December 2023 LASC-SEOLS Pursuing Justice Newsletter

It’s incredible that it’s already the end of 2023–time certainly does fly! I’m happy to report that here at Legal Aid, we have made the most of those twelve months by providing critical legal services to individuals, families, and communities throughout Southeast and Central Ohio. I’m grateful for the role you played in helping us.

There were many successful outcomes, but I want to highlight three that top my list.

First: Our clinics. We brought back our large-scale clinics—something we haven’t been able to do since the pandemic. In just one day, we served more than 300 clients at both the Franklin County Driver’s License Reinstatement Clinic and at the Milo-Grogan Expungement Clinic. We expanded our presence at Veteran’s Stand Down events and our senior wills clinics. We also added a quarterly asylum clinic, a Mauritanian-specific immigration clinic, and a two-day Haitian Resource Fair. These events provided opportunities to be in the community, work with partners, and directly respond to the changing needs of clients. 

Next on the list is our appellate work. Again, this year we had a number of appellate decisions that changed court practices that impact low-income tenants for the better. In Patterson, the 10th District Court ruled against the use of batch evictions, a process that allowed property managers to combine eviction hearings for multiple tenants at once. In Fawley, the court ruled that tenants living in properties covered under the CARES Act are entitled to additional time and notice before they can be evicted.  

Third, is our work addressing conditions issues at large apartment complexes. We quickly responded to the needs of tenants being harmed by negligent or absentee landlords. The most notable is Latitude Five25. Not only were we able to give the tenants a voice as a part of the nuisance abatement litigation, but we obtained substantial damages for them due to the terrible conditions, the loss of their belongings and their displacement from their homes on Christmas Day. While the company’s bankruptcy cast doubt on whether the tenants would see any funds, with the help of pro bono counsel in New Jersey, we were able to ensure that they were compensated.  

Our staff have done an incredible job in 2023, and I’m looking forward to what we can accomplish with your help in 2024 to achieve our mission of overcoming unfairness and injustice, to reduce poverty and to increase opportunities. 

"People think that nobody cares, and nobody will help them. Legal Aid can and will. The staff and attorneys are compassionate, dedicated, and resourceful. They help people secure stable housing, food, and medical care for themselves and their families. Please consider donating time or money to Legal Aid this year and join my effort to connect more people with these life-changing services. Together we can spread hope."

—Debera Diggs, Board Member

See why Debera supports Legal Aid and how donating and volunteering make a difference in Southeast and Central Ohio communities!

This month, we’re excited to introduce you to a new attorney who made a difference in our pro bono efforts in 2023. Meet Breanna Tolbert, who began volunteering with Legal Aid while in law school and continued as a pro bono attorney after graduating from Capital University Law School and passing the bar this year. 

What role does civil Legal Aid play in our justice system?

Civil Legal Aid is an area of the law that is often overlooked but is critical. Most individuals experiencing civil issues have been put in a position that no one should ever be in—feeling as though they are being treated poorly and unfairly because they do not have the funds or the power to fight back. People lean on services provided to them by Legal Aid because they have nowhere else to turn.

You’ve lent a hand at a number of clinics geared towards veterans. Why is serving veterans important to you?

Growing up, I had the opportunity of being surrounded by veterans and learning the importance of giving back to those who gave so much for their country. Both of my parents are Navy veterans, and they taught me to respect, appreciate, and assist veterans. After graduating from Capital University Law School, I found that I could accomplish all those things while volunteering with Legal Aid as a practicing attorney.

Veterans are often among the most underserved individuals, and when Legal Aid brought back the VA Clinic, I knew the impact Legal Aid would have and the services they could provide to those who served. Every veteran I have had the honor of helping through Legal Aid has discussed with me their appreciation for the program and their hope for the program's continuation due to its large impact. 

Why and when did you decide to volunteer with Legal Aid?

My experience with Legal Aid began during my first year of law school when I was able to participate in the intake program. At that time, I began to unravel the importance and the impact Legal Aid had on the community. After feeling a bit helpless at first, I saw people getting help and resources, and the importance of Legal Aid and its mission became very evident for me.

Though it can be easy to feel like I am never doing enough to help those who need Legal Aid the most, I find joy in the fact that I do get to take my education and help when I can. Giving back to my community and providing legal services to those who have bravely served our country has been very fulfilling.

We thank Breanna for her outstanding pro bono efforts and for making a difference in the lives of Legal Aid clients!

We're excited to share that LASC and SEOLS are merging at the end of the year! We have been affiliated for more than a decade, so this legal merger is just the culmination of many years of collaboration and growing efficiencies between the programs. We will still provide the same great programs and services, just under a new name: Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio (LASCO). We look forward to continuing to serve clients, engage with volunteers, and work with partner organizations in our 36-county service area. Keep an eye out for updates in future editions of the Pursuing Justice Newsletter and our social media channels.

Thanks for your ongoing support as we embark on this new chapter in 2024!