Course helps court staff delineate between providing legal information and advice

Following through on recommendations coming out of a 2006 report on pro se litigants, the Supreme Court of Ohio Judicial College last month offered a distance-learning course for court personnel who field the brunt of the questions posed by pro se and do-it-yourself litigants.

Hospitals want franchise fee to be short-term

With few issues expected to impact them this year at the Statehouse, Ohio hospital officials are mostly focusing on the future of a $145 million hospital tax levied last year as part of the 2010-11 state budget.

Late fee penalizes owners of seasonal vehicles, drivers who may not need to renew immediately

Legislation was introduced in the Ohio General Assembly late last month to abolish late fee for drivers who fail to renew their vehicle registration or driver license before the expiration date.

Legislators: Bill would directly link state workers' salaries to GDP

As part of House Republicans' "The Future of Ohio" proposal package, created in November 2009, legislation was introduced during the last week of January in the Ohio General Assembly to connect changes in the state's Gross Domestic Product to the amount spent on employee salaries of wages by administrative departments.

Why Won’t the Notary Notarize My Title Transfer?

Q: What does it mean to have a legal document “notarized”?

PUCO submits candidates for commissioner vacancy

(Columbus) The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) Nominating Council last week submitted four names to Gov. Ted Strickland to be considered for appointment to a five-year PUCO commissioner term beginning April 11, 2010 and expiring April 10, 2015.

Nationwide prevails in Fla. sheriff's attempted class-action suit against insurance company

A Cincinnati federal appeals court found in favor of Nationwide Insurance in an attempt by a Florida sheriff to bring a class-action lawsuit against the locally based insurance and financial company on grounds of breach of fiduciary duty and unjust enrichment.

Trial court to reconsider request to seal records

The Franklin County Court of Common Pleas must reconsider a Chillicothe Correctional Institution inmate's application to have a portion of his criminal records sealed because of the court's presumed failure to fully examine Robert Hillman's request, an appellate panel found.

Legislators seek to amend constitution, reapportion legislative districts in Ohio

A resolution was introduced last week in the Ohio General Assembly to amend the constitution and create the House Reapportionment Reform Plan. House Joint Resolution 15 would revise the process for apportioning the state for General Assembly districts.

New OSU Extension program created to educate Ohio horse owners and serve as networking tool

The Ohio State University Extension has a new program designed to serve as an educational resource for the Ohio equine industry.

Civil rights effort drew on all 5 First Amendment freedoms

As we mark the 50th anniversary this month of a hallmark image of the civil rights era – the earliest lunch-counter sit-ins – it's worth noting how all five freedoms in the First Amendment nurtured and empowered a movement that transformed our society.

Ohio landscapers see silver linings to poor economy

There's perhaps no industry more green than landscaping and nurseries, but the poor economy has slowed the flow of another kind of green into those businesses.

Former company CEO failed to 'diligently pursue' his claims, 6th Circuit panel rules

A Cincinnati federal appellate court upheld an earlier U.S. District Court ruling that granted summary judgment to the insurance company of a retired company president and CEO who sought disability benefits under the Employment Retirement Income Security Act for a 2002 workplace injury.

Legislator proposes funding charities through unclaimed class action lawsuit monies

Legislation was introduced late last month in the Ohio General Assembly to provide state charities with millions of dollars annually through the distribution of unclaimed funds from class action lawsuits.

Ohio Auto Industry Support Council makes recommendations to promote manufacturing

Initiatives from the recently-formed Ohio Auto Industry Support Council are moving forward, group officials say, and include a series of recommendations to help improve the state's manufacturing - specifically, its auto industry.

Court: Prohibition, mandamus not appropriate remedies for release from confinement

The Supreme Court of Ohio Tuesday, February 2nd, upheld the 8th District Court of Appeals' decision to deny writs of prohibition and mandamus in an effort to compel a juvenile court judge to release a delinquent minor from home detention.

10th District reverses contempt ruling against mother in custody dispute

A Franklin County appellate panel late last month reversed a contempt charge levied against a mother in family court relative to the custody dispute over the woman's biological daughter with her former same-sex domestic partner.

Bankruptcy upheld by 6th Circuit court

A federal appellate court in Cincinnati upheld a U.S. Bankruptcy Court order denying a Cleveland man's motion to avoid judicial lien and a subsequent order denying reconsideration of that order in a decision last week.

Bill would strengthen state penalties to better protect victims of domestic violence

Legislation was introduced in the last week of January to help battle domestic violence in the state. The bill would implement several changes in statute to protect victims, punish abusers and prevent future domestic violence.

Medical device sector received large portion of 2010 health-care investments

A poor global economy and uncertainty about the U.S. health-care industry put the brakes on investment in health-care start-ups in Ohio, according to a new report.