The latest class of Ohio attorneys sworn to act with integrity took their oaths Monday. The moment marked the end of their studies and the beginning of their careers in the legal profession.

“You have completed your classes, passed the bar, and now you are attorneys. Welcome,” said Chief Justice Sharon L. Kennedy.

The journey to the Palace Theatre where they were celebrated for their accomplishments, looked different for everyone in the room. But the hard work and perseverance that went into graduating law school and passing the bar was understood by all.

“Some good things take a while to happen, but they are worth waiting for,” said Justice Melody J. Stewart.

Among the 182 new lawyers sworn in to the Ohio bar were Rebecca and Spencer Sukel. The couple met during their first semester of law school in South Carolina in the spring of 2021.

Even though all their classes were together, they only knew each other in a virtual setting due to the pandemic. After Rebecca and Spencer finally had the opportunity to meet in person during a social gathering in March 2021, they never left each other’s side.

“It really was instantaneous,” said Spencer. “We knew right away that we would want to start a family.”

They adopted two dogs, transferred to the University of Akron School of Law for their second semester to be closer to Spencer’s family in Chagrin Falls, and by January of 2023, they were expecting their first child.

While preparing to welcome a baby, the couple pressed on with their studies.

Each spent time at the Supreme Court as externs for Justice Michael P. Donnelly. Rebecca did so while pregnant during the summer of 2023, and Spencer took a turn after their son, Julius, was born in September.

As Rebecca and Spencer adjusted to their new lives as parents, they still found time to excel in their classes and externships.

“It was the most comprehensive experience,” Rebecca said of her time at the Court. “They really help with your writing skills. They give a lot of great feedback.”

In December, the couple graduated from law school and began preparing for the bar exam with a newborn at their side.

“The only way we were able to do it was because we had each other,” said Spencer.

While their journey to becoming lawyers wasn’t typical, the Sukels never let their goals out of sight.

“During law school, I found that being adaptable to change is a paramount attribute to success,” said Rebecca. “It is imperative to be able to adapt when unexpected events occur, or when things do not go to plan, and therefore turn an ostensible hurdle into a trampoline.”

She encourages anyone facing challenges of their own to keep moving forward.

“Don’t be afraid to chart your own course, carve your own path, or march to the sound of your own drum, as you pursue your education and goals,” said Rebecca.
 
As newly licensed attorneys, Spencer will be an associate at Freeman Mathis & Gary in Cleveland, while Rebecca will practice domestic relations law at Zashin Law, also in Cleveland.

For the attorneys beginning their new professional careers this week, Justice Stewart shared her wisdom to practice law with ethics and integrity.

“Know that no matter who your clients are – organizations or businesses, governmental entities or individuals, those with means and those without – your job will be to zealously and competently provide the best representation possible within the confines of the law. But your job will never be to win at all costs,” she said.

Chief Justice Kennedy encouraged the new lawyers to give back to the communities where they were raised.

“If you’re an Ohio attorney and your home is outside of one of these six counties: Cuyahoga, Franklin, Hamilton, Lucas, Montgomery, and Summit, I ask you to please consider returning home,” she said. “There are 82 legal deserts across Ohio. [Those counties] do not have enough lawyers to represent the needs of families, communities, and businesses.”