Geauga County Assistant Prosecutor named Ohio CASA’s 2024 Attorney Advocate of the Year
Paul Miller, Esq. honored at 29th Annual Celebrate Kids! Conference for excellent communication, collaboration with CASA
Geauga County Assistant Prosecutor Paul Miller, Esq. has been named Ohio CASA’s 2024 Attorney Advocate of the Year for his commitment to serving the Geauga and Lake County communities.
Miller was honored during Ohio CASA’s 29th Annual Celebrate Kids! Conference in late September, attended by more than 700 CASA volunteers, attorneys, and other child welfare professionals from across Ohio.
“People ask me: ‘How can you do this kind of work every day?’ I tell them that I do it because, every once in a while, we help turn families in crisis around and give them the opportunity to lead better lives,” said Miller. “My brief time serving as an Assistant County Prosecutor representing the Geauga County Department of Job and Family Services has been some of the most enjoyable work of my career.”
Miller was nominated by the CASA for Kids of Geauga County program who said he has demonstrated a strong commitment to the juvenile court and CASA program.
“Paul highlights the work of volunteers and encourages Lake County to establish its own CASA program,” said CASA for Kids of Geauga County Executive Director Mary Ruth Shumway. “He communicates consistently with CASA volunteers, staff, families, and children, to the benefit of the children we all serve.”
Shumway said that in early 2024, he helped organize and conduct a Supreme Court-approved training session for attorneys and CASA volunteers.
“Paul shared pointers on effective testifying techniques, on top of organizing and putting on a mock trial,” said Shumway. “This was very innovative. It also provided needed hands-on experience for all the CASA volunteers and attorneys who attended. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive.”
Every year, Ohio CASA honors multiple volunteers and child welfare professionals like Miller.
CASA volunteers are community members who, after comprehensive training, advocate for children experiencing abuse and neglect.
There are currently CASA programs in 60 Ohio counties. Geauga County has operated a CASA program since 1995. If you would like become a CASA volunteer or support their work, contact the CASA for Kids of Geauga County team.