Volunteer Spotlight, Fresh Start Gala auction, Clean Slate Clinic & Opportunity Port
Pursuing Justice, Changing Lives
Dedicated pro bono bankruptcy attorney steps up during time of unprecedented need
As a dedicated LASC and SEOLS volunteer for over 30 years, Christopher Gallutia has long understood the vital importance of legal aid to the fabric of the justice system. In fact, since the Bankruptcy Pro Bono Program began in 2012, Chris has taken a record-setting 50 pro bono referrals from both LASC and SEOLS.

But when the pandemic struck and countless Central Ohioans were left in dire financial situations, Chris’ commitment to pro bono work became even clearer. On March 16, 2020, Melissa Linville emailed her roster of bankruptcy pro bono attorneys, telling everyone that we had canceled all in-person clinics and were pivoting to virtual advice options—all while our clients were still actively having their wages garnished.

In response, Chris immediately stepped up and volunteered to help a single mother stop an ongoing garnishment. Since then, he has taken nine additional referrals at a time when many volunteers understandably cut back on their pro bono case work.

Both personally and professionally, Chris strongly believes in the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Within those values, he believes in the importance of recognizing racism as a public health issue, tackling the persistent marginalization of LBGTQ+ individuals, and empowering underserved and overlooked populations.

And though the halting progress in these areas can be frustrating for him, Chris doesn’t give in to dismay. Instead, he turns his frustrations into action—and he urges other attorneys to do the same. When asked what advice he would give to potential volunteers or pro bono attorneys who have limited free time and are hesitant to get involved, Chris’ message is simple. “Do it!” he says. “Not only are you helping those who so desperately need it, but the payback for you, while not monetary necessarily, is well worth every second of effort that you put out.”

Chris has lived in Franklin County almost all his life. He graduated from Reynoldsburg High School, received his BA from The Ohio State University in Medieval History, and earned his JD from Capital University. When he’s not volunteering, Chris enjoys reading, genealogy, and collecting Columbus baseball memorabilia (before the pandemic, he worked part-time for the Columbus Clippers in the press box during games!). He also rescues stray cats and finds them homes and is a die-hard Leicester City FC backer.

We thank Chris for his outstanding volunteer work.
Fresh Start Gala Cancellation

Unfortunately, due to rising COVID-19 cases, the Legal Aid Society of Columbus has made the difficult decision to cancel the Fresh Start Gala in November. At this time of unprecedented need for access to bankruptcy relief in our community, LASC and the Fresh Start Gala committee remain committed to raising money to support the Bankruptcy Program, which provides families facing economic hardships with access to a fresh start.

In support of our bankruptcy relief efforts, we’re holding an online auction and taking donations, and we hope you’ll consider bidding on one or more of our auction items, which include Ohio State/Michigan State football tickets, a one-week vacation in Siesta Key, Florida for up to six guests, and more.

Thanks in advance for your continued support!

Check out this video we prepared for last year’s event which tells the stories of clients who were helped by our Bankruptcy Program!
Shanell, LASC Client
"It was heart-breaking. It was everything all at once."

Shanell was forced to heat her home with her oven during the pandemic. Thanks to the amazing work of pro bono bankruptcy attorneys like Chris Gallutia, LASC helped her file bankruptcy in order to restart her utilities.
Allen Stoval Neuman & Ashton
Bailey Cavalieri
Carlile Patchen & Murphy
Chase
The Credit Education Coalition
Ice Miller LLP
Kegler Brown Hill + Ritter
Lazear Capital Partners
Ohio Access to Justice Foundation
Weltman Weinberg & Reis
Volunteers Needed to Help with Record-Sealing
Clean Slate Clinic
Saturday, October 16, 2021, 9 am-2:30 pm

Our next in-person record-sealing event will be at the Milo Grogan Community Center (862 E 2nd Avenue). If you are interested in helping, please complete our short registration form. We will be pre-registering clients to keep volume manageable. All volunteers, staff, and clients will be required to wear masks during the event.
Opportunity Port
Remote

We are pleased to launch our partnership with Opportunity Port. This online portal will enable municipal court applicants to connect with volunteer attorneys, who will be able to sign up for clinic slots, video chat with clients, review records, and prepare and file their record sealing forms. Training will be provided to anyone who joins. To apply, contact Dianna Parker.
As a reminder, all volunteers will need to first review our record-sealing training, which is available in the Attorney Toolkit.
OSLSA in the News
Here’s a quick roundup of recent media coverage of our work.

OPLC Attorney Graham Bowman is quoted on using rent relief to prevent a wave of evictions in this The Center Square article, “Groups want Ohio judges to delay evictions” (August 31, 2021)

OPLC points out that newly instated Medicaid work requirements are counterproductive and actually make it harder for people to find and hold down a job in this Ohio Capital Journal article, “Ohio leaders push to make it harder for poor to get health coverage”, which also ran in The Athens Messenger (September 10, 2021)
Upcoming CLEs and Trainings
Then and Now: Ohio Commission on Racial Fairness
Friday, November 12, 2021, 8:55 am-1:15 pm

On November 12, 2021, the Ohio Black Judges Association will be hosting “Then and Now: Ohio Commission on Racial Fairness,” the second in a three-part discussion about criminal justice challenges and effective assistance of counsel. The meeting will be held via Zoom, and registrants can earn up to 4 total hours of CLE. More information, including price and registration, is available here.
Need Good Employees? Learn how to SCORE Your Next Best Employee
Wednesday, October 13, 2021, 1-3 pm

Hear from experts on fair chance hiring practices including tools like the Certificate of Qualification for Employment (CQE). In addition, we will discuss the ins and outs of CQEs and how they can benefit your agency, what the experience was like for an applicant, as well as hear first hand from social justice advocates and employers.

This FREE event is approved for 2.25 SHRM CEUs, HRCI pending. Registration is open.
October OSLSA Happy Hour
Happy Fall everyone! We are already well on our way into October so you all know what that means, Happy Hour! The October OSLSA Happy Hour will take place at 5 pm on October 22nd and will be at Gemut Biergarten located at 734 Oak St, Columbus, OH 43205. We hope to see everyone there!”
Help Wanted:

LASC and SEOLS are hiring. Check out our website for a list of openings.