The Constitution is only as strong as the public's understanding of it and the ability of individuals to access the legal system that protects them. In this presentation, Ohio University alumna and Ohio State Bar Association President Jan Allen Baughman will discuss the state bar association's strategic efforts to advance the rule of law through constitutional literacy and civic understanding, while also working to address the growing shortage of lawyers in rural communities throughout Ohio. Both initiatives support a common and important goal: making the promises and protections of the Constitution meaningful and accessible for all Ohioans.

Jan Allen Baughman is a graduate of Ohio University and managing partner of Allen & Baughman Attorneys at Law, a Zanesville-based firm she founded with her father. Her practice focuses on real estate, probate and estate planning, adoption, business law, landlord-tenant matters, municipal law, banking and collections. A former middle school math and science teacher, Baughman is passionate about making the law understandable and accessible so clients can make informed decisions with confidence. She serves as president of the Ohio State Bar Association for the 2026-27 bar year, leading Ohio’s largest legal network as it works to promote justice and advance the legal profession.