Posted May 4, 20209:45 am
Alexandria Ruden, Esq. is the 2020 recipient of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office “Two Days in May” Robert Denton Special Achievement Award. The award is one of three traditionally presented at the annual “Two Days in May” conference on victim assistance, which has been cancelled this year due to the ongoing COVID19 pandemic. Instead, the Attorney General’s office is holding a virtual replacement ceremony on May 21.
Ms. Ruden is a Senior Attorney at The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland (Legal Aid) and has personally helped more than 5,000 survivors of domestic violence throughout her 40 years of practicing law. She began her legal career at the Free Clinic of Greater Cleveland in 1980. In 1984, she joined Legal Aid, where she began the firm’s domestic violence practice. At Legal Aid, Ms. Ruden helps survivors of domestic violence obtain and improve their safety through representation in Civil Protection Orders (CPO), divorces, and child custody cases.
A renowned local, state, and national leader, Ms. Ruden’s career achievements have made a difference at the systemic level by influencing laws, policies, procedures and entire systems that have impacted countless lives. She envisioned, helped design, and implemented the Domestic Violence Department at the Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court. Through this Department, survivors have the support of domestic violence advocates located in court who help them prepare the CPO petition, guide them through the CPO court process, and assist the survivor in safety planning. Ms. Ruden’s service on statewide boards and committees has also resulted in increased and improved services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
It is impossible to succinctly list all of Ms. Ruden’s accomplishments – but mention must be made of her work mentoring attorneys, law students, and advocates in the community. She is a resource to various legislators who request insight into the statutory schema on domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Law students have been motivated to practice in the area of domestic violence after having spent one semester working with Ms. Ruden. She has participated in and led substantive trainings on various topics for judges, magistrates, law enforcement, attorneys, guardians ad litem, staff, and others. She has co-authored Ohio Domestic Violence Law (West Publishing) since 1998, and continues to expand her knowledge of domestic violence law by monitoring trends and developments in case law.
We sincerely congratulate Ms. Ruden on this well-deserved honor, and thank her for her dedicated service.