Article

July 06, 2016

Highlights of the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016

On May 11, 2016, President Obama signed a new law that creates a federal cause of action for misappropriation of trade secrets. The Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 (“DTSA”) places trade secrets on more even footing with other types of intellectu...

 Alert

June 30, 2016

What Does "Brexit" Mean For Your Valuable Trademarks and Brands?

By now, most have heard about the potential political and economic consequences of last week’s historic UK vote to exit the EU. What you may not have considered, though, is the effect of “Brexit” on your trademarks and brands. This alert provides som...

 Alert

June 28, 2016

BREXIT: United Kingdom Withdraws from the European Union

The United Kingdom (UK) voted to leave the European Union (EU) on Thursday, June 23, 2016. The referendum, colloquially known as BREXIT (British Exit), sparked international concerns and upheavals in international markets. The UK has been a member...

 Alert

June 22, 2016

FAA Issues Long-Anticipated Commercial Drone Rules & Eliminates the Section 333 Exemption Process

On Tuesday, June 21, 2016, the FAA issued its long-anticipated rules governing commercial operations of small, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), otherwise known as drones. The new rules, which have been in the works since companies and drone makers be...

 Article

June 20, 2016

Lifting the Fog on Extreme Caution Driving

Inclement weather such as rain, snow, and fog is a constant feature of motor vehicle travel. During poor conditions, commercial truck drivers and their dispatchers must use discretion when deciding whether travel should continue and in what manner....

 Article

June 13, 2016

Policing the Oil Patch

With the sudden surge in the value of mineral rights in southeastern Ohio, landowners and local producers have been thrust into the position of competing for ownership of these valuable mineral rights. Unless an old oil and gas lease cover their prop...

 Alert

June 09, 2016

Ohio Legislature Passes Over 30 Bills in 48 Hours

The Ohio General Assembly is officially on summer recess as they gear up for their November elections. They had a busy spring session, culminating in two whirlwind days during the last week of May, where they passed over 30 bills. The topics ranged f...

 Alert

May 18, 2016

Department of Labor Issues Final Rule Expanding Overtime Pay

The Department of Labor (DOL) has issued a final rule expanding the number of Americans that qualify for overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The new rule, issued on May 18, 2016, will more than double the annual salary threshold t...

 Alert

May 12, 2016

OSHA Finalizes Controversial Electronic Recordkeeping Rule

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued its final rule revising its regulations on the recording and reporting of occupational injuries and illnesses.  Under the rule, establishments with 250 or more employees must elec...

 Article

May 2016

Is Arbitration All It's Cracked Up To Be?

In the late 1980s, early 1990s, alternative dispute resolution came on the scene and was all the rage as a means to effectively and quickly resolve disputes on construction projects at a lower cost than litigation. Now, many years later, the tide has...

 Article

May 11, 2016

Court Rulings Could Impact Dormant Mineral Act

The legislature enacted the original version of the Ohio Dormant Mineral Act (DMA) in 1989 to allow for the abandonment of old unused severed mineral interests (other than coal) and to automatically vest them in the owner of the surface of the proper...

 Alert

May 10, 2016

FDA Issues "Deeming Regulations" Covering Additional Tobacco Products Including Electronic Cigarettes, Cigars and Pipe Tobacco

On May 10, 2016, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a final rule (Deeming Regulations) bringing cigars, pipe tobacco, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) (including electronic cigarettes), water pipe (hookah) tobacco, dissolvab...

 Alert

May 04, 2016

State and Local Governments Considering Drone Laws Should Consult with the FAA

Recently, the Cleveland City Council passed legislation aimed at giving local law enforcement the power to enforce federal restrictions on flying drones (also known as unmanned aircraft systems or “UAS”) within city limits. The Cleveland law mirrors...

 Article

May 03, 2016

The Trials and Errors of Preventability Determinations

 Article

April 28, 2016

Retail Liability in 140 Characters Or Less: Foreseeability In The Social Media Age

 Alert

April 28, 2016

"60 Days" Means 60 Days - Appellate Court Reiterates Construction Lien Law Will Be Strictly Construed

By: Thomas P. Wert, Esquire, Board Certified Construction Lawyer1 Lienors beware – when the Florida lien law says “60 days,” the Florida lien law means 60 days. On April 8th, a Florida Court of Appeal confirmed once again that the deadlines set...

 Article

April 12, 2016

Private Equity Forecast

Private equity deal flow slowed down in 2015. U.S. and global markets were volatile. Interest rates finally increased. The SEC turned its attention to private equity firms. Despite these challenges, the private equity forecast provides reason for opt...

 Article

April 11, 2016

What Makes a Motor Carrier Unfit for Service?

A proposed rule published by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA or Agency) seeks to change the methodology for determining whether a motor carrier is unfit. Currently, the Agency has the authority to shut down a motor carrier only...

 Alert

April 11, 2016

Favorable Ruling for Insurance Agency and Its Agents

A decision recently issued by the Crawford County Court of Common Pleas is a positive signal for insurance agencies and their agents. Although the insureds asserted numerous claims in the suit − including fraudulent misrepresentation, negligent procu...

 Article

April 04, 2016

Negotiating Extending Undrilled Shale Leases

For more than six years, areas of eastern Ohio have experienced the largest oil and gas boom in Ohio’s history. New technologies in the oil and gas industry have opened up development of the Utica Shale formation, using directional drilling and stage...