Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor is urging Ohio lawyers to team up with the Texas Access to Justice Commission to provide free legal aid to Hurricane Harvey victims.

Chief Justice O’Connor recently sent a request to more than 40,000 practicing Ohio attorneys, urging them to offer legal assistance to low-income Texans.

“Legal needs for Hurricane Harvey victims will overwhelm the local legal community without help from other states’ attorneys,” Chief Justice O’Connor said. “So, I’m encouraging Ohio attorneys to give of their expertise, and carve out time, to help Texans get through legal problems caused by the storm and flooding.”

The Texas Access to Justice Commission grants funds to assist nonprofit organizations in providing free legal assistance to low-income Texans who desperately need help.

Disasters like Hurricane Harvey can create legal nightmares for families. These scenarios include job loss, filing claims with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, losing track of mortgage payments, or being scammed by contractors during home reconstruction.

Ohio attorneys interested in providing their services can contact the Texas Access to Justice Commission at Trish.McAllister@TEXASATJ.ORG or the Texas Access to Justice Foundation at bbtorres@teajf.org.