In a state where 78 of 88 counties are classified as legal deserts, a new collaborative effort seeks to bridge the gap between rural residents and legal representation. Lawyers = Justice: A Northwest Ohio Legal Collaborative, launched with support from Zoll & Kranz founding partner Michelle L. Kranz, is a three-year initiative designed to expand legal access and create pathways for attorneys to build long-term practices in underserved communities.
The collaborative brings together 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 participating institutions.
Kranz, former president of the Ohio State Bar Association, emphasized the stakes: "A legal problem can threaten a family's stability, a farm's future or a small business's survival, and 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 program will operate through two clinic locations: Bowling Green and Lima. The University of Toledo will oversee the Bowling Green clinic, serving residents across Fulton, Hancock, Henry, Ottawa, and Wood counties. Ohio Northern will expand its existing Lima clinic to reach income-eligible residents in Allen, Auglaize, Hardin, Putnam, and Van Wert counties.
Each year, the program plans to support four newly licensed attorney fellows as they develop sustainable private practices in the region, while providing up to 40 law students with supervised, hands-on experience. Organizers project that combined efforts could expand legal access for approximately 720 people annually.
Residents will receive assistance with 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 struggle to afford traditional legal fees.
Kranz's connection to the issue is personal. As a Wood County resident whose family raises beef cattle, she understands the unique challenges of rural communities. "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," she said. "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."
The shortage of attorneys in rural Ohio extends beyond courtroom access. It can delay estate planning, complicate property transfers, leave families without guidance in guardianship or custody matters, and limit farmers' and landowners' ability to navigate development, zoning, and environmental questions.
Recruitment of attorney fellows and law students is expected to begin in September 2026, with both clinics targeted to be fully staffed and operational later in the fall. The participating organizations have identified the initiative as a potential model for other Ohio regions facing comparable shortages.
For more information about the initiative, visit the Ohio State Bar Foundation at ohiobarfoundation.org or the University of Toledo College of Law at utoledo.edu/law.
