NLRB Postpones Effective Date of Employee Rights Notice Posting Rule
January 05, 2012
The National Labor Relations Board recently agreed to postpone the effective date of its Employee Rights Notice Posting Rule. Under the rule, most private sector employers will be required to post an 11-by-17-inch notice about their employees' right to join a union. The new implementation date is...
Reviewing an Estate Plan for Changes in the Tax Law
November 19, 2011
As 2011 comes to an end and 2012 quickly approaches, individuals may review their estate plan or gifting strategies to ensure that they will not be adversely affected by changes in the estate and gift tax laws.
When reviewing the estate and gift tax laws, it is important to consider not only...
Attorney Tells Personal Cancer Story, Encourages Regular Prostate Exams
November 04, 2011
I became intimately aware of the perils of cancer in 1989 when my father was diagnosed with prostate cancer at age 64. Just a year later, another round of bad news arrived when my father-in-law was diagnosed with the same condition. Before that, I didn’t realize just how prevalent prostate cancer...
The Required Minimum Distribution: How and When am I Affected?
October 31, 2011
You have worked most of your life and you have been diligent in planning for your retirement. You have contributed money to your employer’s qualified plan and you might have also contributed to your own individual retirement account.
Throughout the years you have enjoyed the tax...
Construction Reform Brings New Process for Hiring Designers
October 20, 2011
Reform measures under a recently adopted Ohio construction law are aimed at streamlining the process for hiring engineers, architects, surveyors and design-build services for public projects.
The legislation, Amended H.B. 153, contains notable changes to the detailed process under the Design...
New Law Makes Soliciting Construction Bids Easier
October 20, 2011
Recently passed legislation in Ohio is driving notable reform to state construction law. Among the new measures is a more efficient process for soliciting bids and employing prime contractors on public sector construction projects.
Reform measures in the new law, known as Amended H.B.
Who Does Your Oil & Gas Lease Consultant Work For?
October 06, 2011
With the explosion of oil and gas leasing and the escalating bonus payments and royalty percentages has come a proliferation of consultant-types who appeal to landowners, sometimes promising attractive leases and big money with very low fees to the landowner.
The whole field in Ohio appears to lack...
Landowner Protections in Pipeline Easements
July 05, 2011
With expected increased shale drilling come offers for pipeline easements. Pipelines are used for transporting well products, as well as potentially other drilling fluids.
The typical industry right of way or easement document is slanted in favor of the grantee and against the landowner....
Answers to Questions About Water Testing Near Oil & Gas Operations
July 05, 2011
There is a lot of confusion about water testing near oil and gas drilling sites. People are understandably fearful about whether hydraulic fracturing will contaminate their water and I frequently get questions about what to test for, when to test, and whether independent water testing is...
Beware of Buyers of Mineral Rights; Purchase Offers May Bring Major Risks
June 07, 2011
There are companies going around offering to purchase mineral rights from landowners who may already have an existing oil and gas lease on their property.
For a property owner stuck with an older oil and gas lease that predated the recent shale leasing craze, this may sound like an attractive...
