Two Ohio Access to Justice Foundation Board members and a Foundation grantee will be honored by the Ohio State Bar Foundation (OSBF) at the All Rise Annual Awards Celebration on Oct. 13, 2023.
Joe Mas, Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award
Joe Mas, an Ohio Access to Justice Foundation board member for more than 25 years, will receive the OSBF Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award for his decades-long commitment to improving access to social and legal services for the Hispanic/Latino community.
Over his long and distinguished legal career, Mas has represented clients in civil and criminal cases. As the former executive director of the Ohio Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs, he advised the Governor and the Ohio General Assembly on legislation and programs to support the Hispanic/Latino community. In 1997, Mas received the State of Ohio Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan award, and in 2002, he became the first foreign-born Hispanic to run for county-wide office in Franklin County. He is currently serving as the vice mayor of Worthington, Ohio.
Dick Pogue, Ramey Award for Distinguished Service
Dick Pogue, a founding board member of the Ohio Access to Justice Foundation, will receive the OSBF Ramey Award for his lifetime of service to the public and for his integrity, honor, courtesy, and professionalism.
A senior advisor at Jones Day and former managing partner of the firm, Pogue is a stalwart in the Cleveland community whose lifetime of service and civic engagement earned him the nickname “Mr. Cleveland.” Pogue has served as chairman of dozens of organizations including The Cleveland Foundation, Greater Cleveland Growth Association, University Hospitals Health System, The City Club, Business Volunteers Unlimited, Greater Cleveland Roundtable, The 50 Club, the Newcomen Society of the United States, and many others.
Ohio Legal Help, Outstanding Organization Award
Ohio Legal Help, an Ohio Access to Justice Foundation grantee, will receive the OSBF Outstanding Program or Organization Award for increasing access to Ohio’s justice system.
Developed by a diverse group of stakeholders, including the Supreme Court of Ohio, Ohio judges, legal aid organizations, and the private bar, the nonprofit Ohio Legal Help provides legal information, court forms, and connections to lawyer referrals, legal aid, and community resources so that vulnerable Ohioans can resolve their legal problems. In 2022, Ohio Legal Help served 740,560 families from every county in Ohio and made over 206,000 referrals to Ohio’s courts, legal aids, private bar associations, and local social service agencies.
To register for the All Rise event, visit https://www.osbf.org/awards/2023allriseawards/.