Title
To recognize and celebrate Eleana Drakatos as the 2026 recipient of the Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio’s exceptional service by an individual award
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WHEREAS, Eleana Drakatos is the 2026 recipient of the Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio’s Exceptional Service by an Individual Award; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Drakatos, grew up in Greece, came back to the Buckeye State to attend Ohio Wesleyan University and decided to pursue a law degree from Capital University Law School; and
WHEREAS, Being able to advocate for others when the legal system feels overwhelming or difficult is a meaningful part of Ms. Drakatos’ volunteering with LASCO. She considers her work as mutually beneficial, as lawyers receive professional development and the opportunity to give back to the community; and
WHEREAS, She has served as a volunteer with LASCO’s Tenant Advocacy Project, allowing her to use her knowledge to aid others while learning new areas of the law; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Drakatos has served as President for the Ohio State Bar Association and Women Lawyers of Franklin County and served on the Boards of the Ohio State Bar Association, the Ohio Bar Liability Insurance Company, the Ohio State Bar Foundation, the Ohio Association for Justice, and the Central Ohio Association for Justice. Her dedication to her clients and community ensures access to justice and representation is provided through Fairfield County and beyond; and
WHEREAS, Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio is committed to searching out the patterns, causes of, and solutions to the repetitive and fundamental legal problems facing low-income Ohioans and pursuing the legal recourse needed to address those problems; and
WHEREAS, Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio is comprised of advocates who are passionate about providing legal services to low-income individuals, and it is an honor and a privilege to work with an organization that is committed to making the daily lives of Columbus residents better - a fact exemplified by the service of people such as Eleana Drakatos; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS: That this Council recognizes and celebrates Eleana Drakatos as the 2026 Recipient of the Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio’s Exceptional Service by an Individual Award.