Ashley Ward likes that her job includes a little bit of everything. A staff attorney at Ohio Justice & Policy Center (OJPC), Ward represents clients, works on community outreach, and participates in education and policy work. Since starting her career at OJPC as an intern while in law school at the University of Cincinnati College of Law, Ward has become a go-to expert on housing rights for Ohioans with criminal histories.
“I ended up falling in love with what we do at OJPC,” she said. “We provide a lot of specialized skills and post-conviction relief that no one really does in Ohio.”
After law school, Ward continued at OJPC as an Ohio Access to Justice Foundation Justice for All Fellow and then a staff attorney, where her research, advocacy, and innovation continued to support transformative changes in how the legal system addresses housing discrimination. Her work at OJPC has been so instrumental that the Foundation recognized her with the Rising Star Award, which honors an attorney in civil legal services whose career reflects exceptional growth, leadership, innovation, and professionalism. Paula Boggs Muething, the Foundation’s past president, presented the award to Ward at a ceremony on Feb. 18.
“Ashley has a reputation as a problem-solver and a policy innovator that has elevated both her individual practice and the broader recognition of this previously underserved legal area,” said Lizett Schreiber, managing attorney & chief projects director at OJPC.
One of Ward’s biggest accomplishments has been advocating for the passage of Ohio House Bill 50, which established certificates of qualification for housing (CQH). A CQH gives Ohioans with criminal records fairer consideration in housing applications and provides protections to landlords who accept tenants with a CQH. Ashley not only researched, helped draft, and testified in support of the bill, but continues to push for improvements to its implementation that streamline the application process.
“We’re trying to get the word out on CQHs because we want people to be able to use it and to use it effectively,” Ward said. “We need to make sure housing providers are aware of what it is and how it can benefit them.”
For her clients, Ashley embodies a comprehensive representation approach that addresses the complex challenges her clients face. While she provides direct legal representation for Ohioans facing housing issues due to their criminal histories, she doesn’t treat housing issues in isolation. Rather, she tackles underlying barriers, bringing together community partners, housing providers, and legal advocates to address systemic issues.
“Ashley has not only established a new practice area but created enduring institutional change that will benefit countless individuals long into the future,” Schreiber said. “Her work exemplifies how innovative legal advocacy can transform both individual lives and systemic barriers.”
The Ohio Access to Justice Foundation annually presents the Denis Murphy, Elam, Presidential, Rising Star, and Voice of Justice awards to outstanding leaders. Learn more about the Foundation’s awards.