Community Legal Aid Receives Grant for Bankrutpcy By-Pass Clinic

from Community Legal Aid, May 9, 2013:

Community Legal Aid recently received a $5,000 grant from the United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio’s Attorney Admissions Fund for “Peace of Mind,” a Bankruptcy By-Pass program.

The by-pass program, launched in 2013, helps uncollectible low-income people communicate their financial status to their creditors and demand an end to collection efforts as permitted under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).

Many low-income people who are subject to unrelenting collection efforts by debt collectors file for bankruptcy even though their income and assets are low enough to be protected by Ohio law. They choose to file bankruptcy even though it is not necessary to protect their income or
assets because they want to stop the constant harassment of collectors.

Eligible clients, pre-screened by the Community Legal Aid HelpLine staff, come to the clinic for a class, consultation and help communicating with collection agencies. The clinic is staffed by Community Legal Aid’s Volunteer Legal Services Program and its volunteer attorneys. Law students from The University of Akron School of Law also assist with the clinic.

“A Chapter 7 bankruptcy can only be filed once every eight years, so it is important not to file unless absolutely necessary,” says Sara E. Strattan, Community Legal Aid Executive Director.

“This clinic truly gives clients peace of mind,” she says. “We are grateful to the Attorney Admissions Fund of the United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio for choosing to fund this unique and important program.”

Low-income individuals and seniors living in Columbiana, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit, Trumbull and Wayne with a legal problem should call the Community Legal Aid Services HelpLine at 1.800.998.9454 or visit www.CommunityLegalAid.org

Legal Aid co-sponsored the  Sunshine Law Training from the Ohio Attorney Generals Office, held on Monday, April 29.  The seminar was well attended by community leaders and members

From Vindy.com, "Open records requests should be filled as soon as possible, an AG official says." April 30, 2013

YOUNGSTOWN

A state attorney general office official advises local government to “go above and beyond” when it comes to honoring legitimate open-records requests.

That means filling the request as soon as possible, working with those seeking the information, and it’s not a bad idea to forgo charging a fee to those making the inquiries to create good will, said Jeff Clark, principal assistant attorney general.

Read more by clicking here.

From Channel 27, "Officials Brush Up on Ohio’s Open Records and Meeting Laws." April 30, 2013.

Local leaders and those in public office had an opportunity to learn more about Ohio’s Sunshine Laws and what role they play in adhering to the policies.

The Sunshine Laws promote transparency in government by providing access to government meetings and records.

The Ohio Attorney General’s Office held training sessions Monday at the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Newport Branch.

Read more by clicking here.

Community Legal Aid works in tandem with the Trumbull County Planning Commission on Fair Housing issus.  Recent developments in neighboring Ashtabula highlight the need for informed Fair Housing advocates.

from TribToday.com, Sunday, April 28, 2013:

Trumbull County's leaders should intervene now, before the county and City of Warren launch into a fair housing program that ravishes honest, hard-working landlords.

The nightmares are unfolding in Ashtabula County. Trumbull could be next if nobody steps in to set strict parameters on the program.

Each year Community Legal Aid recognizes outstanding volunteer attorneys who contribute their time and efforts to the Volunteer Legal Services Program. The Volunteers of 2012 being honored this year are J. Dean Carro and Lynn M. Clark.

from The Akron Legal News, Monday, April 29, 2013:

For some lawyers pro bono work is an obligation but for others it is a responsibility that they are eager to fulfill, speaking to the very essence of why they entered the legal field-- to lend a helping hand to those in need.

It is such dedication for which Community Legal Aid Services Inc. created its Volunteer of the Year Award. In 2012 the nonprofit law firm chose two recipients, J. Dean Carro, longtime law professor and director of the legal clinic at The University of Akron School of Law and Akron solo practitioner Lynn M. Clark.

“These two attorneys are different in many ways, but what they share is a common desire to inspire the good works of others and fight for equal justice,” said Jennifer van Dulmen, managing attorney of the Volunteer Legal Services Program and Intake Unit at Community Legal Aid in Akron.

The organization serves low-income residents and seniors in eight Ohio Counties, including Summit, Stark, Mahoning, Portage, Medina, Columbiana, Trumbull and Wayne.

Van Dulmen said Community Legal Aid considered between 150 and 200 attorneys in Summit County for the 2012 Volunteer of the Year award.

“We were looking for candidates who took on a significant client matter, had an outstanding number of cases or had undertaken a long-term commitment,” said van Dulmen.

Read the full article by clicking here.

Community Legal Aid was recognized for our collaboration with the Trumbull County Planning Commission regarding fair housing issues in Trumbull County.

Excerpt From TribToday.com, Sunday, April 14, 2013:

...When problems occur outside of Warren in Trumbull County, they are most likely handled by Julie Green.

Grants coordinator of the Trumbull County Planning Commission, Green works with Community Legal Aid to handle fair housing issues in Trumbull County townships and villages.

She said her commission has contracted with Community Legal Aid to address discrimination complaints. Community Legal Aid assists in documenting the issue and investigating it to determine whether it would be appropriate to file with the OCRC.

With only four complaints in 2012, much of Green's and Community Legal Aid's focus falls on education. Informational meetings are held about five times a year for real estate agents, housing collaborations and other stakeholders in the housing industry.

Read the full article by clicking here.

from Morning Edition, NPR, story by Jeff St. Clair, 89.7 WKSU

Community Legal Aid attorneys Marie Curry and Meredith Watts were featured on NPR's Morning Edition April 4, 2013. Curry is the Managing Attorney of the firm's Safety, Stability and Health team and oversees the Health Education Advocacy and Law program (H.E.A.L.), a Medical-Legal Partnership which is a national healthcare delivery model that integrates legal assistance into patient care.

The story can be read and heard on NPR's website by  CLICKING HERE