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U.S. Supreme Court Reed Decision: Direct Impacts on Local Sign Regulation

Client Alert

Speaking at today’s Northeast Ohio Law Directors Association monthly meeting, Robert A. Hager, member of the firm Brennan, Manna & Diamond in Akron, will be participating on a panel of experts presenting and analyzing the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Reed v. Town of Gilbert, wherein the Court struck down as unconstitutional under the First Amendment the Town’s sign ordinance based on it not being content neutral and, therefore, not surviving strict scrutiny under the Court’s test for non-content neutral regulations. This decision will have major impacts upon local sign ordinances. As part of the panel discussion, Mr. Hager, who represents the City in Wagner v. Garfield Heights, a recent political sign case where the City prevailed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit and a case in which the U.S. Supreme Court remanded the case back to the 6th Circuit after the Reed decision for reconsideration by the 6th Circuit in light of the Reed, will be addressing the ruling and its affects going forward.

Today’s meeting is being held at the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, One Cleveland Center, 1375 East 9th Street, Floor 2, Cleveland, Ohio.

For more information about the panel discussion, please contact Robert Hager at rahager@bmdllc.com.


Supreme Court Eliminates Higher Burden for Majority-Group Plaintiffs in Title VII Claims

In Ames v. Ohio Department of Youth Services, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that all Title VII plaintiffs, whether from majority or minority groups, must meet the same evidentiary standard. The decision eliminates the “background circumstances rule” and reinforces equal treatment in workplace discrimination claims.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Provider Settlement Opportunity

A proposed $2.8 billion settlement in the Blue Cross Blue Shield Antitrust Litigation may offer payments to eligible healthcare providers who delivered services between July 24, 2008 and October 4, 2024. Claims must be submitted by July 29, 2025.

Understanding Reasonable Fear vs. Credible Fear Interviews: A Critical Guide for Immigrants Facing Removal

In his latest article, Immigration Attorney and former Immigration Judge Rob Ratliff offers a clear breakdown of Reasonable Fear vs. Credible Fear Interviews—key procedures for noncitizens seeking protection from persecution or torture. Citing Judge Brian Murphy’s recent ruling on unlawful deportations to South Sudan, Ratliff connects these critical legal standards to current judicial developments. Read the full article at www.removal-defense.com.

House Republicans Propose Cuts to Medicaid to Finance Savings

House Republicans have introduced legislative language that proposes substantial cuts to the Medicaid entitlement program, aiming to achieve significant budget savings through policy changes. The proposed measures include stricter eligibility verification, work requirements for certain adults, and federal funding cuts to states providing coverage to undocumented residents. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that the proposed healthcare provisions would reduce spending by $715 billion and could result in 8.6 million fewer people having health insurance by 2034.

Protecting Your Image in the Age of AI-Generated “Deepfakes”

The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed how we create and consume digital content, but it also poses significant risks. Among the most troubling developments in AI is the proliferation of AI-generated fraudulent content, often called “deepfakes”.