Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Inc. (LAWO) is a non-profit regional law firm that provide high quality legal assistance in civil matters to help eligible low-income individuals and groups in western Ohio achieve self reliance, and equal justice and economic opportunity.
Volunteerism Creates a Ripple Effect
“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” —Mother Teresa
Volunteer time creates a powerful ripple effect that touches countless lives and sustains vital work in our communities. At LAWO, we see this first-hand every day through our Pro Bono Program.
In honor of Volunteer Month, LAWO’s Pro Bono Program would not only like to thank our current volunteers for their tireless efforts, but also encourage others to volunteer with our programs.
“Our volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart,” said Melissa S. LaRocco, LAWO’s Pro Bono Director and Managing Attorney.
LAWO’s Pro Bono Program has something for everyone. We offer a range of opportunities to get involved, including counsel and advice, limited legal assistance, clinic participation, material development, co-counseling, mentoring, research, full case representation, and more. We also offer various events for volunteer attorneys through Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits, other trainings, and pro bono celebrations. When you volunteer with our program, you receive malpractice coverage as well as support and resources to help achieve lasting impact in the lives of the clients you help. Sign up to volunteer with our Pro Bono Program here.
Another way you can get involved is through our collaboration with the Ohio Justice Bus. This mobile legal office and technology hotspot provides legal services to rural and underserved Ohioans at no cost to clients. The Ohio Justice Bus is a nonprofit organization funded by the Ohio Access to Justice Foundation and supported by the Supreme Court of Ohio. It has helped hundreds of Ohioans access legal services, improving their health, safety, and financial security since launching in 2019. The Ohio Justice Bus partners with legal aid organizations and community groups around Ohio to coordinate legal clinics to help low-income Ohioans with a range of civil legal issues, including family law, housing, consumer debt, criminal record sealing, and more.
To view upcoming Ohio Justice Bus clinics, click here.
About the author
Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Inc.