FAQs


What is the Ohio Poverty Law Center (OPLC)?

The Ohio Poverty Law Center (OPLC) is a non-profit legal organization dedicated to using the law to fight poverty in Ohio.  OPLC does statewide systemic policy advocacy on poverty law issues and is the state support center for the legal aid community in Ohio.

OPLC was established at the Ohio State Legal Services Association (OSLSA) in 1966 by the Ohio State Bar Association with funding assistance from the Office of Economic Opportunity. OSLSA changed the name of the state support center to the Ohio Poverty Law Center in 2009.

What services does OPLC provide?

OPLC works on policy advocacy, litigation support, specialty assistance and consulting, trainings, task forces, publications, strategic communications, and technology.

OPLC attorneys focus their work on one or more substantive legal areas affecting low-income Ohioans. OPLC manages the content on the public and advocate views of the Ohio Statewide Legal Services Website.

What is the difference between OPLC and a local legal aid office?

Most legal aid offices provide civil legal assistance and representation to low-income individuals and families in the office's service area (usually one or more counties).  You can find the legal aid office that serves your area by clicking here.

OPLC, in contrast, works on systemic poverty law issues that impact low-income Ohioans and provides support services to Ohio's six legal aid programs.  OPLC does not usually represent individuals or take individual cases and does not conduct regular intake.

Is there a difference between "legal services" and "legal aid"?

When we use the terms "legal services" and "legal aid" on this website, we use them interchangeably, to describe Ohio's non-profit legal aid offices that provide free legal assistance to low-income individuals and families.  Be careful, though, because some for-profit law firms call themselves "legal aid" or "legal services" to confuse the public.

Does OPLC handle cases for individuals?

No.  OPLC attorneys occasionally co-counsel cases with staff at Ohio's six legal aid programs and will occasionally get involved in litigation that has a systemic impact on low-income Ohioans.  OPLC does not, however, accept inquiries or consider cases brought to us by the public.  If you need legal assistance, please contact your local legal aid office.

Is OPLC hiring? Can I volunteer at OPLC?

We have a small staff and hire irregularly, only as need arises and funding allows.  We post all of our employment openings on the Ohio statewide legal services website, PSLawNet, and NLADA.

We welcome volunteer law students and attorneys.  We hire law clerks each summer, usually posting a hiring notice in January.  Check the Ohio statewide legal services website, PSLawNet, NLADA, and your law school's job listings for more information.  Although OPLC cannot pay law students a salary, we have for several years been an approved work study provider for Ohio State University Moritz College of Law students.  For students from other law schools, we are happy to support applications for public interest law fellowships and other income sources.

Attorneys who are interested in volunteering should contact Gene King for more information.

How can I contact OPLC?

You can contact OPLC by phone at (614) 221-7201 or (800) 589-5888.  You can email us at info@ohiopovertylaw.org.

Can I donate to OPLC?

We would be honored to accept your donation.  OPLC is a Limited Liability Company (LLC) that is wholly owned by Ohio State Legal Services Association, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation.  Your donation is tax deductible.  Click here to make a donation to support OPLC's work.