Investing for Justice

It’s that time of year again, and I write to remind you of the important responsibility we all have as members of the local Bar to invest in fostering, improving, supporting, and encouraging justice in our community. We can do this by donating to the Cincinnati Bar Foundation’s annual Investing for Justice campaign fund drive. 

Since 1961, the Cincinnati Bar Foundation (CBF) has operated as a nonprofit corporation to fund educational and charitable programs which serve the legal profession, the justice system, and the community. Grants are made twice a year, with a particular focus on: 

• Fostering professionalism and civility in the practice of law; 
• Improving the quality and administration of justice in all facets; 
• Supporting the delivery of legal services at an affordable cost for the poor, elderly and otherwise disadvantaged; and 
• Encouraging knowledge and understanding of, and respect for, the law in the community, particularly with young people.

The CBF celebrates 60 years since its original formation this November. In 2020 I served on the CBF Futures Commission. We reviewed the above-referenced purposes, the grant-making process, and administrative management to support the volunteer Board. We gathered input from CBF grantees and from Bar foundations around the country. With Sarah Sparks Herron at the helm, we developed a plan which gained unanimous approval of the Commission. The plan has now been implemented. By all accounts, it is working well. In 2022, we’ll meet again to reflect with an eye toward continuous improvement. 

I’ve written a fair amount this year about the needs that exist in our community, including civics education. In September, our Executive Director Lisa McPherson and I met with Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor in Columbus at the Ohio State Bar Association. Chief Justice O’Connor spoke about numerous ways we can all work to improve what she referred to as “the dangerously low level of understanding of our government in our state and country.” She went further: “Everyone seems to know they have rights but no sense of duty.” She encouraged local Bars to continue to educate about government and civic engagement, and she commended foundations for continuing to fund projects addressing the problem. 

Chief Justice O’Connor also emphasized the importance of pro bono legal work to improve access to justice. She led her remarks stating, “Promoting pro bono work should be a lead concern for the Bar.” While we can all undertake pro bono work, donations to the Cincinnati Bar Foundation also help to facilitate other members of the Bar completing pro bono work, through grants made to local non-profit legal service organizations.

At the Cincinnati Bar Association and Cincinnati Bar Foundation, we know our community works better when people understand the law and have access to justice. Let’s raise the bar with our best annual fund drive for the Foundation yet. Cheers to 60 years.