Here’s what’s New …

This year, attorney registration opens early. Mark your calendar for June 29, 2023.

For the first time, registration will be completely online at supremecourt.ohio.gov. The online application will also have new and different questions and available answers.

Changes to attorney registration for the 2023-2025 biennium were adopted by the Supreme Court of Ohio on March 2, 2023 and take effect July 1, 2023. Responses available for questions of gender, race, and ethnicity have been expanded and are no longer mandatory.

Gender description options will be male, female, and non-binary.  Options for race/ethnicity will include White, Hispanic, Latino, Spanish, Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Chinese, Filipino, Asian Indian, Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, Other Asian, Native Hawaiian, Samoan, Chamorro, Other Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern/North African and “Some Other Race”.

Also for the 2023-2025 registration, attorneys will be asked to identify other states where they are licensed to practice law, whether they have professional liability insurance, and if there is a succession plan in the event the attorney is permanently or temporarily unable to manage their caseload.

As of January 1, 2025, private practice attorneys who do not maintain professional liability insurance must complete free, CLE-accredited, online curriculum on the ethical operation of a law practice known as Proactive Management-Based Regulation (PMBR).

Approximately 70% of disciplinary cases in Ohio involve solo practitioners. The PMBR program is designed to reduce the solo and small firm practitioners’ exposure to claims of unethical conduct and malpractice, while providing added protection to the public.

While PMBR encourages attorneys to carry professional liability insurance, it also provides robust information to solo and small firm attorneys about operating their business ethically and in the best interests of the client. Beginning with the 2025-2027 registration biennium, attorneys who do not carry professional liability insurance nor complete the free, CLE-accredited, online PMBR program will be subject to suspension from the practice of law.