Cleveland Law Library Weblog

Cleveland Law Library Celebrates Virtual Law Day

Today, is the American Bar Association’s Annual Law Day, and this year’s theme is “Your Vote, Your Voice, Our Democracy: The 19th Amendment at 100.” It is a day to celebrate the right of all people to vote, but especially women, who were unable to vote until the 19^th Amendment was passed 100 years ago. This year’s theme was put to a considerable test in Ohio in early Spring when the Coronavirus pandemic jeopardized the rights of people who had planned to vote in person in the primary election on March 17^th before or after celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. It also tested the separation of powers doctrine when a Franklin County, Ohio Judge denied an order to delay the election, the Ohio Department of Health closed the polls due to public safety concerns, and the Ohio Supreme Court denied a candidate’s challenge to keep the polls open. Thankfully, Ohio decisions to keep poll workers and voters safe also preserved voting rights and Democracy through extended absentee voting.

OSBA Launches Ohio Notary Services, LLC. for Notary Education and Testing

If you had not already heard, notary laws in the State of Ohio are changing in less than a week. These changes were enacted with the passage of SB 263, the Notary Public Modernization Act, which will centralize all Ohio notary applications in the Ohio Secretary of State. Just in time, the OSBA has launched Ohio Notary Services, LLC, a brand new "partnership between the OSBA and five metropolitan bar associations, including Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dayton and Toledo" which will "provide statewide notary education and testing services for current and future Ohio notaries public, as well as for those who wish to add the new designation of online notary public." Click here to read the OSBA's Press Release.

ABA Issues Formal Opinion 480 on Lawyer Blogging and Confidentiality

On Friday, the American Bar Association (ABA) issued Formal Opinion 480 regarding lawyer blogging and confidentiality. Citing Rule 1.6 of the ABA's Model Rules of Professional Conduct, the  opinion states that:

"Lawyers who blog or engage in other public commentary may not reveal information relating to
a representation, including information contained in a public record, unless authorized by a
provision of the Model Rules."

OSBA Access to Justice Final Report Suggests Role for Law Libraries

The OSBA held an Access to Justice Summit in April 2015 to discuss 4 major topics:

• Access to Justice with or without a Lawyer
• Innovations in Pro Bono Legal Services
• The Crisis in Legal Aid Funding
• Effective Tools for Assisting Pro Se Parties: Forms and Beyond

The Final Report has been issued, and it contains many recommendations for reform. In particular, several comments describe the role which law libraries can play:

"Participants also raised that law libraries and public libraries could also play a significant role in providing access to legal services. Libraries could hold “legal hours” where legal aid/pro bono attorneys are available to assist with filling out forms or even just talking through problems so people know that the legal system might have help for them.,,,Open up law libraries for public access on specific days and times during the week....Self-help centers are good and SHOULD utilize LAW LIBRARIES...Law libraries are a great resource and the Ohio Association of Law Libraries is an eager and willing partner • They can expand their functions to help provide information; access; and support...Better information at law libraries."

ABA Partnering with Rocket Lawyer to Help Small Businesses Find Legal Services

The October issue of Law Technology News contains an interesting article on the ABA's new partnership with Rocket Lawyer. According to the article, these organizations are "teaming up to explore innovative solutions to a vexing legal paradox-the difficulty small businesses face finding affordable legal services at a time when many lawyers would welcome expanding professional opportunities." This means that they are collectively going to look for solutions to help laywers serving individuals and small businesses get more business while also helping consumers better afford routine legal services such as wills, medical directives, incorporations.Key to this new initiative will apparently be exploring ways to deliver online legal services. A pilot program will also be developed to link lawyers with potential clients using Rocket Lawyer's cloud-based platform.

Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association Has Enhanced its Lawyer Referral Service

The Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association has improved its Lawyer Referral Service by providing an enhanced online Request Form and Referral Directory. According to a news release we received, the new directory will provide 24/7 access for members of the public who need a lawyer referral. As soon as an individual completes the online form, he or she will have access to a list of lawyers who practice in the subject matter they need.

 

Big News From the Ohio State Bar Association-Members Can Now Use Casecheck+ for Free as Part of Casemaker

According to a press release from the Ohio State Bar Association, the OSBA is now offering members free access to Casecheck+ (a negative citation service) as part of Casemaker. This service was previously offered as a premium service with an additional cost for members. If you are not aware, Casemaker is the OSBA's online product that offers members 24x7 access to cases, statutes, jury instructions and other legal materials. OSBA President Jonathan Hollingsworth has issued a video message about the launch which is worth watching. By this initiative, the OSBA is definitely giving Lexis, which provides Shepard's, and Westlaw, which provides KeyCite, some food for thought.

OSBA Issues Informal Advisory Opinion 2013-03 on Lawyers Storing Client Data in the "Cloud"

The Ohio State Bar Association has issued an Informal Advisory Opinion (2013-03) on lawyers' use of the "cloud" to store client data. This Opinion specifically states that:

"The Committee's opinion is that storing client data in "the cloud" is a permutation on tra ditional waysofstoring client data, and requires lawyersto follow the ethics rules that apply to client information in whatever form. With due regard for these rules and related Ohio ethics opinions, theCommittee advisesthat theOhio Rules ofProfessional Conduct do notprohibit storing client data in "the cloud.""

Ohio State Bar Association Certifies 25 New Paralegals

The Ohio State Bar Association has certified 25 new paralegals as part of its Paralegal Certification program. The successful candidates underwent a rigorous course of study to prepare for and pass this year's Spring certification exam. “OSBA Certified Paralegals meet objective and uniform standards of competence and professionalism,” said OSBA President Jonathan Hollingsworth. “That’s a good thing for law firms and their clients. We welcome paralegals as members of the OSBA, and recognize their role in working with lawyers to assist Ohioans everyday.”  See Press Release. The full list of successful candidates can be found at the OSBA's website.

Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Assn. Launches Citizens Legal Academy: 1st Topic on September 12, 2012-Election Law

The Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association has launched a new program called the Citizens Legal Academy, and the first program-on election law-begins tomorrow, September 12th, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections. The list of speakers is impressive:

Jane Platten, who is the Director of the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections

Jeff Hatings, Esq., who is the Chairman of the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections

Sandy McNair, who is a member of the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections

Timothy F. Mellet, Deputy Chief, Department of Justice, Voting Rights Section

Jonathan L. Entin, David L. Brennan Professor of Law and Professor of Political Science, Case Western Reserve University

Judge John J. Russo, Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, moderator

This event is free and open to the public, but because seating is limited, registration is requested.

For those interested in attending, the CMBA's website provides more information about the program.