Ohio Northern University College of Law
A SUCCESSFUL CAREER IN LAW EVOLVES FROM A QUALITY EDUCATION THAT INSPIRES, PREPARES AND SUPPORTS >>
People know the moment they step foot on our campus and meet us – that this is a special place where exceptional teaching and learning take place. They feel the real sense of community – one of scholarship, individualized attention and support. They realize that having nationally recognized faculty is an added benefit to the fact that teachers also mentor and champion the success of their students.
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OHIO NORTHERN LAW GRADUATES GO ON TO DO GREAT THINGS – IN THE COURTROOM, WITH CORPORATIONS, IN THE LEGISLATURE AND, ABOVE ALL, AS LEADERS.
WELCOME TO OHIO NORTHERN LAW Welcome from the dean Ohio Northern University goes beyond teaching students how to think like lawyers; we also train students to act and react like lawyers. While other law schools focus on theory, we combine theory with hands-on skills needed to be successful in the practice of law.
CONTENTS
Located in Ada, Ohio, ONU’s College of Law attracts some of the most talented students from across the country, who are passionate to embark on a successful career in the legal profession. Small class sizes, a 10:1 studentfaculty ratio and a devotion to individualized legal education have made ONU one of the treasures of the Midwest.
10 The Faculty
6 The Curriculum
12 The Experience 20 The Outcome
Current students and alumni continuously note personal relationships with faculty, peers and the community among the most unique aspects of their law school career. Supporting our students, whether it’s through after-class discussions, career services support or clinical training, is a priority. Law school can be challenging, and the right environment is critical to success. Students who have completed our program are prepared for a successful career in law. This has been recognized by employers throughout the U.S. For eight consecutive years, ONU Law’s nine-month employment rate has been higher than the national average. As dean, I am committed to seeing that each student who passes through these doors is receiving the attention, education and training he or she needs to begin a successful career in law.
David C. Crago Dean, College of Law
“Ultimately, we pride ourselves on a high standard created by small classes, individualized attention and professors who know you by name.”
FREE APPLICATION ONLINE
WWW.LAW.ONU.EDU
10:1 Student-to-faculty ratio OHIO NORTHERN LAW IN BRIEF
• Current JD student body: 311. • Faculty have earned degrees from Cornell, Columbia, Duke, Harvard, the University of California and Yale, among others. • Awards more than $4 million in scholarship and grant offers each year. Students who did not receive a scholarship offer their first year and do exceptionally well may be eligible to receive a scholarship offer for their second and third years. • Fully accredited by the ABA in 1948 and the second oldest law school in Ohio. We also were a founding member of the Ohio League of Law Schools. • Go beyond the traditional lecture format with hands-on experiential learning opportunities, such as skills courses, intensive topic courses, moot court, pro bono and public interest fellowships. • For eight consecutive years, ONU Law’s nine-month employment rate has been higher than the national average. • We may be small, but we can pack a mighty punch! Our alumni hail from all 50 U.S. states. They sit on federal and state courts across the country, including the Ohio Supreme Court, and hold offices in the U.S. Congress and state legislatures. • Two on-campus apartment housing options for our law students. • Ohio Northern University is affiliated with the United Methodist Church, and we welcome students of all backgrounds, faiths and cultures.
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The CURRICULUM
OHIO NORTHERN TAKES LEARNING BEYOND TRADITIONAL THEORY AND BRINGS THE PRACTICE OF LAW TO LIFE IN THE CLASSROOM.
Ohio Northern University students are of the highest academic quality. They are prepared for the legal profession by nationally recognized scholars who are committed to producing extremely skilled graduates who can compete in today’s challenging legal world. With a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio, our students are engaged in a rigorous academic curriculum, dedicated to creating analytical thinkers who will grow into successful lawyers. JANUARY TERM The January term allows students the opportunity for in-depth study of a concentrated area of law. January term courses provide our students with a more interactive and practical look at law.
SKILLS COURSES ONU’s College of Law offers a series of different skills courses designed to assist students in obtaining a more practical understanding of the law within the classroom. These courses include Advanced Legal Research, Estate Planning, Business Planning and Real Estate Transactions, among others. CERTIFICATES | CONCENTRATIONS Faculty members in the College of Law recognize the achievement of students who have focused their studies and excelled in the areas of corporate law, bankruptcy and commercial law, criminal law, international law, public law and policy, litigation, taxation and real property law.
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This experience was life changing
[Verbatim]
During the summer of 2010, I had the opportunity to work for the Ministry of Justice in Kigali, Rwanda, on the Justice Strengthening Project run by USAID. Not only did I get to experience the legal system in Rwanda firsthand, working alongside experienced state attorneys, judges and the Minister of Justice himself, but I also lived in another country that is quite different than my own, immersing myself in its culture on a daily basis.
NICOLE RATASKI, JD ’11, LL.M. ’11
Degrees JURIS DOCTOR – Full-Time Day The juris doctor degree requires students to complete a total of 90 credit hours. CONCURRENT JD/LL.M. in Democratic Governance & Rule of Law – Full-Time Only To earn their JD and LL.M. degrees concurrently, ONU Law students must complete a total of 114 credit hours. Students complete an externship in the U.S. the summer after their first year and an international externship the summer after their second year. They complete both their juris doctor and master of laws degrees within three years. If you are motivated to bring reform to countries in need, our concurrent JD/LL.M. in Democratic Governance and Rule of Law is the ideal choice for you. Beginning your first year, you will take international courses designed to give exposure to the needs and demands of countries on the cusp of instituting and maintaining democracy. You will study alongside international LL.M. students, which allows you to gain a completely new perspective. Each summer, you will be placed in an externship to gain practical experience. Your first placement will be with organizations in the U.S. In your second year, you will work in an office overseas. In each case, you will work with an international organization that is actively engaged in helping developing states.
The organizations may include United Nations agencies, the World Bank, U.S. government offices, non-governmental organizations and private development consulting companies. Our students have worked in Rwanda, Uganda, Liberia, Kosovo and Georgia in the past two years. A separate application is necessary to the concurrent program after admission to the JD program. CONCURRENT JD/MPPA – Full-Time Only Students with an interest in taxation can earn both their law degree and a masters of professional practice in accounting through a concurrent degree program offered by the College of Law and the College of Business Administration. Students admitted to the program can earn both degrees within three academic years. Concurrent degree students begin their studies with the standard first year curriculum of the College of Law. In the summer following their first year, students will take federal income taxation and an elective course. Following a second academic year of specialized courses and electives, students will be placed in a summer externship for credit that will offer a field experience in tax accounting. The students will then complete a third year of study and earn both the law degree and the masters of accounting in the spring.
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The FACULTY NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED SCHOLARS. KNOWLEDGEABLE and ACCESSIBLE
[Verbatim]
More than 50 percent of the faculty members in the College of Law hold a Ph.D. or LL.M. degree in addition to their JD degree. Collectively, all their experience and expertise is brought into the classroom, where it is applied to theory and analysis. This means you learn your craft from renowned experts specializing in areas such as
ONU is unique because everything is personalized. I never expected law school to be a “personal” experience. The faculty and staff know their students and want them to succeed. I don’t think there is a better environment in which to study law.
international law, law of war, commercial law, business law, bankruptcy law, criminal law and tax law. ONU faculty members have law degrees from some of the nation’s top law schools, such as Cornell, Columbia, Harvard, Georgetown and Yale.
MEGAN ROBY, JD ’10
Associate, Jones Day, Pittsburgh, Pa. Graduated with high distinction; class valedictorian: published member and manuscript editor for Ohio Northern University Law Review; Outstanding Scholastic Achievement Award, 2009 and 2010
FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS DEIDRÉ A. FRANCIS Assistant Professor of Law JD, Emory University BA, Yale University • Property • Intellectual Property • Copyright • Trademark • Entertainment Law
HILARY R. KAO Assistant Professor of Law JD, Georgetown University BA, Brandeis University • Business Organizations • Commercial Law • Finance • Energy Law • International Business Transactions
BRUCE P. FROHNEN Associate Professor of Law Ph.D., Cornell University JD, Emory University MA, University of California BA, California State University • Constitutional Law • Comparative Law
MICHAEL W. LEWIS Associate Professor of Law JD, Harvard Law School BA, Johns Hopkins University • Law of War Seminar • Corporate Finance • Commercial Law • Conflict of Laws
ELENA V. HELMER Assistant Professor of Law Assistant Director of LL.M. in Democratic Governance and Rule of Law LL.M., Yale Law School JD, Kazakh State University School of Law • Competitiveness and Corruption • International Business Transactions • Arbitration
JOHN H. MARTIN Professor of Law JD, University of Michigan AB, University of Michigan University College, London and London School of Economics • Estate Planning • Estate and Trust Administration • Charitable Organizations • Federal Income and Estate and Gift Taxation Law
LIAM S. O’MELINN Professor of Law Ph.D., Yale University JD, Columbia Law School BA, University of California, Santa Cruz • Intellectual Property and Unfair Competition • Advanced Problems in Intellectual • Property Seminar Contracts
STEPHEN C. VELTRI Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Law LL.M., Columbia University JD, Georgetown University BA, University of Pittsburgh • Commercial Transactions • Property • Commercial Law
SHERRY A. YOUNG Professor of Law JD, Harvard University BA, Michigan State University (James Madison College) • Torts • Products Liability • Domestic Relations • Sports Law
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The EXPERIENCE FROM THE MOMENT YOU ARRIVE AT ONU LAW,
OUR GOAL IS TO IMMERSE YOU IN THE PRACTICE OF LAW.
CLINIC OPPORTUNITIES
THROUGH EXTENSIVE EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING, WE TEACH OUR STUDENTS NOT ONLY TO THINK LIKE LAWYERS, BUT ALSO TO ACT AND REACT LIKE ONES. BRYAN H. WARD Director of Law Clinics and Professor of Law JENNIFER S. EASTERDAY Assistant Director of Law Clinics Our clinical programs pair you with a practitioner, judge, prosecutor or public defender to mentor you through your entire experience. You will be assigned research, writing and other court- or case-related duties to enhance your learning. Most importantly, you will be challenged to lead and participate in client meetings, trials, settlements and pleadings.
BANKRUPTCY CLINIC: Students in the Bankruptcy Clinic will be assigned to either a bankruptcy practitioner or a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 Trustee. They will engage in drafting petitions and pleadings, researching and making court appearances in Federal Bankruptcy Court. CRIMINAL LAW CLINIC: Students will be assigned to either a local municipal prosecutor or public defender and will represent either the state of Ohio or qualified defendants in criminal misdemeanors. This clinic involves court appearances under the supervision of a licensed practicing prosecutor or public defender. Students also may work for the Federal Public Defender’s Office or a U.S. Attorney.
ENVIRONMENTAL CLINIC: Students will be assigned to a nonprofit environmental organization. They will engage in research, drafting of pleadings, and other legal and lobbying activities undertaken by the organization under the supervision of a licensed practicing attorney. GOVERNMENTAL CLINIC: Students may work for a variety of governmental agencies and will engage in research and other legal drafting as required by the organization in question. The student will be under the supervision of a practicing governmental attorney. JUDICIAL EXTERNSHIPS: Students will be assigned to either a state or federal judge and will engage in research and legal drafting as well as observation of court proceedings in the court in question. CORPORATE TRANSACTIONAL CLINIC: The Transactional Clinic is an in-house clinic staffed by a faculty member. Students will engage in the representation of churches and other nonprofit organizations in matters such as incorporations, mergers and consolidations, tax-exempt filings with the IRS, real estate matters and other risk management issues. ONU LEGAL CLINIC: The ONU Legal Clinic is an in-house clinic staffed by a faculty member. Students will represent lower income clients in a variety of civil matters, including divorce, child custody, social security and disability benefits applications, wills and consumer fraud issues.
[Verbatim]
As a legal intern, I was responsible for representing my clients from the initial interview throughout the completion of their case, which included pre-trial hearings, motion hearings, competency hearings, pleas and trials. The experience I gained was invaluable; you can’t achieve that kind of real-world experience sitting in a classroom. I highly recommend that every law student participates in a clinic.
J. PARKER TRULOCK, JD ’07,
Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, 2nd Judicial Circuit, Indiana
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The Ohio Supreme Court in session in Ohio Northern University’s Celebrezze Moot Court Room, September 2010.
SPEAKERS AND EVENTS Ohio Supreme Court in session at ONU Law In September 2010, the Ohio Supreme Court held session in Ohio Northern’s Celebrezze Moot Court Room. Four cases were reviewed, followed by a question-and-answer session with the law students. This was the court’s second visit to the ONU College of Law as part of the Off-Site Court Program. The first was in 1999.
Ohio Supreme Court Justice Evelyn Lundberg Stratton, speaking with current ONU Law students.
ONU Law lectures bring distinguished speakers to campus to edify and interact with students. Following is a sample of recent lectures, presenters and topics. Carhart Lecture Series “What Will It Take to Fix Copyright?” presented by William Patry, Chief Copyright Counsel, Google Inc. Symposium on “The Role of Ethics in the Corporate Landscape” presented by Leonard Bucklin, Mason Evans, Eric Gallon, Leonard Gross, Lynn D. Lieber, and Carolyn Lindsey “Treating Unlike Cases Differently: The Ethics of Equality and Cultural Variation in Legal Process Pluralism” presented by Carrie Menkel-Meadow
Woodworth Lecture Series “And Then Cnut Told Reagan…Lessons from the Tax Reform Act of 1986” presented by Pamela F. Olson “Tax Policy in the 21st Century: Challenges and Changes from the time of Larry Woodworth” presented by Thomas Barthold
LAW IS…WORLDWIDE
ONU provides exceptional opportunities to study and experience law in its international context, both in Ada and around the globe. INTERNATIONAL STUDIES ONU’s international law program is designed to provide you with the education and exposure you will need to understand law in the global context. Through courses, activities and externships, you will receive training on international legal, business and human rights topics. CONCURRENT JD/LL.M. PROGRAM Unique opportunity to receive both the JD and the LL.M. in Democratic Governance and Rule of Law while studying with international LL.M. students and participating in summer externships in the U.S. and abroad. INTERNATIONAL COURSES • Comparative Administrative Law • Comparative Constitutional Law • Competitiveness and Corruption • International Business Transactions • International Commercial Arbitration Law • International Human Rights Law • International Law • Law of War • Legal Issues in Transitional Democracies • International Comparative Law • International Criminal Law • International Law of Terrorism • International Law of Non-Governmental Organizations
STUDY IN ICELAND – Celebrating more than 50 years in partnership with the University of Iceland in Reykjavik, you can spend a semester studying international law in Iceland while gaining insight into past and contemporary practices of the Icelandic and European legal systems.
CONTACT
Professor Howard Fenton Professor of Law Director of LL.M. in Democratic Governance and Rule of Law Professor Elena Helmer Assistant Professor of Law Assistant Director of LL.M. in Democratic Governance and Rule of Law International Legal Studies Center Phone: 419-772-3580 Fax: 419-772-3583 Email: LLM@onu.edu www.llm.onu.edu
DANIEL BEY, JD ’11, LL.M. ’11 (Democratic Governance and the Rule of Law) • Awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study in Kosovo • Interned in the offices of Congressman Jim Jordan (Ohio 4th District) • Legal intern at Ohio Northern University Legal Clinic • Symposium editor for the Ohio Northern University Law Review • Legislative drafting intern at USAID, Rwanda Justice Strengthening Project, Kigali, Rwanda Specialties: Social Security Disability, Domestic Relations Law, International Law, Governmental Reform Policies, Anti-Corruption, Legislative Issues, German language skills
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TAGGART LAW LIBRARY Ranked No. 1 among Ohio Private Law School Libraries (National Jurist, 2010) • Open 113 hours per week • More than 300 seats at tables, carrels and soft seating (enough for all law students to use simultaneously) • All stations wired for both electrical and Internet use • 436,000 volumes • 29,400 square feet of space • Thirty-eight electronic-subscription databases • Five group-study areas
STUDENT LIFE
One small community. One big family. There is something for everyone! Law students have the opportunity to participate in more than twenty student organizations, including the Christian Legal Society, Sports Law Society, Veterans Association, Phi Alpha Delta and the Icelandic Legal Exchange Program. The organizations sponsor continuing legal education programs, host debates, coordinate fundraisers and perform community service.
Get Involved • More than 20 student organizations • Moot Court v. Law Review Softball tournament • Flag football tournaments • University intramurals • Habitat for Humanity • Debates on current legal issues • Barrister’s Ball • Courtroom movie nights • Cedar Point trips
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[Verbatim] I would advise all incoming law students to get involved in the different student organizations and activities on campus. Law school can be stressful, but doing things that you enjoy with your classmates is a great way to relieve the stress and build lifelong, lasting friendships while gaining valuable experience.
DARYL MANNS, JD ’09
Assistant District Attorney for the Houston County District Attorney in Georgia
Minneapolis/St. Paul Seattle
ONU’S CAMPUS…GREEN AND BEAUTIFUL!
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The University offers many cultural events, usually at low Salt Lake Cityor no cost to students, Denver facility hosts at the acclaimed Freed Center for the Performing Arts. The 551-seat many theatre, dance, music and other cultural programs throughout the year. In Las Vegas addition, Presser Hall, home of the Los music Angeles department, offers many concerts, and the Elzay Gallery of Art features permanent and provisional art collections.
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Located in northwest Ohio, our scenic, safe and modern campus rests on nearly 342 acres.
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ONU’s athletic facilities provide basketball, racquetball and tennis courts in addition to the Dallas natatorium, running track and weight room facilities, all free of charge. Students are encouraged to enjoy the many fine indoor and outdoor sports facilities for their own personal recreational and intramural competitions. In addition to intramurals and club teams, the Polar Bears compete in the NCAA Division III Ohio Athletic Conference in 21 varsity sports for men and women.
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The Green Monster is Ohio Northern University’s beloved 2.5-mile jogging path, which winds around beautiful green space, lakes and ponds. It also is home to the beautiful Remington Walk, a section of the path that exhibits 12 cast bronze statues by noted western artists Frederic Remington, Charles Russell and James Fraser. The statues depict scenes of riders and warriors, outlaws and broncos, each one meticulously crafted to represent the mystique of the American west. A SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY ONU is firmly committed to sustainability and environmental awareness on campus. Our on-campus housing derives 30 percent of its heating and cooling from geothermal technologies, and three new 400-kilowatt wind turbines provide between five and 10 percent of our electricity needs. Our fleet of hybrid and electric campus vehicles reduces our dependence on fossil fuels, and our many environmentally themed student organizations are always finding new ways to make ONU a greener place to live, learn and work. A COMMITMENT TO GREEN For two consecutive years, the Arbor Day Foundation has designated ONU as a Tree Campus USA for our dedication to campus forestry management and environmental stewardship. ONU is one of only 74 colleges and universities in the U.S. to achieve this prestigious honor. www.onu.edu/green
WELCOME TO ADA, OHIO
The village of Ada, Ohio, provides a quaint, small-town atmosphere that complements the friendly environment found on campus. Ada offers few distractions – perfect for the rigorous study of law. When law students take a break from the rigors of their legal studies, the village offers affordable entertainment. The Ada Theatre shows first-run movies in a classic setting with $4 admission. Students satisfy their hunger at a variety of local restaurants offering menu options from Chinese to Mexican and several local pizza joints. The Inn at Ohio Northern University offers deluxe accommodations for visiting family and friends, dining options, and a pub. For a change of atmosphere, students can travel to nearby cities like Columbus, Dayton and Toledo.
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[Verbatim] This is my fifth year living in Ada, and for me the best part is how easy it is to get involved in the community. A group of us took a dance class at the local dance studio. I belong to a church in town, and I coach the Street Law team at Ada High School with some other students.
These small-town niches get lost in the big-city atmosphere, but Ada is very conducive to getting a great legal education while creating a home away from home.
JENNIFER KINSLEY, BS ’10 L-2, North Olmstead, Ohio
The OUTCOME LIFE AFTER GRADUATION
The Honorable ROBERT R. CUPP, ACIT ’71, BA ’73, JD ’76, Hon. D. ’11 Ohio Supreme Court Justice
PLACEMENT
For eight consecutive years, ONU Law’s job placement rate at nine months after graduation has exceeded the national average.* www.law.onu.edu *Statistics based on National Association for Law Placement (NALP) criteria.
ALUMNI HIGHLIGHTS CAREER SERVICES
We realize legal training is only part of the equation; your ultimate goal is to find a job. Our skilled staff in the Office of Career Services is here to help. We provide workshops and coordinate individual meetings to help you with résumé preparation, interviewing skills, professional image and other career-development techniques. We also tap into our more than 5,000 distinguished alumni to offer networking options and further strengthen our recruiting channels across the country. Our alumni sit on federal and state courts, including the Ohio Supreme Court. They hold executive offices in the United States Congress and state legislatures, and are partners and associates at major law firms across the country.
The Anthony J. Celebrezze Archive Room
ASHLEY WEYENBERG, JD ’10 Graduated with an LL.M. in taxation from Georgetown University Law. Senior Consultant, Ernst & Young
EDWARD CANTERBURY, JD ’05 Named one of Florida’s 2011 Rising Stars. He was a participant in the Summer Starter Program and graduated No. 1 in his class at ONU Law. Canterbury practices real estate law with Henderson Franklin in Fort Myers, Fla. MICHAEL DEWINE, JD ’72, ACIT ’85, Hon. D. ’95 Ohio Attorney General
ANTHONY J. CELEBREZZE, LLB ’36, Hon. D. ’63 (State Senate of Ohio; Mayor, Cleveland; U.S. Secretary of Health, Education & Welfare)
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TO SCHEDULE A VISIT OR TO APPLY www.law.onu.edu>>Admissions APPLICATION IS FREE ONLINE
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www.law.onu.edu
OHIO NORTHERN UNIVERSITY PETTIT COLLEGE OF LAW Office of Law Admissions 525 South Main Street Ada, Ohio 45810 Phone: 419-772-2211 Toll Free: 877-452-9668 Fax: 419-772-3042 lawadmissions@onu.edu www.law.onu.edu Join us >> 2011