Yesterday, June 11, 2012 the Ohio Supreme Court announced proposed changes to the CLE rules. These proposed changes are open for comment until July 10.
According to Susan Christoff, Attorney Services Director, the proposal is a result of a year-long study by the Commission on CLE and incorporated feedback from judges and attorneys about what changes they would like to see made to the CLE rules.
Proposed changes include:
- Self-study hours would increase from six to 12 per biennial period. Self-study includes online courses such as live webcasts or previously recorded on demand programs.
- Attorneys could now earn up to six credit hours per biennial period for pro bono service performed. One credit would be given for each six hours of pro bono (up to six hours). To be eligible, 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
- Credit could be awarded for presentations that occur concurrent with the consumption of a meal, which is currently prohibited (see "Food for Thought...But Not for CLE?").
- Sanction fines for non-compliant attorneys would be lowered, with the upper limit reduced from $500 to $300.
- The time deadline for curing deficiencies would be moved up by a month.
- Attorneys would no longer be required to file a final reporting transcript.
There are proposed changes to the requirements for CLE for judges as well.
Comments should be submitted in writing to:
Susan Christoff, Director, Attorney Services Division
Supreme Court of Ohio
65 S. Front St., Fifth Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215
or
