Resources

Client Alerts, News Articles, Blog Posts, & Multimedia

Everything you need to know about BMD and the industry.

BMD Makes 2023 U.S. News & World Report "Best Law Firms" Edition

Client Alert

Brennan Manna & Diamond (BMD) is pleased to share the news that our firm is recognized among the “Best Law Firms” in the U.S. News & World Report 2023 edition in 14 practice areas.  “Best Law Firms” rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes the collection of client and lawyer evaluations, peer review from leading attorneys in their field and review of additional information provided by law firms as part of the formal submission process.    

This year, BMD is recognized in the metropolitan areas of Akron (Akron office), Cleveland (Cleveland office), and Fort Myers (Bonita Springs office) for professional excellence in: 

Metropolitan Tier 1
Akron

  • Health Care Law 
  • Litigation - Trusts & Estates 

Metropolitan Tier 2
Akron

  • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law 
  • Corporate Law 
  • Litigation - Intellectual Property 
  • Litigation - Labor & Employment 
  • Trusts & Estates Law 

Cleveland 

  • Corporate Law 

Fort Myers (Bonita Springs)

  • Real Estate Law 

Metropolitan Tier 3 
Akron 

  • Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law 
  • Tax Law 
  • Trademark Law 

Cleveland 

  • Health Care Law 
  • Litigation - Labor & Employment 

Congratulations to our attorneys who are recognized for their professional excellence. 


Enhancing Privacy Protections for Substance Use Disorder Patient Records

On February 8, 2024, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) finalized updated rules to 42 CFR Part 2 (“Part 2”) for the protection of Substance Use Disorder (“SUD”) patient records. The updated rules reflect the requirement that the Part 2 rules be more closely aligned with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”) privacy, breach notification, and enforcement rules as mandated by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act of 2020.

Columbus, Ohio Ordinance Prohibits Employers from Inquiries into an Applicant’s Salary History

Effective March 1, 2024, Columbus employers are prohibited from inquiring into an applicant’s salary history. Specifically, the ordinance provides that it is an unlawful discriminatory practice to:

The Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board’s Latest Batch of Rules: What Providers Should Know

The Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board has introduced new rules and amendments, covering various aspects such as CDCA certificate requirements, expanded services for LCDCs and CDCAs, remote supervision, and reciprocity application requirements. Notable changes include revised criteria for obtaining a CDCA certification, expanded services for LCDCs and CDCAs, and updated ethical obligations for licensees and certificate holders, including non-discrimination, confidentiality, and anti-sexual harassment measures.

Governor Mike DeWine and The Ohio State University Introduce the SOAR Study on Ohio Mental Illness

On January 19, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and The Ohio State University announced a new research initiative, the State of Ohio Adversity and Resilience (“SOAR”) study, which will investigate all factors influencing Ohio’s mental illness and addiction epidemic.

CHANGING TIDES: Summary and Effects of Burnett et. al. v. National Ass’n of Realtors, et. al.

In April 2019, a class-action Complaint was filed in federal court for the Western District Court for Missouri arguing that the traditional payment agreements employed by many across the United States amounted to conspiracy resulting in the artificial increase in brokerage commissions. Plaintiffs, a class-action group comprised of sellers, argued that they paid excessive brokerage commissions upon the sale of their home as a result of the customary payment structure where Sellers agree to pay the full commission on the sale of their property, with Seller’s agent notating the portion of commission they are willing to pay to a Buyer’s agent at closing on the MLS or other similar system.