Professional Biography
Lucy Schwallie is a senior attorney in the Athens office. She joined LASCO (then SEOLS) in 2017.
Before joining LASCO, Lucy was a law clerk for Judge Milan D. Smith, Jr., on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and worked for the Oregon School Boards Association, Walla Walla County, and the City of Chicago Inspector General’s Office.
Lucy’s work at LASCO particularly focuses on helping students and their families advocate within the public school system as well as assisting workers that may be treated unfairly by their employers. She is motivated to help her clients attempt to overcome the systemic barriers that can prevent our low-income community members from thriving.
When asked what she likes best about her work, Lucy noted, "I have deep admiration for my clients and the barriers they face living in poverty. Using my law license to try and keep a client housed, getting the services they need in school, or safe from violence in their home is incredibly rewarding."
Lucy Schwallie is the managing attorney of the Athens office. She joined LASCO (then SEOLS) in 2017.
Before joining LASCO, Lucy was a law clerk for Judge Milan D. Smith, Jr., on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and worked for the Oregon School Boards Association, Walla Walla County, and the City of Chicago Inspector General’s Office.
Bar & Court Admissions
Bar Activities
- Member, Ohio State Bar Association
- Member, Athens County Bar Association
Education
- University of Chicago (B.A. with honors in art history, 2003)
- The University of California, Los Angeles, School of Law (J.D., 2006)
Volunteer and Community Activities
- Board Member: Ohio Poverty Law Center
- Board Member: Hocking Athens Perry Community Action
Publications and Significant Cases
- CCS v. State of Ohio, Franklin County Common Pleas (22 CV 00067), lead drafter of Amicus Brief of advocacy and legal services organizations committed to promoting opportunity for and protecting the rights of low-income individuals and individuals with disabilities in Ohio, submitting brief on impact of Ohio's EdChoice Voucher program on clients.
- Patterson v. ODJFS, Athens County Common Pleas (22 CI 0230)—Decision holding appellant's emergency room records submitted to ODJFS constituted good cause for her failure to attend administrative hearing
- Marcum v. ODJFS, Athens County Common Pleas (22 CI 0069)—Decision holding appellant was not liable for $12,000+ overpayment of unemployment PUA benefits
- Hill v. ODJFS, Washington County Common Pleas (21 AA 0065; 32 AA 0082)—Decision holding appellants' prescription drugs were not investigation or experimental and that the hearing officer did not give sufficient weight to the prescribing provider
- "Be Informed About SB 37 and Driver's License Suspension Practices,"
Athens Independent, March 28, 2024
- "Southeastern Ohio Legal Services Can Help Tenants With Fair Housing Violations,"
Athens Messenger, September 8, 2023
- "Big Changes for the 2021-22 School Year: Law Protects Students in Pre-K through 3rd Grade from School Suspensions,"
Athens Messenger, August 13, 2021
- "Supporting Tenants Seeking Housing Using Vouchers",
Athens Messenger, December 29, 2020
- "Rural Education Advocacy in Appalachian Ohio,"
Columbus Bar Lawyers Quarterly, Winter 2019
- "Help is Available for Low-Income Families Bearing Brunt of Bullying,"
Athens News, July 2019
- "Group Works to Prevent 'School Pushout' in Appalachia,"
Athens Messenger, October 23, 2018
Personal
Lucy lives in Athens with her husband, children, cats, and dahlia garden. She plays fiddle in the string band "The Peel," which can often be found playing in Southeast Ohio.
