Addressing the Justice Gap
The New York Times, in an editorial published August 23rd, says the "justice gap" falls primarily on the poor, and mostly in overburdened state courts. To read more, click here.
Legal Aid Summer Associates Get Trial Practice in a Real Courtroom
Summer Associates at Community Legal Aid Services (CLAS) in Akron wrapped up their 10 week program with a mock trial in a Summit County Domestic Relations courtroom. The mock trial featured volunteers and lawyers from CLAS, Sterling Jewelers, AmeriCorps and Mature Services acting as clients, witnesses and court staff. To read more, click here.
States Differ Greatly on Access to Civil Legal Aid, Study Shows
Access to civil legal aid in the United States for low-income populations is largely contingent on the state where they reside, according to a new report unveiled August 5th by the American Bar Foundation. To read more, click here.
OLAF Board Members Appointed to LSC Pro Bono Task Force
Two members of the OLAF Board of Trustees, David A. Kutik of Jones Day in Cleveland, and Legal Aid Society of Cleveland Executive Director Colleen M. Cotter, have been appointed to serve on the Legal Services Corporation's (LSC) newly created Pro Bono Task Force. The task force will help the LSC board to develop additional [...]
President Nominates Former OLAF Board Member to Head Consumer Protection Bureau
President Barack Obama today nominated former OLAF board member Richard Cordray to be the first director of the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, calling him "the best possible director for the job." To read more, click here.
Cleveland Legal Aid clients find justice in Housing Court
Clients of Cleveland Legal Aid staff attorneys and pro bono volunteers were featured in a Cleveland Plain Dealer story about judgments obtained against property owners described as "cruel". To read more, click here.
OSBA continues IOLTA audit procedure examination
The Ohio State Bar Association continues to examine the audit procedures for Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts (IOLTA) by the Department of Commerce, Division of Unclaimed Funds as the OSBA is not satisfied that they address and protect attorney-client confidentiality.
House Proposal Would Cut Civil Legal Aid by $104 Million
Funding for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) would be cut by 26 percent in Fiscal Year 2012 under a proposal announced by the House Appropriations Committee on July 6th. The Committee bill proposes a $300 million budget for LSC—rolling back LSC funding to a level not seen since 1999. To read more, click here.
Two Judges Elected to Ohio State Bar Association Board of Governors
Two judges have been elected to three year terms on the Ohio State Bar Association's Board of Governors, the Supreme Court of Ohio has announced. Judge James D. Jensen, of the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas, and Marion County Family Court Judge Deborah A. Alspach, began their terms as members of the Board of [...]
Attorney Registration Period Approaching
The Supreme Court of Ohio reminds all Ohio attorneys on active or corporate status to register for the next biennium with the Supreme Court of Ohio Office of Attorney Services by September 1 and pay a $350 registration fee. To read more, click here.