College of Law

The University of Toledo College of Law and the Toledo Bar Association present

A discussion with:

    • Steven C. Hollon, Executive Director, Ohio Constitutional Modernization Commission
    • Hon. Judith Ann Lanzinger, Justice, Ohio Supreme Court
    • Steven H. Steinglass, Senior Policy Advisor, Ohio Constitutional Modernization Commission
    • Mark Wagoner, Member of the Commission & Parter, Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP

Thursday, March 17
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM (2.0 CLE)
McQuade Law Auditorium


"The Ohio Constitution and the Work of the Ohio Constitutional Modernization Commission"

The Ohio Constitution is under review. The Ohio Constitutional Modernization Commission was established and tasked by the General Assembly with studying the Constitution and recommending amendments. The Commission began its work in 2013, and will continue until 2018.

All Ohio law derives from the Ohio Constitution, which draws its power from the People of Ohio: “All political power is inherent in the people.”

The Ohio Constitution is, in fact, Ohio’s second constitution, and it has served the state since 1851, with substantial amendments in 1912. It begins with a bill of rights that includes special protections for Ohioans. It establishes the legislature, the executive branch, and the judiciary, granting and bounding the power of each. The Constitution governs elections, including Ohio’s robust initiative and referendum processes, spending, and just about everything necessary for Ohio to be Ohio. 

Professor Evan Zoldan of the College of Law describes the particular importance of state constitutions as follows:

[S]tate constitutions, including Ohio's, tend to have a lot more detail than the federal Constitution; this makes Ohio's Constitution capable of creating a distinct state character in a way that that the federal Constitution does not do for the country as a whole. For example, Ohio's constitution has quite specific requirements about property rights, rights of the accused, corporations, and education. These provisions reflect Ohio's specific historical experiences and its vision of itself, and also shape its future goals.

Toledo Law and the Toledo Bar Association (TBA) are excited to welcome some of the state’s leading experts on the subject to discuss the Ohio Constitution, the Modernization Commission, and possible changes to the Constitution. Join us to learn about what makes the Ohio Constitution unique, and what possible changes the Commission will propose to improve its service to Ohioans.


Agenda

12:00 PM - 12:05 PM Introduction and Welcome
Gregory M. Gilchrist
Associate Professor, The University of Toledo College of Law
12:05 PM - 12:25 PM The Ohio Constitution: View and History
Steven H. Steinglass
Senior Policy Advisor, Ohio Constitutional Modernization Commission
12:25 PM - 12:55 PM The Ohio Constitution: View from the Bench
Hon. Judith Ann Lanzinger
Justice, Ohio Supreme Court
12:55 PM - 1:15 PM The Ohio Constitutional Modernization Commission: View from the Commission
Steven C. Hollon
Executive Director, Ohio Constitutional Modernization Commission
1:15 PM - 1:25 PM The Ohio Constitutional Modernization Commission: View from the Public
Mark Wagoner
Public Member of the Commission and Partner, Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP
1:25 PM - 2:00 PM Question & Answer

CLE & registration

This course has been approved by the Supreme Court of Ohio Commission on Continuing Legal Education for 2.0 total CLE hours.

The event is free and open to the public, but if you wish to obtain CLE credit for attending, please register at the TBA website. The cost for CLE credit is $50 for TBA members, $75 for non-members, and free for UT faculty.

The CLE brochure is available as a PDF.

Last Updated: 6/27/22