Posted December 1, 20255:00 pm
The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland held its 120th Annual Meeting on Monday, November 24, 2025 at the Hilton Cleveland Downtown. The theme was centered around the words inscribed on the East Façade of the United States Supreme Court: Justice The Guardian of Liberty.
The meeting opened with a short film highlighting Legal Aid’s 120-year history. Throughout the event, executive director Colleen Cotter and board president Harlin Adelman provided examples of how the organization’s values and commitment to providing access to justice for all have endured for more than a century.
To conclude the Annual Meeting, a group of Legal Aid board members calling themselves Legal Aid’s own “Guardians of Justice” pledged a collective gift of $120,000 to honor the organization’s 120th Anniversary. Together, these board members challenged the community to match their generosity by raising an additional $120,000 by December 15. The matching challenge was met with enthusiasm, with over 45 unique donations totaling more than $47,000 within the first 24 hours. Learn more and join the challenge at lasclev.org/2025match.
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, and the importance of civil legal aid.
The 2025 Annual Meeting keynote speaker was renowned pastor, activist, and community leader – The Reverend Doctor Otis Moss, Jr. In his remarks, Reverend Moss reflected on how the concept of justice has impacted his own life and offered encouragement for those working on the front lines of justice today.
Reverend Moss delivered his remarks in conversation with award-winning journalist and local news anchor Leon Bibb. In recognition of his legacy of service, leadership, and unwavering dedication to justice, Reverend Moss also received Legal Aid's highest honor, the Louis Stokes Paragon Award.
Additional honorees included staff members and volunteers who were recognized for their outstanding contributions:
Staff members, Emily Adams, Russell Hauser, Laurie Hughes, and Joe Tomino, each received the Claude E. Clarke Award.
Staff member Phil Althouse received the C. Lyonel Jones Lifetime Achievement Award.
John Kirn received the Volunteer Lawyers Program Legacy of Justice Award.
Lee Hutton, Lenore Kleinman, and Honor Wolfe, each received the Volunteer Lawyers Program Access to Justice Award.
William Ferry and Dorcas Russo, each received 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.