News

7 WHP Attorneys Recognized on 2020 Ohio Super Lawyers List; 2 Recognized as Rising Stars

We’re proud to announce the following attorneys have been named to the 2020 Ohio Super Lawyers List based on peer nominations that were submitted, reviewed and researched by Super Lawyers: Arthur E. Gibbs III, Estate Planning, Probate & Elder Law Richard A. Naegele, Employment & Labor Matthew W. Nakon, Litigation Richard D. Panza, Litigation Christopher […]

Wickens Herzer Panza receives “Best Law Firm” ranking

U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers® have released their 2020 “Best Law Firms” rankings and we’re proud to share that Wickens Herzer Panza has been listed in multiple areas. Rankings as a “Best Law Firm” recognize Firms for their professional excellence and consistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. According to Best Lawyers, “achieving […]

Building Collapse During Construction

by Philip J. Truax, Esq. Renovation and rehabilitation projects continue to flourish in Ohio, as owners and developers prefer in some instances to salvage older structures.  This is a good thing.  These original buildings tell a story about who we are, and as an industry, we should work hard to keep, improve, and/or re-purpose them. […]

Time For Your Company’s Year-End HR Check-Up

by Amy DeLuca, Esq. When was the last time you reviewed and updated your employee handbook?  What about job descriptions?  Do you have them?  As the year is coming to an end, now is the ideal time to conduct a check-up of your HR policies, practices and procedures.  Having HR policies and practices that are […]

New DOL Overtime Rule

by Julie Vaccarelli, Esq. The U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) issued a final rule that will redefine which white-collar workers are exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (the “FLSA”). The new rule is effective January 1, 2020 and will increase the number of employees who are eligible for overtime pay. […]

Attorney Erica K. Williams, Named an Accredited Estate Planner® (AEP®) Designee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Susan Austin Carney Tel. 866/ 226-2224 Email: susan@naepc.org   Attorney Erica K. Williams, Named an Accredited Estate Planner® (AEP®) Designee by the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils on August 22, 2019   Cleveland, Ohio – Attorney Erica K. Williams is newly certified as an Accredited Estate Planner® (AEP®) designee […]

5 WHP Attorneys Named in The Best Lawyers in America© 2020

Department of Labor Issues Guidance on FMLA Leave Designation

by Matthew N. Danese, Esq.   Any employer subject to the Family Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”) should be aware of the opinion letter the U.S. Department of Labor issued on March 14, 2019 regarding designation of FMLA leave. The FMLA provides certain employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year for certain […]

6 WHP Attorneys Recognized on 2019 Ohio Super Lawyers List; 3 Recognized as Rising Stars

We’re proud to announce the following attorneys have been named to the 2019 Ohio Super Lawyers List based on peer nominations that were submitted, reviewed and researched by Super Lawyers: Philip J. Truax, Real Estate & Construction (first time on the list!) Arthur E. Gibbs III, Estate Planning, Probate & Elder Law Richard A. Naegele, Employment […]

Hidden Opportunities Right Under Your Nose

by John A. Polinko, Esq. The distressed market has always presented fertile ground for business parties – investors, business owners, and start-ups – to explore opportunities that, though they may come with some uncertainty, offer “value” that potentially outweighs the issues present. Sometimes these opportunities come through as shut-downs, liquidations, reorganizations, or otherwise (at times, […]

Worker Classification- It’s Not a Worker or Employer Decision!

by William P. Prescott, Esq.   Worker Classification- It’s Not a Worker or Employer Decision! Worker classification remains a problem for businesses of all types, including professional practices.  Because the Internal Revenue Services (IRS), the Department of Labor (DOL) and the states believe that they are currently incurring a significant loss of revenue and where […]

Balance: The Sandwich Generation Event Recap

Thursday, September 27th marked our Firm’s first quarterly Women’s Initiative event. The topic? Balance: The Sandwich Generation Covering what you need to know when you find yourself caring for your parents AND for your children, WHP attorneys Carmen Verhosek and Erica Williams led the discussion with some of our area’s top female leaders who happen […]

PRESS RELEASE: RETIRED ATTORNEY, THE HONORABLE JOSEPH E. CIRIGLIANO, RECEIVED THE OHIO STATE BAR ASSOCIATION’S HIGHEST HONOR: THE BAR MEDAL

AVON (August 24, 2018) – On Thursday, August 23, 2018, retired Wickens Herzer Panza attorney and former Judge Joseph E. Cirigliano was presented with the Ohio State Bar Association’s highest honor:  the Bar Medal. This medal is awarded to individuals who give their time and talent by way of leadership roles on the bench and […]

Five WHP Attorneys Recognized on 2018 Ohio Super Lawyers List; Two Recognized as Ohio Rising Stars

Wickens, Herzer, Panza, Cook & Batista Co. is pleased to announce 5 attorneys have been recognized on the 2018 Ohio Super Lawyers list and 2 have been named Ohio Rising Stars. Super Lawyers is an exclusive list, recognizing no more than five percent of attorneys in Ohio. Part of Thomson Reuters, Super Lawyers is a research-driven, […]

WHP Welcomes New Practice, Two New Attorneys

Carmen Verhosek to concentrate in rare Elder Law; Michael Nakon joins Litigation group Wickens, Herzer, Panza, Cook & Batista is pleased to announce Carmen Verhosek and Michael Nakon are newly appointed attorneys in its Avon office. Ms. Verhosek is a member of the Firm’s Probate & Estate Planning department, focusing her practice on estate planning, […]

Six WHP Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in the 2018 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©

Best Lawyers® has released The Best Lawyers in America© list for 2018.  Wickens, Herzer, Panza, Cook & Batista Co. is pleased to announce that six of its attorneys have been recognized for their expertise and selected for inclusion in the 2018 list. Richard Panza, Commercial Litigation Matthew Nakon, Commercial Litigation Arthur Gibbs, Trusts & Estates […]

Beginning September 18, 2017, Employers Must Exclusively Use The Revised I-9 Form

On September 18, 2017, employers must begin exclusively using the revised I-9 Form with the revision date of 07/17/17. Changes have been made to both the instructions for completing the form and the form itself.  Employers should make sure they are familiar with the new form and instruction changes prior to this September 18th deadline.  […]

Attorney Philip J. Truax to receive Ohio State Bar Foundation Award

WHP is pleased to announce that Attorney Philip J. Truax has been selected to receive the 2017 District 10 Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under from the Ohio State Bar Foundation, a charitable arm of the Ohio State Bar Association. This award is presented to attorneys, 40 years of age or younger, who […]

Attorney Erica K. Williams has Joined the Probate & Estate Planning Department at WHP

WHP is pleased to announce the addition of Attorney Erica K. Williams to its Avon, Ohio Office. Ms. Williams is Of Counsel with the Firm’s Probate & Estate Planning Department and focuses her practice on estate planning, and wealth transfer & preservation. She is experienced in all areas of estate planning, including income tax, estate tax, […]

A Message From Our Firm’s President

Timothy J. Pillari, Esq.          Thomas Pillari, Esq.   Dear Valued Clients and Friends, This is a bitter-sweet announcement for our Firm. It has been nearly 40 years since our Probate & Estate Planning (“PEP”) Department has been led by someone without the last name Pillari. Yet, that will be changing very soon. […]

WHP Adds a New Shareholder

Wickens, Herzer, Panza, Cook & Batista Co. today announced the promotion of Christopher W. Peer to Shareholder, effective January 1, 2017. “We welcome Chris Peer as a new shareholder and director of WHP. Chris is experienced in a variety of corporate areas, including mergers and acquisitions, bankruptcy, creditor’s and debtor’s rights and corporate finance. Recently, Chris […]

Four WHP Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in the 2017 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©

WHP would like to congratulate Richard Panza, Richard Naegele, Matthew Nakon and Thomas Pillari who have been selected for inclusion in the 2017 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©.  Mr. Panza and Mr. Nakon have been selected for their expertise in Business Litigation, Mr. Naegele for his expertise in Employee Benefits/ERISA, and Mr. Pillari […]

WHP Adds Two New Shareholders

Wickens, Herzer, Panza, Cook & Batista Co. today announced the promotions of Benjamin M. Cooke, Esq. and Philip J. Truax, Esq. to Shareholder, effective January 1, 2016.  “The Shareholders of WHP are proud to welcome and congratulate Ben and Phil on this wonderful milestone.  They are shining examples of the professionalism demanded of WHP attorneys and are […]

Attorney Benjamin M. Cooke has joined the Business Organizations & Tax Department at WHP

WHP is pleased to announce the addition of Attorney Benjamin M. Cooke to its Avon, Ohio Office. Mr. Cooke focuses his practice on corporate and business matters. He handles business organization and formation, business contract issues, mergers and acquisitions, real estate matters, banking and financing, employment issues, bankruptcy and records retention/e-discovery. He also represents a number of […]

Attorney Christopher A. Gray has joined the Litigation Department at WHP

WHP is pleased to announce the addition of Attorney Christopher A. Gray to its Avon, Ohio Office. Attorney Christopher A. Gray has joined the Litigation Department at WHP.  Licensed to practice in Ohio and Kentucky, his practice includes Workers’ Compensation representation of self-insured, State Funded, group-rated, and public employers.  He handles all phases of defense representation in […]

Three WHP Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in the 2016 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©

WHP would like to congratulate Richard Panza, Richard Naegele and Matthew Nakon who have been selected for inclusion in the 2016 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©.  Mr. Panza and Mr. Nakon have been selected for their expertise in Commercial Litigation and Mr. Naegele has been selected for his expertise in Employee Benefits/ERISA.

WHP attorneys selected as Super Lawyers

WHP congratulates the 2015 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars, including its own Super Lawyers Matthew W. Nakon, Richard D. Panza, Richard A. Naegele, Thomas Pillari, and Ohio Rising Star Philip J. Truax. WHP Attorneys Matthew W. Nakon, Richard D. Panza, Richard A. Naegele and Thomas Pillari have been selected as 2015 Super Lawyers.  Attorney Philip […]

Attorney Christopher W. Peer has joined WHP

WHP is pleased to announce the addition of Attorney Christopher W. Peer to its Avon, Ohio Office. Mr. Peer is a member of the Business Organizations & Tax Department at WHP and advises clients on the legal implications of business and commercial decisions.  His experience extends beyond general corporate matters to include expertise in financing transactions, commercial […]

The law firm of Wickens, Herzer, Panza, Cook & Batista law firm has announced the addition of Christopher W. Peer

Attorney Christopher W. Peer has joined the Business Organizations & Tax Department at WHP and advises clients on the legal implications of business and commercial decisions.  His experience extends beyond general corporate matters to include expertise in financing transactions, commercial issues and ERISA.  Mr. Peer also represents parties with distressed debt concerns both in and out […]

Judge Joseph Cirigliano Spotlighted in Ohio Lawyer Magazine

WHP Attorney Judge Joseph E. Cirigliano was Spotlighted in the January-February 2015 OSBA Ohio Lawyer Magazine. Click the below link to view the online article and related video. https://www.ohiobar.org/NewsAndPublications/News/OSBANews/Pages/OSBA-member-spotlight-Joseph-Cirigliano-member-since-1952.aspx

WHP Adds Two New Shareholders

WHP is pleased to announce the promotions of Mr. Timothy J. Pillari and Ms. Rachelle Kuznicki Zidar to Shareholder. Mr. Pillari is a member of WHP’s Probate & Estate Planning Department. In addition to probate and estate administration services, he provides innovative business succession and estate planning counsel tailored to each client’s unique needs. Mr. […]

Matthew W. Nakon Achieves AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating with Martindale-Hubbell®

WHP congratulates Attorney Matthew W. Nakon for achieving the highest AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating with Martindale-Hubbell®.

WHP Attorneys Selected as 2015 Super Lawyers

WHP attorneys Richard D. Panza, Matthew W. Nakon, Richard A. Naegele and Thomas Pillari have been selected as 2015 Super Lawyers.  Attorney Philip J. Truax has been recognized as an Ohio Rising Star.

Two WHP Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in the 2015 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©

WHP would like to congratulate Richard Panza and Richard Naegele who have been selected, once again, to be included in the 2015 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©.  Mr. Panza has been selected for his expertise in Commercial Litigation and Mr. Naegele has been selected for his expertise in Employee Benefits/ERISA.

Ohio BWC’s “Another Billion Back” Proposed Rebate

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation is proposing a rebate similar to last year’s – this time called “Another Billion Back”.  View the proposal summary, which is to be discussed at the BWC’s Board of Directors’ meeting on August 22, 2014. One of the eligibility criteria for the rebate is having active coverage. Therefore, it […]

Workers’ Compensation Sign-Up Deadlines Changing

BWC is changing the way it bills for workers’ compensation coverage to better serve Ohio employers. For decades, the agency has billed for employer premiums after-the-fact. It will begin billing in advance of coverage starting: July 1, 2015 for private employers Jan. 1, 2016 for public employers This change will align BWC with standard industry […]

Attorney Philip Truax is a Guest Blogger for the North Coast Building Industry Association

June 19, 2014 Blog – “Township’s Failure to Upgrade Sewer Capacity is Not Actionable” March 17, 2014 Blog – “Green Building & LEED Construction” February 24, 2014 Blog – “Ohio Consumer Sales Practice Act (CSPA)”