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Lombardi named Community Legal Aid Volunteer of the Year
TRACEY BLAIR
Legal News Reporter
Published: May 17, 2013
Richard C. Lombardi has no complaints. Happily married with two children, a memorable childhood and a successful law practice, the 67-year-old Munroe Falls resident says it is because of his contented life that he feels compelled to help those who are less fortunate.
Lombardi’s efforts to make the community a better place have not gone unnoticed.
He was named Community Legal Aid’s Volunteer of the Year for 2012 at the May 2 Portage County Bar Association Law Day dinner at Fairways at Twin Lakes in Kent.
“I’m very humbled by it,” Lombardi said. “I just try to give back to people who are in need. I have been lucky. I’ve had a good practice, good parents, and I’ve been blessed in a lot of ways.”
A 1970 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Law, Lombardi’s first job was working as a law clerk for one year to former Judge Paul Weick in the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals.
He then joined the Ravenna firm of Loomis, Poland, Wilson and Griffith in 1972, specializing in trial work.
Lombardi, who was a partner in that firm, did both insurance defense work and personal injury cases.
In 1986, he went out on his own.
"Attorney Lombardi has been a longtime volunteer with Legal Aid, giving back to the community in countless ways," said Jennifer van Dulmen, managing attorney for Community Legal Aid's Volunteer Legal Services Program. van Dulmen was also recognized at the Law Day Dinner with the bar association’s prestigious Humanitarian Award. "He [Lombardi] has shown leadership and compassion through his service. His clients have been grateful for the help and his willingness to take the time to help them understand their options and the results he obtains.
“He has given his clients peace of mind, which is a valuable gift to a person who has to worry about how to make it from day to day," said van Dulmen.
Lombardi said the amount of people needing financial help with their legal needs is showing no signs of slowing down.
“Sometimes, people can’t afford to do a bankruptcy, especially in this economy,” he said. “I see a lot of people who need to file bankruptcy and can’t afford to hire an attorney.”
Lombardi also likes to help those in divorce and domestic relations cases – especially women having trouble getting out of abusive situations.
Another favorite cause of his he said is showing debtors who are sued on credit cards what to do to represent themselves.
“Some of these credit card places are really predatory,” said Lombardi. “They are taking advantage of people and charging exorbitant interest rates. If someone is working, they’ll garnish their wages. It’s sad, and it shows how bad the economy is. A lot of times there may be technical defenses, or the statute of limitations has expired.”
Lombardi is past president of the Portage County Bar Association. He serves on Portage United Way’s distribution committee and also volunteers at the Center of Hope. He has been a volunteer attorney for Community Legal Aid for the past several years.
“I plan to keep practicing and helping others,” he said.