Justice on Wheels: Judge Katarina
Cook’s drive to provide access to
family law justice across Summit
County with the Ohio Justice Bus

06 November 2025

A Small Blue Van and a Large Meaningful Impact

Summit County, Ohio Wednesday, November 5, 2025 -- Every other month a small blue van with “Ohio Justice Bus” emblazoned on the sides pulls into a library parking lot or community center in Summit County. To most, it looks like another outreach van. But step inside the Ohio Justice Bus, and it’s transformative: 2 small, mobile law offices with wi-fi and printers turning confusion into clarity for our families. Wherever the Bus parks, the space shifts from public ground to common cause, each stop bringing the system closer to the people it serves, where access to the law belongs to everyone. Folding tables become law desks, laptops hum, and families arrive with questions about custody, divorce, or child support and most importantly, their personal safety.

These pop-up events provide members of the community with a “One-Stop Shop” legal aid service and court access.

Summit County Domestic Relations Court is committed to providing equal access to a fair and effective system of justice for all. The Problem: Each year the Court encounters hundreds of unrepresented people who desire legal aid. The lack of legal counsel can cost parties time and money.

The Solution: In partnership with the Ohio Justice Bus (which is sponsored by the Ohio Access to Justice Foundation) Summit County Domestic Relations Court’s staff refers parties who need help completing their paperwork and have legal questions that Court personnel are not permitted by law to answer. In addition, community partners that promote the event to get the word out. Hosting the Ohio Justice Bus helps bridge this gap.

The Ohio Justice Bus provides technology to address legal needs to underserved people and helps solve legal challenges to help improve financial security, health, and safety.

Administrative Judge Katarina Cook shared, “the legal process can take time but when you can meet with an attorney for free, file your paperwork correctly and see a judge all in the same day – that’s providing access”

Summit County Domestic Relations Court is collaborating with the following agencies: Child Support Enforcement, Community Legal Aid, Victim Assistance Program and Asian Services In Action to empower the community of Summit County. “People need access to justice and that’s not just the ability to walk into the court house – that is being connected with community resources”, stated Judge Cook.

In Summit County, the Domestic Relations Court’s sponsorship has made the Bus a local fixture. The concept is simple but transformative — bring legal help directly to the people who need it most, especially those who can’t afford traditional representation. It’s the courthouse meeting the community where they are. These are not full-service consultations; they’re targeted sessions designed to give direction in the hope of helping people understand their next step. Whether that’s filing a motion, contacting Legal Aid, or simply gathering the right documents. Summit County Domestic Relations Court’s Ohio Justice Bus events have brought a new kind of empowerment to the Summit County community.

The Demand Keeps Growing

To date 230 Summit County residents received direct assistance this year through the Clinics offered by the Summit County Domestic Relations Court. This year the clinic has seen a 25% increase in participants from last year and 40% increase from the clinics first year in 2023. The Court’s collaboration with partner nonprofits has expanded outreach, drawing in families across the county and beyond. Many participants learned about the program through word of mouth or from flyers distributed at local libraries and community events.

What these numbers don’t show, though, is the emotional weight lifted when someone finally gets an answer after months — sometimes years — of uncertainty. The organizer, Administrative Judge Katarina Cook explains, “When folks first show up you can feel tension in the air, which gradually lessens as attorneys do what they do best: listen. I also believe that people seeing their judge walk amongst the crowd, making sure everyone is seen and their needs are addressed, makes them feel heard.”

The Power of Volunteerism

Every clinic relies on the quiet heroism of volunteer attorneys. The Bus can’t run without them, quite literally. While the vehicle, equipment, and scheduling come from the Ohio Access to Justice Foundation, and the coordination comes from Judge Cook and dedicated court staff, the knowledge and compassion come from local lawyers who give their time. Many volunteers describe the experience as grounding. It takes them out of offices, out of routine, and places them face-to-face with people who don’t need theory — they need direction. Often, it’s 30 minutes of practical problem-solving: explaining how to serve a motion, where to find parenting forms, or what mediation might accomplish. Those minutes matter. They ripple outward through families, workplaces, schools; creating stability that court orders alone can’t achieve.

Beyond the Law: Building Community Trust

The Bus also brings together community partners and agencies that don’t often share space. At a typical Summit County clinic, you might find tables staffed by housing counselors, fatherhood advocates, and victim assistance professionals. The Court intentionally invites these partners to offer a holistic experience; one where residents can walk away with both legal and social-service support. It’s access to justice in the truest sense, blending law with empathy and practical help. As the program grows, so does its visibility.

The Invitation

And yet, the call for volunteers remains urgent. Demand continues to outpace availability. Each clinic could serve more people if there were just a few more attorneys on board. Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or a new family law attorney searching for meaningful pro bono work, the Justice Bus offers a direct route to impact. Scheduling is flexible and the gratitude you’ll receive is immediate.

If you are ready to be part of that change, the Summit County Domestic Relations Court in partnership with the Ohio Justice Bus welcomes new volunteers for upcoming 2026 clinic dates. One afternoon of your time can help rewrite someone’s story - and remind you of your own.

For the Community

Join us December 12th at the Barberton Library from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Don’t be frozen out of the clinic. Walk-ins available; pre-register recommended.

Court Resources

Email/Call Paul M. Henry at phenry@drcourt.org, 330-643-7845 to sign up to volunteer, or to pre-
register for the next Ohio Justice Bus event.
Administrative Judge Katarina Cook Bio:
https://drcourt.org/wp/directory/judge-katarina-cook/
Summit County Domestic Relations Court Main Website:
https://drcourt.org/wp/
Ohio Justice Bus
https://www.ohiojusticefoundation.org/grantees/ohio-justice-bus/

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Justice on Wheels: Judge Katarina Cook’s drive to provide access to family law justice across Summit County with the Ohio Justice Bus

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Paid for by Friends of Judge Katarina Cook Committee