The Ohio House passed House Bill 105 , which reforms third-party litigation funding- a practice where outside companies finance lawsuits for a share of the recovery. The bill creates a regulatory system under the Attorney General, requiring fee disclosure and banning foreign governments or investors from participating. Read more about the legislation at The Ohio House of Representatives .

The Ohio Supreme Court adopted new rules that permit the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for translating non-substantive court information, such as website text or office hours, provided its use is disclosed. However, the rules strictly prohibit using AI to translate or interpret substantive legal writings like orders, forms, or any part of a legal proceeding, citing risks of error and jeopardizing constitutional rights. These new regulations, which went into effect on November 13th, are part of a broader effort to address the demand for qualified interpreters in Ohio courtrooms and also update requirements for interpreter certification. Read more about the rule changes on Bloomberg Law .

Harbor Global LLC, a legal industry consulting and services company, announced it has acquired Encoretech, a technology training provider that specializes in the legal sector. The Encoretech team will join Harbor's legal technology and operations practice to enhance its service offerings, including advisory services and the implementation of tools. This move is intended to help law firms and legal departments more effectively utilize the technologies transforming their organizations. Encoretech provides tech training and managed services, having worked with several major law firms and corporate clients since its founding in 2003. You can learn more about the acquisition and it's impact on legal technology training at Law360 .

Ohio lawmakers are considering House Bill 492 to create a new "refusal to disclose" law, making it a fourth-degree misdemeanor for drivers to refuse to show identification during a traffic stop. This proposed legislation is meant to address a situation where Ohio courts have repeatedly ruled that simply refusing to show a license does not automatically constitute the crime of obstructing official business. While supporters, including the Fraternal Order of Police, argue the bill is necessary to close this confusing legal gap, critics have raised concerns about the potential for racial profiling and abuse of the law. Read more about the proposed legislation on Cleveland.com .

Proposed changes to court rules in Ohio are open for public comment until October 24, 2025 . The main initiative is a multipart effort to reorganize the rules by moving those concerning court practices and procedures from the Rules of Superintendence to the appropriate Rules of Practice and Procedure (Civil, Criminal, and Juvenile). This restructuring aims to create a more logical organization for the rules. Also under consideration are other amendments for the Rules of Appellate Procedure to enhance clarity and accommodate electronic filing, and for the Traffic Rules to comply with new legislation. These recommendations were presented by the relevant commissions and approved by the Supreme Court of Ohio for public review. Comments on the proposed Superintendence Rule amendments should be sent to:      Keely McWhorter       Supreme Court of Ohio       65 S. Front St.       Columbus, Ohio 43215   ...

  President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday, August 26 designed to cut federal funds from jurisdictions that have adopted cashless bail policies. The order directs Attorney General Pam Bondi to compile a list of such jurisdictions within 30 days, with the goal of identifying which federal funds can be terminated. While supporters of cashless bail contend it creates a more equitable justice system by not penalizing poverty, opponents, including the Trump administration, argue that it jeopardizes public safety. The impact of these policies on crime is debated, with some studies finding that bail reform has had no statistical impact on crime rates.

Ohio Supreme Court Justice Pat Fischer withdrew from the race to challenge Justice Jennifer Brunner. His decision followed a vote by a state GOP screening panel that recommended endorsing a different candidate. Fischer, who is 67, would have been able to stay on the court for an extra four years if he had won the 2026 election, as he faces mandatory retirement when his current term expires in 2028. Under the Ohio constitution, individuals 70 or older are ineligible to run for a judicial office. Fischer stated that he had promised to withdraw his candidacy if he failed to get the committee's recommendation .