Since 1994, the Ohio Access to Justice Foundation has funded two-year fellowships for attorneys seeking to make a difference in Ohio’s civil justice system by addressing urgent legal problems facing Ohioans. Justice for All Fellows (JFA Fellows) partner with host organizations to design innovative projects that explore new ways to help low-income Ohioans with civil legal challenges.
“JFA Fellows really push the boundaries in terms of coming up with projects that use civil legal services to advance justice,” said Camille Gill, the Foundation’s programs and grants counsel. “Their creativity is inspiring, and the results they deliver are impressive.”
At the Foundation’s June board meeting, JFA Fellows Hannah Bogaert, Zachary Lemaster, and Ashley Ward provided an overview of their fellowships to Foundation board members before their projects conclude at the end of August.
Hannah Bogaert, hosted by Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati, provides comprehensive legal services to survivors of sexual assault, with a special focus on serving college-aged students. Bogaert represented Jane Smith* to win a protection order against a neighbor who had sexually assaulted her. Ms. Smith was relieved to be protected from future contact with the perpetrator and grateful to have a legal advocate in her corner for her day in court.
Zachary Lemaster, hosted by Legal Aid of Western Ohio (LAWO), helped expand LAWO’s Medical Legal Partnerships to rural Ohio counties. He also provides holistic legal services to mothers in rural areas. In one notable case, Lemaster helped a mother obtain a four-year protection order against her abusive husband and helped her apply for Social Security benefits for her daughter, who has cerebral palsy.
Ashley Ward, hosted by Ohio Justice & Policy Center, provides civil legal services to Ohioans with criminal records to minimize or eliminate housing barriers. Throughout her fellowship, Ward provided full or limited-scope representation to more than 100 low-income clients to improve access to affordable, stable housing. She also educates the public about housing collateral consequences and Ohio’s post-conviction legal tools.
When their fellowships conclude, Bogaert, Lemaster, and Ward each plan to continue their careers in nonprofit civil legal services.
“My time as a fellow has been incredibly rewarding,” said Lemaster. “It’s allowed me to grow as an attorney and strengthen my passion for public interest law.”
*Name has been changed to protect client privacy.
The Justice for All Fellowship application for the 2026 class is open through Sept. 2. Interested applicants can attend an information session on Aug. 4. Contact Camille Gill for more information.