| The
Public Relations Committee develops and maintains activities that
promote a beneficial public image of attorneys and educates the
public about the legal system. There are approximately 20
members on the Public Relations Committee. For the past
several years, the Committee has participated in the Boardman
Relay for Life, raising money for the American Cancer Society.
The Bar Association has sponsored two teams for the past three
years, resulting in over $8,000 being raised for the Cancer
Society. In addition, the Committee has participated in the
Mahoning Valley Rescue Mission's "Ride for Rescue." Members
of the Committee have participated in the annual 26 mile bike
ride. Each rider obtains donations for the Rescue Mission.
The Committee also coordinates the
high school trial team competition sponsored by the Ohio Center
for Law Related Education. The competition is held in
February each year. Local high schools prepare for the
competition held at the Mahoning County Courthouse. Members
of the Bar Association help judge the competition. The high
school team that wins the Mahoning County competition competes at
the State tournament in Columbus.
For the past five years, the Committee
has sponsored an Explorer Post through the Learning for Life
Division of the Boy Scouts of America. High School students
who are considering the practice of law as a career meet every
three weeks from September through May at the Bar Association.
The students are given various projects which help them obtain a
better idea of what being a lawyer is all about. All areas
of the practice of law are explored.
The Committee also offers an adult
education program called "The People's Law School." The ten-
week course has been offered at Boardman High School for the past
three years. This year, the Bar Association will provide two
ten-week courses. The Fall program will be offered in
Austintown, in conjunction with the Austintown 20/20 program.
The Winter course will again be held in Boardman, in conjunction
with the Mahoning County Adult Education program. Each
program will offer ten separate classes covering various legal
concepts individuals may encounter. Members of the Bar
Association volunteer to be instructors and provide written course
material to the students. Classes generally include an
overview of the court system, buying a home, criminal law, DUI,
bankruptcy, worker compensation, consumer law issues, personal
injury claims, and general business law.
In addition the Committee sponsors the
Speakers Bureau, comprised of lawyers who are prepared to
offer their time and knowledge to speak on a variety of legal
topics for the enlightenment of any organization, club, or
classroom. Many of the
activities the Committee participates in are suggested by
Committee members. We are always looking for worthwhile
community programs and projects for the Bar Association to become
involved in. |
Chair
Lynn A. Maro
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