During Ariel’s last year in law school, she began working as a Legal Assistant for a solo-practitioner at Schober Law, LLC in Pittsburgh, PA. From March 2017 through November 2017, she conducted legal research pertaining to family law issues. After passing the Pennsylvania Bar Exam, Ariel worked as an Associate Attorney for Schober Law, LLC from November 2017 until March 2018. She represented and advised clients in divorce, child custody, child and spousal support matters.
After her time at Schober Law, LLC, Ariel held the prestigious title of Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Legal Fellow, Veterans Legal Corps hosted by Neighborhood Legal Services Association in Pittsburgh, PA. She provided legal services touching a variety of issues to address the unique needs and challenges faced by veterans, active duty service members, and their families. These issues included landlord tenant matters, home foreclosures, issues with health and disability benefits, family law matters, consumer and medical debt, drivers’ license reinstatement, and expungement/sealing of criminal records issues. Her goal was to keep veterans in their homes, keep military families together, protect and secure income for veterans, and resolve debt issues.
In order to meet her project goals, Ariel liaised with community partner agencies, including case management staff at VA hospitals, VA clinics, and Veterans’ Service Organizations in the Pittsburgh area to create protocols and facilitate referrals. Additionally, she conducted community outreach and advocacy activities to identify and address outstanding needs within Pittsburgh’s veteran community. Activities included developing materials to inform multiple audiences of NLSA’s legal services, and delivering “Legal Literacy” presentations at veteran outreach events on legal topics of broad appeal.
When asked what inspired you to do this work and why are you passionate about this issue, Ariel’s answer was her father, Gerold Oliver. He served in the United States Air Force from 1978 to 1980. Ariel recalls growing up, every conversation her siblings and she had with their dad, no matter the initial subject, predictably always ended up with him telling them stories about his service. However, Ariel also remembers when he also spoke about the many veterans that go without the help they need; essentials for daily living, food, clothing, and shelter. Driven by public interest, Ariel considered it a great service and honor to serve those who served our country.
When Ariel’s two year fellowship term ended in April of 2020 it was during an uncertain time for many. Having served so many families over the years, she retreated to hers, and drew strength from their bond. Reminded of the scripture I Timothy 1:7, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind,” Ariel took a leap of faith. She opened her own practice in July 2020, naming it Oliver’s Community Legal Consulting, LLC. Through her practice, Ariel focuses primarily on Estate Planning. Recognizing the shortcomings of how estate plans are traditionally created, she is determined to serve families and individuals by delivering plans that keep them and their loved ones out of court, out of conflict, and preserve generational wealth.
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