text black
mug shot
Quick Links

    




  
Frantz Ward's Services for Corporations
 
Bankruptcy and Creditor's Rights

 

Construction Project Consulting and Litigation 

 Corporate Governance, Mergers and Acquisitions
 
ERISA Counseling and Litigation

 

Environmental Law

 

Intellectual Property

 

Labor & Employment Law Counseling and Litigation
   
Real Estate Transactions and Litigation

 

Workers' Compensation
Frantz Ward's Services for Individuals

 

Estate Planning and Probate

 

Litigation

 

Real Estate Transactions

 

Construction Project Consulting and Litigation 

Join Our Mailing List

 

Reasons to Read 

 

Twitter is not just for kids, or celebrities for that matter.  It is yet another resource to help you stay abreast of news in your industry. Below is an article on how I use Twitter, as well as updates on interesting projects and news on recent publications and future presentations on areas of law that may be critical to your business. 

 

Also, I recently joined the Board of the Northeast Ohio Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council.  According to McGraw-Hill's global survey, more than half of respondents plan to dedicate at least 60% of their work to green projects by 2015. A great example is the LEED-Platinum George W. Bush Center, which recently made news when it opened in Texas. If you are interested in membership or a sponsorship in the USGBC, please let me know. As you can see from the chapter's web site, sponsors can easily associate their brand with one of the leading institutions in green construction.  

   

Thank you again for taking the time to review this newsletter. If you have any story ideas, please just let me know.

 

Jim Dixon

216-515-1642   

jdixon@frantzward.com
Construction Projects and Products Updates
  

File this under "Problems We're Happy to Have." With Drury's conversion of the CMSD HQ on the schedule, will downtown Cleveland soon have so many hotel rooms that a convention center hotel is unnecessary? Read this article from Michelle Jarboe McFee to see what you think.

 

Review her other article for an update on plans for the second phase of the Flats East Bank Project.

 

If you live in the NEORSD's district, you are helping to pay for a $200 million tunnel currently under construction deep below Cleveland and Lake Erie.  WKYC recently produced a great story about the subway-sized tunnel, and tunnel construction generally, that is available on the District's blog.   

 

Third Sun Solar completed the Dayton-Springfield area's largest solar installation at the offices of Assurant Specialty Property.  The $7 million project involves 6,200 panels and annual production of 1.9 million kwh.  It is also a good example of how the panels can serve as canopies in parking lots. 

 

If you use marking products in your construction, manufacturing, or other specialized work, you can buy local by using Medina-based IMC Marks.

 

James Hardie is also offering what it calls HardieZone, which is a siding system specifically calibrated to withstand the challenges presented by a project's specific climate.

  
What I Learned This Month on Twitter
Twitter is not just for teens and celebrities.  Most trade associations, many companies, and numerous individuals use Twitter to share news and information particular to their industry or professional interest.  Using Twitter allowed me to stop using an RSS feed because the same content providers use Twitter to push the same content.  While I do not often compose tweets, I will re-tweet stories to keep an archive of those that are most interesting.  Here are a few samples from the last month:
 
The U.S. Green Building Council identified five of the ten greenest buildings of 2013;
 
AdvancedEnergyEconOH let me know that Ohio is a top-ten employer in the solar industry;
 
Solar Industry Mag informed me when Ohio's legislature began to address the renewable energy programs;
 
The Solar Energy Institute of America reported on the benefits of solar-powered trash cans in Philadelphia;
 
The Construction Index highlighted two large concentrated solar towers.
 
Yes, my Twitter diet is heavy on solar, but I also follow several legal organizations, a few local reporters, and some local government departments. On Twitter, I am @JimDixon54321. 
  
Frantz Ward in Person and in the Media

Here are summaries of recent publications and upcoming speaking engagements from my colleagues. 

 

Seminars

 

On May 7, 2013, Jeff Perlmuter will be discussing ObamaCare at an event sponsored by the Richland Area Chamber of Commerce.

  

On May 22, 2013, at the Cleveland Marriott East, our Labor & Employment Group will present their annual seminar.  Please contact me if you would like more information.

 

On October 15, 2013, our Construction Group will present its annual Lorman-sponsored update on the Fundamentals of Construction Contracts.  Mark your calendars and watch this space for more information.

 

Please let me know if you would like to schedule an in-house seminar for your staff. Such seminars provide a great opportunity to keep your team up to date on recent legal developments.

 

Blogs

 

Through the Ohio Environmental Law Blog, my partner and former Ohio EPA Director Joe Koncelik discusses brownfield redevelopment incentivies, brownfield funding, tenant protections from CERCLA liability, and evolving standards for Phase I assessments. 

 

Through their Labor & Employment Law Navigator, Rebecca Bennett  and Keith Ashmus provide information about the E-Verify system, the Affordable Care Act's costs, and the hiring of felons.

 

Newsletters and Publications

 

Ian Frank has published two articles in Properties magazine, one in the March issue discussing the Westfield decision and insurance for contractors, and another in the April issue addressing Cuyahoga County's new debarment rules.  Follow this link for full issues.

 

Andy Natale also covered Westfield in a discussion of risk management or the Construction Employers Association through an article on its web site.

 

Mike Smith and Brian Roof discussed an area of ambiguity in Ohio's bad faith insurance law in an article published by the Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys.   

 

Our Foreign Corrupt Practice Act practice group continues to publish timely information for companies doing business with foreign officials that wish to stay abreast of this area of law. Follow this link to learn about that group and review its newsletter. 

 
Disclaimer
This document is intended to provide general information about legal developments, not legal advice. Receipt of this information does not create an attorney-client relationship.