Resources

Client Alerts, News Articles, Blog Posts, & Multimedia

Everything you need to know about BMD and the industry.

Your Golden Chance for H-1B Lottery Registration - March 2026

Client Alert

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will open initial H-1B registration at noon Eastern time on March 4, 2026, and will remain open through March 19, 2026.

$100,000 Fee Not Applicable to Change of Status H-1B Petitions:

If you already reside in the U.S. in a valid nonimmigrant status (F-1, F-2, H-4, J-1, O-1, O-2, TN, etc.), and your employer files an H-1B change of status petition, you will not be subject to the proposed $100,000 fee. This fee is intended to discourage certain overseas registrations/filings and is cost-prohibitive for employers to sponsor workers who do not reside in the U.S.

Further, the new H-1B rule of implementing a weighted selection process will generally favor the allocation of H-1B visas to higher-skilled and higher-paid employees, while maintaining the opportunity for employers to secure H-1B workers at all wage levels. This rule benefits physicians, engineers, and other skilled workers paid in Wage Levels 3 or 4 by increasing their chances of being selected in the H-1B lottery, in addition to advanced U.S. degree selections.

Why This is Significant for U.S.-Based Foreign Nonimmigrants:

If you are currently in the U.S. on F-1 OPT/STEM OPT or another valid nonimmigrant status, this year may offer:

  • Reduced financial barriers for employers sponsoring you.
  • Potentially higher selection probability (especially if you qualify for advanced degree or higher wage levels).

In short, if you legally reside in the U.S., this year is your golden chance of being selected in the H-1B lottery.

If you wish to submit employee names in the H-1B lottery, please contact BMD Member Duriya Dhinojwala at dd@bmdllc.com to discuss your options.  


Lead Paint Contamination and Resources for Ohio Landlords

Children are exposed to lead-based paint, which was used in most homes until it was banned in the US in 1978 and “can severely damage the brain and central nervous system causing coma, convulsions and even death.” Property owners and landlords should educate themselves on regulations and resources to mitigate their own liability.

Will Student-Athlete Collectives Survive NIL Changes?

By July 2025 the landscape of student-athlete funding will look nothing like the current landscape, so preparing now is a must. If you are a student-athlete, the parent of a student-athlete, a university/college, or “booster”, it behooves you to understand these evolving issues.

Ohio's Recent Rule Changes to Administration of Immunizations, Outpatient Pharmacy Delivery, and Mobile Response Services

The Ohio Board of Pharmacy (“BOP”) and Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (“OMHAS”) recently posted notices of Ohio Administrative Code rule changes related to the administration of immunizations (BOP), outpatient pharmacy delivery services (BOP), and mobile response and stabilization services (OMHAS).

HOA Construction Project Do’s and Don’ts

Local regulators can approve new construction, but if a resident contacts their homeowners association there may be trouble. Fences, yard alterations, and backyard decks do not have to be such a hassle and a point of conflict. Find out general Do’s and Don’ts to help HOA residents avoid issues in this article by BMD Partner Scott Heasley.

New Ohio Recovery Housing Rules Take Effect January 1, 2025

Ohio’s new recovery housing rules, effective January 1, 2025, require certified community behavioral health providers to refer clients only to accredited recovery housing residences listed on the statewide registry.