Legal Aid Society of Cleveland briefs Lakewood council on services, eligibility and tenant outreach

Lakewood — Representatives from the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland told the City Council’s Committee of the Whole on April 28 that the nonprofit provides civil legal services across northeast Ohio and described how Lakewood residents can access advice, brief clinics and full representation.

Kimberly Barnat Mills, managing attorney for community engagement at the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, opened the presentation by reciting the organization’s mission: “Our mission is to secure justice, equity, and access to opportunity for and with,” she said, emphasizing the phrase “for and with” to describe the organization’s partnership model with clients.

The presentation explained that Legal Aid handles civil—not criminal—matters and provides a spectrum of help ranging from information and brief advice to assisted pro se work and extended litigation. Staff described practice areas that include housing (eviction defense, repairs, discrimination), family law (protective orders, custody when domestic violence is involved), public benefits appeals, bankruptcy and consumer work, health…