May 8, 2009
Registration Period Approaching for All Attorneys
Every odd-numbered year, all Ohio attorneys on active or corporate status must register with the Supreme Court of Ohio Office of Attorney Services by Sept. 1 and pay a $350 registration fee. And, because of a rule change effective May 1, attorneys will have 60 days – instead of the previous 90-day period – in which to register late and pay a $50 late fee before being suspended.
Attorneys who fail to register and pay fees by the deadline or within the late registration period will be suspended, according to Susan Christoff, director of Attorney Services.
“Since 2005, we have seen fewer and fewer attorneys suspended for failing to register,” she said. “As more and more attorneys become familiar with the process and with efforts to give plenty of notice beforehand, we believe that number will dwindle further.”
Christoff pointed out that some attorneys confuse their reporting year with their biennial continuing legal education requirements or dues payments to their local bar association. “Every attorney needs to register,” she said. “This is their year.”
Christoff said attorneys should expect to receive a packet of registration materials in late June or early July that will contain instructions on how to register and a form to verify the accuracy of their contact information. Attorneys can register either by mail or electronically.
The $350 registration fee is unchanged from the prior registration period. Attorneys are encouraged to register and pay their fees online by credit card, although registering by mail and paying by check or money order are still available. Attorneys who successfully complete the process will receive confirmation by mail. Those who don’t receive confirmation should contact Attorney Services.
Christoff also requested that attorneys provide the Supreme Court with up-to-date residence, office and e-mail addresses. To ensure registration materials are timely received, attorneys should send any change of contact information to Attorney Services immediately. Attorneys may update their own records online or mail the changes directly to Attorney Services.
Contact: Chris Davey or Bret Crow at 614.387.9250.