Feb 5, 2021
On January 29, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) released new guidance for employers to help keep workers safe from COVID-19 exposure. OSHA has determined that implementation of a COVID-19 prevention program is the most effective way to reduce spread. To create an effective program, addressing the following elements are recommended:
- Conduct a hazard assessment for your work place;
- Identify control measures to control the spread of COVID-19;
- Adopt policies to address employee absences in a way that encourages potentially infected employees to remain at home rather than punishes them;
- Ensure COVID-19 policies and procedures are communicated in multiple languages to accommodate a multi-lingual workforce; and
- Implement protections against retaliation for those who raise COVID-19-related concerns.
The guidance from OSHA provides a comprehensive guideline for developing a prevention program that will help you provide a safe and healthful workplace.
The information contained in this legal update is not intended as a substitute for professional legal advice and its receipt does not constitute an attorney-client relationship. If you have any questions about this information, please contact your attorney at Martin, Browne, Hull & Harper, P.L.L.
Feb 4, 2021
Martin, Browne, Hull & Harper, P.L.L. (“Martin Browne”) is pleased to announce the expansion of its presence into Logan County as of January 1, 2021. Richard A. Hemphill, Attorney and Title Agent, and his staff at Mad River Title have joined the firm of Martin Browne to ensure their ongoing commitment to providing outstanding professional services to Logan, Champaign, Clark and surrounding counties.
Attorney Hemphill has been a practicing attorney since 1985 and is a native of Logan County. Martin Browne has been active in real estate matters for more than 145 years and has a dedicated staff of attorneys and paralegals with extensive experience in the real estate field. Mad River Title Agency, LLC will continue to provide real estate and title services to lenders, builders, realtors, buyers and sellers for commercial and residential properties.
The Bellefontaine office, located at 230 South Madriver Street, joins the main office in Springfield and the Urbana office on the Square. Additional information about Martin Browne, its services and staff are available at https://martinbrowne.com.
Feb 3, 2021
Martin, Browne, Hull & Harper, P.L.L. (the “Firm”) is pleased to announce the addition of local native, Benjamin D. Noll, to the Firm. As an associate of the Firm, Mr. Noll will be assisting with providing exceptional legal services to the Firm’s clients in a variety of areas.
Mr. Noll graduated from Shawnee High School, The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science, and The University of Toledo College of Law, where he graduated cum laude in May of 2020. During law school, Ben completed internships with the Honorable Jack Zouhary of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio, and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. Ben also served as Articles Editor of The University of Toledo Law Review and as President of the Environmental Law Society.
Ben resides in Springfield and will be practicing in the Firm’s main Springfield office. He is active in the community, especially as a member of the Clark County Goat Committee.
Feb 3, 2021
On January 12, 2021 Governor DeWine signed into law House Bill 352, the Employment Law Uniformity Act (“ELUA”). ELUA reforms Ohio’s employment discrimination statute and will bring much-needed clarity to Ohio employers when it becomes effective on April 15, 2021. The key changes include:
- Requiring employees to file charges and exhaust administrative remedies with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission (“OCRC”) before commencing a lawsuit in court;
- Implementing a uniform two-year statute of limitations for filing employment discrimination claims with the OCRC and/or in court;
- Simplifying the process and remedies available for age discrimination actions;
- Eliminating personal liability for employment discrimination claims for managers and supervisors; and
- Providing an affirmative defense to harassment claims for employers who have appropriate anti-harassment policies and procedures in place.
The information contained in this legal update is not intended as a substitute for professional legal advice and its receipt does not constitute an attorney-client relationship.
Jan 15, 2021
Randall M. Comer, President of the Clark County Bar Association (2020-2021), and other leaders of the local bar association released the following press release:
The members of the Clark County Bar Association condemn in the strongest terms the attack last week on the United States Capitol. The Rule of Law, free and fair elections, and the peaceful transfer of power are the cornerstones of our democracy. The reprehensible acts of those who attacked the Capitol in an effort to disrupt the certification of the Electoral College vote are repugnant to the ideals upon which our nation was founded. As lawyers, we respect and support the constitutional rights of citizens to peacefully assemble and protest. However, those who resort to lawlessness and violence shall never find sympathy nor support from those in the legal profession sworn to uphold and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States and the State of Ohio.
The Clark County Bar Association is a professional association of local lawyers with more than 130 members. Held to high ethical standards, lawyers not only have a duty to their clients, but also to the legal system and the public it serves. As such, lawyers have a responsibility to educate the public regarding the importance of the Rule of Law and promote respect for the legal system.
In an article published in the Springfield News-Sun, President Comer further stated: “As lawyers we have a sworn duty to support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States and the State of Ohio.” Mr. Comer believes it is that duty which compelled the association to issue the release speaking to the higher ideals upon which our nation was founded and against the lawless violence that occurred last Wednesday.
