Four years ago, the Legal Aid Society of Columbus expanded our legal services to include representing small businesses. These businesses can be for profit or not for profit, but they must be located in areas of the city that have historically been disinvested, for example neighborhoods isolated by freeway construction. The goal is to support community members building and sustaining wealth in each neighborhood.
We have been able to help low-income individuals start businesses, obtain commercial space, gain a clear understanding of obligations before signing contracts, navigate trademark and other disputes, and protect their businesses by advising on applicable regulations. During the height of the pandemic, we helped businesses thrive by partnering with local government, nonprofits, and small businesses to provide technical assistance to ensure that low-income entrepreneurs could benefit from pandemic assistance.
As is so often the case, we have continued to be awed by those that we have represented as a part of this project. We have been honored to work with individuals dedicating their time to mentoring youth; educating their community on job readiness, financial stability, and home ownership; and helping to create and protect affordable, quality housing.
It's also been rewarding to assist low-income entrepreneurs. Many of our clients come to us with great ideas but without access to capital or a network of people who can advise them about starting a business. We help level the playing field for them. With our assistance, clients have launched a cleaning business, opened a hair salon, and brought other needed services to their neighborhoods.
We were able to launch and sustain this project based on support from the Ohio Access to Justice Foundation, the expertise and hard work of our staff as well as broad and continued support of the private bar and their pro bono efforts.
In honor of Black History Month, we are spotlighting one of those clients in our Connecting with Pro Bono section.
Kate McGarvey
Executive Director