At our 2021 “Programwide” virtual retreat, OSLSA recognized two remarkable attorneys and client advocates. The 2021 Thomas W. Weeks Pursuing Justice, Changing Lives Award was presented to LASC’s Susan Donofrio and the 2021 Pembroke Award was presented to SEOLS’s Peggy Lee.

The Thomas W. Weeks Pursuing Justice, Changing Lives Award was established in 2015 to recognize one staff member’s contribution to Legal Aid’s mission. Susan Donofrio—who has been an attorney with the Legal Aid Society of Columbus for 41 years and currently works on the Family Law team—perfectly embodies the qualities the award was created to recognize. During her career, she has helped countless clients with matters like domestic violence, custody issues, and child support.

Coworkers describe Susan as “an incredible co-counsel” and “an excellent attorney.” As an avid supporter of survivors of domestic violence, she was one of the first attorneys in Franklin County to file a Civil Protection Order.

Aside from her expertise, dedication, and skill as a lawyer, Susan is also valued for her mentorship and support of all advocates: attorneys, paralegals, administrative staff, and volunteers alike. While her team depends on her for her thorough insight and analysis, she deeply values others’ input and ideas and helps create a collaborative environment.

While presenting the Weeks Award to Susan, OSLSA Executive Director Kate McGarvey said, “Susan has a tremendous ability to keep on keeping on, no matter what, and continues to provide the best possible advocacy for her clients and the wisest mentoring for her colleagues, serving as an inspiration for all of us.”

In 1997, OSLSA established an award in honor of John Pembroke. The winners of this award display the qualities of its namesake, including kindness, a willingness to work hard, and a deep commitment to and respect for clients. Peggy Lee—who currently serves as leader of the SEOLS Housing Team—exemplifies these characteristics.

Peggy, who works in the Athens office, has been with SEOLS for 20 years. Her manager says “she treats all co-workers in the office with respect and compassion. She is always respectful of everyone. I am consistently impressed with her ability to bring both office policy and case handling through a diversity lens. She is a model for us all in that regard.”

Another colleague praised Peggy for being a leader in her area of expertise. Peggy championed various policies in response to the 2008 foreclosure crisis, including the National Mortgage Servicing database, for which she was named National Consumer Advocate of the Year by the National Association of Consumer Attorneys. More than 10 years later, Peggy has again distinguished herself during the pandemic with her handling of the resulting housing crisis and eviction moratorium.

While presenting the award to Peggy, OSLSA Executive Director Kate McGarvey shared that Peggy is "a fierce advocate for clients and even with everything on her plate, continues to mentor clerks on a regular basis.” She added, “despite carrying a heavy load of her own work, [Peggy] is always willing to help. She does all this, as one coworker says, ‘with courage and poise.’”

Thank you so much for your work to help low-income people in our community! This is a final reminder to complete your Form 23 or report on your pro bono cases if you consulted with a pro bono client and/or staff attorney, volunteered at a pro bono clinic, or accepted a pro bono case sponsored by the Legal Aid Society of Columbus (LASC) or Southeastern Ohio Legal Services (SEOLS) in 2021.

Please note that no CLE credit will be awarded if we do not receive the required Form 23 by December 31. All pro bono CLE hours will be submitted to the Supreme Court of Ohio in January.

CASE REFERRALS–If you are an attorney currently working on a pro bono case referred by LASC or SEOLS OR you have recently completed a referred case, please do the following:

CLINIC VOLUNTEERS/CASE CONSULTS–If you are an attorney or an OSBA-certified paralegal who volunteered at a pro bono clinic in 2021 or consulted with clients and/or staff attorneys:

Opportunity Port 

Opportunity Port is a new platform that will help us connect applicants for criminal record sealing in Franklin County Municipal Court with volunteers who can screen them for eligibility and prepare their record sealing applications through the platform. This online portal will also enable clients and volunteer attorneys to schedule appointments. Training will be provided for anyone who joins. To get involved, please use this form.

The Legal Aid Society of Columbus (LASC) and Southeastern Ohio Legal Services (SEOLS) are seeking volunteers for a Virtual Tax Court Settlement Day. Attorneys and CPAs will assist taxpayers in resolving their tax issues by offering advice or negotiating with IRS Counsel as part of a virtual clinic to assist unrepresented litigants with cases scheduled for Tax Court hearings. Counsel’s office will be on hand to discuss settlement and resolve cases. Volunteers can register for a shift to be available to consult with taxpayers remotely using Zoomgov, the government version of Zoom. They are not required to enter an appearance or provide ongoing representation. This event is best suited for volunteers with tax law experience. Legal aid staff will be on hand to assist as necessary. For more information or to sign up, contact Danielle Metcalf at dmetcalf@columbuslegalaid.org or by phone at 614-737-0138.

We are also excited to offer a virtual volunteer opportunity coming up on Monday, January 31st for the Tax Court Calendar Call. Our virtual clinic will involve advising low-income, unrepresented taxpayers in the hopes that they can resolve their tax cases with IRS counsel on the day of their scheduled call to trial. Client and IRS counsel contact will be via Zoom. Volunteers are asked to sign onto the event at 9:00 am and be available to consult with unrepresented taxpayers that morning. LASC and SEOLS staff will serve as mentors during the event and can provide research support as needed. We will have some information about the types of issues presented before the event but will not be able to provide specific details ahead of time. We can match you with a case in your comfort zone and co-counsel as necessary. For more information or to sign up, contact Danielle Metcalf at dmetcalf@columbuslegalaid.org or by phone at 614-737-0138.

LASC and SEOLS have experienced an increase in family law questions for our virtual advice clinics. Phone consultations take between 15-30 minutes on average, and attorneys can volunteer as little or as much as they wish. To sign up for a virtual clinic shift, please use this form.

Remote Clean Slate 

If you are interested in helping rural clients with remote record sealing and/or those seeking help with Certificates of Qualification for Employment (CQEs), please use this form.

We have some exciting announcements from the OSLSA Pro Bono Team! Staff Attorney Kayla Callahan has accepted a position with the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law as Assistant Director of Career Services. She has been a wonderful contributor to the LASC Public Benefits team and the Pro Bono Team, and we wish her the very best of luck in her new opportunity.

And while we will miss Kayla very much, we are also excited to welcome Jessica Bolds who has just started as the new Pro Bono Team Support! A 2014 graduate of Central State University, Jessica has an extensive background in social services, juvenile and domestic court work, and case management for Job and Family Services. Jessica has hit the ground running with the Pro Bono Team, and we look forward to working with her!

SEOLS Managing Attorney Dennis Harrington is recognized in this Newark Advocate article highlighting his retirement after three decades with SEOLS, “SEOLS Managing Attorney Harrington to retire after 35 years” (November 30, 2021). The article also mentions Dennis’ successor, William Canterbury, and two recent additions to the Newark SEOLS office, Staff Attorneys Javier Salas and Hannah Wagner.

OSLSA Executive Director Kate McGarvey and OPLC Board Member Kyle Strickland are quoted from a press conference announcing the launch of Opportunity Port in this WOSU story, “Columbus City Council Launches Criminal Record-Sealing Initiative” (November 30, 2021). Also covering the press conference were WBNS 10TV (“New tool aims to help Columbus residents seal criminal records, get jobs”); The Columbus Dispatch (“Columbus leaders unveil website to aid in sealing records of certain criminal convictions”); WSYX Columbus (“Columbus making it easier to seal criminal records, hopes to help people get housing, jobs”); and Axios Columbus (“New program helps residents seal criminal records”).

LASC Housing Team Managing Attorney Melissa Benson is quoted on how rising rent prices are affecting tenants in Central Ohio in this NBC4 Columbus story, “Several Columbus tenants face eviction with soaring rent prices” (December 7, 2021).

OPLC Director Susan Jagers is quoted on what investments should be prioritized for unspent American Rescue Plan Act funds in this Gongwer article, “Advocates Seek More Federal Aid For Human Services,” and this Hannah article, “Human Services, Arts Advocates Say ARPA Funding Urgently Needed” (December 13, 2021).

We have a number of open positions at LASC and SEOLS/OSLSA. Check out the links for more information and to apply!