Patsy A. Thomas brings a deep commitment to justice and decades of legal experience to her work at Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio (LASCO). She has long been a leader in advancing equity and access to justice in Ohio. Patsy’s legal career includes extensive work in both state and federal courts. She began as an environmental prosecutor, served as a member of Columbus City Council, and now continues her advocacy with LASCO. Throughout her career, she has been a dedicated advocate for underserved communities.

After becoming a licensed attorney in 1994, Patsy began volunteering at Legal Aid’s clinics. More recently, she served as a board member of a community development corporation focused on revitalizing inner-city neighborhoods by addressing financial and social challenges.

Her professional and volunteer experiences continue to provide her with deep insight into the intersection of poverty and housing. In 2025, Patsy received LASCO’s Employee of the Year award.

“I think hopelessness is the enemy of justice. My work with the poor and the incarcerated has persuaded me that the opposite of poverty is not wealth; the opposite of poverty is justice.”

— Bryan Stevenson

Bar & Court Admissions

• State of Ohio
• United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
• United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

Bar Activities

• Member, Columbus Bar Association
• Founding Member and Former President, John Mercer Langston Bar Association

Education

• Franklin University (B.S., 1990)
• Capital University Law and Graduate Center (J.D., 1994)
  

Volunteer and Community Activities

• Lifetime Member, Girl Scouts, USA
• Former Board Member, Urban Resurrection Community Redevelopment Corporation
• Former Member, Capital University Trustee Board
• Former Member, Salvation Army Advisory Board
• Former Board Member, Girl Scouts