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A group of 11 foreign lawyers studying law through an innovative program at Ohio Northern University will visit the Supreme Court of Ohio Wednesday to observe oral arguments and meet with Justices of the Court. The visit is part of the students' introduction to the U.S. legal system.
“The Supreme Court is honored to host students of law who have clearly made a significant commitment to the legal profession both in their native countries and here,” said Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer. “We are pleased to help facilitate their understanding of how the rule of law and democratic institutions operate in the United States.”
Ohio Northern University introduced the new legal education program for young lawyers from the emerging democracies of Eastern Europe and Central Asia this fall, making its Pettit College of Law the only school in the United States to offer a degree in democratic and legal reforms to foreign lawyers.
The lawyers participating in this year's program are from Ukraine, Bosnia, Georgia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. The year-long course of intensive study in the Democratic Governance and Rule of Law LL.M. program addresses issues of transitional democracies, including comparative government systems, competitiveness and corruption, and rule of law. Lawyers in government service, or working with non-governmental organizations, are the focal point of the program.
During their visit with the Supreme Court, the students will observe oral arguments, meet with Justices of the Court, and receive a tour of the historic Ohio Judicial Center. The students will be joined by David C. Crago, Dean of the Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law, as well as the university's Howard N. Fenton III, director and professor of law, and Elena V. Helmer, visiting assistant professor of law. Ohio Northern is located in Ada in West Central Ohio.
Chief Justice Moyer has long been active in assisting emerging democracies develop their judicial institutions. He helped develop the Ukrainian constitution and has made several trips to Ukraine and Chile.
For more information about the Supreme Court of Ohio visit www.supremecourtofohio.gov.
Contact: Andrea M. Strle, 614.387.9250.