Underage Party Provides Learning Moment

We recently obtained a mild outcome for a parent-client who was initially charged with permitting an underage party at their home.

We were able to convince the prosecutor that this was an inadvertent mistake by the parents, and more of a product of false viral internet invitation for the minors to come to the home.

Good learning experience for all concerned, parents, child, and the police.

Nice clients.

Divided Divorce Assets Complicated by Laws

We are dealing with a number of divorce cases where getting the pension assets divided according to Ohio law is complicated and long.

Ohio law had to intersect with federal law on how pensions are divided in a divorce. We have to work with outside experts in drafting separate pension orders (called “QDROS” in private pensions and “DOPOs” in public pensions), and the whole process can often take a number of months.

We see clients get frustrated with the technical aspects of these orders, and how long the final approval takes. But to make a mistake on these pension orders could have a huge impact on the future of the parties.

Bad Faith Claim Results in Win

We just helped our client resolve an insurance coverage suit where the client’s homeowner’s carrier refused to properly pay for a loss stemming from a broken pipe.

We had to sue the insurance company for what is known as a “bad faith” claim, which is where an insurance company engages in what we call a “bad faith” assessment of the claim.

We were able to get the insurance carrier to pay 3 times what was offered prior to the suit. Client was very happy.

Divorce Decree Upheld

We were recently very successful for a client on a divorce appeal.

The ex-spouse of our client attempted to back out of a divorce decree by claiming that she did not understand the divorce decree deal she had made.

The trial court refused to let her back out and the Court of Appeals agreed that the trial court got it right. Client was very pleased with the outcome.

Post-decree motions are still pending in the case, as the ex-spouse of our client continues to try and make our client’s life difficult. Stay tuned on this one.

Personal Injury Client Awarded

We successfully argued a personal injury “arbitration,” where a client won a $25,000 arbitration award – far greater than the insulting offer made by the insurance carrier that insured the “at fault” driver.

Client was very pleased.

Federal Case Sentence

We were able to save a client from a huge sentence in a federal case that just concluded.

Our understanding of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, along with some fair and frank discussions with the United State Attorney’s Office, lead to this great conclusion.

Client is allowed to “self-report” to a federal correctional facility instead of being lead out of the courtroom in shackles. He and his client were very pleased.

DUI Charges Reduced

We just resolved another DUI case on the east side where we got a reduction in the charges.

We were able to identify the minute but important mistakes that the police officer made during the pull-over and arrest of the client.

This case reminds us again of the importance of knowing what to look for in a DUI investigation, and knowing what these mistakes can mean for the client. Client was appropriately pleased with the outcome.

“Underinsured” Claim Case Resolved

We just resolved a large personal injury case where our clients had to file what is known as a “underinsured” claim against their own auto insurance company.  

Getting the medical professionals who rendered care to the client to agree with our position was a very delicate matter, but we did it. 

It helped that we were courteous and cooperative with the medical professionals and their lawyers. 

The underinsured adjuster was not happy to make the bit offer, but we never care about what adjusters think.  

Abuse of Discretion on Court of Appeals Case

We just prevailed on another court of appeals case.  

We convinced the Court of Appeals that a probate trial court’s decision in a division of assets was an “abuse of discretion.” 

Three out of three of the Court of Appeals judges signed onto the decision. This case involved serious financial issues for the client. 

Stay tuned for further developments on this one.

Change of Heart on Divorce Case

We just prevailed on an appeal of a divorce case.  

The ex-wife had a change of heart on the divorce degree, and wanted the trial court to let her back out of the divorce decree.  

The trial court ruled against her, and the court of appeals agreed with us that the trial court got it right. 

Very good result, and a very happy client.

Motion to Suppress Success

We recently prevailed on what is called a “Motion to Suppress,” which sometimes has to be filed in a DUI case.  

We proved to the Court that the police officer (a State Trooper) did not follow the proper protocol in doing the DUI investigation.  

The City in question is appealing that ruling, but we know we will prevail on that appeal.

Real Estate Lawsuit Resolved

We just resolved a long-standing and large real estate lawsuit which involved years of motion practice and multiple lawsuits.

Our clients had to file suit in order to enforce their property rights against multiple parties, and those rights were enforced in the end (but not without much litigation pressure on the defendants).

Client's Lawsuits Resolved

We recently resolved a long-standing series of multiple lawsuits involving a long-standing business dispute involving allegations of fraud and breach of contract.

This dispute inspired at least 4 related lawsuit (including a federal lawsuit) – all of which were resolved in our clients’ favor.

Lots of late hours and extensive document review and depositions was the only way we could have gotten this done.

"Under-Insurance” Claim Battle Continues

We are in the process resolving what is called a “under-insurance” claim for a client of ours.

This client was riding a motorcycle back in 2021 when he was hits by a driver who had only $100,000 in coverage.

When those $100,000 in policy limits were extended to the client, we sought more benefits/coverage from his own insurance carrier (which had “under-insurance” limits of $500,000.00).

The client’s injuries are very unique, and getting his own insurance company to do the right thing (i.e., properly value his loss) has been a challenge.

This battle is not over yet, but we keep pressing on.

Long Over Due Pension Order Obtained

We were recently able to assist a divorced wife with getting a pension order that should have been done years ago (at the time she was divorced).

It had been overlooked by her prior counsel. Sometimes these pension orders are the most significant asset in the marriage, but they are sometimes overlooked by less experienced lawyers.

Her retirement is protected now.

Meaningful "Parenting Plan" Resolution for Custody

We recently resolved a long-standing juvenile custody battle for our client – who was the father or child born out of wedlock.

On the morning of the trial, we were able to sit down with the lawyers for the mother and present our “parenting plan” in a meaningful way that did not agitate or ruffle any feathers.

It was good to see two young adults work together to put together a parenting order that was clearly in the best interests of their toddler son.

Just all handshakes and smiles when we left the courtroom.

Not Guilty of Domestic Violence

We recently had our client found not guilty after a domestic violence trial.

This was a case where our client’s version of the facts was much different that the alleged victim’s version.

We even think the police officers involved had “reasonable doubt,” and made that very argument to the Court.

There was much at stake for this client, so the client was very pleased with the outcome.

Divorce Case Property Win

We recently resolved a divorce case where there was a very big issue regarding what was and what was not marital property.  

Like many good folks, some clients have assets that are really marital assets held in other person’s names.   

We had to work hard to present proof of the “real” ownership behind who actually had title to a piece of real estate. 

This was a rather big (i.e., $25,000) benefit to our client.

Sophisticated Business Litigation Case

We just resolved a large portion of a huge business litigation case that has been pending since 2018.

Our clients were taken advantage of by some sophisticated persons who were required to operate and monitor their small food business.

This case was one of the oldest cases on the docket of the assigned judge, who we assume was very happy to see that most of the case is now resolved.

Lots and lots of hours and thousands of pages of documents came into play here. Clients looking forward to closure.

DUI Case Reduction

On the same day in different courts (and with different clients), we were able to successfully get reductions on 2 DUI cases. 

In order to get that accomplished, we had to carefully and thoroughly review numerous police reports and videos to find where the protocols and procedures that bind police departments were not properly followed.  

Both clients (both of whom were good full-time working folks who made a bad decision on one specific date in their entire life) were very happy.    Experience was very important here.