Since 1921, nearly 6000 men and women have graduated from the School of Law and gone onto distinguished careers in private practice, public service, the judiciary, and the corporate world. All of them have left Akron Law with a strong sense of service. The following profile is but one example of how our graduates take pro bono service seriously.

For Akron attorney Joy Malek Oldfield, practicing law means helping others – both paying clients and those in need who cannot afford legal services. Service has been a priority for this associate in the Akron firm of Scanlon and Gearinger since the day she began to practice law. By day, Oldfield focuses her practice on civil litigation. By night, she devotes her time to a host of pro bono activities.

Oldfield stays committed to helping others through her involvement in Akron’s Community Legal Aid Services, which provides civil legal services for low-income Ohio residents whose legal problems might otherwise be ignored. Legal Aid offers competent legal advice to victims of domestic violence, unemployment compensation and landlord/tenant disputes. Oldfield said, “Last year, Community Legal Services helped more than 17,000 low-income residents.” This year, Oldfield heads the Communications Committee which solicits local attorneys to donate funds to allow the agency to continue providing their needed services. Oldfield also serves on the agency’s board of trustees.

Since becoming a lawyer in 2000, Oldfield has volunteered in several other capacities, including serving as a volunteer coach for The University of Akron School of Law’s Mock Trial Team where she had been a successful national-level advocate while a student. She also serves on the Ohio State Bar Association’s New Lawyer Section where she is the editor of the section’s newsletter. She is also a trustee of the Summit County Trial Lawyers Association.

Fortunately for Oldfield, her firm is supportive of her pro bono work. “They encourage their partners and associates to give back to the community and support all of us in our efforts to do so,” Oldfield said.

Oldfield concluded, “I think it’s important for all lawyers to make time for pro bono activities. Organizations like Community Legal Aid Services, the Summit County Trial Lawyers Association and the Ohio State Bar Association all share a common goal – they believe that justice should be available to everyone. Every lawyer should feel that way!”