Feb 13, 2026
Martin Browne is pleased to announce that Benjamin D. Noll has been named a Partner with the Firm.
Mr. Noll graduated from Clark-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. Ben joined Martin Browne as a law clerk in August 2020 before becoming an associate attorney in January 2021. His general practice areas include civil and general litigation, business/corporate law, contracts, and workers’ compensation. He has been selected as a Super Lawyers Ohio Rising Star in 2025 and 2026 for his work in the practice areas of civil and general litigation and business/corporate law. A Clark County native, Ben is actively involved in the community.
Martin Browne serves its clients in a wide variety of practice areas including corporate and business planning, labor and employment, mediation, litigation, probate and estate planning, and real estate. Many of our attorneys have practical experience in multiple areas of the law, creating an environment where solutions can be found through collaboration amongst lawyers.
Jan 30, 2026
Last year, Ohio passed a new law regulating the use of tracking devices on company-owned vehicles. In case you missed it, we are writing to provide you with a brief overview of employers’ rights and responsibilities under this new law, as well as best practices to ensure compliance and protect employee privacy.
Ohio Law (R.C. 2903.216)
Ohio law permits employers to install tracking devices on company-owned or leased vehicles for legitimate business purposes (tracking work-related mileage, workplace safety, etc.). However, employers must:
- Remove tracking devices before transferring vehicle ownership or at the end of a lease, unless the new owner or lessee provides written consent.
- Not use tracking devices for unlawful purposes.
Failure to comply may result in potential civil and criminal liability.
Best Practices
To minimize risk and ensure compliance, employers should:
- Clearly inform employees about vehicle tracking, its business purpose, how data is used, and obtain written, signed employee acknowledgment and consent.
- Limit tracking and monitoring to work-related activities and business hours.
- Maintain a written policy defining the scope and limits of tracking.
- Secure tracking data and limit access to authorized personnel.
- If personal use of vehicles is permitted, disable tracking during off-hours and/or during personal use.
Key Takeaway
Tracking company-owned vehicles is generally permissible under Ohio law when done transparently, for legitimate business purposes, and in a manner that reasonably respects employee privacy.
Should you have any questions, Attorneys Randall Comer, Shannon Wahl, Benjamin Noll, or any of our other experienced attorneys would be happy to assist you. Please contact us at (937) 324-5541 or visit www.martinbrowne.com.
| 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 9, 2026
Martin, Browne, Hull & Harper, PLL announces the selection of two attorneys to the 2026 Ohio Super Lawyers list. Randall M. Comer has received the 2026 Super Lawyer distinction as a top-rated Employment & Labor Attorney in Ohio. Attorney Comer was previously selected to Super Lawyers in 2011-2013 and 2017-2025. He was also named a Rising Star in 2005.
Benjamin D. Noll was named as an Ohio Rising Star in 2026 for his work in Civil and General Litigation and Business/Corporate law. Attorney Noll was previously named a Rising Star in 2025.
Super Lawyers is a rating service that recognizes outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas. Selected individuals have achieved a high level of peer recognition as well as professional success throughout their practice.
Feb 21, 2025
Martin, Browne, Hull & Harper, PLL announces the selection of two attorneys to the 2025 Ohio Super Lawyers list. Randall M. Comer has received the 2025 Super Lawyer distinction as a top-rated Employment & Labor Attorney in Springfield Ohio. Attorney Comer was previously selected to Super Lawyers in 2011-2013 and 2017-2024. He was also named a Rising Star in 2005.
Benjamin D. Noll was named as an Ohio Rising Star in 2025 for his work in Civil and General Litigation and Business/Corporate law.
Super Lawyers is a rating service that recognizes outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas. Selected individuals have achieved a high level of peer recognition as well as professional success throughout their practice.
Aug 21, 2024
On August 20, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas effectively blocked the Federal Trade Commission’s non-compete rule from taking effect. The rule, scheduled to go into effect on September 4, was challenged in federal courts in Texas, Florida and Pennsylvania by various business groups who argued that non-competes are needed to protect business relationships, trade secrets, and other intangible investments. Throughout the summer, inconsistent rulings by these district courts created uncertainty for employers as to whether non-competes would be restricted on a national level.
In Ryan, LLC v. FTC, the Texas court cleared up the ambiguity (at least temporarily) when it concluded that the FTC’s non-compete rule exceeded the agency’s authority and was arbitrary and capricious. The court declared that the rule be set aside, and not enforced on a national level. (See the court’s Memorandum Opinion and Order for more details).
We anticipate that the FTC will appeal the decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. However, in the meantime, employers may continue to enforce their non-competes, in accordance with state law, and are no longer required to notify current and former employees that their non-competes are unenforceable.
Martin Browne, will continue to monitor this topic and provide updates as necessary. Our attorneys are on hand to answer your questions and provide guidance on how to navigate your employment-related issues. Please contact Shannon Wahl, Randall Comer, or Steve McCready of Martin Browne’s Labor & Employment Practice group.
This post is not intended as a substitute for professional legal advice. If you have any questions about this information, please contact an attorney at Martin, Browne, Hull & Harper, P.L.L. at 937-324-5541.
