2020 NEWS COVERAGE

Friedman Nemecek Long & Grant, L.L.C.

Local12 - 2 Suspended Miami University Students Reinstated Following Lawsuit

November 17, 2020

Two Miami University students that filed suit against the university after being suspended for COVID-19 guideline violations have been reinstated by a judge. Miami suspended the students after one of them was cited for a noise violation at an off-campus house party. "Our concern was if our clients were not able to actually finish the coursework or take the finals if we prevailed in the lawsuit, at the end of the day, there’s nothing to be done to make up for that work lost,” said Long.

WCPO Cincinatti - Judge Orders Miami University to 'Immediately Reinstate' Two Students After COVID-Related Suspension

November 17, 2020

On Tuesday, an Ohio judge ordered Miami University to "immediately reinstate" two students who had been suspended until the end of the year for violating Miami's student code of conduct related to COVID-19. "I'm thrilled that the students are going to be able to avoid the harm of forfeiting the semester," said Eric Long, one of the attorneys representing the students, identified by the pseudonyms "Jane Roe" and "Jane Doe."

Cleveland.com - Ohio’s Barley House Filed a Lawsuit in Erie County to Challenge the State’s Coronavirus Restrictions on Bars

November 17, 2020

When the owners of the Barley House bar sued the state last month over coronavirus-related restrictions, they chose not to file in the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court just around the corner. Instead they teamed up with the pizzeria chain Cameo Pizza to file suit more than 65 miles away in Erie County Common Pleas Court. Attorney Eric Long said that because Cameo Pizza operates in Erie County and the losses it says it suffered from being shuttered in the early days of the pandemic and the restrictions placed in Erie County, it was able to initially file the suit there.

The Miami Student - Two Students Sue Miami Over COVID-19 Related Suspension

November 15, 2020

Two Miami University students filed a lawsuit against the university over their suspension for hosting a party in August. Attorney Eric Long said he has filed a motion for the students to be reinstated at Miami for the duration of the case.

“Miami is coming down very heavy handed,” Long said. “I don't know if it's because of the national response to that one party where people had COVID and were kind of broadcasting it. But in any event, they seem to be taking an approach that is extremely heavy handed and unfortunately jeopardizing the future of a lot of students.”

Akron Beacon Journal - Judge Will Hear Former Summit Sheriff Lieutenant’s Discrimination Claim

July 28, 2020

Four white Summit County sheriff’s deputies who improperly used a law-enforcement database for personal reasons faced no criminal charges while an African American sheriff’s lieutenant found to have committed the same offense is being prosecuted. A hearing will be held next week to decide if Lt. Antonio Williamson, who was fired from his job, is being selectively prosecuted.

“The law does not permit prosecutions based upon race or other discriminatory considerations,” said Attorney Ian Friedman.

Cleveland.com - Ohio Police Officer Accused of Using Excessive Force at May 30 Protest Faces Second Lawsuit

July 28, 2020

A Ohio patrolman is the subject of a second lawsuit that accuses him of using excessive force during the George Floyd protests at the Cuyahoga County Justice Center on May 30. “This case perfectly highlights why there is such distrust toward police departments,” said a statement by attorneys Ian Friedman and David Malik, who brought the case.

Court TV - New Charges Against Chad Daybell

July 1, 2020

Attorney Ian Friedman recently provided commentary on CourtTV regarding the new charges against Chad Daybell and insight into how he would approach this trial.

Fox8.com - Man Who Alleges Assault During Ohio Protest Files Federal Lawsuit

June 29, 2020

A man has filed a federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court stating he was assaulted by Ohio Police Officer John Kazimer during a May 30 violent protest. Attorneys Ian Friedman and Madelyn Grant are among the attorneys that filed the suit. “This lawsuit is necessary to curb the ongoing and systemic abuse inflicted by some members of the Ohio Police Department,” Friedman said.

Cleveland.com - Peaceful Protester Sues Ohio, Alleging Officer Used Excessive Force During George Floyd Demonstrations

June 29, 2020

Ryan O’Connor, a protester who marched in Ohio against police brutality, sued the city Monday alleging that he was a victim of what he demonstrated against. “This case highlights the need for meaningful police reform at so many levels," said a statement by attorneys Ian Friedman, David Malik and Madelyn Grant, who represent O’Connor.

IdeaStream - Ohio Drops Curfew Violation Charges Against Downtown Resident

June 25, 2020

Ohio city prosecutors are dropping charges against Anthony Body, a Bail Project staffer that was arrested for breaking Downtown curfew despite living and working there. Eric Long, Body’s attorney, said he expects prosecutors could dismiss charges against other defendants arrested in the wake of the demonstrations and curfew.

Cleveland.com - Ohio Police Black Shield President Clarifies “Defund the Police” Stance After Internal Backlash

June 25, 2020

After statements he made during a June 16 Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association virtual panel discussion moderated by Attorney Ian Friedman, the head of the group that represents Black Ohio police officers wants to make clear that he is not calling for the police department to be defunded.

Ohio State Bar Association - Exercising Your Right to Protest

June 16, 2020

The right to peacefully assemble and join fellow citizens in protest is so fundamental to American democracy that it is protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. Attorney Ian Friedman explains your rights as a protester and what to do if they are violated.

Cleveland.com - Head of Ohio’s Black Police Union Says Defunding Police ‘Needs to Be Looked At’

June 16, 2020

The president of the union representing Ohio’s black police officers said that police wield too much power and reforms including the defunding of police and the rolling back of laws that shield officers from some civil lawsuits “need to be looked at.”

“The community is making demands, and they want change, and we’re not listening to it,” Montague said Tuesday during a virtual panel discussion hosted by the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association and moderated by Attorney Ian Friedman. “I know officers aren’t going to like it, but we need to be held accountable.”

Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association - Hot Talk: Black Leadership and The Ohio Police

June 16, 2020

Attorney Ian Friedman served as the moderator for an additional monthly session of Hot Talks, which was put together after the overwhelming response to the CMBA's June session: Police, Protests and Justice. The topic was Black Leadership and the Ohio Police and the panel included the Administrator for the Ohio Office of Professional Standards, Roger C. Smith, Esq., and the President of the Ohio Black Shield Association, Sgt. Vincent Montague.

Cleveland.com - Black Lives Matter Ohio Co-Founder, Ohio Police Union Attorney Spar During Virtual Discussion

June 9, 2020

Kareem Henton, co-founder of Black Lives Matter Ohio, said that he felt that the time was ripe for more substantive changes following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and heavy-handed police responses to marches and demonstrations. “If there is change coming and we can be part of that change, we’d like to be,” Ohio Police Patrolmen’s Association attorney Joseph Delguyd said.

The pledge came during an hour-long panel discussion about police accountability and reforms that was hosted by the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association and moderated by Attorney Ian Friedman.

Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association - Hot Talk: Police, Protests, and Justice

June 9, 2020

Attorney Ian Friedman served as the moderator for Hot Talks, CMBA's open forum designed to create a productive dialogue about the most important issues facing our region. This monthly session included vital discussions with law enforcement and Black Lives Matter leadership about finding a just and peaceful future. Topics include the role of collective bargaining in police response, and changing culture within departments.

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News 5 Cleveland - Ohio Lawyers Seek Justice Reform & Equal Access To Justice

June 4, 2020

After protests over racial inequities in policing erupted in violence in Ohio last weekend, there is a new effort by Northeast Ohio attorneys to hold officers accountable and create equal access to justice. Ian Friedman, President of Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, said the nonprofit has long committed to supporting the black community and protests, but now is the time to take committed action.

Best. Podcast. Ever. - Special Episode – Truth to Power – Meet Ian Friedman

June 3, 2020

After taking part in the protests in Chagrin Falls, Alex Gertsburg sits down with attorney and president of the Ohio Bar Association, Ian Friedman to discuss the George Floyd murder, the resulting protests, riots, and the changes that need to happen within the criminal justice system.

Geauga County Maple Leaf - Rally for Justice in Chagrin Canceled Due to High Tensions

June 1, 2020

When sophomore Chase Tuller organized a “Rally for Justice” in Chagrin Falls Village for June 2, he had hoped to rouse dialogue around race issues and police violence, both in the country and within his community. However, what he had not anticipated was some of the rallies elsewhere turning violent, causing people to raise safety concerns around future rallies such as his — which has since been canceled. “I was very pleased to see that a young man would take the initiative to move forward, to see the need for this sort of rally and then actually follow through on it, and call it in a place that he thought it needed to be heard,” said Friedman, who was one of the featured speakers at a peaceful Black Lives Matter event in Ohio.

Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association - CMBA President Ian N. Friedman, Esq. Speaks At "I Can't Breathe" Rally in Downtown Ohio

May 30, 2020

“There is no longer a sideline to stand on. If you choose to remain silent from this moment forward you are complicit. You are responsible in part should another life be taken merely because of the color of one’s skin.” Ian N. Friedman

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IdeaStream - Ohio Justice System Grapples With Bringing Back Jury Trials

May 18, 2020

Courts across the country are facing a daunting task as they look to restart jury trials. A recent attempt to hold a trial in Ashland County during April and early May showed how easily a trial can go wrong. "We have to have all of this decided before we bring people into the courtrooms because if we make a single mistake in the room, if we realize mid-trial that, hey, maybe we should have done something different, the consequence could be grave. Someone could die," Attorney Ian Friedman said.

Louie b. Free Radio Show - Attorney Ian Friedman Interview

May 14, 2020

Attorney Ian Friedman appeared on the Louie b. Free Radio Show, Brainfood from the Heartland. He discussed some of the experiences he has had throughout his career as well as his recent work with the Ohio Jury Trial Advisory Group preparing procedures and recommendations for resuming jury trials amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

BucyrusTelegraphForum.com - Crestline Man's Jury Trial Amid Coronavirus Sparks Controversy 
May 5, 2020

The jury trial of a Crestline man in Ashland County Common Pleas last week didn’t last very long before it was postponed, but the fact that it happened at all has generated controversy and made national headlines. This case should not have gone forward for a number of reasons,” Attorney Ian Friedman said.

Cleveland.com - Attorney Asks Ohio Supreme Court to Stop Ashland County Judge From Forcing Trial During Coronavirus Pandemic for a Second Time

May 5, 2020

A defense attorney has asked the Ohio Supreme Court to stop an Ashland County judge from trying for a second time to hold what’s believed to be the nation’s first jury trial during the coronavirus pandemic after the first attempt resulted in the defendant being rushed to the hospital with COVID-19 symptoms. Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys and Cuyahoga Metropolitan Bar Association President Ian Friedman said the one day of jury selection raised several procedural alarm bells.

Cleveland.com - Businesses That Adapted for Coronavirus See Long-Term Benefits to Remote Employees: Working at Home

April 23, 2020

Ohio’s order closing non-essential businesses due to the coronavirus pandemic forced many companies to adapt to having employees working from home. Attorney Ian Friedman, a partner at the Friedman Nemecek Long & Grant in Ohio and president of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, expects his law firm will offer more opportunities for remote work moving forward.

Columbus Alive - Confronting the Coronavirus Threat in Ohio’s Correctional System

April 17, 2020

With cases of COVID-19 spiking among the incarcerated, activists, attorneys and politicians are looking at ways to reduce overcrowding and slow the virus’ deadly spread. “It’s a tremendous issue on a number of fronts. Obviously, these folks are prisoners, but they still have the right to be safe, and the right to be protected,” said Ian Friedman.

Cleveland.com - Grand Jury Declines to Charge Ohio Police Recruit Accused of Sexual Assault in University Heights

March 20, 2020

A Cuyahoga County grand jury decided not to bring felony charges against a Ohio police recruit after a woman accused him of sexual assault in University Heights. His attorney, Madelyn Grant, said that she is thankful the grand jury did not indict Patterson.

Cleveland.com - Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association Calls for Temporary Halt to All 'Non-Essential’ Court Hearings Amid Coronavirus Concerns

March 16, 2020

CMBA President Ian Friedman and CMBA CEO Becky McMahon have taken significant steps to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

Cleveland, OH Local News - African Americans to Benefit Most From Ohio Eliminating Penalties for Low-Level Marijuana Possession

February 12, 2020

Findings in a recent study by cleveland.com revealed that African Americans in Ohio are more likely to be charged with a misdemeanor possession of marijuana than white people are. “I’m not surprised that more African Americans are cited than any other demographic, but I am surprised to the degree,” said Friedman, a criminal defense attorney.

News 5 Cleveland - Man Caught With 91 Pounds Of Cannabis Walks Because Police Couldn't Prove It Was Marijuana

January 28, 2020

After securing a not-guilty verdict for a client who was caught with 91 pounds of suspected marijuana, Attorney Ian Friedman explains why the state couldn’t prove the substance wasn’t hemp. Watch the video for more information.

Court TV - FL vs Bonilla: Zombicon Murder Trial

January 9, 2020

Attorney Ian Friedman recently provided commentary on CourtTV regarding the mass shooting at Zombicon and approaching trial of the suspect.