Interfaith Legal Services Pro Bono Clinics

Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation -  020089

Abstract Number: 020089

October 2002

The Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation (OLAF) supported a group of Ohio lawyers and community leaders to create Interfaith Legal Services (ILS), a pro bono project committed to providing free, monthly, walk-in legal assistance to low-income people. ILS basic inspiration stems from belief that all religions have a commitment to seek justice on behalf of all persons irrespective of wealth or status. In addition, ILS affirms that attorneys have a professional obligation to assist those in need of legal assistance. ILS resulted from a group of individuals committed to these two core principles, and seeks support from clergy and religious congregations in the form of publicity to clients, recruitment of attorney volunteers, and free use of space.

In 2000, ILS opened a clinic in Licking County and began providing brief counsel and advice for a wide variety of legal problems, with about 15% of the clients receiving ongoing representation, at the discretion of the volunteer attorney. Within the next two years, this project expanded to providing services in two additional counties - Franklin and Fairfield - in Ohio. Prior to the implementation of this project, neither Licking nor Fairfield County hosted Pro Bono projects. The success of ILS in rural Licking and rural Fairfield County provides some indication that interfaith-based services are especially appropriate in rural areas due to the fact that churches continue to be the strongest and most credible charitable organizations in many rural communities. These three monthly clinics have served roughly 1000 clients in the past two years.

To learn more about Interfaith Legal Services, access the flyer below and visit OLAF's website at: http://www.olaf.org/.

Contact Information:

David T. Ball
Interfaith Legal Services
c/o Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation
42 East Gay Street, Suite 900
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: (614) 752-8919
Fax: (614) 728-3749
dball@olaf.org

Additional Information:

• Interfaith Legal Services Flyer ( 158k)
• Steve Wrone, "Ohio Interfaith Legal Services Pro Bono Clinics: An Overview," ABA Dialogue 6, No. 2 (Spring 2002).

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