News & Legal Updates Archive

Attorneys David Lane and Jennifer Torrez bring a wealth of knowledge in their respective practice areas and add to the overall strength of our dynamic Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Group.

Jane Pine Wood, of McDonald Hopkins' Healthcare Practice Group, was recently featured in two publications explaining the FDA's Final Rule on LDTs.

Dominic Paluzzi, co-chair of McDonald Hopkins' Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Practice Group, explains the growing threat that cyberattacks pose to public entities during a newscast about the city of Cleveland's ongoing 'cyber incident.'

Another domino has fallen in the continued evolution of the business of college sports. The NCAA and its Power Five conferences have agreed to allow member schools to pay players directly for the first time in college sports history.

The push to pass Ohio Senate Bill 275: Revamping the state's net metering policy

McDonald Hopkins is a destination firm for attorneys looking to grow their careers and work in a culture comprised of collaborative and determined professionals. Jane Pine Wood explains why after 8 years as in-house counsel for a large laboratory she has returned to private practice at McDonald Hopkins.

McDonald Hopkins is pleased to announce the attorneys and practice areas that have been recognized by Chambers USA in its 2024 guide.

Two Medicare Administrative Contractors have finalized their proposed Local Coverage Determinations  regarding medical necessity guidelines for special stains and IHC stains. These LCDs will become effective in July.

Many laboratories engage sales and marketing representatives to assist them in growing their laboratory business.  Although for decades, the federal government has expressed concerns regarding the activities of certain sales and marketing representatives and potential violations of the Medicare and Medicaid Anti-Kickback Statute.  Now, it has a tool to address its concerns. 

Ohio Senate Bill 275 builds on the history and success of Ohio’s net metering program by introducing virtual net metering into Ohio. Virtual net metering addresses the roof issue while also helping to alleviate gird stress and incentivizing investment in distressed properties. 

While the development of cybersecurity tools, such as those offered to hospitals through the UPGRADE program will come with substantial benefits, hospitals should also anticipate further probing from the OCR with respect to efforts made by the hospitals to implement and maintain technical safeguards to prevent incidents from occurring.

James Giszczak and Eric Benson contribute to ILN's 2024 Data Privacy Guide

The DEA’s proposal to reschedule marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III of the CSA was published on the Federal Register on May 21, 2024. The proposal was released in draft form on May 17, 2024 and was published on the 21st without changes. By publishing the proposal on the Federal Register, the DEA officially opened a 62 day public comment period that ends on July 22, 2024.

McDonald Hopkins, a leading business advisory and advocacy law firm, is pleased to announce the addition of Arezoo Habibi as an Associate in the firm’s Litigation Department. She joins the firm’s robust commercial litigation team, bringing experience and a fresh perspective to the team.

Reproductive privacy has received an additional boost of protection with the Office for Civil Rights’ Final Rule

Teresa Metcalf Beasley, chair of McDonald Hopkins’ Public Law Practice Group, was featured on several northeast Ohio news stations for her impactful work with the Western Reserve Ohio Links Chapter.

The FDA has issued its long-anticipated final rule regulating laboratory developed tests. Taking into consideration the concerns regarding the adverse impact upon patient care, the FDA outlined several categories of full and partial enforcement discretion.

If approved, the reclassification of marijuana will create unprecedented change for both businesses and consumers in the US. While many of those changes’ impacts are not clear at this time, there are some consequences of reclassification that provide welcome relief to existing marijuana businesses.

McDonald Hopkins is proud to congratulate member and Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Co-Chair Dominic Paluzzi on his selection to Cybersecurity Docket's Incident Response 50 for 2024.

The FTC's Final Rule banning non-competes has a clear definition of "worker" but the definition does not include a franchisee in the context of a franchisee-franchisor relationship. 

Companies should begin evaluating whether they qualify for an exemption from CTA reporting requirements, and if not, begin preparing reporting information and constructing policies to ensure continued compliance with the CTA.

Legislators in Connecticut just recently passed an AI bill, creating rules and regulations for AI developers and educating the general public about its uses.

The IRS published its Dirty Dozen list, detailing the "worst of the worst" in tax scams-- warning tax professionals of increased spear-phising attacks.

Each year, the Executive War College provides valuable information for everyone in the lab industry. The McDonald Hopkins Healthcare team monitors trending topics discussed at the conference and will provide key takeaways from this year's EWC when the sessions conclude. 

McDonald Hopkins' Trade Secret, Non-Compete, and Unfair Competition attorneys have put together insights for employers on the immediate impact of the FTC's rule banning non-competes and guidance on what to expect in the coming days, weeks, and months. 

The Maryland Online Data Privacy Act of 2024 is another example of the shift in the landscape of state data privacy regulations in the absence of federal regulation.

As expected, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is seeking immediate relief from federal court to halt the implementation of the FTC's rule banning non-compete agreements. 

Following yesterday’s announcement on the Federal Trade Commission’s national ban on workplace non-competes, McDonald Hopkins has identified critical elements of the new rule and put together information on what employers can expect over the next several months.

The Kentucky Medical Cannabis Program filed 2 emergency regulations defining the program’s license application process. The governor signed the emergency regulations into effect immediately to expedite the roll out of Kentucky’s medical cannabis program.

McDonald Hopkins' co-president, James Giszczak, explains the evolution of cyberattacks in Crain's Detroit Business feature

At an open meeting on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission voted along partisan lines to ban non-compete agreements

Under the DOL’s final rule, the annual salary level to qualify for exempt status will increase in two steps resulting in an increase from the current $35,568 per year to $58,656 per year by January 1, 2025. 

McDonald Hopkins' co-presidents, Jim Stief and Jim Giszczak discuss why partnering with College Now is so important.

McDonald Hopkins is proud to announce the firm has been recognized as an unparalleled leader in client service and named to the BTI Client Service A-Team 2024.

McDonald Hopkins' members, David Kall and Katherine Wensink, explain the importance of mentorship and our partnership with College Now.

While the MFIL provides protections to franchisees, the fact remains that franchisors exercise significant discretion over their brands and hold considerable sway over the transfer of franchise rights.

A recent case illustrates the importance of considering the impact of any potential defaults, whether non-monetary or otherwise, before any franchisee bankruptcy. 

If there is a foundational value to be found in the rise and fall of Burgerim, it is this: before investing in any franchise concept, it is imperative that all aspects of the offering are vetted and that qualified and experienced advisors are consulted.  As the old adage goes, when something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

A four-term Michigan mayor lost his lengthy battle to seek a fifth term earlier this month when the Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, which oversees federal litigation in several states including Ohio, upheld his city’s new charter provision setting mayoral term limits.

Two Ohio outdoor advertising firms will test the limits of both a state statute and a recent U.S. Supreme Court case after filing lawsuits in federal court earlier this month over township billboard regulations.

Ohio H.B. 257, if enacted, would exempt a broader swath of records related to public-safety employees from public view.

McDonald Hopkins' member, Shawn Riley, recently voiced his expertise regarding higher education institutions and why some are dealing with financial issues in Cleveland Plain Dealer's article 'CSU is spending $9 million on faculty and staff buyouts.'

Mike Witzke, the Chair of the Estate Planning and Probate Practice Group, explains changes coming to estate tax in 2025.

McDonald Hopkins LLC is proud to announce the addition of two distinguished attorneys to its Intellectual Property Department. Sean Mellino and Jamie Pingor bring decades of experience and diverse legal knowledge in intellectual property law to the firm. Their integration into McDonald Hopkins underscores the firm’s commitment to attracting top legal talent, cementing its status as a destination firm for accomplished attorneys and discerning clients alike.

McDonald Hopkins is proud to announce the addition of two new attorneys, Karen Bridges and Edward Grahovec, to its national Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Practice Group.

A major compliance deadline is approaching for the New York Department of Financial Services cybersecurity regulation, 23 NYCRR §§ 500.0—500.24, or Part 500. If not already underway, covered entities should immediately initiate a review of their cybersecurity program to determine any potential shortcomings and areas of improvement. 

For the past 6 years, McDonald Hopkins has been proud partners with the College Now Mentorship program. To promote mentorship, every April the NBC affiliated TV station, WKYC, promotes ‘Mentor Monday,’ highlighting the program and why adults throughout Northeast Ohio should sign up to be mentors.

The DHS is the first major U.S. government agency to substantially implement AI in its policies and plans, spurred by the “unprecedented speed and potential of AI’s development."Its roadmap, details an aggressive set of goals using AI, with multiple targets for the end of 2024.

McDonald Hopkins, a leading business advisory and advocacy law firm, is pleased to announce that Alex Tominc has joined the firm as an Associate in the Litigation Department and Energy Litigation team.