Celebrating 70 Years of Legal Aid

Celebrating 70 Years of Legal Aid in Western Ohio

In 1952, the Toledo Legal Aid Society opened its doors to provide civil legal services to people living in poverty. In its first six months of service, the Toledo Legal Aid Society, widely known as TLAS, provided assistance in 391 cases. Clients received help with economic, family, and property issues—all areas familiar to Legal Aid today. TLAS is still in existence providing public defender services in Lucas County.

For the past 70 years, Legal Aid has been successfully living its mission of providing free, comprehensive legal assistance to people living in poverty in civil (non-criminal) cases. Since 1952, that mission has spread from Toledo to cover 32 western Ohio counties, and agricultural workers throughout the state. Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Inc. (LAWO) proudly carries on the work of TLAS and the other legal services organizations that preceded it in serving western Ohio individuals and households with civil law problems.

How have we achieved this mission? Because of people like you. When people with low-income and limited resources have no place else to turn for legal advice, you have helped ensure that LAWO is there, meeting the critical needs of those most in need of our services.

Now we are called to pause, reflect, and honor the people, experiences, and stories that made us who we are today. And to look confidently toward our future.

An Invitation: A Documentary Honoring Legal Aid’s Past and Inviting Its Future

LAWO has commissioned a documentary by Darrell Robinson Media to honor the legacy of civil Legal Aid services in western Ohio and to energize our future. Sharing the stories and voices of Legal Aid’s employees (past and present), Board of Trustees members, community partners, major funders, clients, and volunteers, this documentary preserves the rich history of the many people and organizations who have helped contribute to our successful 70-year mission of working with and assisting people living in poverty.

Our documentary debuts this summer with VIP screenings throughout western Ohio and will be available for public viewing online and in community settings. Our rich history deserves to be told and archived forever.

Please join us for two VIP screening events on June 4 and June 6, 2024.

Tuesday, June 4, 5 p.m.
Maumee Indoor Theater
601 Conant Street, Maumee
Click here to RSVP.

Thursday, June 6, 5 p.m.
Roger Glass Performing Center at the University of Dayton
29 East Creative Way, Dayton
Click here to RSVP.

Thank you for your continued support of LAWO. Please visit this page for more updates and information about the documentary.