FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 3, 2004
CONTACTS: Bob Clyde (OLAF): (614) 752-8919
Patti Robb (ABLE): (419) 930-2517

AWARD RECIPIENT RECOGNIZED FOR OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP
AND ADVOCACY ON BEHALF OF LEGAL AID CLIENTS IN OHIO
 

Long-time legal aid advocate Joseph R. Tafelski is the 2004 recipient of the Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation’s (OLAF) Denis Murphy Award. Tafelski is the executive director of Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE), which is headquartered in Toledo and, with its affiliate, Legal Aid of Western Ohio, provides legal aid services in 32 northwest and west central Ohio counties. The Award was presented on Thursday, December 3, 2004 during the Foundation’s quarterly board meeting by David C. Weiner, a partner with Squire, Sanders & Dempsey in Cleveland and the Foundation’s Board President.

“Joe exemplifies the professional and personal qualities that make him an outstanding legal services advocate, working diligently to improve access to justice for the poor. Joe has demonstrated leadership qualities on local, regional and state levels, and through his work as executive director,” Weiner said in presenting this year’s award.

The Denis Murphy Award is presented annually in recognition of outstanding leadership and advocacy on behalf of legal aid clients in the state of Ohio. The Award was created in 1998 in honor of OLAF’s founding board president, Denis J. Murphy.
“During his career at ABLE, Joe has successfully responded to a number of challenges, including funding cuts, staff reductions, government imposed restrictions, a major program reorganization, and several restructuring and consolidations with other legal service providers. I know of no other person who better exemplifies an absolute commitment to furthering the mission of providing legal services and equal access to justice to the poor,” states William J. Bingle, ABLE Board President and an attorney with Bingle & Henderson in Toledo, in nominating Tafelski for the Murphy Award.

The Ohio Legislature created OLAF in 1994 as a response to the se

rious deficiencies in meeting the civil legal needs of all Ohioans. In partnership with the state and local bar associations, elected officials, and local legal aid providers, OLAF coordinates resource development, provides efficient distribution of legal aid funds, and promotes innovative approaches to ensure that every person is treated fairly and is able to obtain his or her rights, regardless of income.

For more information about efforts to provide equal access to justice for all persons in Ohio, contact OLAF at 614-752-8919 or visit the OLAF Web site at www.olaf.org.

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Learn more about the OLAF Denis Murphy Award.

See photos from award presentation.