Behind every legal aid attorney is a fascinating story of what brought them to a career in civil legal services. Maria A. Smith, housing attorney at The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, is no exception. The recipient of the Foundation’s 2025 Denis J. Murphy Award for outstanding leadership and advocacy at Ohio’s legal aids, Smith [...]
A new housing development in Greene County will give low and moderate-income seniors access to safe, affordable housing. The Cascades, a senior-focused housing project, is being developed by Yellow Springs Home, Inc., a community land trust. Thanks to the Foundation’s Neighborhood Stabilization Grant Program, funded through Attorney Unclaimed Funds, Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (ABLE) [...]
There is no one more qualified to step into the role of Ohio Access to Justice Foundation Board President than Mary Amos Augsburger. A Foundation board member since 2009, and Chief Executive Officer of the Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) beginning in 2013, Augsburger has spent her career dedicated to public service. “I think being [...]
The Ohio Access to Justice Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of new legislators to serve on the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors supports the Foundation’s mission of ensuring that indigent Ohioans can fully and fairly participate in civil systems that produce just outcomes. Sen. Nathan Manning was appointed to the Foundation’s [...]
This summer, the Foundation continued its popular Legislative Lunch and Learn series with events for Ohio House staff on Aug. 6 and Ohio Senate staff on Aug. 14. Presented by Foundation Executive Director Angie Lloyd, the sessions provided an opportunity for legislative staff to learn how Ohio’s legal aids can benefit constituents. Lloyd highlighted resources [...]
For a dedicated group of law students from across Ohio, summer offers a break from classes and an opportunity to gain real-world experience at some of the state's civil legal service providers. The Foundation's Justice for All Summer Clerk Program, now in its sixth year, provides funding for law students to expand opportunities in civil [...]
For busy attorneys who cite time as the most significant barrier to pro bono service, Rodney Holaday, a partner at Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease, and chair of the firm’s pro bono committee, offers an idea. Holaday likens volunteering to saving. “If you build it into your schedule first and roll into it, you can [...]
After decades of service at the Legal Aid Society of Southwest Ohio (LASSO), Elaine Fink has seen firsthand the power of collaboration in driving systemic change. “There’s a crucial role for litigation and the threat of litigation,” Fink said. “I have also learned that at times we can achieve significant results for clients when we [...]
On May 13, legal aid attorneys, board members, and staff gathered at the Ohio Statehouse for Legal Aid Day, an event hosted by the Ohio Access to Justice Foundation that helps educate legislators about legal aid’s impact. Since the first Legal Aid Day in 2013, Ohio’s legal aids and the Foundation have strengthened relationships with [...]
The Ohio Access to Justice Foundation was shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Judge Mary Jane Trapp on April 24. On May 13, the Foundation posthumously awarded Judge Trapp the John C. and Ginny Elam Pro Bono Award. The Foundation recently took over stewardship of the Elam Award, a recognition [...]
