Posted October 15, 20249:05 am
Congratulations to these Legal Aid Board and Staff Members:
Kimberly Barnett-Mills, previously a Supervising Attorney in the Intake Group and Volunteer Lawyers Program, was recently promoted to the role of Managing Attorney for Community Engagement. In her new role, Kimberly will carry out innovative ways to engage with community partners to expand Legal Aid’s outreach efforts, cultivate new relationships, and address systemic issues that affect our client community.
Jennifer Kinsley Smith, previously a Supervising Attorney in the Health & Opportunity Practice Group, was recently promoted to the role of Managing Attorney for Lorain County. In this new role, Jenn will work to increase Legal Aid’s partnerships in Lorain County while also continuing her work with the Health & Opportunity Practice Group.
Lauren Hamilton, Supervising Attorney in the Housing Practice Group, was named Co-chair/Vice-President of the Mental Health and Wellness Committee of the Cleveland Metropolitan
Bar Association.
Lluvia Kamen, Legal Aid accountant, was selected as a member of the Cleveland Leadership Center’s Bridge Builders Class of 2025, a 10-month program that challenges individuals to
build relationships with a wide range of leaders and explore ways they can make an impact across Northeast Ohio.
Lindsey Grdina, Senior Attorney in the Family Law Practice Group, was selected as a member of the 2024 – 2025 Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association Leadership Academy, a 10-month program that provides coaching, leadership assessments, networking, and professional development.
Barbara Barreno-Paschall, Senior Attorney in the Economic Justice Practice Group, was selected as a 2024-2025 Cleveland Council on World Affairs Richard W. Pogue Fellow. As a Pogue Fellow, Barbara will have the opportunity to engage in discussions regarding foreign policy and network with others in the business and civic communities.
Jonathan Leiken, Legal Aid board member and president emeritus, was selected as an inductee to the Shaker Schools Alumni Hall of Fame Class of 2024.
Jessica Baaklini, Senior Attorney in the Health & Opportunity Practice Group, recently presented about Medical Legal Partnerships at the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved National Conference. Legal Aid has been a leader in the Medical Legal Partnership movement for 20 years, working to resolve civil legal issues that interfere with patient health.
Lauren Gilbride, Managing Attorney for the Intake Group and Volunteer Lawyers Program, was appointed to join the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association Board of Directors.
Colleen Cotter, Executive Director, was recognized in October 2024 as a Trailblazer by the National Council of Negro Women, Cuyahoga County Section.
Alexandria Ruden, Supervising Attorney in the Family Law Practice Group, is the inaugural winner of an award named in her honor - The Ruden Award for Exceptional Service in the Field of Family Violence Prevention, presented by Ohio’s Office of Criminal Justice Services
Originally published in Legal Aid's "Poetic Justice" newsletter, Volume 21, Issue 3 in Fall 2024. See full issue at this link: “Poetic Justice” Volume 21, Issue 3.