When Janice Murphy* became pregnant in high school, she dropped out of school to care for her baby. Without stable employment or child support, Ms. Murphy struggled to put food on the table. As her family grew, Ms. Murphy became desperate and committed a crime to pay for food to feed her children. For many [...]
For nearly 20 years, Colleen Cotter has led The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland through tremendous transformation and growth. Under her leadership, Cleveland Legal Aid has championed a collaborative, relationship-building approach that’s netted fruitful partnerships with groups as varied as the Cleveland Clinic, The MetroHealth System, University Hospitals, Cleveland Public Library, other nonprofits and local [...]
By funding civil legal services, fostering innovative programs and partnerships, and convening access to justice partners, the Ohio Access to Justice Foundation is building brighter, financially stable futures for Ohioans. Here is a look back at some of our biggest stories of the year. The Foundation kicked the year off with the launch of the [...]
The Ohio Access to Justice Foundation, the largest funder of civil legal services in Ohio, has announced funding awards to nonprofit civil legal service providers across the state totaling $6.055 million. “We are thrilled to be able to support the transformative work of Ohio civil legal service providers to uplift low-income Ohioans and strengthen their [...]
Although Jasmine McBride* worked hard to provide for her four kids by taking on various jobs, including food delivery and braiding hair, she still struggled to make ends meet. Ms. McBride was ready to take the next step in her career, but employers hesitated to hire her because of her past criminal records. Ready to [...]
With the nation's sixth-largest population of veterans, many of our nation's heroes call the Buckeye State home. Ohio's veterans can resolve civil legal challenges through legal aid to ensure access to safe housing, improved family stability, and increased financial security. The access to justice community works together to help veterans access civil legal help and [...]
Supreme Court of Ohio Justice Eve Stratton is many things: a lauded jurist, an accomplished attorney, a tireless advocate for Ohioans suffering from mental health issues, a supporter of Ohio’s veterans, and perhaps most crucially, a connector of people. Since stepping down from the Ohio Supreme Court in 2012, Justice Stratton’s ability to unite disparate [...]
Asian Services in Action (ASIA) is a health and human services agency serving the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community in Northeast Ohio. Established in 1995 by four Chinese women who recognized the need for resources and support within their community, ASIA has grown into a central hub for enhancing the quality of life [...]
Justice for All Fellows are new attorneys funded by the Ohio Access to Justice Foundation to develop and execute two-year projects to address urgent legal problems facing everyday Ohioans. The Foundation is excited to welcome four new attorneys to the Justice for All Fellowship program, all of whom began their fellowships this fall. Brandon Burkey [...]
Each year, when the Ohio Access to Justice Foundation compiles the Pro Bono Survey results in collaboration with the Supreme Court of Ohio, several individuals and firms stand out as the top pro bono contributors. In 2023, Squire Patton Boggs emerged as one of the leading firms in pro bono service. When asked about the [...]
