The Ohio Access to Justice Foundation Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of new officers and trustees. The Board of Directors supports the Foundation’s mission of ensuring that Ohioans who are low-income or who lack access can fully and fairly participate in civil systems that produce just outcomes.
Mary Amos Augsburger, executive director, Ohio State Bar Association, assumes the role of president. Hon. William A. Klatt, Tenth District Court of Appeals (retired), is vice president. Hon. Howard H. Harcha III, Scioto County Court of Common Pleas, becomes secretary; and Jordan A. Miller, chairman and CEO, Adelphi Bank, is treasurer. Paula Boggs Muething, chief legal and administrative officer, FC Cincinnati, assumes the position of immediate past president.
The Foundation also welcomes new trustees:
Joshua R. Sanders, co-chair, government relations and legislation, Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP, is an experienced attorney and registered lobbyist who works on legislative, agency, and executive projects for a number of Fortune 500 companies. He has extensive legislative experience in the areas of alcohol, tobacco, transportation, gaming, pharmaceuticals, biotech, construction, energy, labor, telecommunications, and education. Sanders was appointed to the board by Supreme Court of Ohio Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy.
Hon. Dean Wilson, associate, Maguire Schneider Hassay, LLP, served as judge for the Perry County Municipal Court before retiring in 2024. Judge Wilson established the Perry County New Direction Drug Court to help defendants struggling with addiction get back on their feet. In 2018, Judge Wilson received the Foundation’s Presidential Award along with Judge Luann Cooperrider for their efforts to establish the Perry County Free Legal Clinic.
Hon. Thomas R. Wright, general counsel, P.I. & I. Motor Express, Inc., served as presiding and administrative judge for the Eleventh District Court of Appeals prior to joining P.I. & I. as general counsel in 2023. He was named the 2005-2006 Mahoning County Lawyer of the Year for performing outstanding legal work. In his civil practice, Wright represented plaintiffs and defendants in the areas of professional malpractice, product liability, and general negligence and insurance coverage.
Joining the board as an ex-officio member representing the Alliance of Ohio Legal Aids:
Kate McGarvey, executive director, Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio (LASCO), has been involved with LASCO since 2001. While serving as the managing attorney for the health and benefits unit, she led a wide variety of individual representation, administrative advocacy, and litigation efforts, including serving as lead counsel in the Homewood case, which reinstated Medicaid coverage for 150,000 people across the state. Subsequently, she served as deputy director and director before becoming executive director in 2019.
The Ohio Access to Justice Foundation’s Board of Directors serves from around the state and is committed to improving access to justice. Meet the Board.