Legal Aid Society of Cleveland

THE LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF CLEVELAND

1223 West Sixth St., Cleveland 44113 | 216-687-1900 | asclev.org

WHAT WE DO: Legal Aid’s mission is to secure justice, equity and access to opportunity for — and with — people who have low incomes through passionate legal representation and advocacy for systemic change.

We provide our services at no cost and help ensure fairness for all. By solving fundamental problems for families with low incomes, we remove barriers to opportunity and help people achieve greater stability. This leads to greater engagement in our community, which then fosters a more thriving democracy.

Legal Aid handles cases that impact basic needs, including health, shelter and safety, wealth and education, and access to justice. Last year, we helped 17,300 people through 6,665 cases, and we reached thousands more through our outreach and systemic advocacy.

While a nonprofit, we are also one of the biggest law firms in Northeast Ohio — with 130 full-time staff (including more than 70 attorneys) and a roster of over 3,000 pro bono lawyers who work with clients along paths of stability, strength and hope.

COVID RESPONSE: The pandemic plunged thousands into poverty and exacerbated problems for people already struggling. Legal Aid rose to the challenge and continues to serve a growing client community during a time of great need. As Ohio’s unemployment numbers reached record highs, Legal Aid launched a Worker Information Line and Virtual Advice Clinics. We hosted virtual trainings, Continuing Legal Education seminars and “Brown Bag” lunches for volunteers. In addition, we held phone banks with local television stations and United Way, and we educated the public, via social media presentations and online resources. Through all this, we increased staff and services by 30% since 2019.

FUNDRAISING

EVENTS: Legal Aid has a diverse and broad group of supporters, as our entire community works together to extend justice. Gifts are encouraged to Legal Aid’s annual fund, and multi-year gifts help Legal Aid invest in — and plan for — long-term initiatives that catalyze community change. Gifts can be made at lasclev.org/donate.

Legal Aid also hosts two signature events each year: our “Jam for Justice” concert series each summer, and our Annual Meeting each fall. When combined, more than 2,500 guests attend and support these gatherings. After two years of virtual events, Legal Aid is excited to return to in-person formats. To learn more, please visit lasclev.org/events.

HOW TO HELP: Thanks to support from the philanthropic community, our services are provided at no cost to clients. A gift today helps Legal Aid secure justice for more of our neighbors across Northeast Ohio. Visit lasclev.org/donate.

Volunteers are key to Legal Aid’s ability to help as many people as possible. They also spread the message of our mission throughout the local legal community. Volunteer attorneys, for instance, handle approximately 20% of Legal Aid’s cases each year. Visit lasclev.org/volunteer to learn more.

Legal Aid attorneys Karen Wu and Deb Dallman discuss a case.

OVERVIEW

EMPLOYEES: 130 2021 REVENUE: $15,000,488 YEAR ESTABLISHED: 1905

SOURCES OF REVENUE:

Foundations: 40% Legal Services Corporation: 20% Individuals and corporations: 10% Government grants and contracts: 10% Other: 9% Donated (pro bono) services: 6% Partner agency contracts: 5%

LEADERSHIP

TOP EXECUTIVES & BOARD MEMBERS

Colleen Cotter, Esq.,

executive director

Stephen M. Fazio, Esq.,

board president (Squire Patton Boggs)

Tenille Kaus, Esq., director of diversity, equity, inclusion and advancement

Tom Mlakar, Esq., deputy director of advocacy Jason Nedley, director of finance and business operations Roz Quarto, Esq., director of strategic initiatives Melanie Shakarian, Esq., director of development and communications Quo Vadis Cobb, Esq., board vice president (Jacobs Engineering) Nathan Genovese, Esq., board vice president (community representative) Jonathan Leiken, Esq., board vice president (Diebold Nixdorf)