Volunteer Profile: Michelle Paris

After twenty years as a Cleveland Municipal Court magistrate, Michelle Paris wanted to devote her time to volunteer work. She remembered a “constant source of frustration” in her court: the inability of low-income people to afford representation. Ms. Paris decided to donate her time to Legal Aid’s Consumer Unit, saying, “I respected the quality of [Legal Aid’s] work and knew this would be a positive work environment.”

While the Consumer Unit focuses on the foreclosure crisis, Ms. Paris is working on a pro se materials packet for debtors dealing with other issues. She also assists the unit with discovery and the filing of notices. Notes Harold Williams, Managing Attorney of the Consumer Unit: “We are thrilled to have Michelle. She has taken on a number of projects and, in a very short period, her unique experience and perspective enhances the value of our work in a number of respects.”

When not at Legal Aid, Ms. Paris is a reading tutor at Buckeye Woodland School and works with seniors in a balance class, building confidence and ease of movement. Praising the “spirit and camaraderie of [Legal Aid’s] lawyers and staff,” Ms. Paris enjoys her new experience in the legal community as an advocate, as opposed to a decision-maker. She adds, “I love the law.”