The Ohio Supreme Court is asking for public comment on whether an admission without examination applicant can practice pending admission.

The Ohio Supreme Court is asking for public comment on whether an admission without examination applicant can practice pending admission.

The Ohio Supreme Court will accept public comment until April 10 on a proposed amendment that would allow attorneys who passed another state’s bar exam to practice law in Ohio while their requests to be admitted to the Ohio bar without examination are pending.

Currently, when attorneys admitted to practice exclusively outside Ohio move to Ohio, they must either pass the Ohio bar exam or wait until their applications for admission without examination are approved by the Court to practice law in Ohio.

Under the proposed amendment to the Rules for the Government of the Bar, an attorney applicant may apply for practice pending admission. This occurs while their application for admission without examination is pending if he or she meets the proposed amendment’s criteria.

Among the most notable requirements for out-of-state attorneys applying for practice pending admission are that the applicants: 1) possess a clean disciplinary record; 2) are in good standing in all jurisdictions in which they are admitted to practice law; 3) have not been previously denied admission to the Ohio bar in the last decade under any circumstances; and 4) certify that they have consented to be bound by the Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct.

In addition, if applicants intend to practice Ohio law while their admission without examination application is pending, they must associate with an active Ohio attorney who is in good standing and has agreed to associate with the applicant.

Additionally, an applicant must notify the Court if he or she is convicted of a crime or becomes the subject of a disciplinary investigation or sanction while practicing pending admission.

If the applicant is approved to practice pending admission, he or she may do so for no more than 365 days, unless permission has been extended beyond that period by the Office of Bar Admissions.

An applicant’s ability to practice pending admission can terminate upon the occurrence of a number of events, among them: 1) the 365-day period expiring without extension; 2) the applicant’s application for admission without examination being disapproved; and 3) disbarment, suspension, or resignation from the practice of law with disciplinary action pending in another jurisdiction.

Comments should be submitted in writing or via email by April 10 to:

Gina Palmer, Director of the Attorney Services Division
65 South Front St., Fifth Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215-3431
or
gina.palmer@sc.ohio.gov

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