Ohio Supreme Court Legal Intern Certificate
Students who have completed 60 credit hours may be eligible to obtain certification from the Ohio Supreme Court to represent, with certain restrictions and limitations, individuals in civil or criminal cases. The student must be “employed by or associated with a law school clinic, legal aid bureau, public defender's office, or other legal services organization that provides legal assistance primarily to financially needy individuals, or is responsible for handling civil cases or prosecuting criminal misdemeanor cases for the state of Ohio or a municipal corporation.” Rule II, Section 1(3), Ohio Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio. The rules governing such representation are attached. They specify the eligibility requirements, application process, scope of representation, and other related matters.
Effective August 1, 2009, the Supreme Court has amended Rule II of the Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio to allow legal interns to represent felons. Previously, interns could only provide representation for civil, administrative or misdemeanor cases.
To apply you must submit three forms and pay a $25 fee by certified check or money order. See Rule II, Section 3. The three forms are available from our Student Records office or can be downloaded here (PDF). You must mail these forms and the certified check or money order for $25, made out to the Ohio Supreme Court:
Office of Bar Admissions
Supreme Court of Ohio
65 South Front Street, 5th Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215-3431