The law firm of Coolidge Wall Co., L.P.A. is pleased to announce that Erika Shellhammer has joined the firm as a paralegal in its Litigation Department. Erika brings more than 25 years of experience to the firm. She has focused on litigation paralegal support for the past 18 years with firms in Dayton and Troy. Erika supports attorneys in all aspects of litigation, including discovery, research and trial preparation. “Erika is a great addition to the Litigation team,” said Richard Talda, Chair of the firm’s Litigation Department. “She brings a wealth of litigation support experience to Coolidge and our clients.” …
Supreme Court Upholds Mandatory Employment Arbitration Clauses, Even Those Prohibiting Class Action Proceedings
In a major victory for employers, the Supreme Court of the United States has ruled that individualized arbitration clauses in employment contracts are enforceable. In Epic Systems Corp. v. Lewis, the Supreme Court determined that the Federal Arbitration Act is compatible with, rather than opposed to, other federal statutes such as the National Labor Relations Act. The most recent Justice, Neil Gorsuch, wrote the 5-4 majority opinion. The decision provides that employers can insist on individualized arbitration clauses in their contracts with employees and preclude employees from bringing class or collective actions in court. The employees in the case had …
Deferring Taxes through Qualified Opportunity Funds
Background Most taxpayers are aware of the lower tax rates and the new pass-through business deduction implemented by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Tax Act”). However, two less publicized sections, 1400Z-1 and 1400Z-2, added by the Tax Act provide taxpayers an opportunity to defer and even reduce taxes on the sale of property. Under these sections, when a person sells or exchanges property, that person may defer paying taxes on any gain by reinvesting the proceeds in a “qualified opportunity fund” (a “Qualified Fund”). Generally, investing in a Qualified Fund allows a person to defer all …
New Associate Joins Coolidge Labor and Employment Department
The law firm of Coolidge Wall Co., L.P.A. is pleased to announce that Matthew T. Crawford has joined the firm as an associate in its Labor and Employment Department. Matt’s practice focuses on counseling employers in addressing and creating solutions for a wide variety of workplace issues. He has secured dismissal of unfair labor practice charges before the National Labor Relations Board and State Employment Relations Board. In addition, he has successfully represented clients in arbitration proceedings, in litigation matters and before administrative agencies. Matt also brings experience in collective bargaining negotiations, public sector fact-finding, union elections, mediation and counseling …
Coolidge Wall Attorney Blankenship Selected for Dayton Business Journal’s 2018 “Forty Under 40” Honor
Coolidge Wall Co., L.P.A. is pleased to announce that Amy Blankenship, an attorney in the firm’s Public Sector Law Department, has been selected as a recipient of the Dayton Business Journal’s prestigious 2018 “Forty Under 40” award. In announcing the award, the DBJ said this is the 21st year that the publication has honored, “the region’s brightest young professionals” and that “nearly 200 people from around the Miami Valley were nominated this year.” The winners will be recognized at an awards gala on May 17th. “Amy is truly deserving of this award,” said Chris Conard, Chair of Coolidge Wall’s Public …
Opportunity awaits small business owners who are PREPARED to sell their business
According to a report published by BizBuySell.com, an online market place for small business sellers and brokers, the number of small businesses which sold in 2017 increased by 27% over 2016. Based on survey data, this growth in business transactions was driven by: (1) strengthening revenue and profits of small businesses; (2) an increasing number of owners looking to sell; and (3) an increase in the number of qualified buyers in the market. The survey data suggests that the number of businesses sold will continue to grow into 2018. Prepare to Take Advantage of These Trends If a business owner …
Coolidge Estate Planning and Tax Department Continues to Add Attorneys and Expand Services to Clients
Coolidge Wall Co., L.P.A. is pleased to announce that three attorneys – R. Michael Osborn, Javan A. Kline and Thomas W. Langevin – have joined the law firm’s growing Estate Planning and Tax Department. Mr. Osborn joins Coolidge after working at a Springfield, Ohio law firm for more than 17 years. His practice focuses on business and tax planning for the family and closely held business, estate and succession planning, and providing business and tax counsel to tax-exempt organizations, including private foundations. He serves as general outside counsel to businesses, including corporations, partnerships, LLCs, and non-profit organizations. In addition, he …
Coolidge Wall Adds Attorney and Paralegal to Growing Corporate and Business Department
Coolidge Wall Co., L.P.A. is pleased to announce that Tino Monaldo and Debra Aldred have joined the firm in its growing Corporate and Business Department. Monaldo brings more than 30 years experience in a wide variety of transactions for both publicly and privately held corporations, managing, negotiating and drafting transaction documents in a variety of industries including gas pipelines, ethanol, oil and gas, construction, engineering, car dealerships, hotels and casinos. For more than 24 years, Monaldo served as outside General Counsel for a Kansas City-based energy entrepreneur, which included the ownership and operation of a 3,000-mile interstate gas transmission pipeline …
Michelle Bach and Marc Fleischauer to Speak at 2018 Ohio Safety Congress
Michelle Bach and Marc Fleischauer will be presenting at the 2018 Ohio Safety Congress & Expo and Ohio Workers’ Compensation Medical & Health Symposium at the Greater Columbus Convention Center on March 8, 2018. Their presentation will educate employers on how to handle an employee’s absence from work under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Ohio workers’ compensation laws. They will also explain the protected class under each law, along with the benefits provided by each law, their similarities and differences.
Coolidge Wall to Speak at Third Annual Dayton Chamber HR Forum
Marc Fleischauer, chair of Coolidge Wall’s Labor and Employment Department, will be presenting at the third annual Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce Human Resources Forum on: Thursday, March 22, 2018 8:00 am – 12:30 pm Crown Plaza Hotel 33 E. Fifth Street Dayton, Ohio 45402 During this 90-minute discussion, Marc will discuss the following from a legal perspective: Recalibrating Your Harassment Radar at Work Culture Check to Avoid Your Day in the Sun Action Items for Internal Complaints Crisis Management for External Complaints Lawmakers Try to Shut the Barn Door What’s Not Getting Media Attention: Other Employment Law Updates Overall, …