Contact: Jennifer Rieman; (614) 715-8572; [email protected]
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Nov. 1, 2018) — Attorneys Pamela Hayman-Weaner and Gary Weston, both of Legal Aid of Western Ohio, are the 2018 co-recipients of the Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation (OLAF) Denis J. Murphy Award. The award will be presented today during the Access to Justice Awards in Dayton.
The Denis J. Murphy Award is presented annually to recognize outstanding leadership and advocacy within Ohio’s legal aids.
“We’re pleased to recognize legal aid attorneys who go above and beyond in improving access to justice for Ohioans struggling to make ends meet,” said Angie Lloyd, executive director of OLAF.
Hayman-Weaner has spent her career working with survivors of domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, and human trafficking. A skilled litigator and a tireless advocate for her clients, she has built strong coalitions to support domestic violence survivors.
Since 2006, Hayman-Weaner has led the Family Justice Center of Northwest Ohio, the first Family Justice Center to be based in a multi-county rural area and one of the few centered on the civil legal system. Under her leadership, Defiance County has been recognized as a model for community-based support and advocacy.
Gary Weston has been leading and managing legal service organizations, projects, and teams for more than 30 years. He has developed and implemented many innovative programs and partnerships at Legal Aid of Western Ohio to meet the legal needs of Ohioans struggling to make ends meet.
His most recent work involves helping seniors. He created and leads a project, “Plan Ahead and Protect Yourself,” that helps to combat elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Hundreds of “Plan Ahead” presentations have been made to seniors throughout the Dayton area, with follow up scheduled as-needed.
In 2006, Weston was the first recipient from the Miami Valley to receive the Distinguished Service Award from Advocates for Basic Legal Equality and Legal Aid of Western Ohio. In 2012, he was recognized as a Dayton Bar Association Foundation Life Fellow.
Download headshots of Pamela Hayman-Weaner and Gary Weston here.
The Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation improves access to justice for all Ohioans. Established in 1994, the Foundation funds Ohio’s legal aids through the IOLTA/IOTA program, a civil filing fee surcharge, and donations. Legal aid helps families, children, veterans, seniors, and other Ohioans struggling to make ends meet get back on their feet and on the road to self-sufficiency. Through the Foundation’s work, Ohioans have access to legal help, advice, and representation, which ensures fairness for all in the justice system.