Introduction Ohio State Bar Association Paralegal Members Other

Introduction • Ohio State Bar Association – Paralegal Members • Other States a paralegals – Mandatory – Voluntary – Pending

Ohio State Bar Association • Provide guidance to employers and public. • Provide professional stature for paralegals. • Provide professional development opportunities.

So, what do you do? • analyze legal issues? • investigate and evaluate facts? • prepare legal pleadings, forms, contracts and memoranda? • interview clients? • assist in case management? • assist in all facets of trial work?

Definition A paralegal who is qualified by education, training, or work experience and who is employed by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity and who performs substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible.

Jacobs and Edwards LLP Bella Swann OSBA Certified Paralegal Law Offices 999 Eastwick, Suite 13 Columbus, OH 43333

OSBA Paralegal Certification Program • • Eligibility Written Examination Certification Biennial Reports Recertification Appeals Administration

Eligibility 1. Meet OSBA definition of paralegal A paralegal is qualified by education, training, or work experience and is employed by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity and who performs substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible.

Eligibility 2. Meet education/eligibility requirements • • Bachelor’s degree + paralegal program + one year experience, OR Bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies + one year of experience OR Completion of associate’s degree in paralegal program + five years of experience OR High school diploma + seven years experience.

Eligibility 3. Continuing legal education Twelve hours in the three years preceding application …at least two and half hours must be in ethics, professionalism and substance abuse.

Eligibility 4. Three Professional References At least two must be lawyers. Remaining may be a judge, magistrate, ALJ, hearing officer, educator or another attorney, etc.

Eligibility 5. Written Examination • • • All multiple choice questions. Closed book. Three hours to complete. OSBA offices in Columbus. Approximately 100* total questions. * 80 questions general, 20 questions substantive Law

Substantive Areas • Choose two: • • Administrative Agency Law Bankruptcy Law Business and Commercial Law Contracts Law Creditor/ Debtor Rights Law Criminal Law Environmental Law Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law • Family Relations Law • Intellectual Property Law • Labor & Employment Law • Real Property Law • Torts and Personal Injury Law • Workers’ Compensation Law

Certification • • • Use of credential and use of logo Four year period of certification Biennial reports Recertification Appeals

Schedule • • • Applications available: January Deadline for applications: March 31 Written examination: May 14 Results expected: end of June Certification effective: July 1