The Legal Aid Society of Columbus

The Volunteer Resource Center

Where did it come from, where is it going?

The most recent statistics from the U.S Census Bureau put poverty rates in Ohio at 15.2% and Columbus at 14.8%, both figures reflecting a consistent increase each year for the past 10 years. Our declining economy has sparked an increased need for legal assistance among low-income individuals and families. That decline has also meant diminishing resources for non-profit legal organizations such as the Legal Aid Society of Columbus (LASC) which rely primarily upon charitable contributions. During the past two years LASC had to cut nearly 40 percent of its lawyers. One of the effects of that staffing decline was that LASC could not respond to roughly 2,000 calls per year from poor people who were being sued to evict them from their rental homes.

In response to this crisis, some leading Columbus lawyers began to focus upon ways to expand Legal Aid services to the poor in the face of bad economic times by significantly expanding the use of volunteer lawyers. Bert Kram and Mike Renner, two retired private sector attorneys, were asked by that group to take a closer look at the problem and to propose ways to better meet the legal needs of Columbus' low-income community. Combining their 60 years of experience and expertise in the local community, Mike and Bert set to work compiling information on existing pro bono legal organizations and evaluating specific kinds of clients that LASC was currently unable to help. The two found that the inclination to volunteer time and services is growing among our local legal community. The goal, then, was to develop a program that brings together those in need and those who can give in a way that is efficient, low cost and effective enough to encourage and inspire involvement.

Supported by the Legal Aid Society, Bert and Mike's efforts came to fruition February 1, 2011, with the launch the Volunteer Resource Center (VRC). VRC is a group of private attorneys who donate their time and legal skills to help some of those low-come individuals that would otherwise be turned away. The program is based at the LASC's offices and staffed by volunteer attorneys, including Bert and Mike. Currently, VRC is focused on providing legal help for tenants of non-subsidized housing who are in conflict with their landlords over nonpayment of rent or other grounds for eviction. Attorneys who agree to donate their time take a short Eviction Law class, and then are placed on VRC's referral list. The VRC's in-house volunteer staff handles case evaluation and client intake, then refers appropriate cases to lawyers on its volunteer practicing attorneys list.

For much of Columbus' indigent community, the most significant hindrance in obtaining legal relief is simply a lack of resources. Programs like the VRC and the generosity of its volunteer staff have become necessary in order to expand civil legal services and begin to meet the needs of low-income clients. However, VRC's clients are not the only ones enjoying the benefits of this program. "We want to provide the opportunity for our volunteers to make a difference. By making a difference, they will enjoy the positive feeling that they are using their talents for the benefit of others," explains Bert Kram.

The mounting number of success stories has been an encouraging beginning for the VRC. It is currently operating in the area of tenant evictions and defense of collection cases in consumer credit card debt. More than 125 Columbus private sector lawyers are currently volunteering pro bono time to assist citizens who need access to justice in these areas of the law. "Nonetheless," Bert Kram explains, "the VRC is only just beginning to meet the community's needs. The potential for growth in terms of areas of law serviced and in terms of numbers of lawyers involved is significant." The need for volunteer attorneys will continue to expand.. Mr. Kram urges everyone in the Columbus legal community to join in this collaboration and make our best effort at alleviating a very serious need in our city: "For everyone involved there are moments that are challenges. There are some people that the VRC just cannot help. However, there are many more instances when the VRC can and does offer aid to people who need it and cannot afford it. And that is very, very satisfying."

WANT TO HELP?

Please fill out the Volunteer Lawyer Sign-Up Form and mail or email it to the:
Volunteer Resource Center, Legal Aid Society of Columbus
1108 City Park Ave., Columbus, OH 43206
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call the VRC call center at (614) 737-0137

MORE INFO

VRC Coordinators:

TRAINING

Recent CLE's in eviction law and consumer debt defense have been video recorded and are available online (without CLE credit). Contact Mike Renner or Bert Kram for links.