COLUMBUS, Ohio (Sept. 20, 2019) — The Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation, the largest funder of civil legal aid in Ohio, announced at its 25th anniversary celebration last night that it is changing its name to the Ohio Access to Justice Foundation. The name change reflects the Foundation’s broader commitment to access to justice initiatives.
“The name Ohio Access to Justice Foundation allows us to emphasize not only our commitment to funding and supporting Ohio’s legal aids, but also to recognize all of our efforts to increase justice for Ohioans struggling to make ends meet,” said Angie Lloyd, executive director.
With the name change comes a new domain name (www.ohiojusticefoundation.org) and a new logo.
Close to 200 attendees gathered to celebrate the Foundation’s 25th anniversary. Since 1994, the Foundation has funded life-changing civil legal help for more than 4 million Ohioans including children, seniors, veterans and domestic violence survivors.
Programs supported and funded by the Foundation include Ohio Legal Help, a new mobile-first website that will help all Ohioans access the civil justice system; and the Ohio Justice Bus, a mobile legal aid office that allows legal aid and pro bono attorneys to travel to rural areas of the state to provide legal services at no cost to clients.
“We look forward to the next 25 years as the Ohio Access to Justice Foundation,” Lloyd said. “Our goal is to build on the successes of the past while remaining laser focused on supporting programs and partnerships that help more Ohioans access critically important legal services.”
The Ohio Access to Justice Foundation improves fairness and access to justice for all Ohioans. Established in 1994 as the Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation, 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.