Posted February 25, 2025
9:05 am
Partners in Justice serve as ambassadors for Legal Aid in corporations and at law firms across the region. They promote Legal Aid’s work internally with their colleagues and externally to the broader community.
Legal Aid is grateful for their dedication and for the work done by Partners in Justice to increase awareness and support through volunteering, educational campaigns, and fundraising efforts. Some Partners in Justice also find creative ways to help Legal Aid extend justice – as highlighted in the examples below.
Promoting involvement:
Eric Daniel, Legal Aid Partner in Justice and Chair of the Pro Bono Committee at Thompson Hine, is passionate about the transformative power of pro bono work. He helps lead Thompson Hine’s annual campaign supporting Legal Aid. The firm kicks off its annual campaign by showcasing Legal Aid’s vital work through a lunch event or evening reception. After that, attorneys and staff break into teams for a spirited, week-long competition to inspire donations. As part of the week’s events, each person who donates to Legal Aid is entered into a daily raffle for prizes, culminating in a grand prize at the end of the week. To encourage participation, the Partners in Justice team sends regular emails letting everyone know which team is in the lead. Team leaders engage their colleagues by emailing, making phone calls, and knocking on office doors to encourage participation. In addition to the grand prize, the team with the highest percentage of members who donate to Legal Aid receives an additional prize, such as a pizza or doughnut party. The rivalry is friendly but fierce—a fun, engaging way to foster team spirit while supporting justice.
Making connections:
Legal Aid’s Brief Advice Clinics bring free legal advice into the community. Many Partners in Justice engage with Legal Aid by gathering their colleagues to volunteer at clinics. Some smaller firms and general counsel attorneys prefer to partner together when volunteering.
Recently, Meg Murray, General Counsel for the Cleveland Cavaliers, invited Lynn Larsen and her colleagues at Taft to team up to bring their diverse areas of expertise together to serve clients and learn from each other. Said Lynn, “We really had fun, and we were doing good for our community!” Meg and Lynn encourage others to work with colleagues from different firms, organizations, or practice areas to collaborate and amplify their impact.
Having fun:
Many attorneys like to work hard and play hard. Tucker Ellis wants people to know – attorneys are uniquely talented too! The innovative team at Tucker Ellis hosts an annual talent show to raise funds for Legal Aid. Employees vote for their favorite act – one vote for each dollar donated. The 2024 talent show lineup included juggling, singing, comedy, and interactive storytelling. A truly creative way to showcase the firm’s commitment to having fun and supporting Legal Aid!
Become an ambassador! Legal Aid is recruiting 2025 Partners in Justice now. Contact Shauna Mendez at smendez@lasclev.org or 216.861.5415 to learn more.
Originally published in Legal Aid's "Poetic Justice" newsletter, Volume 22, Issue 1 in Spring 2025. See full issue at this link: “Poetic Justice” Volume 22, Issue 1 – Legal Aid Society of Cleveland