The Supreme Court of Ohio
& The Ohio Judicial System

On Tuesday, July 17, 2012, the Supreme Court of Ohio launched an expanded news program – Court News Ohio – that features stories about the Ohio judicial system. This archived page on the Supreme Court’s website only displays news stories that occurred before that date. News stories that occurred on July 17 and thereafter can be found at www.courtnewsohio.gov.

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Nov. 20, 2008
Attorneys Urged to Document Pro Bono Work

The Supreme Court of Ohio today announced a new program for attorneys to voluntarily report their pro bono activities. The program is designed to gather meaningful information about the extent and nature of pro bono work in Ohio and encourage pro bono activity to aid those in need of free legal services.

Attorneys are encouraged to begin collecting records of any pro bono work undertaken in 2008, including financial contributions to a legal services organization, for reporting early in 2009.

Under the Justice in Action program, a joint project of the Supreme Court and the Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation (OLAF), Ohio attorneys will be asked in January to voluntarily and anonymously report their pro bono activities and financial support for legal aid programs for 2008. The information will be used to identify gaps in the delivery of legal services in order to strengthen the network of services available to Ohioans in need.

In early 2009, an email will be sent to all Ohio attorneys registered as “active” who have provided email addresses to the Court’s Office of Attorney Services. Attorneys will be asked to report their pro bono activity during the preceding calendar year and click a link to a six-question external electronic survey that will take no more than five minutes to complete.

All information voluntarily submitted will be collected without identifiers, so the results will remain anonymous.

In September 2007, the Supreme Court issued its “Statement Regarding the Provision of Pro Bono Legal Services by Ohio Lawyers,” urging them to “engage in new or additional pro bono opportunities.” In addition, the Court announced its intention to document the efforts of the legal profession to ensure equal access to justice by working with OLAF.

As outlined in the Court’s statement, “pro bono activity” is defined as:

• Making a financial contribution to an organization that provides legal services to persons of limited means.
• Providing legal services to charitable organizations that are unable to afford legal services.
• Providing legal services to persons of limited means who cannot afford such assistance.

On an annual basis, OLAF will compile and report the information collected to the Court, bar associations and legal services organizations throughout Ohio.

To access the Court's pro bono statement, visit this link: http://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/AttySvcs/officeAttySvcs/proBono.pdf .

Contact: Chris Davey or Bret Crow at 614.387.9250