Posted December 16, 2024
1:43 pm
The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland held its 119th Annual Meeting on Monday, November 25, 2024 at the Hilton Cleveland Downtown. The theme was centered around the words of Legal Aid’s 2011 annual meeting keynote speaker, the late U.S. Congressman John Lewis: “Freedom is not a state; it is an act. Freedom is the continuous action we all must take…to create an even more fair, more just society.”
At the Annual Meeting, Spangenberg Shibley & Liber LLP, a staunch supporter of Legal Aid, graciously announced a $100,000 matching gift challenge. With Spangenberg leading the charge, the matching challenge was met with enthusiastic support, resulting in gifts from 450 unique donors during the 3-week match period – exceeding the fundraising goal!
Held each fall, Legal Aid’s Annual Meeting is a chance for philanthropists, community members, nonprofit organizations, and business leaders to gather and reflect on Legal Aid’s accomplishments over the past year, as well as learn about new initiatives and plans for the year ahead.
The featured keynote speaker was civil rights icon, activist, and author Ruby Bridges. 2024 marked the 70th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, the landmark Supreme Court case ruling that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. In her remarks, Ms. Bridges reflected on her personal experience as the first Black student to integrate an all-white elementary school in Louisiana, and echoed the importance of Legal Aid's ongoing civil justice work today.
Ms. Bridges delivered her keynote remarks via a conversation with award-winning American broadcast journalist and Legal Aid supporter, Lori Stokes. Ms. Bridges also received Legal Aid's highest honor, the Louis Stokes Paragon Award.
Awards were presented to outstanding employees and volunteers who demonstrate excellence and display profound support for Legal Aid’s mission.
Honorees included:
Staff members Kimberly Barnett-Mills, Julia Lauritzen, Olivia Pollack, and Anna Seballos, each receiving the Claude E. Clarke Award.
Staff member Katherine Hollingsworth, receiving the Leadership Award.
Staff member Maria Smith, receiving the C. Lyonel Jones Lifetime Achievement Award.
David Kutik, receiving the Volunteer Lawyers Program Legacy of Justice Award.
Lynn Rowe Larsen and Daniel Leizerman, each receiving the Volunteer Lawyers Program Access to Justice Award.
Delores Gray and Judge Terri Stupica, each receiving the Volunteer Lawyers Program Community Impact Award.
Founded in 1905, The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland is the fifth oldest legal aid organization in the United States. Serving residents of Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, and Lorain counties, Legal Aid staff and volunteers secure justice, equity, and access to opportunity for and with people who have low incomes through passionate legal representation and advocacy for systemic change. In 2023, The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland handled more than 9,000 cases, helping more than 24,000 people.
Do you need assistance with a legal civil matter? Legal Aid may be able to help. Call 888-817-3777 or apply online at lasclev.org/apply-for-free-legal-aid/.