On Thursday, August 21, 2025, the Supreme Court of Ohio approved the application of Patrick James Aguilar for admission to the practice of law in the state. This decision follows Aguilar’s successful completion of the Uniform Bar Exam in Texas, where he was admitted to the bar in July 2023 after graduating from Baylor University Law School in 2022.

The case is entitled “In the Matter of Patrick James Aguilar,” with case no. 2025-0405.

Aguilar’s journey to admission in Ohio was scrutinized due to a past juvenile adjudication for conduct that would qualify as a felony if committed by an adult. Despite this, Aguilar’s application was initially endorsed by the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association Admissions Committee, which recommended him based on an interview that highlighted his character, fitness, and moral qualifications.

In January 2025, a panel from the Board of Commissioners on Character and Fitness conducted a hearing where Aguilar openly discussed his past incidents, including his juvenile record from when he was 16 and a citation for a noise violation during college. The panel noted that Aguilar had taken full responsibility for his actions and expressed sincere remorse. Aguilar’s juvenile record has since been sealed and expunged.

In March 2025, the board unanimously supported the panel’s findings, officially recommending that the Supreme Court of Ohio approve Aguilar’s character and fitness for legal practice.

Under Ohio law, applicants must convincingly demonstrate that they possess the necessary character, fitness, and moral qualifications for legal practice.

The Supreme Court considered several factors in Aguilar’s case, including any previous criminal conduct and the applicant’s overall honesty and trustworthiness. Following the review of Aguilar’s case and the board’s recommendation, the Supreme Court of Ohio found that he met the required standards for admission

The Disposition states:

“On consideration of the record and the applicable rules, we agree with the board that Aguilar has met his burden of proving that he currently possesses the requisite character, fitness, and moral qualifications for admission to the practice of law. Accordingly, we adopt the board’s report and approve Aguilar’s character, fitness, and moral qualifications for admission to the practice of law in Ohio.”

A copy of the original filing can be found here.