Columbus Bar Lawyers Quarterly Fall 2020

Bar Insider

Giving Back

To LASC with Cy Pres awards by: melissa dutton

October is National Pro Bono Month When Greg Reichenbach learned that a class action lawsuit he filed against Santander Consumer USA would result in a sizeable cy pres award, he immediately thought of giving the money to Legal Aid. Reichenbach, a consumer rights attorney in northwest Ohio, has a great working relationship with the Legal Aid Society of Columbus. He co-counsels cases, trades strategies, occasionally receives referrals and presents at training with LASC attorneys. The relationship is “mutually beneficial,” says Reichenbach.

“We routinely consult with one another about cases and clients, and it’s helpful to all of us,” he says. “I also enjoy participating in their trainings because there is such a need for attorneys who can help defend consumers from bad deals and dishonest salespeople. There are not enough private attorneys, and not enough resources to allow LASC to help

everyone who needs help.”

The class action lawsuit, which was the result of a referral from LASC, dealt with a finance company that did not provide adequate information in its vehicle repossession notices. The settlement agreement wiped away more than $120 million in debt for Ohioans. In addition, Reichenbach directed $150,000 in cy pres funds to LASC. His co-counsel from a Cleveland law firm allocated an additional $150,000 to Cleveland Legal Aid. “I feel good about directing the money there because I know that LASC does important work for low-income Ohioans,” he says. “I’m confident it will be used to help poor people, including many whose circumstances are similar to those who were a part of this case. LASC does a great job with the resources it has, and I am happy to help them continue to do good work.”

The award is greatly appreciated, said Kate McGarvey, executive director of Ohio State Legal Services Association, the umbrella organization for LASC. “We can’t thank Greg enough for allocating these funds to Legal Aid,” she says. “The timing of

12 | Columbus Bar Lawyers Quarterly Summer 2020