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Press Release

OLAF Presents Special Award to OSBA Government Affairs Director

June 4, 1997

Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation board president Thomas V. Chema today presented OLAF's Presidential Award to William K. Weisenberg, director of government affairs for the Ohio State Bar Association.

The award was presented in recognition of Weisenberg's tireless efforts to improve access to justice for Ohio's poor. "He has been involved in countless battles over the years in order to ensure that 'justice for all' is more than a shallow pledge. He has been in the trenches and behind the scenes doing what he can to lay down a foundation for bridging the gap on the unmet legal needs of the poor," Chema said in presenting the award at the Ohio State Bar Association's annual convention being held this week in Columbus.

Weisenberg has been director of the Ohio State Bar Association's Government Affairs program since 1979. He serves as liaison to the Governor's office, other statewide officeholders, and county and local officials. He is a frequent speaker at bar functions, judicial conferences, court seminars and other justice events. He has also appeared on the programs of many national events.

Prior to joining the state bar staff, he served as chief counsel to the Ohio House of Representatives Judiciary Committee. He has extensive experience in state government having served in legal and administrative positions with the Ohio Department of Corrections and the Department of Youth Services.

The Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation is a statutorily-created non-profit foundation charged with improving access to justice for Ohio's poor. A statewide assessment and numerous studies throughout the country have indicated that only about 20 percent of the civil legal needs of the poor receive assistance. OLAF's mission is to develop additional resources and innovative approaches to better serving the legal needs of the poor.

Last year, OLAF honored the Columbus-based law firm of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease for its public commitment to providing pro bono services to Ohio's poor.

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