In addition to urging a pay increase for Ohio's judges, Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor stated during her state of the judiciary address today that success stories extend to judges' lawyer colleagues. O'Connor's speech was to judges attending the annual meeting of the Ohio Judicial Conference, in Columbus. Lawyers were recognized for donating more [...]
Through the Department of Justice's (DOJ's) settlement with Bank of America, Interest on Lawyers Trust Account (IOLTA) Programs will receive significant funds for foreclosure prevention and community redevelopment legal assistance. The Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation will be one of the many beneficiaries of the settlement. Read more from the DOJ press release here.
Chief Justice O'Connor stated that she would like the newly assembled Access to Justice Task Force of legal experts and judges to provide recommendations for better ways to provide legal assistance to low-income people by next year. Angela Lloyd, executive director of the Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation, is a member of the task force. Read [...]
During Governor Kasich's announcement unveiling the new Office of Human Service Innovation, he called on the state to better coordinate programs in order to help lift Ohioans out of poverty. Read more here.
Kermit Lowery, Vice President and Assistant General Counsel for the LexisNexis U.S. Legal Department has been named a 2014 American Bar Association Pro Bono Publico Award winner. The award was presented to Lowery during the recently-concluded American Bar Association Annual Meeting in Boston. Lowery developed a passion for pro bono work during his service in [...]
Porter Wright recognized Kathleen Trafford, partner at Porter Wright, for being elected to serve as president of the Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation's board. Read more here.
Community Legal Aid Services (CLAS) was recently showcased in The CantonRep's "Nonprofit Spotlight." Read more here.
The Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation is winding down its support for the Judicially Led Appellate District Pro Bono Project. The Project, created in 2007 by then-Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) President Robert Ware of Cleveland, created committees of judges and lawyers in each of Ohio’s 12 appellate districts. The committees created or supplemented pro bono [...]
Advocates for Basic Legal Equality is leading a collaborative effort to enact a law in Toledo that would require landlords to correct lead-related problems before renting a home or apartment to a family with children. A recent Toledo Blade editorial praised ABLE's efforts. Read more here.
Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor notes that legal aid lawyers and public defenders are available to help at-need Ohioans facing jail time for unpaid court costs or fines. Read more here.
