SEOLS Office Sees Drop in Number of Cases
The Southeastern Ohio Legal Services (SEOLS) office in Athens has seen an overall drop in their caseload despite the consolidation of offices in December. Read more here.
Columbus Legal Aid to Discuss Lack of Translated Documents with CMHA
The Legal Aid Society of Columbus will discuss with the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) the need for translating key housing documents into native languages for immigrants, as required by federal law. Read more about how language barriers impact low-income, immigrant families here.
Fellowship to Fight Senior Exploitation Awarded to Pro Seniors
Pro Seniors, a Foundation-funded statewide legal aid that seeks to empower older adults and protect their interests, has been awarded a $150,000 grant to fight senior financial abuse. The grant, from the Annie W. and Elizabeth M. Anderson Foundation, will fund a fellowship to provide education and legal representation for seniors who are or may [...]
National Family Courts Group Recognizes LAWO
The Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) honored Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Inc. (LAWO) during their 51st annual conference in Toronto. LAWO attorney Pamela Hayman-Weaner accepted the award on the organizations behalf. Read more here.
Equal Justice Works Fellow and Veteran Shares Views on Impact of VA Scandal
Kimberly Adams, a veteran and Equal Justice Works Fellow, sponsored by the Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation, provides suggestions for improving the system of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), particularly for younger veterans. Read Ms. Adam's suggestions here.
OSBA President and President-Elect Look to Improve Legal Aid Funding
Ohio State Bar Association's (OSBA's) incoming president and Toledo attorney, Martin E. Mohler, states that he will work to try to improve legal aid funding during his tenure. Read more here. OSBA's president-elect and Cincinnati attorney, John D. Holschuh Jr., has also stated that improving legal aid funding will be a a priority when he [...]
Toledo Pro Bono Lawyers to Help Seal Records
Pro bono lawyer volunteers from the Toledo Bar Association, Advocates for Basic Legal Equality and Legal Aid of Western Ohio, the Ohio State Bar Association's Litigation Section and the U.S. Attorney's Office will on Tuesday take part in a clinic to help people complete papers requesting expungement of eligible criminal convictions. Read more here.
Legal Aid Attorney Honored at National Equal Justice Conference
Ann McGowan Porath, managing attorney of Cleveland Legal Aid's Volunteer Lawyers Program and Intake Office, received the Tanya Nieman Pro Bono Professional of the Year Award at this year's national Equal Justice Conference. Read more here.
ABLE Behind Successful Approach to School Discipline in TPS
Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (ABLE) advocated for a different approach to school discipline in Toledo Public Schools (TPS). Since a new disciplinary program, Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports (PBIS) was implemented, suspensions and expulsions have dropped dramatically. Read more here.
Lilly Ledbetter Keynote Speaker at Access to Justice Event
Lilly Ledbetter, equal pay advocate, was the keynote speaker at the 2014 Access to Justice Awards Ceremony and Dinner, a collaboration of Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (ABLE), Legal Aid of Western Ohio (LAWO), and the Toledo Bar Association's pro bono legal services program.