Sue Selegean-Dostal credits her parents—particularly her mother—for instilling in her a strong sense of community service. Throughout her childhood, her parents modeled drive, dedication and, most importantly, a commitment to helping others.
“My parents were each raised by a single mother, and both parents spent much of their childhoods in foster care. When I think of the struggles they faced in their childhoods, as well as the poor parenting examples that they received as children, I am often overtaken by the herculean efforts they made to give their children a stable, secure, loving home,” she says. “I truly believe that what they learned from their own experiences was that they wanted to raise their children how they wish they had been raised. Their resiliency, as well as their determination to provide their children with a childhood free from food insecurity, or violence, or homelessness, or financial insecurity of any kind, was such an incredible gift to their children.”
Sue, who was born and raised in the small community of Richville, Ohio, in southwestern Stark County, emulates her parents’ volunteer spirit. Sue is a Guardian Ad Litem for children, a guardian to adults, and an attorney to adults who have guardians.
She also is a stand-out volunteer at the SEOLS clinic in Tuscarawas County, says Patricia Vargas Vegas, SEOLS pro bono coordinator.
“We are incredibly lucky to have Sue as one of our SEOLS’ volunteers,” Vargas Vegas says. “She is always willing to help our clients and has assisted with our virtual clinic every month for the past year. Sue is one of the most dedicated volunteers I have ever met, and working with her has truly been a pleasure.”
Sue attended the University of Akron for her undergraduate degree prior to attending Case Western Reserve University School of Law for her J.D. degree. She has been in private practice since 1997. She has also worked as a mediator for Stark County Family Court for 20 years; as the law clerk to two common pleas court judges; as a Court Administrator for a county court; as the Legal Advisor for a small village council; and as an adjunct professor.
It is evident that the values Sue’s parents instilled have remained throughout her life and career. “When I work as a Guardian Ad Litem for children, I see my parents when they were young—longing for someone to be their voice, to be their positive change. When I work with the elderly, I see my parents as they might have been today, longing for someone to acknowledge that they are important and worthy of protection and autonomy. When I work with the indigent, I see us all,” she says.
Due to her experiences, Sue understands there exists a great need for servant-minded people. This understanding perfectly translates into the care she is able to provide clients with when volunteering at free legal clinics. She reflects fondly on being able to assist anxious people who are in need of legal assistance.
“For me, it is such a joy to meet someone who is anxious and confused about a process they don’t understand and provide them the support and information they need to understand that they can get through whatever legal issue presents itself to them. They learn that there are resources where they can seek help, and that they are strong enough to help themselves through this process” she says.
Michael Harrington, managing attorney of the SEOLS New Philadelphia office praised Sue for patience. “She will spend as much time as is necessary to make sure that she has answered all of the client’s questions and that they are comfortable with that advice before she finishes with that client,” he said.
Sue is honored to get to serve monthly alongside the SEOLS attorneys who are dedicated to this work each day. “I wonder if they know how much their actions provide the light that so many need in a dark world?” she asks.
We are thankful to have volunteers like Sue who are committed and eager to help in whatever capacity they are able. Thank you, Sue!
SEOLS is currently looking for additional help, particularly from DR practitioners, at our clinics. If you’re interested in assisting, sign up here.
