Ohio has launched a new website called RuleWatch Ohio that will allow you to track Agency Rules that affect you, your family, or your business. An OSBA News Release for the launch states that:

"RuleWatch Ohio allows individuals to track a specific rule they are interested in, or rules that cover a particular area of interest. By creating an account on the RuleWatch Ohio site, users can receive email alerts when there is activity on any of the rules they have selected."

Rule watchers may already be aware of the Register of Ohio online, which provides public notices of state Agency rule-making. However, RuleWatch Ohio proposes to be more user-friendly, and it may encourage more citizens to become involved in the rule-making process. 

The Ohio Supreme Court Board of Commissioners on Grievances & Discipline has issued a new ethics Opinion (No. 2013-2) that permits lawyers to solict potential clients via text messaing. The Syllabus of the Opinion specifically states that:  

"Prof.Cond.R. 7.2 allows lawyers to use text messages to solicit professional employment from prospective clients. However, text message 
 
solicitations must also comply with Prof.Cond.R. 7.1 and 7.3 and all applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations."

The full text of this Opinion can be found at the following link.

If you have not already read it, the Board's 1st Opinion of the year (2013-001) indicated that a lawyer may practice law at more than one firm at the same time as long as he or she complies with the Rules of Professional Conduct.

According to cleveland.com, CWRU Law School Professor Michael Scharf began teaching a free, online, 8-week class called Introduction to International Criminal Law today, May 1st. At least 17,500 signed up to participate in this venture, which is called a MOCC, or a Massive Open Online Course. Ever since Stanford invented the concept in 2011, MOCCs are apparently taking hold in academic environments across the United States. For his class, Professor Scharf "adapted a course he teaches at CWRU by adding videos, photos and pop-up quizzes. People will post assignments, such as writing a judicial opinion, and others can comment. He will monitor the chat room and participate when possible. The quizzes and final will graded by computer."  Like other MOCCs, Professor Scharf's class cannot be taken for credit. The Cleveland Law Library wishes him well with this amazing initiative.

Happy Law Day! This year, the American Bar Association (ABA) is celebrating Law Day by recognizing the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and championing the theme of “Realizing the Dream: Equality for All.” The ABA encourages everyone to "explore the movement for civil and human rights in America and the impact it has had in promoting the ideal of equality under the law." The ABA also recommends "reflecting on the work that remains to be done in rectifying injustice, eliminating all forms of discrimination, and putting an end to human trafficking and other violations of our basic human rights."  Our Law Library is celebrating Law Day this year by offering all of our members free WestlawNext training on Thursday, May 2nd from 12:00 - 1:00 and 1:30 - 2:30. Everyone who attends is eligible for one (1) hour of CLE credit. This program is open to all private and statutory members of the Law Library. If you are interested in attending, please register by calling or emailing the Law Library.

It is not too late to contribute to "A Book of Your Own."  The Law Library is helping the local chapter of the Federal Bar Association with its spring book drive to collect new and gently-used books to give Cleveland elementary school students "a book of their own" to take home and enjoy this summer.  Don't miss the chance to give local, deserving children the gift of reading! Donations can be dropped off at the Law Library through Friday, April 26th.