with their children. Marissa works closely with parents to help them understand the CPS process, prepare for hearings, and move forward with confidence, especially for those who deserve the chance to bring their kids home. 

In addition to her CPS work, Marissa contributes to legal research and writing, crafting well-organized, thorough materials that strengthen case strategy. She is also actively studying to practice law, bringing growing legal knowledge and dedication to her role. Marissa’s compassion, commitment, and determination make her an invaluable member of the team.

Marrisa is also studying to practice family law in hopes of becoming a domestic relations attorney, where she will focus on adoptions, custody disputes, divorces, and other family law-related matters.