Saturday, March 04, 2000
Legal Aid says $11M needed for new effort
New building named for donor Klekamp
BY MARIE McCAIN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati has helped thousands of people in its 92 years. But now it is looking for help.
The agency announced this week the name of a newly purchased building at 215 E. Ninth St., downtown, that will become the headquarters for its five-county operation.
The Donald P. Klekamp Community Law Center Building will house what Legal Aid hopes will be the most comprehensive and collaborative initiative in the legal community.
Legal Aid needs to raise $2.8 million toward the building's purchase price and also to help establish an $8.2 million endowment.
Considered an ambitious but necessary endeavor, the $11 million project has already received hefty contributions.
It has a $1 million gift from Mr. Klekamp, a senior partner with the law firm of Keating, Muething and Klekamp, and his wife, Marianne.
In addition, the Cincinnati Bar Association, in a joint effort with the Cincinnati Bar Foundation, donated $150,000.
Another $500,000 has been donated by Harris K. Weston, with the law firm of Dinsmore and Shohl.
“Legal Aid has been in danger of funding cuts for years,” said John Norwine, executive director of the CBA. “The board (of the CBA) decided it was the right thing to do. Legal Aid does the job that every attorney ought to be doing.”
In 1998, Legal Aid provided assistance to more than 6,000 people. In 1999, that number jumped to more than 9,000. It has been at 901 Elm St. for 20 years.
“We have become much more involved in providing legal service to people who are transitioning from unemployment to employment,” said Mary Asbury, Legal Aid director. “Also, a year ago we merged with legal services programs in Warren and Butler counties, enlarging our service areas to five counties.”
Besides maintaining the Volunteer Lawyers Project, Legal Aid will expand its work with the University of Cincinnati College of Law so it can involve more law students in work the agency does.
“The Legal Aid Society will become just one aspect,” of this endeavor, Ms. Asbury added.
The new building was purchased Nov. 1 for $3.1 million.
The old building was sold last month to the Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy for $575,000 and will be renovated as part of a new school.
Legal Aid hopes to move into its new building by June.
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