Thursday, June 26, 2008

Ohio Provider Of Free Legal Services Re-Opens Columbiana County Office; Needs "Business" - Looking For Clients

In Lisbon, Ohio, Salem News reports:
  • Community Legal Aid Services returned to Columbiana County late last year after spending several years away due to a lack of funding. “We had sort of a minor funding crisis,” associate director Christine Legow said of the funding cut from Legal Services Corporation that forced all Columbiana County operations to be moved to Youngstown. A $50,000 annual grant from the Columbiana County Department of Jobs and Family Services provided the funds to justify reopening an office in Lisbon, but in order for the non-profit to keep that grant, the organization has to show need in the community, Legow said. Thus far, the Lisbon office hasn’t been able to provide $50,000 in services, Legow said. “We are always looking for clients,” Legow said.

***

  • The organization, formerly known as Northeast Ohio Legal Services, is based in Akron and operates in eight northeast Ohio counties, providing free legal advice and representation for low income and senior Ohioans dealing with a variety of civil matters, including evictions, divorces, custody matters, foreclosures, bankruptcies and domestic violence cases. Prospective clients first call the organization’s legal hot line at 1-800-998-9454 to speak with an attorney over the phone. That phone call then determines if the person is financially eligible to receive services and if the direct services of an attorney are needed.

For more, see Legal Aid Services looking for more ‘business’ in Lisbon.

Community Legal Aid Services is a partner in the State of Ohio's Save The Dream statewide project to link homeowners facing foreclosure with attorneys. For more, see Is Your House Being Foreclosed?