Legal Aid Society Executive Director plans to retire

Jeff Been, executive director of the Legal Aid Society of Louisville, announced on Wednesday that he will retire from the organization after 23 years.

According to Louisville Business First, Been has been the executive director of the Legal Aid Society for more than 10 years and has been a strong partner and supporter of Brandeis School of Law, not only as an adjunct professor, but also as a mentor to our student fellows and faculty.

He has received the Dean's Award on two different occasions for his partnership with the Law School.

"We want to congratulate Jeff on his amazing tenure with Legal Aid. He truly is a giant in the legal community and dear friend of the Law School. Jeff and Legal Aid have been partners of Brandeis School of Law on a multitude of projects including supervising public service placements, hosting law school fellows, designing the Brandeis Faculty Fellow Program and working closely with our clinic," said Dean Susan Duncan. "Jeff worked tirelessly to make sure those most needing help received high quality legal representation. We salute Jeff and wish him the best of luck in his new endeavors."

According to the Business First article, the Legal Aid Society experienced a 30-percent increase in annual funding under Been's direction, as well as a 60-percent growth in gifts and a 100-percent increase in clients served annually.

A search committee will be appointed to find Been's replacement.