Legal Aid continues to serve impoverished local residents amid partial government shutdown

Free legal services provided by Community Legal Aid Services to low-income residents in Columbiana, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Summit, Stark, Trumbull and Wayne counties should not be affected by the partial government shutdown in the coming months.

According to Steven McGarrity, Executive Director of the nonprofit law firm, while Legal Aid’s funding from Legal Services Corp. will reduce by one-third in February and end altogether in March if the shutdown continues that long, the nonprofit organization will continue its operations. McGarrity explains that the organization will use its financial reserves if the shutdown persists. 

“We’re glad to report that our clients, those most in need in the communities we serve, will continue to receive legal support through Community Legal Aid in the coming months, despite the shutdown, should it continue,” says McGarrity. He adds, if Legal Aid funding from LSC is suspended during the shutdown, the organization is expected to receive back payments when the government reopens.