Expanded Legal Assistance Program

Beginning January 1, 2013, attorneys who are not admitted to the practice of law in Ohio but are admitted in at least one other United States jurisdiction and who are employed by, serving in, or assigned to the armed forces at a military installation in Ohio as an attorney, may submit an Application for Military Legal Assistance Attorney Registration in accordance with Gov. Bar R. VI, Section 7.

Attorneys who apply for and are registered for military legal assistance attorney registration may be able to represent lower-ranking service members in Ohio tribunals in accordance with Gov. Bar R. VI, Section 7.

Attorneys seeking to register for military legal assistance attorney registration must submit all the following:

1. Application for Military Legal Assistance Attorney Registration
2. Affidavit of Commanding Officer, Staff Judge Advocate, or Chief Legal Officer
3. Certificates of Admission from each United States jurisdiction in which the attorney is admitted to practice.  The Certificates of Admission must be dated no earlier than 60 days before the date on which the attorney submits the Application for Military Legal Assistance Attorney Registration.
4. Certificates of Good Standing from each United States jurisdiction in which the attorney is admitted to practice. The Certificates of Good Standing must be dated no earlier than 60 days before the date on which the attorney submits the Application for Military Legal Assistance Attorney Registration.

Incomplete Applications for Military Legal Assistance Attorney Registration will not be considered and will be returned to the attorney for completion. An application will be deemed incomplete if it does not include the necessary documents; if any part of it is not completely or properly executed; if any portion of it is missing; or if any questions are unanswered, incompletely answered, or missing any required details.

After an Application for Military Legal Assistance Attorney Registration has been reviewed, the Office of Attorney Services will notify the attorney whether the application has been accepted or rejected. Attorneys who are registered for Military Legal Assistance Attorney Registration will be required to comply with Ohio continuing legal education requirements in accordance with Gov. Bar R. X and will be provided with an attorney registration number to report their continuing legal education credits.

Please submit your application to:

The Supreme Court of Ohio, Office of Attorney Services
65 South Front Street, 5th Floor
Columbus, Ohio, 43215.

Questions about Military Legal Assistance Attorney Registration should be directed to the Office of Attorney Services at 614.387.9324, or ELAP@sc.ohio.gov.