Role of Government Attorneys

Due to their unique ethical constraints, government attorneys have for years been left out of the pro bono picture. But today, due to the leadership of Governor Bob Taft and Attorney General Jim Petro, lawyers who work for the State of Ohio have the opportunity to provide free legal services to low-income persons.

Taft
Gov. Taft
Governor Taft and Attorney General Petro have adopted policies to encourage lawyers under their charge to participate in special pro bono programs. These programs allow government attorneys to be involved in pro bono activities that do not present conflicts of interest with the work that the attorneys do on behalf of the state.

Lawyers working in the Office of the Ohio Attorney General support a project that links them with needy senior citizens and hospice patients who require assistance with living wills, power-of-attorney forms, and/or probate matters.

Lawyers employed throughout Ohio's Executive Branch are able to offer pro bono help to indigent grandparents who are raising grandchildren. These government attorneys can assist with power-of-attorney and/or caretaker authorization forms.
Petro
Atty. Gen. Petro

Contact the Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation by phone (1-800-877-9772) or by e-mail for more information about lawyers at all levels of government doing pro bono.

This information is geared towards attorneys and other professionals looking for volunteer opportunities. If you are seeking an attorney for assistance, you need to call, toll-free, 1-866-LAW-OHIO from your home county to be automatically forwarded to your local legal aid office or visit the Find Ohio Legal Help for a directory of legal service providers in your community.

Phone (614) 221-7201 | (800) 589-5888 | Fax (614) 221-7625