New Rules Coming in March for Ohio's Judiciary

On March 1, 2009, Ohio's Judges will be subject to some new Rules of Judicial Conduct. Patterned after 2007 changes in the ABA's Model Code of Judicial Conduct, the Ohio Supreme Court's new changes will, among other provisions: a) allow judges to identify themselves as Democrats or Republicans on their campaign ads; b) allow judges to provide some help to self-represented litigants; c) encourage judges to encourage attorneys to provide pro bono legal service; d) provider greater guidance for judges who need to report disabilities, impairment or misconduct by colleagues; and e) provide additional standards for extrajudicial activities. The  January 1st edition of the local Daily Legal News ran a very good summary of the upcoming changes. See our prior post on the Ohio Supreme Court Task Force that recommended the changes. Click here to read the Ohio State Bar Association's May 2008 comments on the proposed new changes.