Despite the work of Ohio's metropolitan legal aid societies and other efforts by lawyers around the Buckeye State, the state bar association estimates only about a quarter of all Ohioans in need of legal services are able to access it.

It's for that reason, according to Bill Weisenberg, assistant executive director of public affairs and government relations of the Ohio State Bar Association, that state bar associations across the United States of America have joined a nationwide funding effort. The presidents of all 50 state bar associations, the District of Columbia and two U.S. territories are asking Congress to respond to tightening economic times and close "the current justice gap in America by appropriating at least $400 million to the Legal Services Corporation.

"Think of the number of people - without the means to hire an attorney - who are facing foreclosure," Weisenberg said, highlighting the fallout from the adjustable rate mortgage crisis that has helped push the country ever closer to a recession in recent months.

He suggested seniors facing problems with Medicare coverage and health-care benefits are another target audience.

"These problems are very significant," Weisenberg added.

In a letter sent to the chairs of the House and Senate subcommittees tasked with setting Legal Services Corporation funding, bar presidents, including OSBA President Robert Ware, urged Congress to put the funding increase in the 2009 Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies bill in order to offset inflation's impact on LSC's budget, according to an American Bar Association statement released Monday.

Were the corporation funded at 1995 levels, adjusted for inflation, it would be some $176 million higher than the $400 million request, the statement indicated.

In addition, the National Conference of Bar Presidents and the National Association of Bar Executives added signatories to the request.

"Every day, new situations arise that continue to stretch the ability of our country to ensure that low income persons can fairly resolve their legal problems through the justice system," the letter began. "Today, consumer fraud matters and the mortgage foreclosure crisis are at the forefront. In addition to affecting low-income homeowners, the foreclosures are also forcing low-income renters from their homes.

LSC funds 137 local programs serving every county in the United States and its territories to provide direct services to those who live below or near the poverty line.

"Failure to resolve their basic legal issues causes even greater hardship for them, and often leads to their reliance other government programs," the letter continued.

Nationwide, some 50 million Americans qualify for federally-supported legal assistance, but half are turned away because of the funding shortfall, according to the ABA.

More information about Legal Services Corporation funding can be found at www.abanet.org/poladv/abaday08/lscresources.shtml.