In a significant move to address Ohio's rural attorney shortage, a new collaborative initiative aims to expand legal access in regions where residents often travel hours for basic legal services. The program, named Lawyers = Justice: A Northwest Ohio Legal Collaborative, is a three-year effort supported by 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. Funding includes a $1.465 million grant from the Ohio State Bar Foundation, supplemented by in-kind contributions from the participating institutions.
The initiative will operate two clinic locations, in Bowling Green and Lima, targeting counties that are part of Ohio's legal deserts—areas with fewer than one attorney per 1,000 residents. According to the Ohio State Bar Foundation, 78 of Ohio's 88 counties meet this definition. The University of Toledo will manage the Bowling Green clinic, serving Fulton, Hancock, Henry, Ottawa, and Wood counties. Ohio Northern University will expand its existing Lima clinic to cover Allen, Auglaize, Hardin, Putnam, and Van Wert counties.
Beyond immediate legal assistance, the program is designed to create a long-term solution. Each year, it will support four newly licensed attorney fellows as they develop sustainable private practices in rural communities. Additionally, up to 40 law students will gain supervised, hands-on experience working with rural clients. Organizers project that the combined efforts could expand legal access for approximately 720 people annually.
Michelle L. Kranz, founding partner of Zoll & Kranz and former president of the Ohio State Bar Association, is a driving force behind the collaborative. As a Wood County resident and beef cattle farmer, she understands the unique challenges rural communities face. "A legal problem can threaten a family's stability, a farm's future or a small business's survival," Kranz said. "Those consequences do not become less serious because the nearest attorney is an hour away. This initiative addresses today's need for counsel while creating a real reason for young lawyers to put down roots in the communities they serve."
The clinics will handle matters affecting daily life, including family law, estate planning, real estate, consumer protection, small-business concerns, criminal law, and agriculture-related issues. Fellows will also represent individuals who earn too much to qualify for legal aid but cannot afford traditional legal fees. This gap often leaves rural residents without access to critical legal services, leading to delayed estate planning, complicated property transfers, and unresolved guardianship or custody matters.
The shortage of attorneys in rural Ohio has far-reaching implications. It affects not only courtroom access but also the ability of farmers and landowners to navigate development, zoning, and environmental regulations. "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," Kranz added. "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."
Recruitment of attorney fellows and law students is expected to begin in September 2026, with both clinics fully staffed and operational later in the fall. The participating organizations see this initiative as a potential model for other Ohio regions facing similar shortages. By investing in rural legal infrastructure, the collaborative aims to not only provide immediate relief but also to cultivate a new generation of lawyers committed to serving these communities for years to come.
