Fields of Law Subject to Specialization Designation in Ohio

“The practice of law that involves the activities of agencies at the local, state and federal levels, including, but not limited to: licensing, regulation and government benefits. For purposes of this certification, it includes matters involving the Ohio Administrative Procedure Act (RC Chapter 119), local government administrative matters governed by RC Chapter 2506, and proceedings pursuant to the federal Administrative Procedures Act. It also includes, without limitation, the representation of clients before administrative agencies, the practice of law within those agencies, and administrative/judicial proceedings involving those agencies.”

Appellate Law deals primarily with practice before state and federal appellate courts. It is distinct from, although complementary to, trial advocacy. Appellate Law emphasizes critical analysis and written advocacy but includes oral advocacy skills as well. This discipline includes consultation regarding the identification and preservation of error at all stages of litigation, and the analysis of public policy goals and constitutional principles in the highest state and federal courts. Appellate Law embraces actions within the original jurisdiction of appellate courts, as well as those matters within the courts' appellate jurisdiction.

The practice of bankruptcy law when the debtor is a corporation, a partnership, an individual currently engaged in business, or an individual formerly engaged in business whose debts are primarily incurred for business purposes; including but not limited to business bankruptcies, reorganizations, liquidations, and the rights, obligations, and remedies of debtors and creditors.

The practice of law that involves acquisition, ownership, leasing, management, financing, developing, use, transfer and disposition of investment, business, commercial and industrial real property, including title examination and determination of property rights.

Child Welfare Law is the practice of law representing children, parents, or the government in all child protection proceedings including emergency, temporary custody, adjudication, disposition, foster care, permanency planning, termination, guardianship, and adoption. Child Welfare Law does not include representation in private custody and adoption disputes where the state is not a party.

The practice of law that involves litigation of civil controversies in all areas of substantive law before state courts, federal courts, administrative agencies, and arbitrators. In addition to actual pretrial and trial process, "civil law trial advocacy" includes evaluating, managing, and resolving civil controversies prior to the initiation of suit.

The practice of law that involves all aspects of debt collection under state and federal law as it applies to the rights of creditors.

The practice of law that involves the defense and prosecution of misdemeanor and felony crimes in state and federal trial and appellate courts.

The practice of bankruptcy law when the debtor is an individual or husband and wife and where the debts are primarily non-business related. The matters are typically filed under Chapters 7 or 13 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

The legal practice of counseling and representing older persons and their representatives about the legal aspects of health and long-term care planning, public benefits, surrogate decision-making, older persons' legal capacity, the conservation, disposition and administration of older persons' estates and the implementation of their decisions concerning such matters, giving due consideration to the applicable tax consequences of the action, or the need for more sophisticated tax expertise.

The practice of law that involves analysis and planning for the conservation and disposition of estates during lifetime and at death, preparing legal instruments to effectuate such planning, and counseling fiduciaries, while giving due consideration to the applicable trust, probate, and income, estate, and gift tax laws.

The practice of law that involves counseling clients in the resolution of disputes and with the termination of marriage by divorce, dissolution, or annulment and all related issues, such as legal separation; paternity; child support and the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities; division of property; and spousal support both in alternative dispute resolution processes and in court.

The practice of law in the areas of individual, partnership, corporate, and fiduciary Federal Income Tax, estate and gift tax, tax-exempt organizations, qualified plans and other Federal taxes requiring a substantive and procedural knowledge of the Internal Revenue Code and Regulations, Internal Revenue Service Rulings, and Federal Taxation case law.

The area of law involving issues between insurers and policy holders concerning the rights and responsibilities that arise under insurance policies.

The practice of law that involves the relationships among employers, employees, and their labor organizations, except workers' compensation. It includes all aspects of labor relations (private and public sectors), occupational safety and health, employment discrimination, wage and hour, employee benefits and employment-related torts and contracts. It further includes all forms of labor and employment litigation, arbitration, mediation, negotiation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution before all federal, state and local courts, agencies and private tribunals.

Privacy Law is the field of law that governs how governments, organizations, and individuals collect, use, transfer, protect, and otherwise process personal information. A Privacy Law Specialist advises clients regarding the legal issues raised by the practices, including, for example: (1) assisting with creating internal- and external-facing notices and policies regarding data use; (2) responding to consumer inquiries about their personal information rights; (3) negotiating contracts involving data transfers; 4) responding to incidents involving personal data misuse or breach; (5) engaging in litigation regarding privacy issues; (6) responding to inquiries from regulators regarding personal information; (7) legal and regulatory concerns; (8) advising clients regarding the legal and ethical use of personal information against an increasingly complex technical landscape; (9) complying with regulatory obligations concerning the retention and use of personal information; and (10) advising regarding privacy impact assessments (PIAs), breaches, privacy by design and privacy by default, data protection, and privacy regimens.

The practice of law that involves acquisition, ownership, leasing, financing, use, transfer and disposition of residential real property by individuals, including title examination and determination of property rights.

The practice of Social Security law includes representation of claimants for Social Security disability, survivors’ and retirement benefits. Lawyers in this field routinely represent claimants throughout the administrative hearings and appeals process and into the federal courts.

The practice of law that involves employees' rights, employers' defenses, and benefits provided for workplace accidents. The procedural scope of Ohio Workers' Compensation practice includes all activities before the Ohio Industrial Commission and Bureau of Workers' Compensation, as well as jury trials and attendant appellate practice.