WE are the Franklin County Public Defender Collective, the last and best line of defense for the marginalized people of our community involved with the criminal justice system. We fight every day in and out of court for our clients. What we do is hard, but we do it because our clients are worth it. WE are unionizing because WE are worth it. Today we are asking our community to support us and stand with us as we request voluntary recognition of our union from Director Yeura Venters and the administration of the Franklin County Public Defenders Office.

On Thursday, May 18, 2023, a letter was presented to Yeura Venters, Director of the Franklin County Public Defenders Office. (Click here to read the letter). This letter outlines our commitment to our clients and the struggles we are facing in balancing the needs of our clients and our current unsustainable realities.  That is why we organize. We are also asking for the community to support our organizing efforts and urge the Franklin County Public Defenders office to voluntarily recognize our union.

We know that the power of a union will better serve our clients, our staff, and the legacy we care so much about. Unionizing is consistent with our mission to ensure our clients get the best representation possible. Unionizing ensures not just the legacy we have inherited but it empowers us to make it even better. We envision a future where we have a greater presence in our community. A future where OUR office remains in OUR control. A future where we are the leading voice in indigent defense in the State of Ohio. Please join us in our efforts and sign the petition.

In Solidarity,

Franklin County Public Defenders Collective