Perkins grad passes bar exam

PERKINS TWP. — Earlier this month, the Ohio Supreme Court released the results of the Ohio Bar Examination from February, revealing that a woman with local ties successfully aced the test. Jenna Goretzki, a 2014 Perkins High School graduate, is among the latest batch of nearly 340 attorneys who took the statewide examination from this latest round. Only a fraction receives a passing grade, which unlocks the ability to practice law. Goretzki, who lives in Cleveland, most recently worked at the Cuyahoga County Public Defender's Office in its felony division. She hopes to join the office soon on a full-time basis. "This achievement represents a substantial milestone in their professional development as they prepare to enter the legal field and serve their communities," according to a court statement. Applicants meeting all the admission requirements will be sworn in as attorneys during a special session of the Ohio Supreme Court. The bar admissions ceremony takes place at 2 p.m. on May 18 at the Palace Theatre in Columbus. To accommodate public viewing, the ceremony will be live-streamed on the supreme court's website. The Supreme Court of Ohio: • Administers the bar examination twice a year • Retains exclusive authority over the regulation of the practice of law in Ohio, which encompasses the admission of new attorneys, the biennial registration of active attorneys, the administration of continuing legal education and the discipline of attorneys in cases of professional misconduct • Represents the highest court in the state, serving as the court of last resort on questions of Ohio law and the state constitution • Remains dedicated "to ensuring equal justice under the law, overseeing the state's judicial system and regulating the legal profession to maintain the highest standards of integrity and public service"