03/31/2025

Ohio State Bar Association Warns of Attorney Shortages in Rural Counties

Eighty-two of the state's counties are experiencing a shortage

The Ohio State Bar Association is warning of a legal service crisis in rural counties. In 82 of the state's 88 counties, there are not enough attorneys for the population.

"When there aren't attorneys around or available to help folks sort of protect their rights or help folks navigate through some of the difficult bureaucracies to get public benefits and things like that, then people just don't get those things," said Sondra Bryson, senior attorney with Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio.

According to the Ohio Bar, the ideal ratio is one attorney for every 700 residents. Franklin County is the only one in central Ohio that meets this criterion.

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