Community Involvement
Eastman & Smith Ltd. is an active member in the community and encourages its attorneys to participate in professional and community organizations. Our attorneys hold leadership positions in over 77 community organizations. In addition, the Firm supports over 45 community and non-profit organizations through contributions and sponsorships.
Recent News:
Eastman & Smith Contributes to ABLE and LAWO
Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (ABLE) and Legal Aid of Western Ohio (LAWO) are non-profit organizations addressing the legal needs of Western Ohio residents with low incomes. The organizations are renovating the former Toledo home of Western Union. Once completed, the groups will move their offices from the Spitzer Building. Green features such as recycled water and energy efficient fixtures are planned for the renovation as is the employment of minority and female contractors. Cost of the project is estimated to be $5,000,000.
Eastman & Smith has made a financial contribution to this project. The Firm supports the organizations' missions and is pleased to witness a new chapter in the Western Union Building's history.
For more information about ABLE and LAWO please visit their web site www.ablelaw.org.
The Volunteer Guardianship Program
Eastman & Smith Ltd. attorneys and paralegals will be working in conjunction with Lutheran Social Services of Northwestern Ohio on a special pro bono program. Lutheran Social Services trains volunteers to act as guardians for nursing home residents who lack adequate family support. Volunteers have taken residents on day trips, assisted with medical decisions, visited with residents and located financial aid. The Firm's attorneys will represent the volunteer guardians, as well as establish and maintain the guardianships with the probate court. Those who attended a training program conducted by the Lucas County Probate Court and Lutheran Social Services were:
Mark H. Boss (Member, Wealth Preservation)
Marcus J. Brubaker (Member, Wealth Preservation)
David W. Carter (Associate, Wealth Preservation)
Thomas A. Dixon (Member, Labor & Employment)
Heidi N. Eischen (Associate, Labor & Employment)
Thomas J. Gibney (Member, Labor & Employment)
Janet E. Hales (Of Counsel, Litigation)
Denise A. Mueller (Associate, Litigation)
E. Kirk Ross (Associate, Wealth Preservation)
Patrick A. Sadowski (Associate, Wealth Preservation)
Karen E. Wabeke (Associate, Public Law)
Michelle L. Fowls (Paralegal)
Mary N. Schlatter (Paralegal)
For those attorneys and paralegals who do not routinely handle guardianships, the training program familiarized them with the court's form-driven practice. Wealth Preservation is one of the Firm's practice groups. The attorneys in this group have substantial experience with guardianships and will serve as a resource for the other attorneys who do not have such a background.
Additional information on the Volunteer Guardianship Program can be found on Lutheran Social Service's web site at www.lssnwo.org/vgp.
Firm Participates in Habitat House
The Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity/Legal Community Build brings together those who work in the legal field by collaborating on the construction of a home. Eastman & Smith Ltd. not only donated funds to the project, but also had 14 of employees participate in the endeavor. The group built a three bedroom home on Upton Avenue in Toledo. Steven D. Reinbolt, a member of the Firm, was on the Steering Committee for this project.
Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to build livable homes for those unable to avoid adequate housing. In order to receive a house, applicants must work 500 hours on their house as well as pay a mortgage on the home. For more information on Habitat, please visit their web site www.habitat.org.
Eastman & Smith Ltd. and its employees assist a number of organizations, including Habitat. The Firm embraces and supports the involvement of its attorneys and staff in community organizations.
Eastman & Smith Ltd. Employees Support United Way
Employees of Eastman & Smith Ltd. raised over $40,000 dollars for the United Way. The United Way provides valuable services to communities across the country through their 1,330 local organizations. Its local organization, the United Way of Greater Toledo, serves the people in Lucas, Ottawa and Wood counties through its mission to “help children, families and individuals build better lives for themselves.”
One of the ways in which the United Way accomplishes this mission is through volunteers. Laurie A. Watson, an associate with Eastman & Smith Ltd., is just one of those volunteers. Currently, Ms. Watson serves on the United Way Young Leaders Council (YLC). On November 29, YLC sponsored a pizza party and tour of the lights at the Toledo Zoo for over 100 first through third graders from five local United Way agencies. Ms. Watson was one of the planners for this event and the Firm was an underwriting sponsor.
The United Way is but one of the many organizations supported by the Firm's employees. Eastman & Smith Ltd. embraces and supports the involvement of its attorneys and staff in community and charitable organizations. For more information on the United Way, please visit their web site www.unitedway.org.