Findlay resident Paul D. Hancock, an attorney retired from Marathon Petroleum Corporation who now volunteers as a pro bono attorney for Legal Aid of Western Ohio, is the recipient of the Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation’s (“Foundation”) 2016 Presidential Award for Pro Bono Service.
The award was presented last week during the Ohio State Bar Association’s All-Ohio Legal Forum in Cincinnati.
The Presidential Award is presented annually to individuals, law firms or organizations that have made outstanding contributions to improving access to legal representation through pro bono or volunteer service to low-income Ohioans.
After retiring from full time legal work for Marathon Petroleum, Hancock began volunteering for Legal Aid of Western Ohio and in 2015 represented 17 different low-income legal aid clients in family law cases in Hancock, Logan, Lucas and Shelby Counties. In addition to his casework, Hancock also provides brief information and advice to clients at legal aid clinics, and has agreed to volunteer at half of the Hancock County Domestic Relations Divorce Clinics scheduled for 2016.
Melissa LaRocco, Pro Bono Director for Legal Aid of Western Ohio, who nominated Hancock for the award, said in the nomination that Hancock “approaches all his cases with excitement and enthusiasm and treats clients with utmost respect.”
Kathleen M. Trafford, a partner in the Columbus office of law firm Porter Wright and president of the Foundation’s board of trustees, said Hancock is “a perfect example of the good that comes from encouraging retired attorneys to continue with pro bono work.”