Spotlight of the Week: Leah Winsberg – Champion for Youth Justice

This week, we celebrate Leah Winsberg, a dedicated advocate for juvenile justice reform and the Senior Policy Attorney at Children’s Law Center, Inc. Leah’s work is centered on improving Ohio’s juvenile and criminal legal systems through direct legal assistance, policy reform, and community education. She leads efforts to promote alternatives to incarceration, reduce racial disparities, and improve conditions of confinement for young people.

Before joining the Children’s Law Center in October 2020, Leah worked in the Juvenile Division of the Cuyahoga County Office of the Public Defender, where she represented youth in complex legal proceedings and advocated for parental rights in child support and welfare cases. She also played a key role in policy reform efforts to improve outcomes for youth in Ohio’s delinquency system.

Leah’s passion for justice extends beyond her legal practice. With a background in social services, she has worked with children and youth in Cleveland, Ohio, and Austin, Texas, addressing behavioral health, education, employment, and re-entry programs for justice-involved youth. Her advocacy dates back to her time at Cleveland State University’s College of Law, where she graduated magna cum laude and was awarded the prestigious Dean’s “Learn Law, Live Justice” fellowship. Even as a law student, she worked on campaigns to end solitary confinement for youth and improve legal representation for parents in child welfare cases.

Now residing in Cleveland, Ohio, Leah continues to lead the way in systemic legal reform, ensuring that Ohio’s legal framework acknowledges the fundamental differences between youth and adults. Her tireless dedication makes her a true champion for young people in our state.