Ohio Continuing Legal Education Key Terms

Learn Ohio continuing legal education key terms

By Shannon Tani

All lawyers in Ohio are required to take continuing legal education courses for the duration of their career. This is to ensure that their knowledge of the law stays up to date. Lawyers can take courses through self-study, seminars or teleconferences. When it comes to CLE courses, there are many terms that you should know to ensure that you meet the requirements. Take a look at the following common words to learn about continuing legal education in Ohio.

CLE filing

Once lawyers complete the courses that they choose to take, they must complete a CLE filing. This is to prove to the Supreme Court of Ohio that they have met the requirements. Lawyers should file every other year.
Try: Learn more about CLE filing from the website of the Supreme Court of Ohio.

Columbus Bar Association

The Columbus Bar Association is a professional organization for lawyers in the Columbus area. In addition to the opportunity to network with other lawyers, they offer CLE training programs that can meet the state's requirements.
Try: Visit the Columbus Bar Association's website to view a list of the CLE courses that they offer.

CLE teleconference

CLE teleconferences are becoming a popular way for lawyers to meet their CLE requirements. Rather than taking the time to travel to and attend a seminar, lawyers can watch a teleconference at their own leisure. Alternatively, lawyers can plan to attend a live teleconference, which can give them the opportunity to ask questions.
Try: The American Bar Association has its own teleconference series that lawyers can use to meet their requirements.

Self-study CLE courses

Self-study CLE courses allow busy lawyers to complete their CLE credits in their spare time. Self-study courses may be online, on video or through books. To prove that he or she has completed the course, the lawyer must complete a program evaluation when they have finished.
Try: View some examples of self-study CLE courses for Ohio lawyers at the National Law Foundation.

Ethics, professionalism and substance abuse

As part of their CLE requirements, all Ohio lawyers must take courses relating to professionalism, ethics and substance abuse. They can choose the topic of other courses, but these three are required.
Try: View the requirements from the American Bar Association and consider the course offered by Ohio Northern University.

CLE to Go

CLE to Go is a special program created by the Ohio State Bar Association. It offers courses for lawyers to take to fulfill their CLE requirements outside of the office, in a self-study situation.
Try: Refer to the Ohio State Bar for more information on CLE to Go.