X

Chat with the Chairs: Volunteer Lawyers For The Arts Group

Tell us a bit about your background

Ritu Singh: I am a Partner and Patent Attorney at Dinsmore & Shohl LLP and am based here in Cincinnati.  I grew up in Columbus, Ohio, and I went to The Ohio State University located in Columbus to receive my graduate degrees:  a J.D. and an M.S. in Electrical & Computer Engineering.  I received a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Northwestern University.


Hayley Clancy: I am an employment attorney at Dinsmore & Shohl LLP. I was born and raised on the Westside ofCincinnati. I attended the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University for my undergraduate degree before attending

law school at William and Mary.


How did you become involved in the group?  

Ritu Singh: I volunteered with a Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts organization in Pittsburgh, PA, during my first few years as a practicing attorney.  I am passionate about volunteering and pro bono work and the arts and the VLFA group fit all of those interest areas of mine.  When I came to Dinsmore, the previous chair Mary Newman, who started the LFA committee at the CBA, approached me to assist with the committee.  After she moved to another state, I stepped into my current Chair position.  I now Co-Chair the committee with my colleague, Hayley Clancy.  


Hayley Clancy: Ritu reached out to me to ask if I had an interest in being a part of Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts. I loved the idea of providing practical training and advice to the talented artists and art organizations, who bring so much beauty and joy to our community. So, I volunteered to join the committee.


What do you like to discuss with your fellow group members?  

Ritu Singh: I like to discuss outside the box ideas on how we can help artists in our local communities and how we can coach and train both the artists and our committee members on topics and issues that will allow for better artist support via our committee.  I also like to discuss how we can inform more attorneys about our committee so they can sign up as volunteers to aid local artists.  


Hayley Clancy: I like to focus on listening to the needs of our local art community. After we know their needs, our committee discusses the best way to utilize the expertise and gracious spirit of the Cincinnati legal community to help our local arts organizations shine. Artists, just like any entity, need assistance setting themselves up for success. It’s exciting to see the creative and legal teams collaborate. 


What are your goals in the 2023-2024 bar year for the group

Ritu Singh: We plan to start re-invigorating and implementing partnerships with other arts-based organizations to increase the amount of traffic to our application for artists in need of pro bono work on our website at cincybar.org/Groups/LFA.  Such outreach will allow us to access a greater reach of artists with pro bono needs and allow them to understand our offerings.  


Hayley Clancy: We are working on revamping our educational programming and creating new partnerships with the art community to increase our visibility and tailor our services to the community’s current needs. We are hoping to recruit new, talented members to our committee, who have a passion for the arts and a willingness to give back!   


What art performance is on your can’t-miss list this summer? 

Ritu Singh: I always love attending live music shows around town and outdoors in the summer, whether at Fountain Square or at Washington Park or the Rockin’ on the Roebling summer concert series at the Moerlein Lager House. 


Hayley Clancy: There are so many great events coming up this summer! If you are willing to brave the heat, Shakespeare in the Park is always a fun event. If you like something a little cooler, I always enjoy listening to live music at Ghost Baby. Origin Story at Playhouse in the Park and the Picasso exhibition at Cincinnati Art Museum are also on my list.


print