What is community legal aid?
A non-profit law firm which:
- *Specializes in poverty law and is devoted to providing free, high-quality civil legal services to eligible clients.
- *Is dedicated to providing legal advice, information and representation as assistance for those seeking to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency.
- *Provides information about laws and the legal system to those who work with the poor and elderly so that they may better serve their clients.
- *Is a non-profit corporation governed by local lawyers, members of the client community and others concerned about equal access to justice.
Two things surprised me when I was pulling this information together for this post. First, there are many programs available to Ohio citizens who cannot afford an attorney. Second, all these services would not be possible without the attorneys and law firms generously volunteering their services and time. The attorneys that work with the clients are chosen from lists of volunteers. Some programs reimburse the attorney for very limited expenses, but nothing near the actual cost of litigating a case.
Most of the services listed in this post are for individuals experiencing financial difficulty and have a need for legal assistance with a civil case. None of the programs listed here assist with criminal cases. Make sure to read the information on the programs web pages describing the type of cases they will provide assistance with. Due to very limited resources the programs are very selective.
1. Community Legal Aid
Free assistance is based on the individual’s financial eligibility. Eligible clients may be represented by either a staff attorney or they may be referred to a volunteer attorney in the community. Type of cases Community Legal Aid handles includes consumer rights, family, housing, foreclosure, health education, public benefits, wills, probate and taxes. A more detailed listing is found here.
This organization also lists many free clinics and classes conducted on topics like divorce, Akron Municipal court, or home ownership. The classes are limited so see this page for dates and more information.
Website: http://www.communitylegalaid.org/
Phone: HelpLine: 1-800-998-9454 (Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
Or apply for help online.
2. Equal Justice Foundation (EJF)
“The Equal Justice Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing legal representation to low income persons. EJF is the only organization of its kind in Ohio specifically created to attack statewide systemic problems facing low-income persons through class-action litigation and individual civil litigation. “
EJF does not accept criminal cases or family law cases. For more information on the types of cases they do accept go here.
Website: http://www.equaljusticefoundation.com/
Phone: 1-800-898-0545
3. Ohio Legal Rights Service- protection and advocacy for people with disabilities
“OLRS is the state protection and advocacy system for Ohioans with disabilities. If you think you have been abused or neglected, discriminated against, denied services or been unable to access public facilities, you should contact the OLRS.”
For information about getting help from this Ohio Government department go here.
Website: http://olrs.ohio.gov/ASP/HomePage.asp
Phone: 1-800-282-9181 or TTY: 1-800-858-3542
4. Ohio Legal Services- providing legal assistance to low income Ohioans
The website has self-help materials online and staff will connect you to free legal services nearby.
Website: http://www.ohiolegalservices.org/
Phone: 1-866-law-ohio
5. Pro Seniors Legal Hotline
“The Legal Hotline provides free legal information, advice, and referral for residents of Ohio age 60 and over. The Legal Hotline responds to the legal needs of callers within Ohio regardless of income or location. Typical questions concern Medicare, Medicaid and Medicaid estate recovery, living wills, durable powers of attorney for health care, and consumer problems.”
Website: http://www.proseniors.org/legal_services.html
Phone: 1-800-488-6070
Pro Bono Programs
A pro bono service is when an attorney takes a case without compensation from the client. Many attorneys and law firms that volunteer in the programs listed in this post are providing a pro bono service. Here are a few such programs sponsored by the government or the courts.
6. Ohio Attorney General Pro Bono Program (Elder Law Program)
“The Attorney General Office’s Pro Bono program provides volunteer attorneys from within the Office to assist with preparing documents to facilitate end-of-life decisions and estate distribution for elderly Ohioans.”
Website: http://www.ag.state.oh.us/legal/probono.asp
Phone: 1-800-282-0515
7. Ohio Attorney General Patriot Program (for military service personnel)
“Free legal assistance is available for Ohio servicemen and servicewomen being called to active duty.”
Website: http://www.ag.state.oh.us/citizen/military_veterans/ag_resources.asp
Phone: 1-866-GI-HELPR (1-866-444-3577)
8. Northern District of Ohio (federal court) Pro Bono Program
This is done at the discretion of the judicial officer and in only limited cases.
Website: Pro Bono Program
Phone: Akron Court 330-252-6000
9. Save the Dream – Ohio’s Foreclosure Prevention Effort
This web site is full of help for those experiencing foreclosure. This unique multi-agency effort pulls together free help easily available for Ohioans. Don't even think about going through a foreclosure until you have exhausted the resources at this site. For a description of this program’s pro bono support click on Legal Assistance on the right side of the Save the Dream web page.
Website: http://www.com.ohio.gov/SavetheDream/
Phone: Hotline 1-888-404-4674
Sources of Help outside of Summit County
Consumers’ Guide to Free Legal Help
Links provided by the American Bar Association. The listings of resources are arranged by county. Most of the listings point to the same resources I include in this post but it is useful if you are looking for help outside of Summit County.
To find other Ohio Legal Help, enter your county or zip code in this online directory.
Also try here .
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
I much prefer "Community Legal Aid". Nowadays legal help has become most important requirement for human life.