The free legal clinics held monthly in Marietta for those who can’t afford legal representation rely on a network of local attorneys willing to give their time. Among them is Jim Addison, of Devola, who helped get the clinics up and running decades ago.

“Jim Addison was a critical part of the team that put together the legal clinic,” said Robin Bozian, project managing attorney at Southeastern Ohio Legal Services, which assists in the clinics. ” It was done in conjunction with SEOLS and our organization covers all costs associated with the clinic and private attorneys are covered by our malpractice insurance.”

The program served 209 individuals in 2017. It relies on a networks of attorneys, and more are needed, said Bozian.

Those who are assisted are very appreciative, she said. Some of the comments received from recent clients include that the service gave them peace of mind and that they now understand their rights. “I feel better just knowing someone cares,” another said.

The clinics began when the Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation encouraged legal services throughout the state to engage in efforts to involve the private bar in providing services to low-income individuals.

Addison said at the time he thought the cause was important was happy to lend a hand.

He is still helping, and will be on hand at the next free clinic this Wednesday.

Question: I was told you were one of the attorneys who helped establish these free clinics. How long have we had them?

Answer: I would say at least 20 years.

Q: Who participates?

A: Lawyers volunteer their time to come to these meetings. It’s for low-income people, and there may be three or four lawyers there each time. We have different areas of law we deal with and whatever question that person has, they’ll get assigned to a lawyer. The law is too vast to say you’re competent in everything.

Q: What made you interested in helping?

A: I just feel there are people who have problems and can’t afford a lawyer. Something has to be done.

For example, I worked with a grandmother who wanted to get custody of a child who was living with her mother and the mother was involved with drugs. This was a 14-year-old and over the course of two years she had lived in 20 different places with all kinds of people. What this grandmother needed was someone to prepare documents that she could file in probate court and someone to go with her to court. She didn’t know how to do it. I helped her get a court order for adoption so the child could live with her grandmother and have her own bedroom.

We also might get something like questions about divorce–how to fill out the papers. Sometimes the couple will agree on everything but don’t know how to do it.

Q: Are custody and divorce the two issues you see the most?

A: Those are the most likely issues. There can be others…sometimes it’s a problem with a landlord.

Q: How many people do you see at an average clinic?

A: Normally between 20 to 30. It’s a good turnout.

Q: It sounds like sometimes the help you give extends beyond the clinic, accompanying them to court or helping in other ways?

A: A lot of the conferences we have with people we don’t do anything more than talk to them there. But if there’s other work to be done, I volunteer to do it. We can help them through the whole process.

Q: What’s your legal area of expertise?

A: I used to do litigation but I gave that up two years ago. I can advise people on litigation, divorce, custody, probate.

Q: What initially drove you to a career in law?

A: It was wanting to be my own boss. It’s a way that you be your own boss that doesn’t take a lot of capital to get started.

Q: If there are people considering coming to the clinic, who may be nervous or even embarrassed to come get legal help, what would you tell them?

A: They shouldn’t be nervous. Anything they reveal to a lawyer, it’s the lawyer’s obligation to keep it confidential. We’re just there to be helpful.

Kate York conducted this interview.

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If you go

¯ What: Free legal clinic offered by the Washington County Bar Association, with assistance of Southeastern Ohio Legal Services.

¯ When: 6 to 8 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month (this month’s clinic is Wednesday).

¯ Where: St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 320 Second St., Marietta.

¯ Who: Eligible to Washington County residents unable to afford representation (less than 200 percent of federal poverty guidelines).

¯ For information: 740-594-3558 or 800-686-3669.

Source: Southeastern Ohio Legal Services.

200 percent of Federal Poverty Guidelines

¯ Household of 1: $24,280.

¯ Household of 2: $32,920.

¯ Household of 3: $41,560.

¯ Household of 4: $50,200.

¯ Household of 5: $58,840.

¯ Household of 6: $67,480.

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.