Ohio Northern University Claude W. Pettit College of Law

10/22/2026

With 20+ active student organizations, ONU Law students can build connections, sharpen their skills, and find their people. And if there’s an organization you’d love to see? Start one!

For 2L Kendall Scribner, a former NAIA soccer player at Indiana Tech, that passion is sports law. As the Sports Law Society looks to grow, Kendall took ONU Law’s name to the Columbus Sports Networking Event & Career Expo, connecting with representatives from teams like the Columbus Crew, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Cleveland Browns—and inviting industry professionals to bring their expertise to campus.

The result? New connections, valuable contacts, and even more excitement for what’s ahead. “Representing the Sports Law Society at this event was such a worthwhile experience, and I’m grateful to ONU Law for supporting the opportunity. I left with so many new connections and even more excitement about pursuing a career in sports law.”

At ONU Law, your passion can become your profession—and it can start with getting involved.

10/21/2026

10/16/2026

From the classroom to the courtroom, ONU Law 3L Jeremy (Stewart) Wortham turned his passion for trial law into real-world experience during an internship with the Allen County Indiana Prosecutor’s Office. After taking an active role in a three-day felony trial, Jeremy gained confidence in his courtroom skills, helped secure a guilty verdict, and earned a post-graduation job offer.

Read Jeremy's full story and discover how hands-on training at ONU Law prepares students to become confident, skilled advocates at:
https://law.onu.edu/news/how-third-year-law-student-turned-i-think-i-can-i-know-i-can

10/08/2026

It was such a joy to welcome members of the Class of 1965 back to campus! There’s something pretty special about returning to a place that holds so many memories and seeing how much it has changed over the years.

We loved hearing stories and giving them a chance to see the law school as it is today. A big thank-you to Dean Bryan Ward for showing them around and helping make their visit special. We’re so glad they made the time to visit—and we hope they enjoyed the trip down memory lane as much as we enjoyed having them here!

10/06/2026

Tilton Hall was full as nationally recognized legal educator and attorney Philip Bogdanoff delivered a lively, interactive, and thought-provoking Goldman Lecture. Moving throughout the room and engaging students directly, Bogdanoff kept everyone on their toes!

His presentation, “Lies, Deceit and the Ethical Rules: Can Attorneys Practice Deception?”, explored a serious true-crime case and complex professional conduct rules, using humor and real-world insight to unpack high-stakes ethical dilemmas. Students and guests were challenged to think critically about where they would draw the line when doing the “right” thing conflicts with the rules.

Thank you, Philip Bogdanoff, for sharing more than 25 years of prosecutorial expertise and inspiring our law community with such an engaging session.

10/01/2026

We had a great turnout for our first Employer Night of the year!

Eight employers joined us, giving students the chance to learn more about opportunities in a variety of legal settings — including prosecutors from several Ohio counties, nonprofit organizations serving individuals with disabilities, private practice opportunities, and careers within the military and public service.

Even better, several students are already moving forward with the application process with employers they connected with that evening. That’s what events like this are all about — helping students make connections that can lead to internships, summer positions and valuable experience in the legal profession.

If you’d like to be included in our next Employer Night event, contact Amber Schumacher at [email protected].

09/30/2026

Our nationally ranked Mock Trial Team is adding another tool to its advocacy toolbox.
As competition season gets underway, 3L Jake Byrd demonstrated new trial simulation technology for members of the ONU Law Advisory Board. The technology allows students to practice key aspects of trial advocacy—from opening and closing arguments to cross-examinations—in a realistic, simulated courtroom experience.
It was a great opportunity for our Advisory Board members to see firsthand how ONU Law students are using innovative tools to sharpen the skills they’ll rely on in practice.

09/29/2026

Congratulations to Judge William Zimmerman, BA ’75, JD ’79, who is the recipient of Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law’s Distinguished Alumni Award.

A proud “Double Bear,” who earned both his undergraduate and law degrees from Ohio Northern University, Judge Zimmerman has built a distinguished 40-plus year career upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice across the state of Ohio.

Judge Zimmerman began practicing law in 1979. In 2016, and again in 2022, voters elected him to the prestigious Third District Court of Appeals, where he reviews decisions from lower courts across 17 counties in northwest and west-central Ohio. He has twice served as Presiding Judge, playing a pivotal role in bringing oral arguments to communities across Ohio.

A veteran of more than 100 jury trials, Judge Zimmerman has earned a widespread reputation for integrity, wisdom, and fairness.
Judge Zimmerman also has contributed his time and resources to support the Pettit College of Law, including frequently bringing the Third District Court of Appeals to campus for live oral argument sessions to educate and inspire current law students.

Judge Zimmerman was among six graduates recognized by the University. For the full story go to https://www.onu.edu/news/onu-honors-six-alumni-their-service-and-professional-success

09/28/2026

Congratulations to ONU Law alumnus and Advisory Board member John Paul “J.P.” Bratcher, JD ‘12.

J.P. was recently named to Naples Illustrated’s 2026 Top Lawyers list, recognizing esteemed attorneys across Collier and Lee counties through peer review.

A leader in private client law, he helps individuals and families navigate complex estate, tax and business succession matters and plan for generations to come.

It was great to welcome J.P. and his son back to campus this week for an ONU Law Advisory Board meeting. We’re proud to see our alumni making an impact in the profession — and even happier when they come back to visit.

09/26/2026

Rural Ohio needs lawyers — and ONU Law students are learning how they can help meet that need.

Students learned more about Lawyers = Justice, a collaborative effort of ONU Law, Toledo Law, the Ohio State Bar Association and the Ohio State Bar Foundation to build a pipeline of attorneys committed to serving rural communities.

With ONU Law's Legal Clinic expanding in early 2027, students will have even more opportunities to gain hands-on legal experience while helping expand access to justice. The new Rural Practice Clinic is taking shape and will extend the clinic's reach beyond Allen and Hardin counties to also serve income-eligible residents in Auglaize, Putnam and Van Wert counties.

Law Professors Melissa Kidder and Liannie Parahoo, OSBA President-Elect and ONU Law alumna Vallie Bowman-English, JD '95, and Attorney Amy Milam educated students on the need for rural practitioners and the personal and professional benefits of rural practice, sharing first hand stories about the skills and growth that come from these valuable experiential learning opportunities. They also fielded student questions about how they can get involved in this groundbreaking effort.