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New Lawyer Requirements

Who is required to complete a New Lawyer Training (NLT) program?

 Attorneys admitted by examination and attorneys initially registering for corporate status on or after Nov. 1, 2008, must comply with the NLT educational requirements of Gov. Bar X, unless otherwise exempted.

What are the requirements?

  • You must complete twelve hours of NLT instruction by the end of your first biennial compliance period. Your biennial period is based on your last name. An attorney whose last name begins with a letter A through L must complete his or her educational hours by the end of each odd-numbered year and an attorney whose last name begins with a letter M through Z must complete his or her educational hours by the end of each even-numbered year.
  • If you were admitted to the practice of law or initially registered for corporate status in the second year of your first biennial period, you must complete your NLT requirements by the end of the next biennial period.

For example:

  • If you were admitted to the practice of law or initially registered for corporate status in 2016, and your last name begins with a letter A through L, you must complete your NLT educational hours by December 31, 2017.
  • If you were admitted to the practice of law or initially registered for corporate status in 2016, and your last name begins with a letter M through Z, you must complete your NLT educational hours by December 31, 2018. 
  • Classroom Instruction
  • The required twelve hours of NLT instruction must be earned by attending courses that have been accredited by the Supreme Court of Ohio's Commission on CLE as NLT education.
  • Three of the required twelve hours must consist of the following: 60 minutes of Professionalism, 60 minutes of Client Funds Management and 60 minutes of Law Office Management.
  • Nine of the twelve hours must be instruction in one or more substantive law topics.
  • Mentoring
  • If you are participating in the Supreme Court of Ohio mentoring program, you need only complete three hours of NLT classroom instruction in Professionalism, Clients Funds Management and Law Office Management. Your participation in the mentoring programming satisfies the remaining nine-hour requirement.
  • Further NLT Questions? Contact the Supreme Court of Ohio CLE Commission at (614) 387-9320 or ccle@sc.ohio.gov.