New Lawyer Training FAQs
(For Attorneys Admitted Before Nov. 1, 2008)
- Who is required to complete a New Lawyers Training Program, and what are the basic requirements?
- What if I have registered for inactive status?
- Who is exempt from the New Lawyers Training Program requirement?
- How do I meet my New Lawyers Training Program requirement?
- What is the New Lawyers Training Program?
- What will I learn in a New Lawyers Training Program?
- How can I locate a New Lawyers Training Program?
- If I take a New Lawyers Training Program outside Ohio, will I receive credit in Ohio?
- What if I have further questions?
1. Who is required to complete a New Lawyers Training Program, and what are the basic requirements?
Active attorneys newly admitted to the practice of law in Ohio by examination are required to complete an approved New Lawyers Training Program (“NLT”), unless otherwise exempted from the requirements (see number 3, below).
General Requirements
- The program must be completed prior to the end of the calendar year following the calendar year of admission. (Example: An attorney admitted to the practice of law by examination in 2006 is required to complete NLT by Dec. 31, 2007.)
- At the end of the calendar year following the calendar year of the attorney's admission, the attorney must file a report with the Commission on Continuing Legal Education (“Commission”) verifying compliance with all NLT requirements.
- New attorneys are exempt from the regular 24-hour continuing legal education requirement during their NLT period. (The NLT period runs from the attorney's calendar year of admission through the end of the following calendar year).
2. What if I have registered for inactive status?
If you are registered for inactive status with the Attorney Registration Section you are exempt from NLT.
However, if you change your registration status to active prior to the end of the third calendar year following the calendar year of your admission, you will be required to complete an approved NLT program. The NLT program must be completed prior to the end of the calendar year following the calendar year of reinstatement of active status. You will also be required to file a report with the Commission verifying your compliance with NLT.
3. Who is exempt from the New Lawyer Training Program requirement?
- An attorney admitted to the practice of law in Ohio without examination (Gov. Bar R. I, Section 9). (Please note that although attorneys admitted without examination are exempt from NLT, they nevertheless are required to comply with continuing legal education requirements of Gov. Bar R.X. Attorneys admitted without examination will not receive CLE credit for attendance at a NLT program.)
- An attorney registered for inactive status under Gov. Bar R. VI, Section 2 (see number 2, above).
4. How do I meet my New Lawyers Training Program requirement?
You must attend a pre-approved NLT program and file your final reporting transcript by the applicable deadlines.
5. What is a New Lawyers Training Program?
A two-day, 12-hour course approved in accordance with former Gov. Bar R. X, section 3(H) and former CCLE Reg. 414.
6. What will I learn in a New Lawyers Training Program?
New Lawyers Training is developed to introduce new attorneys to the “nuts and bolts” of practicing law. There also is a strong emphasis on professional relationships and lawyering.
For a list of specific courses that will be included in a NLT program, please refer to Gov. Bar R. X, Section 3(H) and Regulation 414.
7. How can I locate a New Lawyers Training Program?
Please contact the Commission on Continuing Legal Education at 614.387.9325.
8. If I take a New Lawyers Training Program outside Ohio, will I receive credit in Ohio?
No. Only programs that have been pre-approved by the Commission as an Ohio New Lawyers Training Program meet Ohio's NLT requirement.
9. What if I have further questions?
We want you to comply with our rules and strongly encourage you to call us if you have any questions regarding your New Lawyers Training Requirements. You may reach us by telephone at 614.387.9325, or by e-mail at ccle@sc.ohio.gov.