In a significant move to address the critical shortage of attorneys in rural Ohio, a new collaborative initiative called Lawyers = Justice has been launched, aiming to expand legal access in Northwest Ohio. The three-year program brings together the Ohio State Bar Association, Ohio State Bar Foundation, University of Toledo College of Law, and Ohio Northern University Claude W. Pettit College of Law. With a $1.465 million grant from the Ohio State Bar Foundation and additional in-kind contributions, the initiative will establish legal clinics in Bowling Green and Lima, targeting residents across 10 counties.
The need for such a program is stark: 78 of Ohio's 88 counties are classified as legal deserts, having fewer than one attorney per 1,000 residents. This shortage has profound implications for rural communities, affecting everyday legal matters such as estate planning, property transfers, family law, and agricultural issues. As Michelle L. Kranz, founding partner of Zoll & Kranz and former president of the Ohio State Bar Association, noted, "A legal problem can threaten a family's stability, a farm's future or a small business's survival, and those consequences do not become less serious because the nearest attorney is an hour away."
The program is designed not only to provide immediate legal assistance but also to create a sustainable pipeline of attorneys committed to rural practice. Each year, it will support four newly licensed attorney fellows as they build private practices in the region, while offering up to 40 law students supervised, hands-on experience. Organizers project that these combined efforts could expand legal access for approximately 720 people annually. Services will cover a range of issues, including family law, estate planning, real estate, consumer protection, small-business concerns, criminal law, and agriculture-related matters. Fellows will also represent clients who earn too much to qualify for legal aid but cannot afford traditional legal fees.
Kranz brings a unique perspective to the initiative, being a Wood County resident and beef cattle farmer herself. Her familiarity with the region's people and land-use concerns underscores the importance of attorneys who understand the interconnected nature of rural legal issues. "Rural communities need lawyers who understand that a land-use decision, an estate plan and the future of a family operation may all be connected," she explained. "Building that kind of trust takes time. By pairing practical service with training and mentorship, Lawyers = Justice gives new attorneys the opportunity to become part of the community rather than simply pass through it."
The initiative is also seen as a potential model for other Ohio regions facing similar attorney shortages. Recruitment of fellows and students is expected to begin in September 2026, with clinics fully operational by fall. This collaborative effort represents a proactive step toward ensuring that rural residents have access to legal representation, thereby safeguarding their livelihoods and communities.
