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Melanie Shakarian to retire from Legal Aid


Posted January 13, 2025
9:00 am


Melanie Shakarian, attorney and long-time Director of Development and Communications at The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, will retire from Legal Aid on February 28, 2025.

For nearly 21 years, Melanie has led external affairs at Legal Aid – including philanthropy, public relations, government relations, and communications for the nonprofit law firm. She was the first person to serve in this role at Legal Aid, as prior to 2004 there were no organizational philanthropy efforts. Trained as an attorney and with a background in fundraising and marketing, Melanie brought a unique perspective to the role.

During Melanie’s tenure, Legal Aid grew to impact more clients and extend justice in Northeast Ohio. Legal Aid’s budget expanded from $5.4 million in 2004 to more than $22.6 million in 2025, due in part to Melanie’s focus on philanthropy and skill in cultivating partnerships. Staff serving the needs of families with low-income in Legal Aid’s five county footprint increased from just 65 members in 2004 to 150 today.

Melanie’s work to leverage resources has created impressive outcomes – Legal Aid has served more people, expanded its advocacy efforts for systemic change, and gotten more people involved in promoting civil and social justice issues. Over the past two decades, this powerful growth elevated Legal Aid’s position in the community, attracting new partners and raising additional resources to sustain and expand programs. Along with additional resources, Melanie’s legacy includes a robust community of supporters who care about civil justice issues. More people and organizations are involved with Legal Aid today, and The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland is among the most respected legal aid organizations in the United States. The steady growth in local support extends Legal Aid’s reach and helps more families when civil legal matters threaten their health, shelter, safety, education or economic security.

Upon Melanie’s retirement, Karen Giffen will assume the role of Interim Director of Development and Communications. Karen is a well-respected attorney - most recently at Perez Morris, Legal Aid supporter, and Legal Aid board president emeritus. Karen will work closely with Legal Aid Executive Director Colleen Cotter and Development & Communications Senior Managers Erik Meinhardt, Laura Klingler, and Leah Markovich to ensure the continuation of Legal Aid’s top-notch external affairs work as a search begins for the new leader of the department.

Gifts to Legal Aid are being collected in Melanie’s honor, and those who want to wish Melanie well in person can join a happy hour reception on February 26, 2025 at the Hilton Cleveland Downtown.

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