Coolidge Wall Co., L.P.A. is pleased to announce that Jason D. Norwood has joined the firm as an associate in its Litigation Department. Prior to joining Coolidge Wall, Jason served as a Post-Graduate Fellow for the Honorable Walter H. Rice in the Southern District of Ohio and as an attorney at another Dayton firm practicing in the areas of criminal and family law. He represented more than 250 clients and engaged in more than 80 in-court hearings including eight criminal jury trials and a successful oral argument in front of the Second District Court of Appeals. “Jason is a great addition …
Kids Heading to College this Summer? Consider a Roommate Agreement
If you drive down Main Street in any college town, you are likely to encounter newly developed and/or renovated luxury apartments. Many of these apartments will have rent that outpaces the average mortgage payment in the region. A common issue that arises with these off-campus apartments is the joint and several rental obligations of multiple tenants who are a party to the same lease. Sometimes, rent is split 2-ways or, in some circumstances, 4-ways. But, unless the lease agreement explicitly states otherwise, each tenant is jointly and severally liable for the entire rental amount, regardless of how many roommates are …
Coolidge Wall Hosts Diversity & Inclusion Legal Roundtable
On May 1, 2019, Coolidge Wall hosted the Diversity & Inclusion Legal Roundtable discussion as part of the continuing legal community effort to promote diversity and inclusion within the Dayton legal community. More than fifty people attended the meeting, representing all the major law firms, the Dayton Bar Association, the University of Dayton School of Law, numerous area judges, and other significant members of the Dayton legal community. The agenda centered on the Summer Diversity Clerkship Program and a mentoring system for first year law students, along with a general discussion exchanging ideas for reaching out to other potential participants …
Telling Your Employees You Have Sold the Business!
“Don’t confuse ‘strict confidentiality’ with ‘keeping employees in the dark.’ Private is useful. Secretive is deceptive.” Stacy Feiner – from her book Talent Mindset. The quote by Stacy Feiner is appropriate for working with employees in the day-to-day operations of a business, but what about when the owner of a business is ready to realize their exit strategy? Business owners are generally passionate about what they have created and nurtured, but there comes a time when the business owner needs to take their chips off the table. When is the “right” time to tell employees that the business has been …
Coolidge Litigation Chair Recognized for Service by Dayton Arts Organization
Richard Talda, Chair of the Firm’s Litigation Department, was recently recognized by the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance for his service to that organization as a member of its Board of Trustees over the past six years. Rick has also served as General Counsel for the Alliance since its formation in 2012.
Friesinger Named Chapter 7 Panel Trustee
Coolidge attorney Patricia J. Friesinger was recently appointed as a Chapter 7 Panel Trustee. In this role, she will administer cases filed under Chapter 7 of Title 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. Chapter 7 Trustees are private citizens appointed and supervised by the Office of the U.S. Trustee (a division of the U.S. Department of Justice). Many Chapter 7 Trustees are experienced attorneys or accountants who continue to practice their profession after appointment to the panel. As a Trustee, Friesinger’s primary duties will be to liquidate assets for the benefit of creditors where possible. Each year, Chapter 7 …
The Importance of Due Diligence in Real Estate Transactions
One of the most important procedures that takes place prior to the closing in any real estate transaction is the due diligence process. The due diligence process typically takes place once the purchase agreement is signed by the parties, but the due diligence process may also begin prior to the execution of the purchase agreement depending on the transaction. While there are many different types of due diligence that can occur, this post will cover three specific areas: (i) title review; (ii) environmental review; and (iii) physical inspections. Title Review: As is vital in all real estate transactions, a thorough …
Wilberding Pens Dayton Daily News Article on Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts
Merle Wilberding gives a brief and fair observation of Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts in the Ideas & Voices section of the Dayton Daily News. His article is especially relevant when considering the recent contentious confirmation hearings for Judge Brett Kavanaugh.
Steve Herbert Featured in Dayton Business Journal’s Executive Profile Series
Coolidge’s President and CEO, J. Stephen Herbert, was featured in this week’s edition of the Dayton Business Journal’s Executive Profile Series. In his interview, Steve shared his insights about the growth and future of Coolidge Wall, how to provide trusted counsel to clients based on his 40 years of experience, and his personal interests outside of practicing law. Click here to view the full article.
Legislative Update: Sports Betting Coming to a City Near You?
In my September 6, 2018 blog post, I discussed the U.S. Supreme Court’s May 2018 ruling in Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association, which found the federal Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (“PASPA”) unconstitutional. PASPA prohibited state-sanctioned sports betting and effectively outlawed sports betting outside of Nevada. The Court’s ruling opened the door for all 50 states to legalize sports betting within their borders. At the time, two identical “placeholder” bills (the “Bills”) had been introduced in the Ohio House and Senate, both of which made clear the General Assembly’s intention to enact legislation legalizing sports betting …