Ohio Northern University, Pettit College of Law
Encyclopedia
Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law, commonly referred to as ONU Law, is a private, non-profit law school
located in Ada, Ohio
. Also known as the Claude W. Pettit College of Law or ONU College of Law, it is the law school
of Ohio Northern University
, founded in 1871.
The college is centered in newly renovated Tilton Hall, a modern building that houses all law classes and the Taggart Law Library. The College of Law lies at the center of the tree-lined Ohio Northern University
campus.
College of Law. It was renamed in honor of Claude W. Pettit, a judge and former dean of the college.
2010 marks the quasquicentennial
(125th anniversary) of ONU Law. To commemorate this important milestone, the law school was honored to host two important events. In Spring 2010 (March 30), ONU Law hosted the Ohio Third District Court of Appeals which held its session at ONU Law. In Sept. 29, 2010 the Supreme Court of Ohio
held its session at ONU Law. More recently, in 2011, the law school will host the President of the Republic of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili
as the commencement speaker for the law school class of 2011.
degree (JD), combined programs offering a JD/LL.M. and JD/PharmD (a seven-year combined Doctor of Pharmacy
and Juris Doctor degree in cooperation with the nationally ranked Rudolph H. Raabe College of Pharmacy), and the internationally renowned LL.M. degree in Democratic Governance and Rule of Law. Currently, the school has a full-time faculty of thirty and a law library with holdings in excess of 416,504 volumes and 2182 active serial subscriptions, first among private law schools in Ohio. The ONU College of Law is accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools.
reforms.
. In addition, students actively participate in judicial externships, both during summers between classes, as well as for academic credit during the course of their studies. ONU Law students have consistently placed in prestigious judicial externships throughout the United States.
Law school
A law school is an institution specializing in legal education.- Law degrees :- Canada :...
located in Ada, Ohio
Ada, Ohio
Ada is a village in Hardin County, Ohio, United States. The population was 5,582 at the 2000 census. In 2006, the village's population was estimated at 5,841, and the 2010 census counted 5,952 people....
. Also known as the Claude W. Pettit College of Law or ONU College of Law, it is the law school
Law school
A law school is an institution specializing in legal education.- Law degrees :- Canada :...
of Ohio Northern University
Ohio Northern University
Ohio Northern University is a private, United Methodist Church-affiliated university located in the United States in Ada, Ohio, founded by Henry Solomon Lehr in 1871. ONU is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. ONU is a sister...
, founded in 1871.
The college is centered in newly renovated Tilton Hall, a modern building that houses all law classes and the Taggart Law Library. The College of Law lies at the center of the tree-lined Ohio Northern University
Ohio Northern University
Ohio Northern University is a private, United Methodist Church-affiliated university located in the United States in Ada, Ohio, founded by Henry Solomon Lehr in 1871. ONU is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. ONU is a sister...
campus.
History
Founded in 1885, the Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law is the second oldest of the nine Ohio law schools and a founding member of the Ohio League of Law Schools. As such, it is one of the oldest law schools in the United States. Prior to 1973, the law school was known as the Warren G. HardingWarren G. Harding
Warren Gamaliel Harding was the 29th President of the United States . A Republican from Ohio, Harding was an influential self-made newspaper publisher. He served in the Ohio Senate , as the 28th Lieutenant Governor of Ohio and as a U.S. Senator...
College of Law. It was renamed in honor of Claude W. Pettit, a judge and former dean of the college.
2010 marks the quasquicentennial
Anniversary
An anniversary is a day that commemorates or celebrates a past event that occurred on the same day of the year as the initial event. For example, the first event is the initial occurrence or, if planned, the inaugural of the event. One year later would be the first anniversary of that event...
(125th anniversary) of ONU Law. To commemorate this important milestone, the law school was honored to host two important events. In Spring 2010 (March 30), ONU Law hosted the Ohio Third District Court of Appeals which held its session at ONU Law. In Sept. 29, 2010 the Supreme Court of Ohio
Supreme Court of Ohio
The Supreme Court of Ohio is the highest court in the U.S. state of Ohio, with final authority over interpretations of Ohio law and the Ohio Constitution. The court has seven members, a chief justice and six associate justices, each serving six-year terms...
held its session at ONU Law. More recently, in 2011, the law school will host the President of the Republic of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili
Mikheil Saakashvili
Mikheil Saakashvili is a Georgian politician, the third and current President of Georgia and leader of the United National Movement Party.Involved in the national politics since 1995, Saakashvili became president on 25 January 2004 after President Eduard Shevardnadze resigned in a November 2003...
as the commencement speaker for the law school class of 2011.
Academics
The school offers the Juris DoctorJuris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
degree (JD), combined programs offering a JD/LL.M. and JD/PharmD (a seven-year combined Doctor of Pharmacy
Doctor of Pharmacy
A Doctor of Pharmacy is a professional doctorate degree in pharmacy. In some countries, it is a first professional degree, and a prerequisite for licensing to exercise the profession of pharmacist.-Kenya :...
and Juris Doctor degree in cooperation with the nationally ranked Rudolph H. Raabe College of Pharmacy), and the internationally renowned LL.M. degree in Democratic Governance and Rule of Law. Currently, the school has a full-time faculty of thirty and a law library with holdings in excess of 416,504 volumes and 2182 active serial subscriptions, first among private law schools in Ohio. The ONU College of Law is accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools.
Democratic Governance and Rule of Law LL.M.
ONU Law is home to the Democratic Governance and Rule of Law LL.M. program. The program, founded in 2006, is a fully funded, one-year program of study designed for lawyers practicing in the public sector whose first law degree was earned from a law school outside the U.S. Upon completion of the LL.M., students are required to commit to 2 years further public service upon return to their home countries. The unique curricular scope of the program covers topics relevant to lawyers, judges and public officials in transitioning states, including a strong focus on rule of lawRule of law
The rule of law, sometimes called supremacy of law, is a legal maxim that says that governmental decisions should be made by applying known principles or laws with minimal discretion in their application...
reforms.
Clinical legal education
The law school offers over nine clinics, including a Bankruptcy Clinic, Prosecution Clinic, Public Defender Clinic, Environmental Law Clinic, Municipal Government Clinic, Corporate Transactions Clinic, Ohio Northern University Legal Clinic, as well as sponsors an off-campus legal clinic in Lima, OhioLima, Ohio
Lima is a city in and the county seat of Allen County, Ohio, United States. The municipality is located in northwestern Ohio along Interstate 75 approximately north of Dayton and south-southwest of Toledo....
. In addition, students actively participate in judicial externships, both during summers between classes, as well as for academic credit during the course of their studies. ONU Law students have consistently placed in prestigious judicial externships throughout the United States.
Notable alumni
ONU Law alumni have gone on to become judges in 15 states and serve in the United States Senate and a Presidential cabinet. Notable alumni include:- Warren BallentineWarren BallentineWarren Ballentine is an African American motivational speaker, attorney, political activist, and radio talk show host.-Early years:...
(b. 1973), Chicago-based motivational speakerMotivational speakerA motivational speaker or inspirational speaker is a speaker who makes speeches intended to motivate or inspire an audience. In a business context, they are employed to communicate company strategy with clarity and help employees to see the future in a positive light and inspire workers to pull...
, attorneyLawyerA lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
, political activist, and radio talk show host - Benjamin BrafmanBenjamin BrafmanBenjamin "Ben" Brafman is a criminal defense attorney based in New York. He maintains a firm focused on criminal defense, Brafman Associates, in New York City and has handled cases for clients including Jacob Arabo, James Patino, Peter Gatien, Plaxico Burress, Michael Jackson, Carl Kruger, Charles...
(b. 1948), criminal defense attorney, attorney for former International Monetary FundInternational Monetary FundThe International Monetary Fund is an organization of 187 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world...
Head Dominique Strauss-KahnDominique Strauss-KahnDominique Gaston André Strauss-Kahn , often referred to in the media, and by himself, as DSK, is a French economist, lawyer, politician, and member of the French Socialist Party... - Anthony J. CelebrezzeAnthony J. CelebrezzeAnthony Joseph Celebrezze Sr. was an Italian American politician of the Democratic Party, who served as the 49th mayor of Cleveland, Ohio, as a cabinet member in the Kennedy and Johnson administrations, and as a U.S. appeals court judge....
(1910–1998), State Senate, Ohio; Mayor, Cleveland; Secretary of U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare in the Kennedy and Johnson Administrations. - Ralph D. ColeRalph D. ColeRalph Dayton Cole was a U.S. Representative from Ohio, brother of Raymond Clinton Cole.Born in Vanlue, Ohio, Cole attended the common schools.He was graduated from Findlay College of Findlay, Ohio in 1896....
(1873–1932), U.S. RepresentativeUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from OhioOhioOhio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, brother of Raymond Clinton Cole (fellow ONU Law alum and U.S. RepresentativeUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
). - Mike CritesMike CritesMike Crites is an American member of the Republican Party and former United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio. He was a candidate for Ohio Attorney General in 2008.-Personal life:...
(b. 1948), Republican politician and former United States AttorneyUnited States AttorneyUnited States Attorneys represent the United States federal government in United States district court and United States court of appeals. There are 93 U.S. Attorneys stationed throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands...
for the Southern District of Ohio. - Robert R. CuppRobert R. CuppRobert R. "Bob" Cupp is a Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court. He was elected November 7, 2006 to a six-year term and was sworn in on January 2, 2007. His term will expire January 1, 2013....
(b. 1950), Justice, Ohio Supreme Court; Judge, Ohio Court of Appeals, 3rd Appellate District; State Senate, Ohio - Michael DeWine (b. 1947), U.S. Senate, Ohio from 1995 to 2007; current Attorney General of the State of Ohio
- Jane M. EarllJane EarllJane M. Earll is a Republican member of the Pennsylvania State Senate who has represented the 49th District since 1997. Earll's term expires in 2012. She is the chair of the Senate Community, Economic & Recreational Committee...
(b. 1958), RepublicanRepublican Party (United States)The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
member of the Pennsylvania State SenatePennsylvania State SenateThe Pennsylvania State Senate has been meeting since 1791. It is the upper house of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the Pennsylvania state legislature. The State Senate meets in the State Capitol building in Harrisburg. Senators are elected for four year terms, staggered every two years such...
who has represented the 49th DistrictPennsylvania Senate, District 49Pennsylvania's 49th Senatorial district includes parts of Erie CountyErie County* Albion* Conneaut Township* Cranesville* Edinboro* Elk Creek Township* Erie* Fairview Township* Franklin Township* Girard* Girard Township* Greene Township...
since 1997 - James EspaldonJames EspaldonJames "Jim" V. Espaldon is a Guamanian politician and lawyer. A member of the Republican Party, Espaldon is a candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Guam in the 2010 gubernatorial election as the running mate of Michael Cruz.-Personal life:...
(b. 1956), GuamanianGuamGuam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
politician and 2010 candidate for Lieutenant Governor of GuamLieutenant Governor of GuamThe Guamanian self governing government consists of a locally elected Governor, Lieutenant Governor and a fifteen member Legislature. The current Lieutenant Governor is Ray Tenorio, who has been in office since January 3, 2011....
. - Simeon D. FessSimeon D. FessSimeon Davison Fess was a Republican politician and educator from Ohio. He served in the United States House of Representatives and U.S. Senate.-Early life:...
(1861–1936), class of 1894; dean of ONU Law from 1896–1900; served as a U.S. RepresentativeUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from OhioOhioOhio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
and in the U.S. Senate from OhioOhioOhio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
for twelve years. - Gregory L. FrostGregory L. FrostGregory Lynn Frost is a United States federal judge.Born in Newark, Ohio, Frost received a B.A. from Wittenberg University in 1971 and a J.D. from Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law in 1974. He was an Assistant prosecuting attorney of Licking County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, Ohio...
(b. 1949), federal judgeUnited States federal judgeIn the United States, the title of federal judge usually means a judge appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate in accordance with Article II of the United States Constitution....
, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio. - Robert Franklin JonesRobert Franklin JonesRobert Franklin Jones was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio.Robert F. Jones was born in Cairo, Ohio. He graduated from the Lima Central High School in Lima, Ohio, in 1924 and in 1929 from Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio, with a law degree...
(1907–1968), class of 1929; a U.S. Representative from Ohio. - Arthur W. OvermyerArthur W. OvermyerArthur Warren Overmyer was a U.S. Representative from Ohio, and a judge on the Ohio Court of Appeals.Born near Lindsey, Ohio, Overmyer attended the public schools and also Lima Lutheran College. He taught school, and later graduated from the Ohio Northern University school of law at Ada in 1902...
(1879–1952), a U.S. Representative from Ohio, and a judge on the Ohio Court of Appeals - Homer A. RameyHomer A. RameyHomer Alonzo Ramey was a U.S. Representative from Ohio.Born on a farm near Sparta, South Bloomfield Township, Ohio, Ramey attended the grade and high schools....
(1891–1960), a U.S. RepresentativeUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from Ohio - Tom Reed (b. 1971); a U.S. Representative from New York; former mayor of Corning, New YorkCorning, New YorkCorning, New York is the name of two places in Steuben County, New York, although it most frequently means the City of Corning.*Corning , New York*Corning , New York, adjacent to the city...
- Scott RolleScott RolleScott L. Rolle was the State's Attorney for Frederick County, Maryland from 1995 to 2007.Scott L. Rolle is an American actor best known for his role as a co-star in the hit television series Brad Meltzer's DECODED. The series is currently in regular rotation on the History Channel. Production on...
(b. 1961), class of 1986; State's AttorneyState's AttorneyIn the United States, the State's Attorney is, most commonly, an elected official who represents the State in criminal prosecutions and is often the chief law enforcement officer of their respective county, circuit...
for Frederick County, MarylandFrederick County, MarylandFrederick County is a county located in the western part of the U.S. state of Maryland, bordering the southern border of Pennsylvania and the northeastern border of Virginia. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 233,385....
from 1995 to 2007