Juvenile Custody and Companionship Expanded

Oct 8, 2019

The Volunteer Lawyers Project and Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati celebrated the new space and expanded hours of the Hamilton County Juvenile Custody and Companionship Clinic with an open house last week! Judge John Williams, Chief Judge of the Hamilton County Juvenile Court was joined by special guest, Justice Patrick Fischer of the Supreme Court of Ohio, Kelly Malone, Legal Aid Managing Attorney, and Anthony Osterlund, Treasurer of the Cincinnati Bar Foundation to acknowledge this milestone in providing expanded access to justice for low-income people in Hamilton County.

The Clinic, a partnership between Hamilton County Juvenile Court, Legal Aid, and the Volunteer Lawyers Project, is located on the first floor of 800 Broadway. It is open Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Individuals who are filing on their own for changes in custody or companionship will receive free, brief legal advice as well as assistance with the filing process at the Clinic. More than 1,200 people have come to the Clinic for help since it opened two years ago.

The Clinic’s expansion has generated significant community support and we thank all of the funders particularly the Cincinnati Bar Foundation. The new space is warm and welcoming thanks to artwork created by students at the Youth Center who were directed by Cincinnati Public Schools teacher Penny Harris. And, children who accompany their parent or guardian will find plenty of books to read thanks to a donation by Girl Scout Troup 1756 from Highlands Middle School.

Volunteer Lawyers for the Poor Foundation