Recent News

Courts of Appeals, Common Pleas, and Domestic Relations/Juvenile benches were rated by attorneys in the Columbus Bar Association Performance Poll 2010.

Twelve members of the Columbus Bar selected to run for the Board of Governors and one candidate for the office of secretary/treasurer have been recommended by the Nominations & Elections committee chaired by Past President Kathleen M. Trafford.

The Columbus Bar Association’s Board of Governors cordially invites you to celebrate the installation of President Hon. Stephen L. McIntosh and honor retiring Executive Director Alex Lagusch at the Annual Meeting and Luncheon.

Consumer protection and environmental law are the main topics for this 3.0 CLE hour seminar slated for May 14.

Explaining complex police issues in terms we can all understand is Dr. Richard Weinblatt, a criminal justice educator, published author, and former police chief who has a police expert witness practice.

The first Benson Wolman Award will be presented to Julie Davis, Executive Vice President & General Counsel, Retail Ventures, Inc., and President of the Board of the Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation.

Questions about how healthcare reform will affect your employee benefits plan? Willis has joined with the Columbus Bar to offer members an informative seminar highlighting the latest developments.

The Board of Governors is pleased to announce the creation of the Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer Courtroom, named in honor of the Columbus Bar’s former President (1980-81).

Our most sincere apologies to the following Sustaining Members who were inadvertently left off the list that appeared in last week’s Columbus Bar Friday. Please join us in recognizing our Sustaining Members for their investment in our profession.

The annual Red Mass will be held at 5:15pm on Tuesday, May 4 at the St. Joseph Cathedral.

Another successful season of the Taxing Matters Series is drawing to a close. The final installment of the 2009-2010 year is May 12, 12:15-1:15pm.

The Bankruptcy Law Institute set for April 29-30 will include presentations by eight judges.

The Columbus Bar’s Board of Governors on March 19 passed a dues increase of ten dollars ($10) for all membership categories. The contribution for becoming a sustaining member will be decreased by ten dollars ($10).

This is a free luncheon event for members of the Women Lawyers of Franklin County. Guests will have an opportunity to bid on a variety of terrific auction items and enjoy networking over lunch with a panel of judges sharing their views from the bench.

The judges of the Ohio Tenth District Court of Appeals hereby give notice of the following amendments to the court's local rules of practice, which shall take effect June 1, 2010.

A profile of ColumbusLawyerFinder.com attorney Jessica Olsheski.

After 33 years of dedication and leadership, Executive Director Alex Lagusch has announced his intentions to retire by January 2011.

Judge Kim A. Browne will present a 1.0 hour domestic relations CLE on May 10. She will be sharing information about how attorneys get into, and stay out of, trouble while in the courtroom or conducting business through the court system.

One of the ways the Columbus Bar has your back is by continually striving to offer you good, quality CLE seminars that are informative and interesting. One of the ways the CBA is helped in doing so is through sponsors.

Volunteer lawyers are needed to assist the ever-growing numbers of pro se litigants who have a pressing need for legal assistance on a host of consumer law issues, particularly consumer debt.

Over 60 legal employers and clerks gathered for the Minority Clerkship Program's "Meet and Greet" on April 7 by the sponsoring Minorities in the Law Committee.

With digital images of many civil and criminal case filings now available on line, Clerk of Courts wants to assure the legal community that her office has record retention policies in place so that records remain available as necessary.

Charles C. Warner and R. William Meeks will be honored at the Columbus Bar Annual Meeting set for June 4 at the Hyatt on Capitol Square.

Presenters and agenda will cover what you want from a CLE seminar about bankruptcy and then some.

New Lawyers Committee partnered with the Columbus Blue Jackets to host Law Night 2010, an event designed to give Ohio area law students a chance to interact with practicing lawyers, as well as professionals with law degrees who have pursued other careers.

The 2010 Awards of Excellence Luncheon is set for May 4, noon at the Hyatt on Capitol Square. Columbus Bar President Elizabeth Watters will honor seven Columbus leaders for service to the community and the legal profession.

For over a decade, this institute has provided useful insights and updates for Central Ohio’s probate professionals. Organized by Jane Higgins Marx, this year we welcome back Probate Court Judge Brown and are pleased to be joined by other expert faculty.

Passports are now necessary for border crossings to Canada and Mexico, as well as for any travel by plane.

Many of us have become so comfortable tweeting, linking in and joining friends on Facebook we have forgotten that using these forms of social media can have legal repercussions.

The Columbus Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators is pleased to announce an exciting upcoming educational seminar entitled "Social Media: Networking or Not Working."

Military tribunals or civil courts? Terrorists with bombs? Spies within a nest of vipers? Imprisonment in violation of habeas corpus? A controversial president? Hawkish Republicans vs. Peace Democrats? Is it today's headlines? No!

We missed a copy revision in the Spring 2010 edition of Columbus Bar Lawyers Quarterly. On page 39, “A Snapshot of the Gun Control Act,” the last line of the first paragraph, middle column should read...

The Columbus Bar’s newest committee, Nonprofit and Tax-Exempt Organizations, will host its first meeting, Thursday, April 22, with Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray serving as the featured speaker.

The 2010 Performance Poll of sitting judges in the Tenth District Court of Appeals, Common Pleas General Division, Domestic Relations/Juvenile and Probate courts will go online Monday, April 12, and remain available through April 23.

At the March 19, 2010 meeting of the Columbus Bar Association Board of Governors, Sandra R. McIntosh of Fruend Freeze & Arnold was unanimously appointed to fill a vacancy on the Columbus Bar Board of Governors.

The CLE Institute season at the Columbus Bar concludes in April with two heavy hitters: Probate Law Institute on April 20 and the Bankruptcy Law Institute, April 29-30.

The Columbus Bar will host its annual Awards of Excellence luncheon to present the 2010 Award of Merit, Community Service Awards and the Liberty Bell.

The Columbus Bar’s Board of Governors this past Friday passed a dues increase of ten dollars ($10) for all membership categories. The contribution for becoming a sustaining member will be decreased by ten dollars ($10).

Members of the Columbus Bar Green Initiative last week toured the Rumpke Recycling Center on Fields Avenue for an up-close look at the art of recycling.

Frank D. Celebrezze (1928-2010) and Dean Strausbaugh (1919-2010).

Last year many central Ohio law firms joined with the Columbus Bar to support Operation Feed, Mid-Ohio’s virtual food drive, to benefit central Ohio families. Join fellow Bar members in reaching our goal of donating 5,000 meals to those less fortunate.

Join the Women Lawyers of Franklin County for their April luncheon, featuring Executive Communications Coach Merri Bame speaking on the barriers that hold us back, and the ability we have to move forward.

The Willis Human Capital Practice will be conducting a webcast on Health Care Reform - It Is Now a Reality - How Will It Affect Employer Plans?

Active Ohio attorneys with an email address on file with the Supreme Court of Ohio have until March 31 to voluntarily report pro bono work and financial contributions to programs that provide legal services to persons of limited means for 2009.

Unum underwrites multi life IDI plans (3 or more attorneys on a common billing) in 75% of the top 100 law firms in the country. Why has your industry embraced this type of coverage?

Franklin County Clerk of Courts Maryellen O’Shaughnessy today asked attorneys and support staff to make certain to submit social security numbers and other personal identifiers separate from the rest of filing.

After a comprehensive interview and selection process that attracted over 50 qualified applicants, Judge Brown has selected two local attorneys to become the new magistrates at the Franklin County Probate Court.

Join us for a 3.0 CLE hour seminar on March 25, 2010 from 1:30pm – 4:45pm called “Interpreters: Sure He’s Bilingual, But Does He Know Double Jeopardy?”

The 26th annual Red Mass is set for Tuesday, May 4, 5:15pm at St. Joseph Cathedral. All judges, elected officials, and friends are encouraged to attend. Judges are encouraged to wear their robes.

This 6.0 CLE hour institute, including 1.0 hour Ethics, makes it count on multiple levels. The comprehensive agenda is filled with topics designed to help you maximize your practice in a cost effective way.

If you purchased Easy Pass with your Columbus Bar membership renewal last year, don’t forget that it expires June 30, 2010. As a reminder, this $100 pass is good for 12 CLE hours.

The Columbus Bar is once again a participating sponsor of the 7th Annual Raymond E. Mason, Jr. Leadership Symposium, Thursday, April 29, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Columbus Convention Center.

Members of the legal community are invited to rent meeting facilities at the Columbus Bar headquarters. Our central downtown location, convenient parking at neighboring City Center garage, and reasonable rental rates make our facilities an ideal venue.

Lawyers filing new cases in Common Pleas Court now have a streamlined, alternative procedure to direct cases to the “Commercial Docket” from the outset.

As technology evolves, the law (and attorneys) must evolve with it. The rise of social media, with sites such as Facebook and Twitter, as a method of communication cannot be ignored by attorneys.

Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray, Hon. Stephen McIntosh of the Franklin County Common Pleas Court and Columbus Bar Association President Elizabeth Watters have announced a pro bono clinic designed to help consumers battling with debt collectors.

Ohio attorneys voluntarily reported more than 123,000 pro bono service hours in 2008 and about $700,000 in financial contributions; over 30,000 hours in Columbus alone (from the Columbus Bar survey).

Past President Kathleen M. Trafford will chair the Columbus Bar 2010 nominating committee set to begin the process of selecting candidates for the 2010 Board of Governors election to be held in May.

The Columbus Bar Foundation seeks nominations for the John and Ginny Elam Pro Bono Award recognizing exceptional pro bono representation.

For most monolinguals, interpreting appears to be an easy task, but it is actually quite complicated and demanding. To be a good court interpreter a person needs thorough knowledge of two languages and two cultures and much more.

In partnership with the Columbus Public Schools, the ALA/Columbus Chapter Legal Career Development Committee recently concluded its Annual Legal Career Intern Program.

Ever wonder what really happens to all those empty soft drink cans and old newspapers that you drop in the recycling bin? Curious about how recyclables are sorted, baled and shipped to their respective markets?

With National Women’s History Month beginning this week, here are a few facts and figures about the women who have served as Justices on the Ohio Supreme Court since 1803.

This year we provide a comprehensive 6.0 CLE hour institute filled with information designed to help you maximize your practice in a cost-effective way.

Vital court information will be more readily accessible to non-English speaking Ohioans and those with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) as the result of a translation project initiated by the Ohio Supreme Court.

What are the ins and outs of this limbo period in Estate Tax? On March 10, from 12:15pm-1:15pm, our Taxing Matters Series delves into this question.

The Supreme Court of Ohio has amended the rules concerning appointment of counsel for indigent defendants in capital cases. The new amendments take effect March 1, Justices concurring 7-0.

Capital University Law School and the National Center for Adoption Law & Policy will host the fifth annual Child Welfare & Adoption Law Moot Court Competition on March 12, Friday at the Statehouse and March 13, Saturday at the Justice Center.

Twenty-ten promises an exciting election season with a Supreme Court contest and eight contested judicial races in Franklin County courts, including two open seats. Below is a list of “match-ups” for the November elections.

A profile of ColumbusLawyerFinder.com attorney Zachuary Meranda.

The 2010 Masters Series will kick off March 12 with a Family Relations Law 6.0 hour CLE seminar. Organizers have arranged a slate of distinguished speakers for this event including judges of the Domestic Division of the Franklin County Common Pleas Court.

Ninety-nine percent of members participating in Columbus Bar health insurance plans have opted to continue their insurance coverage with Willis again this year.

Beat the crowds and meet your annual CLE requirements in March! Upcoming offerings include seminars on LGBT current issues, estate tax, interpreters, as well as the annual Solo Practice & Small Firm Institute.

A profile of Torrey Taylor, Juvenile Division Manager.

Each year 750,000 Americans discover they have heart disease by suffering a heart attack. While various screening methods exist, stress testing, EKG, etc., these methods focus on detection of symptoms rather than the underlying disease.

A profile of ColumbusLawyerFinder.com attorney Carie Marsh Ehrenborg.

Everyone, it seems, has a Craig Wright story.

The Columbus Bar Foundation would like to thank the following judges for participating in the 2010 Rock’n Bowl that raised over $100,000 for the Center for Child and Family Advocacy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

Join us on Friday March 5, 9:00am to 12:15pm, for a 3.0 CLE hour seminar on LGBT current issues.

Nearly 50 Columbus Bar members and 300 high school students braved the snow and ice on last week to participate in the 2010 District Mock Trial Competition at Franklin County Municipal Court.

Although technology is a rapidly changing field, chances are your existing equipment and programs still have more to offer your practice. Join us on February 12 to learn tricks for using the technology you already have to get the results you want.

A special meeting of voting members of the Association (as defined in Article III of the Code) will be held on Friday, February 19, 2009 at 11:00am at the Columbus Bar offices to ratify the proposed change to the Code of Regulations.

QFM96, Columbus Bar Foundation and friends hope to raise over $100,000 for the Nationwide Children's Hospital Center for Child and Family Advocacy at the 2010 Rock 'n Bowl on February 6.

The transition period for documentary compliance ended at the close of 2008, but 409A worries are here to stay. Our February 10 seminar will provide an overview of 409A and will address what practitioners should be doing now.

Twenty-three attorney volunteers will interview over fifty applicants to the Minority Clerkship Program on February 6. This marks the twenty-fourth year for the program open to minority students from Capital and Moritz Law Schools.

The Judges of the Franklin County Municipal Court have approved for use in traffic cases a form captioned “COUNSEL’S AUTHORITY TO PRESENT GUILTY PLEA IN ABSENTIA.”

A profile of ColumbusLawyerFinder.com attorney Keith Brewster.

Nearly 200 people attended the Martin Luther King Jr. reception as the Columbus Bar honored Carl Smallwood for his exceptional vision and leadership in promoting diversity in the legal profession.

This seminar is essential for attorneys who represent criminally accused gun owners as well as those representing business owners wanting to ensure accordance with the law.

“Green Initiative” was created in May 2008 - the goal was to see what role the Columbus Bar might play in supporting member firms to be more sustainable, as well as what steps the Association itself might be able to take to be “greener.”

The Judicial College Board of Trustees met by telephone conference this week and installed its officers for 2010.

Don Martin, Chief Magistrate of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Domestic Division, will retire January 31 after 28 years.

The Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation's founder and Executive Director, Robert Clyde has announced his retirement after 15 years.

Part 3 of Nuts and Bolts of Bankruptcy will take place February 12 from 9:00am to 12:15pm, and has been approved by the Supreme Court for 3.0 CLE hours.

The Home Guard of the legal profession in Ohio is the attorney disciplinary system under the generalship of the Supreme Court of Ohio and its Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Disciple.

The Columbus Bar Foundation thanks the following Judges, law firms, corporations, service organizations and agencies for signing up to participate in Rock ’n Bowl 2010. It’s not too late to join in and help support central Ohio children and families.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) provided a temporary subsidy for the cost of COBRA continuation health coverage. On December 19, 2009, President Obama signed legislation extending the COBRA premium subsidy.

The institute will include one and a half days of comprehensive topics (and 10.5 CLE hours) for those involved in real property.

The Law and Leadership Institute introduces promising high school students from under-served urban communities to the legal profession through an intensive college preparatory program on law and leadership.

Each year lawyers and non-lawyers are recognized for community service. The Association Relations Committee, led by Immediate Past President Kathleen Trafford, reviews nominations and makes recommendations to the Board of Governors.

On behalf of the Columbus Bar Association, I am pleased to announce that the CBA is giving an immediate $5,000 to the American Red Cross to support relief efforts in Haiti.

Message from the President - A new year brings great opportunities and benefits for members of the Columbus Bar.

This annual one-and-a-half-day event will include presentations on foreclosure, receiverships, mortgage and mechanic's liens, environmental court, development, eminent domain, land protection tools, project value, closings, social media and much more.

We have the perfect 3.0 hour CLE seminar for you. February 12 from 1:30pm to 4:45pm, national speaker Ross L. Kodner will be offering a three-tiered presentation.

Judge Charles Schneider spoke with the Common Pleas Court Committee last week, reporting on various issues facing the Court and noting that 2010 will bring at least one new face to the Court with six current judges up for election and one retiring judge.

Firearms law is an ever growing area; both federal and state regulations can impact an array of practice areas including criminal and estate planning.

Documents filed with the Franklin County Clerk of Courts on December 1 and after can be located on the Clerk’s Case Information Online docket system. A red and white icon on the docket line indicates that the filing can be viewed online.

SB 124 requires that a designation of a beneficiary of a transfer on death of real property must be created by affidavit rather than a deed. This means that deeds may no longer be used.

The following is an alphabetical listing of Columbus Bar members selected by Ohio Super Lawyers 2010 in the categories of Top 10, Top 100, Super Lawyers and Rising Stars.

Students from Franklin County will take on the roles of attorneys and witnesses arguing both sides of a hypothetical case in the 2010 Ohio High School Mock Trial Competition, annual program of the Ohio Center for Law-Related Education.

Be advised the Supreme Court of Ohio has issued new adoption forms for the “Petition for Adoption of Minor,” the “Notice of Hearing on Petition for Adoption,” and the “Judgment Entry Finding Consent Not Required.”

This annual one-and-a-half-day event will include presentations on foreclosure, receiverships, mortgage and mechanic's liens, environmental court, development, eminent domain, land protection tools, project value, closings, social media, and more.

At Rock 'n Bowl 2010, on Saturday, February 6, 12:30-2:30 pm, happy teams of lawyers and their staffs will be chatting it up over rented shoes and brightly colored bowling balls with the esteemed members of our local bench.

A profile of ColumbusLawyerFinder.com attorney Ruth Hohl.