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More than 1,000 new attorneys who met the challenge of law school and passing the bar exam were sworn in today at ceremonies officially admitting them to the bar. Supreme Court of Ohio Justice Maureen O'Connor administered the oath at the ceremonies, which took place during two special sessions of the Supreme Court at the historic Ohio Theatre.
“You are now members of one of the greatest professions in the world, a profession that will enable you to make a living, raise a family, challenge your intellect, and one that can provide a tremendous amount of personal and professional satisfaction,” said Justice O'Connor, who was asked by Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer to administer the oath of office and offer remarks. “You will have a unique opportunity to help those who cannot help themselves to obtain justice and fairness in our legal system.”
The new attorneys taking the oath today passed the July bar examination and satisfied all of the Supreme Court's other requirements for admission. Out of 1,290 applicants, 1,002 applicants, or 78 percent, received passing scores. Out of 1,136 first-time applicants, 85 percent received passing scores. The University of Toledo College of Law (93 percent), University of Cincinnati College of Law (93 percent), Capital University Law School (87 percent), and Case Western Reserve University College of Law (86 percent) had the highest percentage of first-time applicant passing scores.
Michael P. Morrison, chairman of the Board of Bar Examiners, presented a motion to admit the successful applicants. Also present at the ceremonies were Chief Justice Moyer and Justices Paul E. Pfeifer, Evelyn Lundberg Stratton, and Terrence O'Donnell.
John S. Stith, president of the Ohio State Bar Association, and Douglas E. Ray, dean of the University of Toledo College of Law, also offered remarks.
“We have tested you and found that you are ready for the practice of law,” Ray said. “Today we celebrate that there are no more grades, no more tests. Today we recognize you as a professional.”
In her remarks to the new attorneys, Justice O'Connor offered several pieces of advice, noting that the decisions they make in the coming years will define their careers as lawyers. She encouraged them to review the disciplinary rules, associate with a mentor in the profession, be civil, courteous and prepared, be available to clients, always be early, and know the rules of court.
“I highly recommend that you take what you do as an attorney very seriously,” Justice O'Connor said. “You are in a position of trust and one that focuses on duty to the client and to the court. The stakes are high, and the expectations are great.”
Following the ceremonies, the attorneys were offered a tour of the Ohio Judicial Center, including the Supreme Court Courtroom, the Law Library and the attorney registration office.
For more information on the Supreme Court of Ohio please visit www.supremecourtofohio.gov.
For high-resolution, publication-quality photos of the Justices of the Supreme Court of Ohio visit: http://www.supremecourtofohio.gov/Communications_Office/Press_Releases/images/justices/justices_highres.zip.
For photos from today's ceremony, click on the images above or visit: http://www.supremecourtofohio.gov/Communications_Office/Press_Releases/2006/barAdmission.zip.
Contact: Chris Davey or Andrea M. Strle, 614.387.9250.