Supreme Court of Ohio 2011 Annual Report

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Ensuring Access The court made progress on several fronts in 2011: PRO BONO SERVICE Figures released in 2011 showed that more attorneys in Ohio appear to be volunteering legal service to people in need. Ohio attorneys reported 45 percent more pro bono hours in 2010 than in 2009, for a total of almost 140,000 hours, the most in the three years the statistics have been collected. Access to Justice Chief Justice O’Connor emphasized diversity and access to justice as major issues for her incoming administration in her inaugural speech, and throughout the year her colleagues on the bench joined her in a series of changes marking progress to ensure all Ohioans have timely, fair access to the justice system, regardless of who they are or where they come from in life. “In the next six years, we will do better in this area,” Chief Justice O’Connor said. “This starts with continuing the good work we have already begun in this area. From the Law and Leadership program that prepares the next generation of urban students to consider a career in the law, to implementing a new education component to train judges to recognize and eliminate bias in the courtroom, to making more court forms accessible in many languages, to requiring court foreign language interpreters become certified, there are numerous ways the Supreme Court supports greater diversity throughout the legal system.” PICTURED: Chief Justice O’Connor congratulates a newly certified interpreter during a February 1, 2011, ceremony at the Supreme Court of Ohio as Interpreter Services Program Manager Bruno Romero looks on. INTERPRETER SERVICES In February, the court held a ceremony honoring the first group of 23 court interpreters to be certified by the Supreme Court of Ohio. In July, the court adopted a new rule requiring courts to hire a certified foreign language or sign language interpreter, when available, to ensure the “meaningful participation” of deaf and limited English proficient individuals in court proceedings. The rule takes effect January 1, 2013. Sup.R. 88 also requires courts to “use all reasonable efforts” to avoid the appointment of interpreters who may have a conflict of interest. 13
Court Launches New Online Judicial Education Site Ohio’s increasingly budget-conscious climate calls for technological advances to improve efficiency. One response was the April launch of the Supreme Court’s new online judicial education site. The Judicial eCademy enables anyone seeking education and training from the Ohio Judicial College to browse courses, access material, register and take selected courses entirely online — without leaving home or the office. The site is the culmination of nearly two years of work and planning among more than 20 staff members and outside consultants. The results are increased training options for local judges and court personnel, improved efficiency and reduced costs. The Judicial College has offered online registration to judges and magistrates since February 2009. The new system extends the convenience to court personnel, guardians ad litem and others whose education needs are served by the Supreme Court. Courses and educational materials are available to all eCademy users. “In these difficult budgetary times, we must continue to innovate and find ways to use technology to do an even better job for less money,” Chief Justice O’Connor said. “The Judicial eCademy enables us to educate and train judges, magistrates, court personnel and other partners in the court system while reducing travel expenses to local courts and reducing printing costs.” Judicial eCademy users can browse the Judicial College catalog of traditional and online courses and register online for any course. Judicial College Director Milt Nuzum said users will benefit from the ability to meet some of their continuing education requirements on the new site and will like the convenience of moving at their own pace. “Judicial eCademy users can take some of the online courses anytime that’s convenient for them,” he said. “They can stop the course midstream, research a little more about a particular aspect and pick up the session later.” CHECK IT OUT: Visit the judicial education site at judicialecademy.ohio.gov. 14
Page 1 and 2: le • Amy J. Ervin • Lindsay L.
Page 3 and 4: Paul E. Pfeifer • Chief Justice M
Page 6 and 7: Table of Contents 2 Supreme Court J
Page 8 and 9: JUSTICE O’DONNELL JUSTICE LANZING
Page 10 and 11: Transitions Retirements around the
Page 12 and 13: On January 1, Maureen O’Connor be
Page 14 and 15: and looking forward to tackling the
Page 16 and 17: Court Security staff members Stepha
Page 20 and 21: Rule Changes Among the rule changes
Page 22 and 23: FEBRUARY 14 The American Bar Associ
Page 24 and 25: NOVEMBER 4 Thirty-five Ohio court p
Page 26 and 27: 2011 ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE CHIEF
Page 28 and 29: CASES FILED IN 2011 JURISDICTIONAL
Page 30 and 31: CASES PENDING DECEMBER 31, 2011 JUR
Page 32 and 33: PRACTICE OF LAW CASES: FINAL DISPOS
Page 34 and 35: TIME TO DISPOSITION The case proces
Page 36 and 37: TIME TO DISPOSITION JURISDICTIONAL
Page 38 and 39: CASE STATISTICS NOTES 1. The 2010 A
Page 40 and 41: OHIO JUDICIARY/SUPREME COURT Fiscal
Page 42 and 43: Hon. Denise Herman McColley William
Page 44 and 45: ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DOMESTIC VIOL
Page 46 and 47: In Memoriam CLIFFORD F. BROWN JUSTI
Page 48 and 49: PAUL S. FU LAW LIBRARY DIRECTOR, 19
Page 50: 2011 SUPREME COURT OF OHIO AND AFFI

Supreme Court of Ohio 2011 Annual Report

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