News Archive

Life insurance policies often outlive the need for which they were originally purchased. You might assume that the policy should merely be surrendered, but this may not be the best option.

Eastman & Smith Ltd. is proud to celebrate 170 years of serving its clients.

Eastman & Smith is proud to sponsor, and participate in, the Association of Corporate Counsel's seminar, "Checking Under the Hood: Legal Issues and Your Business."

Avoiding probate generally is desirable to reduce attorney fees and maintain privacy. However, you must carefully consider how best to do so.

The Women of Eastman & Smith (WES) is a professional development initiative which began in 2008 and since that time has successfully promoted the women in the practice of law.

You may wish to have a vacation home retained in your family after your death for the use of future generations.

Eastman & Smith Ltd. is pleased to announce that it has created a strategic alliance with Michigan law firm Kilpatrick & Associates, P.C.

Member Frank D. Jacobs recently wrote an article entitled, "Do's and Don'ts of Estate Planning" for the Toledo Business Journal.

In conjunction with Best Lawyers in America®, U.S. News and World Report has published a compilation of the top law firms in the country in several different practice areas.

The Toledo-Lucas County Public Library celebrated its 175th anniversary in September with an event featuring Pulitzer Prize winning author David McCullough.

Married couples have long used "AB trusts" (marital/credit shelter trusts) to minimize estate taxes at the second death.

Parents sometimes title assets jointly with their children in order to avoid probate at the parents' death or, in the case of a bank account, to permit children to assist with the parents' banking and bill-paying.

Sixteen Eastman & Smith attorneys are listed in the 2014 edition of Best Lawyers in America.

Best Lawyers of America®, in their 2014 edition, have named Steven D. Reinbolt and Thomas A. Dixon lawyers of the year, in Toledo, for Real Estate and Labor Law Management, respectively.

The highly-publicized case of Terry Schiavo made Americans aware as never before of the need to state their wishes in advance regarding end-of-life medical treatment.

People often have non-tax reasons to name a trust as beneficiary of a retirement plan. However, careful planning is required to assure that the beneficiaries of a trust qualify as "designated beneficiaries."

James F. Nooney, a member of Eastman & Smith who practice in areas of business and professional liability, was honored with the Distinguished Toledo Lawyer award.

Many beneficiary designation forms for life insurance policies, annuities and retirement plans require multiple beneficiaries (typically children) to be listed by name.

Jamille G. Jamra, an extremely talented and well respected lawyer and member of Eastman & Smith Ltd. for nearly 50 years, passed away on April 8, 2013.

The Wood County Economic Development Commission held its twentieth annual meeting at the end of March.

The Women of Eastman & Smith (WES) is a professional development initiative which began in 2008 and since that time has successfully promoted the women in the practice of law.

Grantor trusts (sometimes referred to as "intentionally defective grantor trusts," or IDGTs) have been a popular and valuable estate planning technique for many years.

Eastman & Smith Ltd. was recognized for its support of the ABLE/LAWO 2012 campaign.

In December 2012 Ohio become the fifteenth state to enact domestic asset protection trust (DAPT) legislation, which will be effective March 27, 2013.

Eastman & Smith Ltd. is proud to present its attorneys who have been selected for inclusion in the 2013 Ohio Super Lawyers and Ohio Rising Stars.

Fortune magazine once again has selected Eastman & Smith Ltd. for inclusion in its latest Top Ranked Law Firms.

On December 11, 2012, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder signed into law two bills which make union membership and dues voluntary for public and private sector employees.

Eastman & Smith Ltd. was delighted to be a co-sponsor of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Ohio annual holiday party.

In conjunction with Best Lawyers in America®, U.S. News and World Report has published a compilation of the top law firms in the country in several different practice areas.

Several years ago, Eastman & Smith Ltd., in conjunction with the Toledo Public Schools Foundation, established the Eastman & Smith Ltd. Pre-Law Scholarship for students at Toledo Public Schools.

William P. Bingle and Breanne M. Democko recently passed the Ohio bar exam.

Sarah E. Pawlicki and Carrie L. Sponseller, members of Eastman & Smith, were each honored with a 20 Under 40 award.

Fadi V. Nahhas spoke at the 5 Lakes Global Economic Forum, held in Toledo, Ohio.

Eastman & Smith Ltd. recently hosted a reception for the Black Law Student Association in celebration of the beginning of the academic year.

Eastman & Smith Ltd. was proud to be one of the sponsors of the Down Syndrome of Central Ohio's Buddy Walk.

On Saturday, September 8, the University of Toledo College of Law and its alumni held the Law Alumni Affiliate Award Reception.

Sixteen attorneys from our Toledo office are listed in the 2013 edition of Best Lawyers in America®.

Eastman and Smith Ltd. attorneys Jeffrey M. Stopar, Jared J. Lefevre and John M. Carey successfully argued in the Ohio Supreme Court that Ohio law does not recognize a cause of action for tortious acts in concert under Section 876, Restatement (2d) of Torts.

Member James F. Nooney and associate Colleen L. Diedrich successfully defended a workers' compensation claim in common pleas court.

Eastman & Smith, Ltd. will join over 5,000 walkers at Crew Stadium in Columbus on September 23, 2012, for the Down Syndrome of Central Ohio's Buddy Walk.

Melissa A. Gerber, an associate with Eastman & Smith, recently created a video for her alma mater Ohio State University.

Eastman & Smith Ltd. members James B. Yates and Sarah E. Pawlicki recently published an article entitled, "NLRB In Action: The Use of Social Media in Light of Recent NLRB Pronouncements."

The US Supreme Court used the government's alternative position to uphold individual mandates to purchase insurance as constitutional.

Eastman & Smith Ltd. was recognized for its leadership in the handling of pro bono guardianships.

On April 20, Eastman & Smith Ltd. once again sponsored the Torrence R. Greene Memorial Scholarship Banquet for the University of Toledo Black Law Student Association (BLSA).

Eastman & Smith members Stu Goldberg, Jeffrey M. Stopar and Maria Limbert Markakis recently won summary judgment and then an affirmance in the court of appeals on behalf of a school board.

Eastman & Smith attorneys Stu Goldberg and Connie S. Swemba recently won judgment on the pleadings in a wrongful death action.

Eastman & Smith is pleased to announce that Louise A. Jackson has been named as a member of the Firm.

Firm member James B. Yates spoke to the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce in a seminar entitled New Year - "New NLRB Rules on Social Media and Union Organizing."

The IRS has published the 2012 edition of the Taxable Fringe Benefit Guide on its web site.