2024 Volunteer Awards

Congratulations to Legal Aid's 2024 Volunteer Award Winners!

The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland will recognize the following volunteer award recipients during Legal Aid's 119th Annual Meeting, to be held Monday, November 25, 2024 at the Hilton Cleveland Downtown.  In addition to Legal Aid updates and awards, the program will feature civil rights icon, activist and author Ruby Bridges as the keynote speaker.  To learn more visit:  lasclev.org/2024event. 

The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland relies on the dedication and expertise of volunteers to assist its many clients. Each year, nearly 20% of the people helped by Legal Aid are assisted by a pro bono attorney.  Legal Aid's Volunteer Lawyers Program is proud to announce its 2024 volunteer award winners. These individuals performed exceptional service during the past year for Legal Aid's clients - and for that they deserve recognition. 

Legacy of Justice Award
In recognition of individual(s) whose participation in pro bono or other volunteer efforts has been significant in terms of length and/or impact. 

• David Kutik – in recognition for creating the Brief Advice Clinic model, which serves as an entry point of volunteer service for attorneys and law students; and the development of an eviction prevention project that continues to grow even today.  

Access to Justice Award
In recognition of significant contribution to advancing the mission of the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland through pro bono commitment. 

• Lynn Rowe Larsen – in recognition of her volunteer work with Legal Aid and the Pro Bono Collaborative; encouraging others to volunteer; and contributing more than 100 hours of pro bono service in a complicated juvenile court matter that affected both the life of the child and the process and procedure of the court. 

• Daniel Leizerman – in recognition of his volunteer work as a first-year law student, attending more than 25 Brief Advice Clinics; his participation in two externships at Legal Aid; and encouraging other law students to get involved.  

Community Impact Award
In recognition of individual(s) or group(s) who have made a mark for outstanding participation or critical involvement that ensured success for a client, client community, or project. 

• Delores Gray – in recognition of her work as a client representative on Legal Aid’s Board of Directors and the Board’s Pro bono Advisory Committee; and helping to increase the growth of Legal Aid’s Volunteer Lawyers Program. 

• Judge Terri Stupica – in recognition of her helping to launch and promote Brief Clinics in Geauga County; helping to expand Legal Aid’s reach into Lake and Geauga Counties; and encouraging others to volunteer.

Volunteers play an important role in helping us close the justice gap, and we are sincerely grateful for their dedicated service. To learn more about volunteer opportunities with Legal Aid visit this link.