Perry County Free Legal Clinic

Click on the flyer below to view full size.

Free legal clinic celebrates 15 years

Originally submitted to the Perry County Tribune

Click on the photo below to view full size.

From left: Volunteer lawyers T. J. Rugg, Sonya Drake, Sherry Barker from Southeastern Ohio Legal Services, Judge Cooperrider and Drew Cannon. Photo credit: Perry County Juvenile Court.

Fifteen years ago, Perry County Probate/Juvenile Court Judge Luann Cooperrider embarked on a new adventure that has proven to be very beneficial to the citizens of Perry County: the Perry County Free Legal Clinic.

Cooperrider recalls that at the time she had noticed many people walking around the courthouse with papers in their hands and frustration on their faces. Many people had legal issues and could not afford to hire an attorney. Cooperrider decided to do something about it.

The clinic started September 2, 2008, and has served the people well. Cooperrider says it is one of the best things she has ever done, adding that “there is no better way for me as a judge to be able to give back to the people of Perry County.”

Judge Cooperrider and Perry County Municipal Court Judge Dean Wilson, as well as Southeastern Ohio Legal Services, worked together to start the legal clinic.

The clinic is held the first Tuesday of each month in Judge Cooperrider’s courtroom. The judge and Sherry Barker from Southeastern Ohio Legal Services coordinate the clinic each month, and volunteer lawyers donate their time.

Eight people appeared for the August clinic held August 1. The issues ranged from custody, dissolution, probate, and evictions. The clinic is for civil matters only as a person is entitled to a court appointed lawyer if they are charged with a crime.

People utilizing the clinic must be from Perry County or have a case in Perry County. They must also qualify under the financial guidelines for a court-appointed application.

The Legal Clinic has been successful in many ways. In 2019 Judge Cooperrider offered a sealing and expungement clinic, and Judge Wilson has had great success with driver’s license reinstatement clinics as well. Cooperrider also worked with Perry County Recorder Jackie Hoover and offered the Good Deeds program through the legal clinic. Folks could get a free copy of their deed and speak to a volunteer lawyer about the status of their deed and other recommendations.

Judge Cooperrider is very proud of this clinic that has helped approximately 1,100 people that could not afford an attorney. In her words, “That is giving back to the people of Perry County who have been so good to me!”