WESTON HURD LLP IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE EXPANSION OF ITS COLUMBUS OFFICE
On January 1, 2022, ten attorneys formerly of Lane Alton joined Weston Hurd LLP. These attorneys, in addition to Robert Stoffers and Lorree Dendis who joined the firm in the fall, elevate Weston Hurd to more than 50 attorneys statewide with 17 in Columbus.
According to Weston Hurd’s firmwide Managing Partner Dan Richards, “The expansion of the Columbus office caps a year of change and smart growth for the firm that included moving Weston Hurd’s offices in Cleveland and Columbus to new, more efficient space. The addition of these deeply experienced attorneys to our Columbus office enhances its already well-established presence in civil litigation and insurance defense matters, and adds further depth in medical malpractice, corporate, business, real estate, estate planning, and probate law. This complements and creates a lot of synergies with our various practice groups in Cleveland.”
Weston Hurd is pleased to welcome:
Thomas I. Blackburn joins Weston Hurd from Lane Alton as Of Counsel. Tom both advises clients and represents clients before state and federal agencies as well as in state and federal courts on matters ranging from complex liability; insurance coverage issues; business matters; shareholder, partnership or limited liability member matters; non-competition and confidentiality matters; and construction, construction defect and construction contract matters. Tom’s court admissions include Ohio, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and the United States Tax Court. Tom received his B.S. and his J.D. with honors from The Ohio State University.
Thomas I. Blackburn – 614.280.1136 – tblackburn@westonhurd.com
Lorree L. Dendis joined Weston Hurd in December 2021 as an Associate. Lorree has more than 20 years of experience in litigation and defense matters. She represents her clients in cases involving construction, employment, and complex bodily injury. Lorree’s court admissions include Ohio, the U.S. District Court for the Southern and Northern Districts of Ohio, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Lorree received her B.A. summa cum laude from Hobart & William Smith Colleges and her J.D. from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law.
Lorree L. Dendis – 614.280.1145 – ldendis@westonhurd.com
Joseph A. Gerling joins Weston Hurd from Lane Alton as a Partner. Joe began his professional career as an engineer and uses his technical background to represent clients in products liability claims involving fires and explosions, asbestos and toxic substance exposures, and complex construction lawsuits. Joe’s court admissions include Ohio, the U.S. District Court for the Southern and Northern Districts of Ohio, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Joe received his B.S. cum laude in Chemical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame and his J.D. cum laude from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law.
Joseph A. Gerling – 614.280.1123 – jgerling@westonhurd.com
Edward G. Hubbard joins Weston Hurd from Lane Alton as a Partner. Ed focuses his practice on representing lawyers and law firms in legal malpractice claims, advises landlords and businesses in lease negotiations and disputes, and defends national retailers in premises liability claims. He also counsels manufacturers, retailers, and recreational vehicle manufacturers in claims made by consumers. Ed’s court admissions include Ohio, the U.S. District Court for the Southern and Northern Districts of Ohio, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Ed received his B.A. from Miami University and his J.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Law.
Edward G. Hubbard – 614.280.1125 – ehubbard@westonhurd.com
Jeffrey W. Hutson joins Weston Hurd from Lane Alton as Of Counsel. Jeff brings years of experience in handling disputes to his role as a mediator and arbitrator. In addition, Jeff handles transactional work for design professionals. Jeff is admitted to practice in Ohio, and before the U.S. District Court for the Southern and Northern Districts of Ohio, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth and Ninth Circuits. Jeff received his A.B. and his LL.B. from the University of Michigan. After graduating from law school, Jeff served for four years as a Judge Advocate in the U.S. Navy.
Jeffrey W. Hutson – 614.280.1137 – jhutson@westonhurd.com
Rick E. Marsh joins Weston Hurd from Lane Alton as Of Counsel. Rick focuses his practice on the defense of negligence claims against attorneys and law firms. Rick’s court admissions include Ohio, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, and the United States Supreme Court. Rick received both his B.A. cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa and his J.D. from The Ohio State University.
Rick E. Marsh – 614.280.1138 – rmarsh@westonhurd.com
Gregory D. Rankin joins Weston Hurd from Lane Alton as a Partner. A seasoned trial attorney, Greg represents his clients in legal matters involving serious injury and death claims, including more than 25 medical malpractice trials. Greg’s court admissions include Ohio, the U.S. District Court for the Southern and Northern Districts of Ohio, and the United States Supreme Court. Greg received his B.A. magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa from Albion College and his J.D. from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law.
Gregory D. Rankin – 614.280.1126 – grankin@westonhurd.com
James P. Seguin joins Weston Hurd from Lane Alton as a Partner. Jim represents businesses in all facets of operations including formation, succession planning, real estate, shareholder disputes, general contracts, and litigation. Jim also assists families and individuals with estate planning and probate matters. Jim’s court admissions include Ohio and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. He received his B.B.A. cum laude from the University of Toledo and his J.D. from The Ohio State University College of Law.
James P. Seguin – 614.280.1127 – jseguin@westonhurd.com
Claudia L. Spriggs joins Weston Hurd from Lane Alton as a Partner. Claudia has extensive courtroom experience in Ohio and California where she has tried dozens of jury trials as well as hundreds of arbitrations and mediations. Claudia’s court admissions include Ohio and California, the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. After receiving her B.A. from the University of California, Riverside, Claudia obtained her J.D. from Southwestern University School of Law.
Claudia L. Spriggs – 614.280.1131 – cspriggs@westonhurd.com
Robert H. Stoffers joined Weston Hurd in November 2021 as a Partner. Bob represents his clients in matters involving general liability, auto and trucking, products liability, construction defects, intellectual property, premises liability, professional malpractice, and errors and omissions. Bob’s court admissions include Ohio, the U.S. District Court for the Southern and Northern Districts of Ohio, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. Robert received his B.A. from Otterbein University and his J.D. from the University of Toledo College of Law.
Robert H. Stoffers – 614.280.1155 – rstoffers@westonhurd.com
Read more about Weston Hurd’s Columbus office:
Weston Hurd LLP – 101 East Town Street, Suite 500 – Columbus, Ohio 43215 – 614.280.0200
The Ohio-based law firm of Weston Hurd LLP is pleased to announce the expansion of its Columbus office with the addition of twelve attorneys.
Effective January 1, 2022, ten attorneys from Lane Alton will join Weston Hurd. These attorneys, in addition to the recent hires of Robert H. Stoffers and Lorree L. Dendis, will elevate the law firm to more than 50 attorneys statewide with 17 in Columbus.
According to Weston Hurd’s firmwide Managing Partner Dan Richards, “The expansion of the Columbus office caps a year of change and smart growth for the firm that included moving Weston Hurd’s offices in Cleveland and Columbus to new, more efficient space. The addition of these deeply experienced attorneys to our Columbus office enhances its already well-established presence in civil litigation and insurance defense matters, and adds further depth in medical malpractice, corporate, business, real estate, estate planning, and probate law. This complements and creates a lot of synergies with our various practice groups in Cleveland.”
Weston Hurd was founded in 1925 in Cleveland and expanded into Columbus in 2006. Kevin Bush, Partner-in-Charge of Weston Hurd’s Columbus office, states “Similar practices, cultures, and a commitment to our clients, drove a team of attorneys to open Weston Hurd’s first office in Columbus back in 2006. Now 15 years later, we are thrilled to welcome these new attorneys as Weston Hurd continues to expand our statewide practice.”
Greg Rankin, Managing Partner of Lane Alton speaking on behalf of the attorneys joining Weston Hurd, adds “The quality and depth of resources and attorneys that Weston Hurd has to offer provide a great platform for us to practice law and provide excellent and affordable services to our clients. We look forward to officially joining Weston Hurd on January 1, 2022.”
Lane Alton Attorneys Joining Weston Hurd on January 1, 2022:
Thomas I. Blackburn
Joseph A. Gerling
Edward G. Hubbard
Jeffrey W. Hutson
Rick E. Marsh
Gregory D. Rankin
James P. Seguin
Claudia L. Spriggs
Emily Valandingham
Robert J. Walter
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The season of gifting is a time when many people choose to maximize their estate liquidation opportunity by giving the ones they love money instead of “things,” says Jay Nabors, a Cleveland-based attorney who focuses on estate planning. But how much is too much? And will there be tax implications?
“The current maximum allowed without being taxed is $15,000,” Jay shares. “In 2022, that amount will go up to $16,000. If you stay within that range, the person giving the funds won’t have to report anything to the IRS.”
Jay had a client who recently wanted to gift more than the allowed amount, so he suggested the person give the allowable $15,000 in December, and $16,000 in January of 2022.
Something to consider, Jay says, is what your plans are for the future. “Medicaid has a five-year look-back period, so anything given away within that timeframe will come under scrutiny. It’s a good idea to sit down with an estate attorney to map out how and when to distribute any funds from your estate, so you aren’t penalized should you need to go into a nursing home and require the assistance of Medicaid,” he notes.
It’s also a good idea to meet with him to construct a disbursement timeline, even if your future plans include aging at home, instead of in a care facility. He can also ensure your home and valuables are titled properly to avoid probate.
As seen in the December 2021 issue of Mimi Vanderhaven.
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The tight market for real estate and higher prices, both residential and commercial, created generally higher tax valuations in Cuyahoga and other counties in their 2021 revaluations. Higher values generally mean higher taxes. At the same time commercial owners of properties such as hotels and shopping plazas have been especially hard hit by the pandemic. Lower rent receipts generally justify lower commercial real estate taxes.
Applications to lower commercial and residential real estate taxes are due March 31, 2022, so this is a good time for owners to review the taxes they pay, analyze the value of their property and decide whether they should apply for a reduction.
Property owners can apply to county Boards of Revision and potentially reduce taxes only by filing a Complaint Against the Valuation of Real Property.
The Board of Revision holds a hearing in which the taxpayer and legal counsel can and should appear to provide evidence supporting any claimed value reduction. Obtaining an appraisal from a professional appraiser may be necessary. If the property was the subject of a recent purchase, generally, the purchase price is the best evidence of what the property is worth.
If you believe the county valuation of your property is too high, you should consider filing to lower your tax.
Please contact Dana Rose or your Weston Hurd attorney if you have questions about this topic.
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Weston Hurd LLP is pleased to announce that Robert H. Stoffers has joined the firm’s Columbus office as a Partner. Bob brings to Weston Hurd more than 35 years of litigation and trial experience. Bob represents his clients in a wide variety of legal matters including general liability, auto and trucking, products liability, construction defects, intellectual property, premises liability, professional malpractice, and errors and omissions.
In addition to his Ohio Bar admission, Bob is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Bob is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association, the Columbus Bar Association, the Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys, and the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM).
After obtaining his B.A. in 1979 from Otterbein University, Bob received his J.D. in 1982 from the University of Toledo College of Law.
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Weston Hurd LLP
101 East Town Street, Suite 500
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Weston Hurd LLP is proud to be named in the 2022 U.S. News-Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” rankings in both national and metropolitan categories. Overall, Weston Hurd was listed in 13 practice areas, including a national ranking in Insurance Law.
According to Best Lawyers, firms “are recognized for professional excellence with consistently impressive ratings from clients and peers.” The tiered rankings “signal a unique combination of quality law practice and breadth of legal expertise.” Read the entire U.S. News-Best Lawyers® press release by clicking here: 2022 U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” Awards Released
The list of Weston Hurd’s rankings include:
National
Metropolitan
- Commercial Litigation (Cleveland, Tier 1)
- Insurance Law (Cleveland, Tier 1)
- Litigation – Insurance (Columbus, Tier 1)
- Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants (Cleveland, Tier 1, Columbus, Tier 3)
- Construction Law (Columbus, Tier 2)
- Litigation – Labor & Employment (Cleveland, Tier 2)
- Employment Law – Individuals (Cleveland, Tier 3)
- Employment Law – Management (Cleveland, Tier 3)
- Labor Law – Management (Cleveland, Tier 3)
- Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants (Cleveland, Tier 3)
- Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs (Cleveland, Tier 3)
- Product Liability Litigation – Defendants (Cleveland, Tier 3)
- Real Estate Law (Cleveland, Tier 3)
The holidays are a good time to make estate planning decisions, says Jay Nabors, a Cleveland-based attorney who focuses on estate planning.
“This is the time of year when family members are visiting, so getting your affairs in order and then letting your loved ones in on the details makes good sense,” Jay advises. “Sit down with your loved ones and go over the finer points of your estate. That way there are no surprises.”
Jay suggests making a list of the following:
- Your bank accounts and where they are located, as well as who is on each account
- Any retirement accounts
- Any property you may own and where it’s located
- Any investments you may have and with which brokerage(s)
- Any life insurance policies you may hold
- The beneficiaries named for any of the above
Jay says your estate plan is the roadmap your loved ones will follow when you die. Helping them locate important documents and information saves not only time, but also a considerable amount of money.
“If an attorney has to get involved in helping to locate information, or probate court has to get involved, those costs can add up quickly,” he cautions. “It’s also smart to have an attorney review your affairs in advance to see if there are adjustments that can be made to avoid probate court altogether.”
To read the full article click here: Mimi Vanderhaven | Your estate planning roadmap
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On November 5, 2021, OSHA’s emergency workplace COVID-19 safety rule will be published and effective. Employers with more than 100 employees will have 30 days to comply. The emergency rule contains several mandatory requirements, few exceptions, typical recordkeeping requirements and some surprising obligations.
The rule requires employers to establish a mandatory written vaccination policy for all employees. This written policy must be produced to OSHA within 4 hours upon a request from OSHA. All current and new employees must be vaccinated except in situations where the vaccine is medically contraindicated, where medical necessity requires a delay, where individuals have a disability or religious practice that conflict with the vaccine requirement. Otherwise, employers must establish, implement and enforce a vaccination policy. If an employee refuses to be vaccinated, OSHA’s new rule requires the employee to provide the employer with documentation of a negative COVID-19 test once a week. The employer must keep records of the employee’s vaccination status and test results.
Employers must require each employee to provide acceptable proof of vaccination, including whether they are fully or partially vaccinated. These records must be maintained by the employer as confidential medical records. An employee may provide a record of immunization, COVID-19 vaccination card, or other medical record or public health documentation that contains the type of vaccine administered, dates of administration, and the name of the health care professional or clinic administering the vaccine. If the employee does not have this documentation, the employer may accept the following attestation from an employee: “I declare that this statement about my vaccination status is true and accurate. I understand that knowingly providing false information regarding my vaccination status on this form may subject me to criminal prosecution.”
Employers must maintain a roster of each employee’s vaccination status. Surprisingly, the employer must provide copies of the employee’s vaccination documentation to an employee or the employee’s authorized representative within 24 hours of a request. The employer must also provide within 24 hours the aggregate number of fully vaccinated employees at a workplace along with the total number of employees at that workplace upon a request from an employee, employee representative, or OSHA.
The new rule requires employers support employees with paid time off for vaccinations and reasonable recovery times. There are requirements for testing of those employees who are not fully vaccinated and procedures for employees who report a positive COVID-19 test. The rule sets forth required notices and educational information to employees by the employer.
Finally, any work-related COVID-19 fatalities or in-patient hospitalizations must be reported to OSHA. Fatalities must be reported within 8 hours and in-patient hospitalizations must be reported within 24 hours of the employer learning about the fatality or hospitalization.
These new rules are effective and in place immediately. Any actions to challenge the constitutionality of the new rule must be filed within 60 days in the federal courts. Please contact Jonathan Good or any other Weston Hurd LLP employment attorney if you have questions about compliance or the constitutionality of the rule.
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