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Ohio Supreme Court to hold oral arguments at UA
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: October 20, 2021
It’s been more than six years since Ohio Supreme Court justices held oral arguments at a law school.
But that will be changing at the end of October when Ohio Supreme Court justices bring their Off-Site Court program to The University of Akron, providing high school students and others, including members of the public with a chance to observe the court in action.
The two-day event, which coincides with The University of Akron School of Law’s centennial celebration takes place on Oct. 26 and 27 at the Jean Hower Taber Student Union on the university’s campus.
“It’s an honor for the court to be part of the law school’s centennial recognition,” Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor stated in a press release. “We’re also happy to share our court sessions locally and engage with students in their community.”
Created in 1987, the Off-Site Court program is designed to give high school students and the public throughout the state a chance to learn more about Ohio’s judicial system.
The program is most often held at a high school. The University of Toledo College of Law hosted the last law school event in 2014.
It’s been on a two-year hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic and Akron Law Dean Christopher J. (C.J.) Peters said administrators are very excited justices chose the law school for its return.
“This will be a tremendous opportunity not only for area high school students, but also for Akron undergraduates, our law students and other citizens to observe the state’s highest court in action,” said Peters. “It’s also a chance to bring high school students on campus so they can become familiar with the entire university and learn why it’s a great place to come for an undergraduate and legal education,” said Peters.
Traditionally a one-day event, the Akron Law visit marks only the second time the court will hold two consecutive days of oral arguments on the road.
In 2012, sessions were held at the Cuyahoga County Courthouse for its 100th anniversary and the next day at Case Western Reserve University School of Law in Cleveland.
Public and private high school students from the around the county have been invited to participate in the upcoming Akron Law event.
Students and teachers are provided with curriculum material to study before the session, including summaries of the cases that will be argued. Attorneys will team up with educators at each participating school to explain the state’s judicial system and review the case materials.
Prior to the arguments, some students will attend a question-and-answer session with the justices. Then, students from each school will hear one of the three oral arguments. Afterward, each group of students will meet with the case attorneys for a debriefing.
Registration is not required but members of the public that are interested in observing the court should arrive by 8:45 a.m. on Oct. 26 and 27 to allow adequate time to clear security.
In its 77 trips, Off-Site Court has traveled to 71 of Ohio’s 88 counties, enabling 41,399 Ohioans––32,605 of them students––to observe the proceedings and interact with justices, attorneys and court staff.
The last time Summit County hosted a court visit was in 1990.
In addition to the Ohio Supreme Court visit, Judge Joan L. Larsen, who serves on the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will give the Akron Law Centennial keynote address on Oct. 23 at E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall, across the street from the law school.
The free event runs from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Those interested are asked to register in advance by visiting https://calendar.uakron.edu/law/event/17867-1.
“Judge Larsen was recommended to us by her colleague Akron Law alumna Judge Deborah Cook, a senior judge on the 6th Circuit,” said Peters.
“Judge Larsen has a very good reputation and she was a law professor before she began serving on the bench. She is a prominent jurist who reportedly has been on the short list for a nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court.
“We were very happy that she graciously accepted our invitation,” said Peters.