Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP

Last week, a Texas federal judge blocked the Federal Trade Commission's nationwide non-compete ban, which was set to take effect in September. The court ruled that the FTC exceeded its authority by imposing such a sweeping prohibition. For now, employers can continue to enforce their non-compete agreements, but attorneys Kelsey Gee and Jennifer Huelskamp advise employers to review their current agreements to ensure compliance with state laws as the legal battle continues. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3yK96LT

The recent 'Kyser v. Summit County Children Services' case serves as a crucial reminder: always confirm the existence of a final appealable order before diving deep into a case. Attorney McDaniel (Mac) Kelly discusses the importance of verifying the existence of a final appealable order in appellate cases early in the process to avoid wasted resources and last-minute dismissals. Read more: https://bit.ly/3AE5CLc

WELCOME | Porter Wright is pleased to announce that Corey L. Norton has joined the firm as a partner in the International Business & Trade practice group in Washington, D.C. Corey advises clients on a wide range of U.S. and foreign laws affecting international trade and global supply chains. Welcome, Corey! Learn more about Corey and his experience on our website: https://bit.ly/3Mbr4tH

Last week, members of the firm participated in United Way of Central Ohio's annual Stuff the Backpack event at the Columbus Crew's Lower.com field! This annual event provides backpacks stuffed with essential school supplies for students in Kindergarten through 12th grade across Franklin and Licking counties. Thanks to Heather Reed, Tammie Magley, Yassir Araujo, Arica Griffin, and Jason Griffin for representing Porter Wright at this wonderful event! #ProudToday #InspiredEveryDay

CONGRATULATIONS | Porter Wright is proud to announce that 89 attorneys from across the firm’s markets in Florida, Illinois, Ohio, and Pennsylvania have been selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2025 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America. In addition, seven Porter Wright attorneys are named to Best Lawyers’ Lawyer of the Year list. This honor is presented to a single lawyer in each practice area and geographic region in each edition. Congratulations to our recognized attorneys! Read the full list on our website: https://bit.ly/3SOmC7X #BestLawyers #OnesToWatch #LegalAwards #ProudToday

Porter Wright is proud to continue its commitment to diversity by taking part in the 2024-2025 cycle of the Mansfield Rule program. Diversity Lab, the organization that manages the program, announced today that more than 365 law firms signed on to the upcoming cycle, which aims to increase the representation of historically underrepresented lawyers in law firm leadership. Porter Wright began participating during cycle three of the program in 2020 and, after its first year in the program, the firm earned Mansfield Rule Certification and Mansfield Rule Certification Plus for meeting the goal of considering and achieving at least 30% diverse lawyers in leadership roles. Read the full press release from Diversity Lab here: https://bit.ly/4fLiGyt #ProudToday

Porter Wright is proud to have been a sponsor for the 2024 Annual Lavender Law Conference & Career Fair in Washington, D.C. presented by the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association! Amy Hale, the firm's Recruiting Manager, and attorney Kyle C. Gilliam (both pictured here) attended the career fair on Wednesday, along with Karim Ali, the firm's Chief Diversity Officer, Theodore R. (Ted) Walters, the Chair of the LGBTQ+ Business Practice Group, and Todd Elmer, one of the firm's Government Affairs Principals. During the event, they shared with LGBTQ+ law students from across the country about the firm's diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, as well as the LGBTQ+ Business Practice Group. #LavLaw #LavenderLaw #ProudEveryDay

WELCOME | Porter Wright is proud to announce that Jennifer Edwards has joined the firm as a partner in our Labor and Employment Practice. Jenni brings to Porter Wright a distinguished career advising clients in both the public and private sectors. Frequently consulted by senior executives, she has a strong track record in handling high-stakes employment matters, including negotiating complex collective bargaining agreements, developing litigation strategies, and leading sensitive internal investigations. Welcome, Jenni! Read more about Jenni and her accomplishments on our website: https://bit.ly/3WIzLRd

The process of obtaining an extension to file a memorandum in response to a memorandum in support of jurisdiction at the Ohio Supreme Court can be challenging. Partner Terry Posey, Jr. explains that while the Court typically adheres strictly to deadlines, there are rare instances where an extension can be granted. He discusses a specific case where strategic legal maneuvering within the Court's rules allowed for an extension, offering valuable insights for attorneys facing similar situations. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4deiaYo

Congratulations to partner Holly Kozlowski for being ranked in Intellectual Property Band 1 in the Chambers and Partners USA Guide 2024 for the 2nd year in a row! Holly's remarkable dedication and outstanding service continue to set the standard in the legal community. We are thrilled to celebrate this well-deserved recognition and proud to have Holly as a member of our extraordinary team at Porter Wright. Well done, Holly! Read more about our other ranked attorneys and practice areas here: https://bit.ly/4e8ur1l #ProudToday #InspiredEveryDay