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BMD Named to the 2024 U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms”

Press Release, Client Alert

Brennan Manna & Diamond (BMD) is recognized among the leading law firms in the nation according to the 2024 Edition of U.S. News – Best Lawyers®  "Best Law Firms." The firm has ranked in in 13 practice areas and has earned “National Tier 1” rankings in Health Care Law and Litigation-Trusts & Estates

This year, BMD is recognized in the metropolitan areas of Akron, Cleveland, Fort Myers (Bonita Springs office), and Orlando for professional excellence in: 

Metropolitan Tier 1

Akron

  • Health Care Law
  • Litigation - Trusts & Estates

Metropolitan Tier 2

Akron

  • Corporate Law, Litigation - Intellectual Property
  • Litigation - Labor & Employment
  • Trusts & Estates Law

Cleveland | Construction Law

Fort Myers | Real Estate Law

Metropolitan Tier 3

Akron

  • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
  • Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
  • Tax Law
  • Trademark Law

Cleveland | Health Care Law

Orlando | Corporate Law

The U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes the collection of client and lawyer evaluations, peer review from leading attorneys in the field, and review of additional information provided by law firms as part of the formal submission process.

Awards were given in 75 national practice areas and 127 metropolitan practice areas based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes the collection of client and lawyer evaluations, peer review from leading attorneys, and review of additional information provided by law firms as part of the formal submission process. The 2024 “Best Law Firms” rankings can be seen in their entirety by visiting bestlawfirms.usnews.com

Clients First. Business Family. Entrepreneurship.
Brennan, Manna & Diamond was founded in 2000 with the goal of combining highly skilled, talented attorneys with practical experience in business matters, to create a new way to provide legal and business services to its clients.

BMD’s access to a network of successful business entrepreneurs, consultants and developers allows for innovative solutions, symbiotic partnerships, and sound legal and business advice. BMD serves clients of all types and sizes in numerous industry sectors nationwide, in the areas of: Business and Corporate; Construction Law; Employment and Labor; Finance; Government Affairs; Healthcare; Immigration; Intellectual Property; International Law; Litigation; M&A; Real Estate; Tax, Estate, Asset Protection and Wealth Management and more. For additional information, please visit www.bmdllc.com.

 


Substance Use Disorder Providers: 42 CFR Part 2 Now Enforceable

Updates to 42 CFR Part 2 are now enforceable, bringing significant changes to how substance use disorder (SUD) records are handled. The Final Rule aligns Part 2 more closely with HIPAA, introduces updated penalties, allows a single patient consent for treatment, payment, and operations, and adds new requirements for Notices of Privacy Practices. It also creates a formal definition of SUD counseling notes and imposes strict consent requirements for their use and disclosure. Providers should review and update policies to ensure compliance.

AAA Introduces AI-Assisted Arbitrator for Certain Disputes

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Quiet Hours Texts and TCPA Claims: Consent Remains King as Courts Divide on Text Messages

Businesses face increasing TCPA lawsuits over off-hours marketing texts, but recent court decisions highlight strong defenses. Clear consumer consent and updated terms and conditions can defeat many claims, while a growing number of courts are finding that text messages are not “telephone calls” under the statute. Proactive compliance measures, including clickwrap agreements and forum-selection clauses, are critical to reducing risk.

New Ohio Reporting Requirements for Non-Residential Contractors

Ohio’s E-Verify Workforce Integrity Act, effective March 19, 2026, requires all nonresidential construction companies, subcontractors, and labor brokers to use E-Verify to confirm employee work eligibility on projects across the state. The law applies regardless of company size and carries financial penalties and potential restrictions on future state contracts for noncompliance. Some uncertainty remains around requirements for existing employees, making early compliance planning important.

DOT Non-Domiciled CDL Rule

A new rule from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will significantly narrow eligibility for non-domiciled Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) beginning March 16, 2026. The rule limits eligibility to holders of H-2A, H-2B, and E-2 visas and eliminates Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) as qualifying proof of work authorization. As a result, many lawfully present and work-authorized immigrants, including refugees, asylees, DACA recipients, and Temporary Protected Status holders, will no longer be able to obtain or renew a non-domiciled CDL. The change is expected to affect roughly 194,000 drivers nationwide and has prompted multiple legal challenges, including a pending emergency stay request before the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.