Legal Aid Society names long-time advocate new Executive Director
“It has always been a privilege to work at Legal Aid. I wake up each day grateful I get to do the work of ensuring fairness in the justice system for those in poverty. I feel honored to have the confidence of our dedicated Board and staff to lead this storied organization.”
Legal Aid Society is pleased to announce that John Young has been selected by the Board of Directors as the organization’s next Executive Director. The Board of Director conducted a nation-wide search over the past two months, engaging with former Executive Director Neva Polley-Scott to help lead the effort and conduct a thorough review of candidates.
"We are thrilled to announce John Young as the new Executive Director of the Legal Aid Society. John has dedicated his entire legal career to this organization, starting in intake and working his way up through nearly every corner of our practice,” said Jeremiah Byrne, Chair of the Board of Directors. “His deep knowledge of the law, unwavering commitment to justice, and the thousands of clients he has compassionately served over the years make him uniquely qualified to lead us forward. The Board has full confidence that under John's leadership, Legal Aid will continue to be a strong and steady advocate for those who need it most."
John was hired as a staff attorney at the Legal Aid Society in 2001. He has spent his professional life at Legal Aid handling predominantly family law, landlord-tenant, expungement, and tax cases. Most recently, John served as Deputy Director overseeing the internal operations of the public interest, not for profit law firm. Outside of the practice of law, John has been civically engaged. He has previously served on the Financial Advisory Council of the Epiphany Catholic Church and as Mayor of the 6th class City of Manor Creek.
Born in Tennessee and raised in Ohio, John attended the University of Kentucky for his undergraduate degree and later the University of Dayton School of Law for his juris doctorate.
“It has always been a privilege to work at Legal Aid,” said John. “I wake up each day grateful I get to do the work of ensuring fairness in the justice system for those in poverty. I feel honored to have the confidence of our dedicated Board and staff to lead this storied organization.”
John assumed the duties of Executive Director on April 18, 2025. Outgoing Executive Director Jefferson Coulter will stay on as staff until May 2, 2025 to assist in the transition.
