Justice for All

Justice For All is the Association’s umbrella program for pro bono legal service, public law-related education and public service programs.

The Committee is composed of members of the Association, JFA Program and Committee Chairs, law school representatives, representatives of our community partners, and the Cleveland Association of Paralegals and Association Section JFA Liaisons.

The Committee promotes lawyer volunteer service; plans, coordinates and evaluates the many public outreach programs of the Association; develops and monitors community partnerships and the role of volunteers in collaborative programs; coordinates with Sections to involve Section members in existing programs and assists in developing new Section sponsored programs designed to meet important community needs. 

For more information on the Justice for All Committee (JFA), please contact:

Mary Groth, Director of Development & Community Programs

Click on the program’s title for more information.

THE 3RS: RIGHTS ● RESPONSIBILITIES ● REALITIES

Launched in the 2006-07 school year, The 3Rs is an unprecedented program fostering personal connections between volunteers from the legal community and high school students in Cleveland and East Cleveland. Using a real-world curriculum focused on the U.S. Constitution and career counseling, teams of volunteers visit their assigned 10th grade social studies classes throughout the school year.

BANKRUPTCY PRO BONO PROJECT AND BANKRUPTCY BY-PASS PROGRAM

The Bankruptcy Pro Bono Project provides training and support to volunteer lawyers, who in turn provide pro bono legal representation to qualified, income-eligible individuals going through personal bankruptcy. The Bankruptcy By-Pass Program provides pro bono legal assistance to individuals, the majority of whom are low-income senior citizens, in resolving debtor-creditor matters in which bankruptcy filing is not an option.

CLEVELAND HOMELESS LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (CHLAP)

This partnership between the CMBA and the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless aims to serve those in the community in need of help but least able to access legal assistance.

HIGH SCHOOL MOCK TRIAL COMPETITIONS

The CMBA hosts and coordinates the Ohio Mock Trial Cuyahoga District and Regional Competitions, organized under the auspices of the Ohio Center for Law-Related Education. It also partners with the Cleveland Municipal Court and Cleveland Metropolitan School District to coordinate the annual Cleveland Mock Trial Competition, a unique event for Cleveland’s high school students.

PRO SE DIVORCE CLINICS
Pro Se Divorce Clinics are held monthly, serving indigent individuals who are seeking a simple divorce and who have no minor children or assets, through the help of volunteer family law and Legal Aid attorneys who guide attendees through the process and paperwork.

REACH OUT: LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR NONPROFITS
Reach Out: Legal Assistance for Nonprofits provides valuable law-related education and pro bono legal assistance to nonprofit organizations in Northeast Ohio whose missions focus on community service and who demonstrate financial need.

SPEAKERS BUREAU
The CMBA Speakers Bureau is a public service to educate the community about the legal system.

VOLUNTEER LAWYERS FOR THE ARTS (VLA)
This program aims to build a bridge between lawyers and local artists and arts organizations by helping to facilitate access to legal services and to develop law-related educational resources.