Posted June 19, 202510:25 pm
By Kirsten Beard
About 215 people attended the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland’s event, marking its 120th Founders Day on June 12 at the St. Clair Ballroom in Cleveland.
The event recognized individuals who have made consistent, long-term contributions to Legal Aid’s mission of providing access to justice for those who cannot afford legal representation.
“In your words, we level the playing field, help those who are most vulnerable, drive systemic change for a more equitable society,” Colleen Cotter, executive director of the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, said at the event. “One of you captured quite succinctly the core belief that motivates everyone at Legal Aid – access to justice should never depend on how much money someone has.”
Attendees wore ribbons on their name tags recognizing years of consistent giving – five, 10, 15 or 20 years of annual support.
At the event, Cotter reflected on Legal Aid’s growth since she joined the organization in 2005 when it operated with just 55 staff members – 35 of whom were attorneys – and handled about 6,700 cases annually.
“At Legal Aid in 2005, honestly, we tended to see ourselves as alone in our work,” Cotter said. “We were an incredible group of lawyers, idealistic, it was us against the world, working in our own little bubble. (At that time) 95% of our budget came from two sources.”
She said that year marked a turning point as the organization began seeking broader community support.
“Imagine that, 100 years into our existence, and we never really asked people to support us (but) for the first time, we invited you to join us,” Cotter said. “To become part of a community of justice. And boy, did you respond.”
Today, the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland has grown to 145 staff members, including 75 lawyers, and handled 9,700 cases in 2024 – impacting more than 25,700 people, Cotter said.
Harlin Adelman, board president of the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, discussed the impact of those who began donating two decades ago at the event.
“Some of those donations were large, some were not, but all of those donations made an impact,” Adelman said. “In fact, I’d rather we not call them donations at all. These were investments (and) those dollars directly led to the growth of this organization and the growth that we’ve experienced over the past 20 years.”
He said that such investments led to a 44% increase in the number of clients and cases Legal Aid can serve, as well as expanding community outreach and systemic advocacy efforts.
“That 44% increase in cases – that’s not just a data point,” he said. “These are people’s lives. People who are able to stay in their homes because of Legal Aid. People who are able to pay their bills or protect their personal safety and the safety of their children, all because of Legal Aid.”
Cotter said looking back at the organization’s annual report from 2005, there were only two pages of individual and law firm contributors and investors. Now, in their most recent, there were 12 pages, she said.
“As Legal Aid investors, you have shown a deep and abiding commitment to extending justice – a commitment that has not wavered,” she said. “Think of all the twists and turns our society and our economy have taken in the past two decades. The financial crisis of 2008, you continue to give. The near complete shutdown of everything in COVID-19, you continue to give.”
Looking ahead, Cotter warned of a new challenge: the potential loss of federal funding from the Legal Services Corporation, which supports Legal Aid programs nationwide. Cotter said 90% of the LSC funds go to Legal Aid organizations around the country including the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland. Adelman added LSC funding makes up 15% of the Legal Aid’s budget.
“Its loss would have an immediate effect on the work we’re able to do, the people we’re able to serve, the problems we’re able to resolve,” Adelman said. “Which is yet another reason we are so grateful for all of you. Your continued support is something that we count on, that our clients count on. Your support allows us to keep bending the moral arc of the universe towards justice. (And) your support is more important now than ever.”
Cotter closed the evening with a forward-looking message of resilience and hope.
“When I look ahead 20 years into the future, I don’t know who will be sitting in the White House,” Cotter said. “I don’t know what kind of natural disasters might be approaching our country. And I most certainly cannot guess the price of a dozen eggs. But I do know that Legal Aid will be here, rooted in our community, fighting for justice. And I know that you will be here too, standing by our side.”
Source: Cleveland Jewish News - Legal Aid of Cleveland celebrates 120 years