Attorney Alan Kappers was honored for his service to the community at the Access to Justice awards November 12, 2008 at the Dayton Marriott. Barbara Ehrenreich, journalist, historian and social critic was the keynote speaker.
Kappers received the Lloyd O’Hara Public Interest Law Award. Kappers is considered the leader in establishing the original Legal Aid Society, which provided services to Miami, Clark, Preble and Greene counties. Kappers authored the original Articles of Incorporation and by-laws for the new organization and applied for the initial grant from Legal Services Corporation. Kappers laid the ground work for funding legal services to the low income and poor to assure equal access to justice.
This was the third year for the Access to Justice awards which recognize exemplary service on behalf of low-income residents of the Miami Valley. The awards are presented by Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc., Legal Aid of Western Ohio Inc. and the Greater Dayton Volunteer Lawyer’s Project.