Home | Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Inc. (LAWO)

Justice for All

At a time of great economic and health uncertainty, LAWO protects families trying to stay safe and housed. By protecting the rights of tenants, we can all help create a stronger community.

See our impact in housing

Generations of Justice

The law is a powerful tool for ensuring access to opportunities many of us take for granted. LAWO was founded to right the wrongs that disproportionately affect communities of color and people living in poverty. For over 20 years, LAWO has made justice a reality for people who had nowhere else to turn.

Learn more about LAWO

Increasing Economic Stability and Opportunity

14 out of every 100 people live in poverty in our service area. Each year, over 70% of people living in poverty confront a civil legal problem that jeopardizes their families and must navigate complex legal systems without an attorney to help them. We partner with our clients and with community partners on legal solutions to the issues keeping communities in poverty.

To us, advocacy is a group effort.

Prevent homelessness and protect renters from unhealthy living conditions. Protect veterans and independence and self-determination for seniors. Ensure access to healthcare and education. Support a level playing field in financial transactions. Lift up the voices of people often unheard and left behind.

Choose an Area of Impact above to learn more. Support Justice Here.

Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Inc. (LAWO) is a non-profit regional law firm that provides high quality legal assistance in civil matters to help eligible low-income individuals and groups in Ohio achieve self-reliance, and equal justice and economic opportunity.

LAWO provides legal assistance in civil (non-criminal) cases that protect the rights of individuals and promote systemic change in the areas of civil rights and poverty law.

LSC Releases 2022 Justice Gap Study

Documenting Disparities Among Americans Living In Poverty

Driver's License Legal Clinics

Removing Barriers to Employment

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Right to Counsel Housing Representation

Expanding Housing and Eviction Legal Assistance in Lucas County

Special Projects Outreach Office at JFS

Providing Help Out In The Community

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Look Out For Legal Aid Scammers

Across the state of Ohio, clients have reported an increase in calls and emails from people posing as Legal Aid employees. Their targets are often seniors and retirees, and they consistently ask for personal details, including financial information, such as a credit card or bank account number. However, Legal Aid will never ask for this type of information in an unsecure setting.

We've listed a few ways to make sure our clients are safe and protected, and can know for certain that they are speaking to a real Legal Aid employee.

Read tips to avoid Legal Aid scammers.

Serving the Legal Needs of Survivors

Domestic violence affects all of us. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. This equals more than 10 million women and men per year.

LAWO attorneys and advocates have been fighting for decades to support survivors of domestic violence. Through compassionate, trauma-informed advocacy, they help survivors address the many legal needs that keep them in an abusive relationship.

Our response to survivors has been to integrate client-centered practices in our services to both promote and improve access to justice for survivors. Read more about a couple recent projects that highlight our responses to survivors.

LAWO Honors Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2022