Big changes are happening at the Ohio Justice Bus.

Sophia Chang, pro bono director at the Foundation and managing attorney for the Ohio Justice Bus, has transitioned to lead the Bus full-time, becoming its new director effective July 1. In this role, Chang will lead strategy and direction, working to expand Ohio Justice Bus clinics and partnerships to grow access to civil legal services for low-income Ohioans.

New staff attorney Eric Warman joins Meredith Hood, program coordinator, to serve clients at the Bus clinics across Ohio. A graduate of Indiana University Maurer School of Law, Warman brings public service experience and a passion for increasing access to justice.

“I’m looking forward to serving clients and to building relationships with our incredible volunteers and community partners,” Warman said.

Bella Rockwell, a junior at Butler University, joins the team as the Bus’ first-ever summer intern.

The Ohio Justice Bus launched in 2019 and has built an extensive network of partner nonprofits that help it identify the specific legal needs of communities across the state. One of the advantages of the Bus is its nimbleness, which allows it to quickly mobilize to establish clinics in rural areas. With fewer than one lawyer per 1,500 residents in 57 of 88 Ohio counties, the Bus is an effective partner in providing attorneys to underserved areas. Thanks to the Bus’ technology, volunteer attorneys can reach more Ohioans who need legal help through either in-person or virtual volunteer opportunities.

Since its launch, the Bus has helped more than 3,200 Ohioans with civil legal challenges. In 2024 alone, the Bus held 113 brief advice clinics that served hundreds of Ohioans, covering topics ranging from family law and probate to record sealing/expungement and driver’s license reinstatement.

“This is an exciting time for the Ohio Justice Bus,” Chang said. “We have a solid foundation, and now it’s time to build on its success and take the Bus to the next level.”

Attorneys interested in volunteering with the Ohio Justice Bus should visit ohiojusticebus.org.