Columbus, OH – On Wednesday, The Buckeye Institute filed public comments with the Ohio Supreme Court urging the court to adopt the proposed amendments and admit qualified part-time attorneys—practicing in other jurisdictions—to the Ohio Bar without needless regulatory hardships.  

“Ohio is one of a small minority of states that prevents qualified part-time attorneys—who are practicing in another jurisdiction—from practicing law in Ohio without going through the expensive regulatory burden of taking the Ohio bar exam,” said David C. Tryon, director of litigation at The Buckeye Institute and co-author of the comments. “By removing this needless regulatory restriction, Ohio would encourage part-time attorneys to move to the Buckeye State, increasing the availability and affordability of legal services to those in need.”

Long committed to reducing needless occupational licensing requirements that serve as barriers to career advancement, The Buckeye Institute demonstrated that the proposed amendments would: 

• Require attorneys to be competent and hold them to the same professional responsibility requirements as every other attorney admitted to the Ohio Bar;
• Give consumers greater access to legal services; and 
• Facilitate increased personal well-being for attorneys.

“The proposed amendments may appear minor, but they will profoundly and positively affect the Ohio legal landscape,” said Alex M. Certo, a legal fellow at The Buckeye Institute and co-author of the comments.

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