Proposed Ohio Supreme Court CLE Changes

The Ohio Supreme Court last week announced proposed continuing legal education (CLE) changes that would double the number of online credit hours attorneys could earn, allow attorneys to earn a portion of their CLE hours by engaging in approved pro bono activities, and eliminate the requirement to file final reporting transcripts.

The Court's announcement related the proposed changes to Gov. Bar R. X resulted from a year-long study by the Commission on Continuing Legal Education and incorporated feedback from a survey of the state's judges and active attorneys about what changes they would like made to CLE requirements.

Among the changes, attorneys will still be required to earn 24 hours every 2 years and be subject to monetary sanction and suspension for failing to meet the minimum hour requirement, but will no longer would be required to file a final reporting transcript… For pro bono credit, attorneys could receive 1 hour of CLE credit for every 6 hours of pro bono service up to a maximum of 6 credit hours for service performed during a biennial compliance period. To be eligible for such credit, the attorney’s pro bono service must be verified by a bar association or other organization recognized by the commission as providing pro bono programs and services in Ohio.

The Court is accepting public comment on the proposed changes until July 10 which should be submitted to:

Susan Christoff, Director, Attorney Services Division
Supreme Court of Ohio
65 S. Front St., Fifth Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Or via e-mail to: susan.christoff@sc.ohio.gov

Text of Proposed CLE Changes