When she started volunteering with SEOLS and LASC, Ruby Brown knew her experience as an immigrant would help her connect with her low-income clients. Though her background did help her establish a natural rapport with her clients, she also says she was struck by how much the needs of low-income Ohioans transcended her notions of what it meant to be poor and underserved. All demographics—regardless of age, race or ethnicity—are affected, a realization Ruby says has helped her understand her clients and her community better.
Originally from Tanzania, Ruby has lived in the US for more than 20 years. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Computer Science from Franklin University and her law degree from Mitchell Hamline School of Law in St. Paul.
Ruby was initially involved in pro bono work with SEOLS and LASC as a law student, drawing inspiration from the work of dedicated legal aid attorneys like Dianna Parker and Kayla Callahan. Once she passed the bar, Ruby says, continuing to work with SEOLS and LASC felt like the natural thing to do. Ruby describes her pro bono experience as both personally and professionally rewarding. She says her time volunteering has given her a better understanding of the issues facing Ohioans and helps her feel more connected to the community. And as an attorney early in her career, working with SEOLS and LASC staff attorneys and other pro bono volunteers has provided her with a unique opportunity to work with experienced lawyers who are quick to provide invaluable guidance and mentorship.
When asked what advice she has for potential volunteers or pro bono attorneys who have limited free time and are hesitant to become involved with SEOLS and LASC, Ruby espouses a give-what-you-can philosophy. “The need for legal aid is huge,” she says. “Volunteering even for two hours per month will be better than nothing.”
In both her professional and personal life, Ruby believes strongly in the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. At its most basic level, Ruby says a commitment to DEI “simply means treating everyone as you would like and expect to be treated, period.” With the right spirit, she says, dedication to DEI will lead not just to fairness and justice, but ultimately, an increase in economic prosperity.
When Ruby is not volunteering, she enjoys traveling domestically and abroad with her family, cooking, reading and socializing. And when she has a few moments of downtime, she has been enjoying watching legal drama shows like Suits, Boston Legal, Ally McBeal, How to Get Away with Murder and The Practice.
We thank Ruby for volunteering!
Help Needed for Naturalization Events
Attorneys and other professionals with immigration law experience are invited to join the Legal Aid Society of Columbus (LASC) for two outreach events at immigrant serving organizations in Columbus:
Wednesday, September 8
from 6 to 8 p.m.
Low-income individuals will have the opportunity to be screened for eligibility for Naturalization and to receive follow-up instructions on the information they will need to gather to prepare their N-400 applications.
Register link for the volunteer events and zoom session.
Saturday, September 18
from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Volunteers will prepare clients’ N-400 applications (but will not be entering appearances). This in-person event will take place at LASC, 1108 City Park Ave., Columbus, OH 43206
LASC will offer a one-hour refresher on Naturalization via zoom at noon on Tuesday, September 7. Questions? Email Dianna.
We have lots of great volunteer opportunities!
IN-PERSON PROJECTS:
Fairfield County Tenant Advocacy Project (TAP) The TAP clinic provides free legal information, advice and representation to tenants who are being evicted. SEOLS staff and pro bono attorneys meet with tenants prior to their eviction hearings. Clinics take place on Tuesday afternoons. Sign up to volunteer here. We also offer TAP clinics in Muskingum and Athens counties, so if you would like to learn more, email our TAP Fellow Caitlyn McDaniel.
Franklin County Tenant Advocacy Project (TAP)
Legal Aid offers a daily clinic for tenants with eviction hearings each morning in Franklin County. Attorneys handle eviction hearings or negotiate resolutions, including drafting agreed entries. Sign up to volunteer here.
VIRTUAL OPPORTUNITIES:
Family Law Attorneys needed for Virtual Brief Advice Clinics
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.
