Ohio’s newest attorneys were sworn into the legal profession this month in Columbus by Supreme Court of Ohio Chief Justice Sharon L. Kennedy. They were among the 143 individuals who passed the Ohio bar exam in February.

“We congratulate you on passing the bar exam. This is the culmination of 20 years or more of formal education, and your education will continue every day that you are in this profession,” said Chief Justice Kennedy.

Speaking on behalf of Ohio’s law schools, Kent Barnett, dean of Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law, told the new attorneys that admission to the bar doesn’t mark the end of the journey.

“It is but one of several milestones, welcomed stops as you improve your professional skills, better your communities, and often take advantage of opportunities that your family may never have had before,” he said.

For one new attorney, those words rang especially true.

In 2022, Mikhael Zelensky moved to the United States from Russia with his wife, Daria, and their son, Ilya. In Moscow, Zelensky worked as an associate attorney for the law firm Squire Patton Boggs. Wanting to continue his legal career in the U.S., he enrolled in the Master of Laws program at the Moritz College of Law. Attorneys from other countries often pursue advanced degrees at American law schools to advance their knowledge of U.S. law and position themselves to practice here. Zelensky later transferred into Ohio State’s Juris Doctor program to obtain a traditional law degree.

When Zelensky began law school, his son was a toddler. Zelensky credits his wife for helping make his journey possible.

“She was very supportive during my time in law school,” said Zelensky. “She worked full-time, and she also gave me the time I needed to complete my readings and to prepare for classes. I really appreciate all the care she gave me during that time.”

Zelensky hopes his son, now 5, will learn from the example he and his wife set as they worked to achieve their goals.

“We hope he can see and appreciate that we are doing it so that he can have a better future in this country,” he said. “We are going to do our best to ensure that he can get a better education, better opportunities, and better career chances here in the States.”

Zelensky will begin his career in October as an associate for the law firm Jones Day in Columbus.

To the new attorneys entering the legal profession, Justice Daniel R. Hawkins shared three pieces of advice.

First, he encouraged them to stay open to new opportunities and find work that is a good fit, provides a challenge, and is enjoyable.

“We’ve all heard that phrase ‘you only live once,’” said Justice Hawkins. “My late father used to correct me when he heard me say that, telling me, ‘Dan, you only die once. You live every day.’ So, make those days count by staying open to where they might lead.”

Justice Hawkins described his second piece of advice as the most important, telling the new lawyers to always be honest.

“In this profession, your word is your most valuable asset,” he said. “There is not a single case, a single client, a single project that you will handle over the course of your career that is more important than your reputation for integrity. One dishonest act can damage it forever, so protect it fiercely. Your word and your integrity are everything in this business.”

Finally, Justice Hawkins urged them to cherish their mentors, remember the help and guidance they received, and one day return the favor to Ohio’s next generation of lawyers.

“Most of you have already benefited from someone who saw potential in you,” said Justice Hawkins. “Thank them, keep learning from them, and as you grow in your career, pay it forward.”

Chief Justice Kennedy offered one immediate way to give back. Nearly three-quarters of Ohio attorneys practice in the state’s seven largest counties, leaving 81 counties without adequate legal representation.

“It is my greatest hope that among you are people willing to serve in those unrepresented areas,” she said. “Please consider returning home to be a leader and a role model in your community, to serve the legal needs of families and the less fortunate.”