Guiding the Way in Southeastern Ohio: Legal Services Explained

Southeastern Ohio Legal Aide: An Overview

Southeastern Ohio Legal Services (SESLS) has been providing legal assistance to low-income individuals and families in southeast Ohio since 1977. The organization has five offices in the region, including Athens, Ironton, Marietta, Nelsonville, and Zanesville. With a mission "to advocate for the rights of our clients and communities in the pursuit of justice", SESLS has served about 150,000 people since its inception.
The organization provides free legal services to eligible applicants in several areas. They include family law, including divorce, custody, and visitation; housing law, including evictions, foreclosures, and utilities cut-off; crisis intervention and containment; consumer law, including repossessions, unlawful collection practices, and consumer fraud; income maintenance, including Social Security and veteran benefit claims, health care access, public assistance, and unemployment compensation; and Indian Law. SESLS also offers counseling and self-help assistance services.
The organization’s advocacy involves lobbying for legislative reform, providing legal education through legal clinics and community presentations , and voter education and registration. SESLS also supports local nonprofit and community organizations by lending its legal expertise.
SESLS’ ability to provide free legal services is due largely to Legal Aid of Ohio. Legal Aid is a unique collaborative funding source comprised of separate social service delivery agencies in each of Ohio’s 88 counties. Nearly all funding for SESLS is contributed through the legal services line item (535) of the Ohio Supreme Court and the Ohio State Bar Foundation. For FY 2020-2021, SESLS received $1,600,779 from those two main sources.
SESLS identifies the top four unmet civil legal needs in southeast Ohio: domestic relations and family law, housing, income maintenance, and consumer protection. SESLS attorneys provide legal advice and court representation for domestic relations cases that involve domestic violence, complicated financial problems, mental illness, substance abuse, prior personal injury claims, or serious physical or sexual abuse. SESLS provides legal assistance for a family in Arlington, Pennsylvania, whose son died of an overdose of heroin after unknowingly purchasing it online from dealers in Athens County, Ohio. SESLS advocates for clients who are wrongfully terminated from their jobs or denied unemployment benefits.

Types of Legal Aid Services Provided

From family law to housing issues, the Southeastern Ohio Legal Services provides a wide array of services. The attorneys may also be able to handle emergency issues on your behalf. Among the most common issues they handle are: Family law: There are few things more devastating than domestic violence or abuse. If your family is in danger, you can work with the attorneys at Southeastern Ohio Legal Services to get a protective order. Your parental rights will also be protected, regardless of whether you are a mother or a father. For many clients, the dissolution of marriage is the most stressful time of their lives. The attorneys can assist you with both contested and uncontested divorces. The attorneys can also help with adoption, guardianship, paternity and spousal support. Housing concerns: Legal assistance is required for a wide variety of housing issues. Whether you have been foreclosed upon, evicted or taken advantage of by a pushy landlord, the attorneys at Southeastern Ohio Legal Services can advocate for you. Section 8 assistance is available for qualifying families as well. Legal assistance may also be available for those who live in subsidized or public housing. Consumer rights: Consumer debt is one of the main causes of bankruptcy courts throughout the United States. With help from Southeastern Ohio Legal Services, you and your family can start over financially. If you are receiving harassing phone calls from your creditors, you can be represented by an attorney and reduce the amount of stress in your life. If you own a home that has equity, you can also use this equity to repay debts. The attorneys will argue on your behalf to protect your property. Public benefits: The attorneys at Southeastern Ohio Legal Services all receive extensive training. When you apply for public benefits, they will ensure that you are treated fairly and that you are not cut off without cause. Federal law prohibits retaliation if you have requested this type of assistance in the past. The attorneys can also help you file for public benefits.

Qualifications for Free Legal Aid

Southeastern Ohio Legal Services assists clients who meet income eligibility requirements. You may be eligible for Southeastern Ohio Legal Services if you are at 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or below. However, this does not mean that you are automatically guaranteed services. Certain cases take priority over others and Southeastern Ohio Legal Services will determine whether or not your case is one that they are able to represent you on.
The Federal Poverty Guidelines are issued every year by the Department of Health and Human Services and are used to determine your eligibility for certain types of assistance.
When you file an application with Southeastern Ohio Legal Services and you have an income, the income is calculated based how much you receive on a monthly basis. The staff will multiply your monthly income by 12 in order to obtain your annual income. The Federal Poverty Guidelines are increased for each person in the household. Every person in your household is factored into the equation when determining your eligibility for services.
Certain types of cases have priority, which includes: divorce, child custody, child support, visitation, paternity, spousal support, personal injury, eviction, foreclosure, bankruptcy, advance directives, debt collection, domestic abuse, fraud, immigration, juvenile, wills and guardianships, powers of attorney and consumer law.
Southeastern Ohio Legal Services handles foreclosure, eviction, collections, domestic violence, domestic relations, child custody, and consumer matters in common pleas court, municipal court, domestic relations court, juvenile court, appellate court, and bankruptcy court. Southeastern Ohio Legal Services also accepts referrals for other legal matters for free or low cost help to be provided by volunteer attorneys.

How to Access the Aid and Support

The process for accessing legal services through Southeastern Ohio Legal Services is fairly simple. The organization operates a helpline for people seeking legal assistance. Available Monday through Thursday from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., those in need can call 800-686-3669 for a brief consultation about their individual circumstances.
This organization also hosts a number of online resources to aid in the education and preparation of those who intend to pursue legal assistance. Here you can find an extensive FAQ section, as well remote video chat that can be used to schedule meetings with attorneys at the organization.
Please keep in mind that while Southeastern Ohio Legal Services serves the southeastern Ohio area, as defined by the following counties: Athens, Gallia, Hocking, Jackson, Lawrence, Meigs, Pike, Ross, Vinton, and Washington.

Community Impact and Success Stories

Southeastern Ohio Legal Services has had an undeniable impact on the communities they serve. Their commitment to justice, advocacy, and community education has led to transformative success stories and heartfelt testimonials from grateful clients.
Economic Justice:
Ethel, a resident of Washington County, was facing pending eviction after being delayed in filing for her rental assistance. Our Public Benefits Paralegal, Emily Escamilla was able to assist Ethel in obtaining the rental assistance she needed to help secure her housing. She also needed help with an income tax debt for the new home she had just purchased. Previously, Ethel had received much needed training through our Housing and Energy Assistance Clinic and Tax Clinics. Ethel shared, "I feel so blessed to know that I was able to complete this training and learn how to advocate for myself when obtaining a rental grant. I now know how important it is to file your taxes timely even if you are unemployed. Otherwise, you could face issues like I did with a tax bill for 2019."
Racial Justice:
Living and working in a rural low-income community can be stressful, even for people from predominantly white communities who do not face discrimination. Being black and living in a rural, low-income African American community garners a lot of attention by local law enforcement and the expense of black lives. A recent client of our Racial Justice Initiative admitted that his mind was constantly on how to avoid bad officers. He is aware that his rights as a person of color are often disregarded and for that reason, he does not drive while black regularly. Any traverse by car for him must be coordinated with someone who can drive him to his appointment or meetings. Hidden Racial Profiling is found everywhere by law enforcement officers in police and sheriff’s departments. Our organization continues to expose those practices through our clients . Our success stories on advocacy include many poor black clients obtained through our Racial Justice Initiative.
Disability Justice:
The mission of Telecommunication/Small Claims Court Clinic is to provide critically needed legal education and assistance to low-income persons with disabilities. The basic theme of the small claims clinic is to help customers who have been denied telecommunication equipment, see how their case and ability to use the equipment, to assist patrons with initial paperwork and set up hearings to ask for equipment needed see how the outcome of the small claims case, impact the ability to keep the equipment as well as provide customers who have not had their claim heard; the ability to get the phone/equipment returned. In the 2021 grant year to date: There were 88 new contacts related to equipment provided by AT&T; contacted 10 customers who had placed orders and left those orders unfilled for various reasons; met with 48 customers at the asylum clinic and contacted nine other medical clinic referrals; Conclusion; Based on this year’s experience, the success of this clinic depends on answering the phone when the customer calls, giving the date of the hearing and the outcome for example; "the equipment order was successfully filled" or "the hearing was successful". The customer can then set up a date and time to pick up the phone/equipment at the office or other mutually agreeable place.
Heather is a 37 year woman with Huntington’s Disease. She sought assistance from our Disability Justice Initiative Clinic for help with her Social Security benefits, which she had been trying to get approved but in need of being represented in her case. We assisted her in successfully appearing before an Administrative Law Judge to get her benefits approved. Her disability will allow her to better care for herself and obtain housing.

Collaborations and Community Partnerships

Southeastern Ohio Legal Services is a member of several legal aid networks and community initiatives aimed at providing comprehensive support and resources to its clients. As part of the Columbus Bar Association and its Pro Bono Services, the Social Security Disability Benefits Pro Bono Project matches volunteers with financially eligible Columbus area residents who have applications for Social Security disability pending in the Southern District of Ohio. This team of attorneys, paralegals, and staff work with low-income individuals with pending Social Security disability claims through the Columbus Bar’s Pro Bono Services. Together with Capital University Law School legal interns, they have been able to assist hundreds of clients obtain disability benefits. A member of The Legal Aid Society of Columbus, Southeastern Ohio Legal services participates in a coordinated system of service delivery since 1943 for low-income persons in a tri-county area. Led by the Legal Aid Society of Columbus, Legal Aid provides high-impact, effective, efficient and compassionate representation to resolve critical civil legal issues for those living in poverty in Central Ohio. Legal Aid maintains its principal office in Columbus and has staffed outreach offices and an intake telephone process that provides access to its services across 30 counties. Southeastern Ohio Legal Services collaborates with the Pro Bono Advisory Council, comprised of private attorneys who meet regularly to discuss pro bono strategies, provide guidance, and to identify opportunities where pro bono assistance can be offered to low-income persons in the greater Columbus area.

Giving Back to Southeastern Ohio Legal Aid

Southeastern Ohio Legal Services (SEOLS) welcomes and encourages those interested in supporting our mission to realize a just and equitable society where the fundamental rights of all are recognized and protected. To further this principle, we accept the support of individuals, corporations, foundations, and public entities for purposes germane to our work. Your support can take many forms.
Volunteers Save SEOLS Money. More importantly, we believe they add value to the lives of low-income and senior clients. We utilize volunteers in a wide variety of ways. SEOLS has developed a strong component of volunteer recruitment and supervision through the Ohio State Bar Association’s Pro Bono Services Program. We have several active Pro Bono Volunteer Advocates and are actively seeking more. SEOLS has five active volunteer Guardian ad Litem attorneys. We also rely on law students volunteering with the Ohio Lawyer Assistance Program, Senior Volunteer Advocates and other high school and secondary schools volunteers. Our AmeriCorps Volunteer Advocates provide valuable services to the communities throughout the service year. Additionally, SEOLS has developed a pro bono project, in partnership with Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc., that will recruit and train volunteer attorneys in the medical-legal partnership concept of providing free civil legal support in hospitals and health care clinics to persons living in poverty who are unable to afford counsel.
We welcome the assistance of private attorneys who are willing to take a case on a pro bono basis. We provide training, mentoring, and support to volunteer advocates. We have also been developing pro bono partnerships with local law firms. In Ohio, corporate counsel can perform legal work on a pro bono basis.
We need help maintaining our office technologies and systems in southeastern Ohio. Volunteer IT specialists are currently needed to assist functional staff by ensuring all networked devices have current antivirus programs and that proper updates are made. We are also seeking ‘technology trainers’ who will assist in training staff and volunteers on new legal tools, such as the e-filing and applications rolled out by the Ohio Supreme Court. We are especially in need of individuals who can travel to our offices periodically to conduct training sessions with staff and/or volunteers. Computer literacy is required.
All volunteers must be background checked through the Office of the Ohio Attorney General and show a commitment to the mission of Southeast Ohio Legal Services. Volunteers are also required to follow SEOLS client confidentiality policy and procedures.
We need financial support to continue our existing programs and develop innovative new programs.
And your dollars go a long way! Every dollar you donate supports legal services in the community. For example, a donation of only $25.00 makes it possible for SEOLS to provide advice and counsel to a family facing a predatory lending scam with threatening lawyers letters. A donation of $62.00 makes it possible for SEOLS to represent an individual who has been wrongfully terminated from a job, so that s/he can pay for groceries, rent, or transportation to a new job. A donation of $125.00 makes it possible for SEOLS to file a divorce action to end an abusive marriage. A donation of $400.00 makes it possible for us to represent a mother in a custody case to obtain custody of her children back from children’s services. Finally, a donation of $750.00 makes it possible for us to undertake litigation to end a predatory lending scheme affecting hundreds of residents within the jurisdiction we serve. We need you to advocate for our cause.
Join the movement in support of public interest causes. Speak to your friends, your church groups, and other organizations. Your voice can make a difference. Public interest advocates have fought vigorously over the past three years to stop cuts to legal services. In 2017, Congress addressed proposed cuts to the federal budget line item for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC). LSC is the largest source of federal funding for civil legal services. In addition to contacting your state and federal lawmakers directly, you can participate in a campaign led by NLADA to call attention to the need for increased federal funding.
Your contributions support civil legal aid programs in Ohio. The Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation (OLAF) contributes a sizable portion of its revenues to legal assistance in Ohio. The funds that you provide will go even further in southeast Ohio.

Next Steps and Future Plans

As part of their commitment to deliver exceptional legal support services to clients, Southeastern Ohio Legal Services (SEOLS) has an ambitious roadmap of future goals and developments. The organization is constantly looking for innovative ways to expand their reach and improve their suite of services. This section aims to shed light on such initiatives, providing insight into the future of legal support in the Southeastern Ohio region.
Currently, the SEOLS leadership team is focused on enhancing their technology resources to streamline case handling and improve their overall service delivery. They are exploring the implementation of a cloud-based case management system that will not only improve the accessibility of client files but also allow for more efficient collaboration amongst staff members. Additionally, this system would enable a more systematic tracking of case outcomes, which will provide invaluable data points for future program development.
In order to tackle the pressing issue of accessibility to legal services, SEOLS is also in the process of redefining its referral process with a focus on a comprehensive triage system . This would mean that any request for services, regardless of how it is submitted, will be directed to a centralized point of contact. The goal is to determine the most pressing legal needs of the individual and identify the best possible course of action.
Further outreach initiatives are another key development in the pipeline at SEOLS. With the support of legal aid statewide, a concentrated effort is underway to increase public awareness of the importance of legal services to low-income individuals and families. By emphasizing the critical role of legal aid in safeguarding and securing basic legal rights, SEOLS is working towards a future where more individuals are aware of their legal options and the support available to them.
Each of these initiatives is designed not only to advance the immediate functional capacities and service delivery flexibility of SEOLS but also to secure their position as a reliable and effective resource for the citizens of Southeast Ohio well into the future.