Meeting the Pro Se Challenge
A total of 10 Judicial College Credit Hours were available
- 5.5 hours on Thursday (including 2.0 hours of ethics and professionalism)
- 4.0 hours on Friday
- 0.5 optional hours (substance abuse) on Friday
Ohio Judicial Family Network Spouses/Partners program--click here for information.
Schedule of Events
Thursday Education Schedule
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8:15 am
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The Pro Se Challenge
An overview of pro se issues facing judges, including the problems related to securing counsel for defendants and litigants, eligibility for appointment of counsel, the increasing numbers of pro se litigants and the role of the judge in pro se proceedings.
Richard Zorza, Esq., Zorza Associates, Washington, DC
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9:30
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The Maricopa County Self-Service Center
A discussion and demonstration of the Self-Service Center, an online resource for pro se litigants in the Superior Court of Arizona, Maricopa County (Phoenix). The nationally recognized Self-Service Center is a website for assisting citizens in representing themselves in court without involving court personnel.
Robert G. James, Judicial Services Administrator, Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County, Phoenix
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10:15
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Ohio Task Force on Pro Se and Indigent Litigants Report
In April 2006, the Report and Recommendations of The Supreme Court of Ohio Task Force on Pro Se and Indigent Litigants was released. The 45-page report contains recommendations to assist pro se litigants and indigent parties. This session will review portions of the report of major interest to judges.
Judge John R. Adkins*, Task Force Chair; Jo Ellen Cline, Legislative Counsel, The Supreme Court of Ohio
*Member, Supreme Court of Ohio Task Force on Pro Se and Indigent Litigants
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11:15
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State of the Judiciary Address
Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer, The Supreme Court of Ohio
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noon
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Lunch
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12:45 pm
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Business Meeting
Elections, oath of new officers, Judicial Conference business
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1:45
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Ethics and Professionalism: The Judge's Role in Pro Se Litigation and Proposed Best Practices
This session will examine the ethical and professional aspects of judicial involvement in cases where there are pro se litigants and will include a discussion of proposed best practices for judges with litigants lacking the necessary skills to represent themselves.
Cynthia Gray, Esq., Director, Center for Judicial Ethics, American Judicature Society, Chicago
Panel: Judges Mike Fain, Lee Sinclair, Mark W. Wall*, David Lewandowski, John R. Adkins*; Jonathan Marshall, Esq.
*Member, Supreme Court of Ohio Task Force on Pro Se and Indigent Litigants
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5:00
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Conclusion of Thursday Education Program
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2006 Judicial Conference Reception
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5:15
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A highlight of the 2006 Annual Meeting is the Judicial Conference Reception. Normally held during the Thursday evening dinner hour, this year the Judicial Conference Reception will occur immediately after Thursday's education program in the hotel atrium. The 2006 Judicial Conference Reception will still feature the same fare of heavy hors d'oeuvres in conjunction with the manager's cocktail reception, and will provide you the opportunity to reflect on the day's activities with your colleagues and friends while allowing time for any evening plans you may have arranged.
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Spouses/Partners Program (Thursday)
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9:00 am - 10:00
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Coffee and Conversation: A Jolt Before You Bolt
The Ohio Judicial Family Network (OJFN) Steering Committee invites the spouses and partners of judges to join them for coffee, pastry and conversation to start the morning. This is an opportunity to informally discuss judicial family life and join in the networking OJFN participants enjoy.
There is no cost to attend. Please make your reservation using the annual meeting registration form.
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Friday Education Schedule
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8:00 am - 9:15
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Concurrent Sessions
Each of these sessions will follow up the Thursday pro se presentations as they relate to judges within each jurisdiction. The facilitators will guide discussions of specific issues encountered in the respective jurisdictional area. There will be ample time for sharing and discussion of specific concerns.
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Session 1: Appellate Pro Se Issues
Judges Mike Fain, William H. Harsha*
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Session 2: Common Pleas General Division Pro Se Issues
Judges Janet R. Burnside, William J. Corzine
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Session 3: Domestic Relations Pro Se Issues
Judges Jim D. James*, Mary Kovack*
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Session 4: Municipal/County Pro Se Issues
Judges Melissa Byers-Emmerling, Mark W. Wall*
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Session 5: Probate/Juvenile Pro Se Issues
Judges David E. Stucki, Paul F. Kutscher, Jr.*, Jack R. Puffenberger
*Member, Supreme Court of Ohio Task Force on Pro Se and Indigent Litigants
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9:30 - 10:45
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Concurrent Sessions
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Session 6: Unbundling Legal Services
Many, if not most, unrepresented litigants need more than procedural assistance. They often need the assistance of a lawyer to determine their options, possible outcomes and strategies to pursue their objectives. Such limited representation is sometimes referred to as "unbundled" legal services. This session will explore the concept of unbundling legal services, its potential impact and look at the Task Force recommendations relating to unbundling.
Professor Kent Markus*, Capital University Law School
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Session 7: Funding for Representation of Indigent Parties in Criminal and Civil Cases
This session will discuss the perpetual difficulties surrounding funding for counsel for indigent litigants. Topics for discussion will include the recommendations of the Task Force, a definition of the need, a discussion about where the responsibility lies, possible alternative resources, guidelines for implementation, and an overview of programs that work.
Judge John R. Adkins*, Moderator
Panel: John Alge, Director of Administration, Ohio Public Defender's Office, Robert Clyde, Executive Director, Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation, Sharon Ray*, County Commissioner, Medina County
*Member, Supreme Court of Ohio Task Force on Pro Se and Indigent Litigants
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Session 8: Legislative Panel: The Changing Role of Judges
This session will include a panel of judges and legislators who will discuss the changing role of judges in today's courts and the consequences for judges and society. Topics will include the emergence of "therapeutic" or "problem solving" courts, the growing trend for judges to participate in social intervention programming, evidence based sentencing, the legislature's recent inclination for mandatory or "no tolerance" sanctions, and judicial independence.
Judges Jan Michael Long and Steven O. Williams, Moderators;
Panel: Justice Evelyn Lundberg Stratton, Judge Robert D. Nichols and Representatives Louis W. Blessing, Jr. and John R. Willamowski.
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Session 9: Digital Court Reporting
What does a court need to be aware of when purchasing or upgrading a digital court recording system? Two judges will share their experiences with obtaining and using a digital court recording system: Judge Deborah J. Nicastro, who has recently gone through the process of buying and installing a system, and Judge Michael T. Hall, who has used a digital court recording system since 1999.
Judges Michael T. Hall, Deborah J. Nicastro
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11:00 - 12:30 pm
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Concurrent Sessions
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Session 10: Highlights of the Past Term of The Supreme Court of Ohio
A summary and analysis of recent cases decided by The Supreme Court of Ohio.
Professor Marianna Brown Bettman, University of Cincinnati College of Law
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Session 11: Implementing HB 98 (DR Judges)
This session will provide information on the implementation of House Bill 98, of the 125th General Assembly which will be operationally effective on October 27, 2006. The session will explain implementation of the provision in the bill which requires annual cost of living adjustments under state pension plans to be shared proportionally in the case of retirement benefits subject to a DOPO. The session will also explain implementation of the other bill provisions concerning post-retirement survivorship to ex-spouse, and "joint and survivor annuity."
Judge David Lewandowski, Ellen Leach, Esq., Associate Counsel, OPERS
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Session 12: NCSC CourTools Performance Measures
Effective measurement is key to managing court resources efficiently. The 10 CourTools are designed by the National Center for State Courts to provide the judiciary with the tools to demonstrate effective stewardship of public resources. This session will provide an overview of the CourTools performance measures.
Mary Sammon, Senior Court Consultant, National Center for State Courts, Williamsburg, VA
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12:30 - 1:00
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Concurrent Sessions
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Substance Abuse: Abuser Enabling Issues
(optional; .50 hour substance abuse credit; presenter TBA)
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Enhancing Judicial Qualifications
An update of the current status of HB 266/SB 149.
(optional; no Judicial College or CLE credit hours awarded)
Retired Judge Mark R. Schweikert, Executive Director, Ohio Judicial Conference
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1:00 End of Annual Meeting Education Program
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