Family Law

• Premarital Agreement
  Recognizing that avoiding disputes at the outset of a marriage can be accomplished in an effective fashion, the attorneys draft premarital agreements that can creatively protect personal and business wealth, as well as provide competent succession planning in the event of divorce or death of a business principal.
• Guardianship
  The attorneys represent their clients effectively and efficiently to meet their goals. They do this through a thorough understanding of the client’s wishes and then moving efficiently and resolutely resolve the matter at hand.

Criminal Law

• Criminal Defense
  Our attorneys represent businesses, individuals and federal regulatory agencies on complex criminal and quasi-criminal matters initiated at the federal, state and local level from the investigation stage through trial and, if necessary, through the appeal process.
• DUI/DWI
• Fraud
  Business owners and executives of a multi-million dollar company in an investigation involving allegations of unfair consumer practices, mail fraud, wire fraud, and illegal advertising practices.
• White Collar Crimes
  Credit Union Times, March 14, 2013). While the federal government handled the criminal aspects of the investigation which involved more than 200 people, Weston Hurd attorneys managed the civil side of the money laundering investigation from a federally regulated institution including: bankruptcies, collection actions and fraudulent conveyances. This multi-state investigation which has transcended international borders involves bankruptcy, banking, white collar crime and litigation.
• Theft
• Misdemeanors
• Embezzlement
• Drug Crimes
  Defending boards of education in student discipline matter for possession of drugs on school property, including defense of plaintiff’s motions for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction
• Assault
• Murder
• Homicide
• Restraining Order
• Money Laundering
  The group produces an e-newsletter, “You Auto Know,†which discusses current legal topics of interest to the automotive/transportation industries.  Some of the newsletter topics have included: disclosures, intelligent cars, manufacturer recalls, advertising compliance, responding to subpoenas, FTC investigations and Form 8300, misappropriated confidential documents, and money laundering.
• Internet Crimes
  The E-Commerce and Internet Law attorneys provide clients with advice on e-commerce business issues, including the development and management of websites and contracts used in electronic data interchange, business-to-business and business-to-consumer transactions, and tax and jurisdictional issues.

Business and Corporate Law

• Corporate Law
  Weston Hurd advises civic, social service, arts and culture, and health care nonprofit entities on matters involving regulatory compliance, corporate governance and tax, consolidation considerations, employment matters, as well as the day-to-day legal needs of nonprofit organizations.
• Business Disputes
  The Commercial Litigation Group participates in a variety of litigation and arbitration matters and has broad experience in all forms of alternative dispute resolution. This group advises clients across a range of major business disputes from counseling through mediation, arbitration, trial and appeal. A significant part of the practice involves complex, multi-jurisdictional matters involving multiple parties and multiple adversaries. In addition to advising on complex litigation, the attorneys also handle issues involving, breach of contract, breach of warranty, franchisor-franchisee matters, negligence, recovery of unpaid funds, shareholder disputes, and Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act cases involving unfair sales practices.
• Business Transactions
  The Environmental Practice Group is an interdisciplinary team focusing on state and federal environmental laws and regulations in various settings including litigation, administrative proceedings, real estate, and business transactions where environmental issues arise. The attorneys draw upon the firm’s experience in litigating environmental matters and handling business transactions that require compliance with environmental statutes and regulations. Clients receive highly skilled legal representation in all aspects of environmental law since many of them handle and dispose of hazardous and toxic substances. The attorneys work diligently to maintain access and facilitate communication for clients at all levels of the government to identify problems early and develop cooperative solutions. The team litigates personal injury and other actions brought against users, manufacturers and handlers of allegedly hazardous materials, including Superfund actions.
• Limited Liability Companies
  The business group is varied due to the differing and complex matters in which its business clients are involved. As general, regional or local counsel, the attorneys represent both established and emerging businesses operating in virtually every segment of the economy. Counsel is provided to individuals; partnerships and non-profit organizations; limited liability companies and corporations.
• Trade Secrets
• Intellectual Property
• Unfair Competition
  The firm’s insurance coverage members are frequently called upon to provide opinions on coverage, and the duty to defend, in a broad range of areas – including all types of auto claims, uninsured/underinsured motorist claims, CGL coverage claims, environmental/toxic tort claims (pollution, EFIS, asbestos and mold claims), intellectual property claims (advertising injury coverage for patent infringement claims and/or trademark infringement and unfair competition claims).  The firm frequently drafts reservation of rights letters and/or coverage denial letters for the use of insurers.
• Antitrust

Employment Law

• Workers Compensation
• Wrongful Termination
  Christine represents her clients in discrimination, harassment, and wrongful discharge allegations. She also defends breach of contract issues, promissory estoppel and breach-of-the-covenant-of-good-faith and fair dealing actions. Christine handles ERISA claims, non-compete and non-disclosure issues as well as various torts, including intentional torts. Christine guides clients through ongoing labor relations issues and assists them in the interpretation and enforcement of collective bargaining agreements.
• Employment Discrimination
   – Statutes of Limitation; Product Liability Statute of Repose; Construction Statute of Repose; Legal Malpractice Statute of Repose; Employment Discrimination Claims Under O.R.C. 4112; Employment Law Claims
• Employment Contract
  Russell is proficient in the areas of discrimination and harassment claims, wage and hour claims (including class and collective action), employment policies and procedures, family and medical leave, disability accommodation, and employment contracts. Russell regularly handles disputes in state and federal courts, arbitration, and alternative dispute resolution forums. His legal counsel spans a range of industries including education, healthcare, public sector employers, banking/finance, retail, manufacturing, and hospitality, among others.
• Employment Litigation
  Weston Hurd attorneys serve as legal advisors to the transportation and other vehicle industries specifically automobile, RV, boat and motorcycle dealers and other businesses. Counsel is provided in areas such as: advertising/cyberspace, aftermarket products/services, consumer litigation, corporate acquisitions and divestitures, dealer relocations, employment issues, finance, franchisor-franchisee disputes, governmental compliance and regulatory issues, insurance, social media, warranty audits, and working capital and floor plan issues. The attorneys in the transportation/auto dealerships group advise clients on both business and litigation matters and have handled complex and class action litigation for clients.
• Non-compete Agreement
  January 9, 2023 On January 5, 2023, the Federal Trade Commission issued a proposed rule which would, in effect, nullify all non-competition agreements (non-competes) between businesses and their employees or independent contractors based on the determination that non-competes constitute unfair methods of competition. See Non-Compete Clause Rulemaking | Federal Trade Commission (ftc.gov). If adopted in […]
• Severance Agreement
  On February 21, 2023, the National Labor Relations Board issued a decision finding that broad confidentiality and non-disparagement provisions of a severance agreement were unlawful because they interfered with employee rights under the National Labor Relations Act. The McLaren McComb case dealt with a severance agreement offered to an employee who was laid off in the wake […]
• Sexual Harassment
  Peter assists employers and school district clients in resolving legal issues covering labor and employment matters, contract negotiations and disputes, policy drafting, employee and student due process challenges, real estate property valuation, and public records compliance. Peter’s practice is diverse and includes legal advice on matters involving discrimination, retaliation, sexual harassment, free speech, religious expression, sovereign immunity, Title VII, Title IX, discipline, defamation, social media concerns, and related investigations. Peter also works on cases involving the defense of employers in state and federal court and before administrative agencies.

Property Law

• Real Estate Litigation
  The depth and breadth of Weston Hurd’s practice areas was further recognized with metropolitan rankings in commercial litigation, employment law-management, litigation-labor & employment, labor law-management, medical malpractice law-defendants, personal injury litigation-plaintiffs, product liability litigation-defendants, and real estate law.
• Premises Liability
  Representation of the Retail & Hospitality sector involves transactional matters such as real estate and mergers/acquisitions/joint venture agreements and litigation in matters involving premises liability.
• Construction Litigation
  The attorneys who represent architects and engineers provide guidance on issues that arise within the course of design and construction administration. The attorneys handle matters involving construction litigation, suretyship and contracting law. They also have significant litigation experience involving OSHA, ANSI, local, state and federal regulations, AIA contracts, indemnity disputes, defense of defects and pursuit of claims.
• Real Estate Transactions
  Members of Weston Hurd’s Church Law Practice Group provide advice and legal representation to pastors, church trustees and other lay leaders and denominational organizations. Like any other organization, churches and their leaders can find themselves accused of negligence or other wrongdoing and sued in a court of law. The firm’s Church Law attorneys provide experienced counsel and representation on litigation involving employment issues, liability for sexual misconduct, premises liability, motor vehicle accidents, and claims brought by disaffected church members. By teaming with members of other firm practice groups, the attorneys also assist religious organizations with the drafting of church bylaws and other corporate documents, employment agreements and real estate transactions. Clients receive proactive skilled legal representation in all aspects of church organization and operation.
• Property Damage
  The Insurance – General Defense attorneys are involved in cases of personal injury and death or property damage resulting from a variety of torts arising in both the commercial and personal context. The attorneys defend insurers and insureds against actions brought by a third party in matters involving a particular incident or occurrence. Members of this practice group are active state-wide and have written and lectured extensively on the subject. They also have extensive hands-on litigation experience through the handling of depositions, oral arguments, arbitrations, and trial.
• Condominium Law
  This group represents clients in all aspects of acquisitions, financing, development (including expansion and rehabilitation), leasing and disposition of a wide variety of commercial properties throughout the United States, including office buildings, regional shopping malls, strip shopping centers, hotels, retirement communities and mixed use developments. They also advise developers in the construction, financing and sale of condominiums and cooperatives.

Health Law

• Personal Injury
  With the increase in cybersecurity attacks, cyber-bullying, and cyber-stalking, attorneys counsel clients on coverage and defense questions involving claims arising from the Internet and other electronic media, such as data breaches leading to information loss and business disruption, defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent infliction of emotional distress, invasion of privacy, parental civil liability, personal injury or advertising injury, product disparagement, products liability, and unfair competition.
• Medical Malpractice
  Weston Hurd has a long history of commitment to the defense of medical professionals.  Among the strengths of the firm is the breadth and depth of the Medical Malpractice defense group and the number of attorneys available to assist, as necessary.  Each of our medical malpractice attorneys has trial experience. These attorneys draw upon their experience from many medical negligence cases and their knowledge of the experts frequently used by the plaintiffs on such cases.
• Auto Accidents
• Disability Discrimination
  Representing school districts in numerous cases involving the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, including issues of disability discrimination, race discrimination, harassment, and bullying

Trusts and Estates

• Estate Planning
  Attorneys in this group work in collaboration with the firm’s tax, estate planning and probate, labor and employment, and business attorneys to ensure that clients are in compliance with the various laws that govern employee benefit and individual retirement plans. They provide counsel on ERISA issues involving corporate acquisitions or loan transactions, and estate planning and probate matters that involve retirement plan terminations, breach of fiduciary responsibilities, and advice regarding IRAs.
• Wills
• Trusts
  Estate, Guardianship and Trust Administration: The Estate and Trust Practice includes the proper transferring of assets, payment of debts, and the preparation of accurate estate tax returns, including estate income tax returns. Additionally, Weston Hurd is ready to assist if the client or a family member becomes incapacitated or incompetent by way of representation associated with the administration of a formal court Guardianship or through the representation of an agent under a power of attorney for property management and/or for health care decisions.
• Power of Attorney
• Probate
  , “The expansion of the Columbus office caps a year of change and smart growth for the firm that included moving Weston Hurd’s offices in Cleveland and Columbus to new, more efficient space. The addition of these deeply experienced attorneys to our Columbus office enhances its already well-established presence in civil litigation and insurance defense matters, and adds further depth in medical malpractice, corporate, business, real estate, estate planning, and probate law. This complements and creates a lot of synergies with our various practice groups in Cleveland.â€

Finance Law

• Bankruptcy
• Foreclosure
  Lender representation with regard to financial restructuring for hotel properties, deed in lieu of foreclosure with subsequent sale to a new owner.
• Tax Law
  The Tax attorneys regularly assist clients in all federal, state and local tax matters which may arise in connection with clients’ business or personal activities. The group’s clients are businesses, individuals and not-for-profit organizations. The tax attorneys frequently partner with a client’s accountants, bankers and other professionals in working jointly to solve the client’s tax issues.