UB Greensfelder

We're thankful for the opportunity to work alongside our clients, helping them to achieve their goals. Wishing you and yours a happy and safe Thanksgiving.

The following announcement was issued?by USCIS on November 26, 2024: Eligible Lebanese Nationals May Apply for TPS and Employment Authorization WASHINGTON?–?The Department of Homeland Security today posted a?Federal Register notice?designating Lebanon for Temporary Protected Status for 18 months. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas?announced?on Oct. 17, 2024, the designation of Lebanon for TPS. The corresponding FRN provides information about how to register for TPS under this designation. The designation of Lebanon for TPS allows an estimated 11,000 Lebanese nationals (and individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Lebanon) who have been continuously residing in the United States since Oct. 16, 2024, and continuously physically present in the United States since Nov. 27, 2024, to apply for TPS, if they are otherwise eligible. Individuals who want to request TPS under Lebanon’s designation must submit?Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, during the initial registration period that runs from Nov. 27, 2024, through May 27, 2026. Applicants may also apply for TPS-related Employment Authorization Documents and travel authorization. Applicants can request an EAD by submitting?Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with their Form I-821, or separately later. Accompanying this announcement is a Special Student Relief notice for F-1 nonimmigrant students whose country of citizenship is Lebanon so that eligible students may request employment authorization, work an increased number of hours while school is in session, and reduce their course load while continuing to maintain F-1 status through the TPS designation period. Today’s Federal Register notice explains the eligibility criteria, timelines, and procedures necessary to apply for TPS and for an EAD. On Oct. 17, 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services also posted an?FRN?establishing procedures for those Lebanese nationals covered by President Biden’s July 26, 2024, grant of Deferred Enforced Departure to apply for EADs that will be valid through Jan. 25, 2026.?More information about DED-based EADs is available on the USCIS website. __ We will continue to monitor and share updates as new developments occur. To read our recent client alert related to this topic?click here. https://lnkd.in/g764kAcd Please reach out to UB Greensfelder Partner and Immigration Practice Group Leader?David Leopold?with any questions.??

UB Greensfelder is proud to sponsor The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland's 2024 Annual Meeting in support of their mission to secure justice, equity, and access to opportunity for and with people who have low incomes through passionate legal representation and advocacy for systemic change.?

UB Greensfelder was proud to sponsor this event. Thank you, Kara E. F. Cenar for sharing your insights through your presentation. "Lifecycle of a Case," with women practicing in the area of intellectual property in Chicago.

Tobacco surcharges have become the focus of class action litigation in recent months. Although corporate wellness programs are commonplace, employers that impose a tobacco surcharge (or other premium discount) in connection with participation in their health plans have been caught up in an onslaught of litigation. Read the latest client alert, "What Employers Need to Know about Tobacco Surcharge Litigation," written by UB Greensfelder partners Amy Blaisdell, Douglas Neville, and Abby Risner: https://lnkd.in/gx6K34KA

UB Greensfelder Partner and Immigration Practice Group Leader David Leopold was quoted in an article on Axios.com titled, "Axios Explains: Roadblocks to Trump's mass deportations." Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gRspjEqK.

The NLRB has ruled that mandatory employer-sponsored meetings attempting to dissuade employees from unionizing are illegal under the NLRA. Read what employers should do to avoid violation in our alert by UB Greensfelder Partner and Co-Group Leader of the Employment & Labor Practice Chris Bailey and Associate Mary Fletcher: https://lnkd.in/gEDBU4gN

UB Greensfelder’s Saint Louis University School of Law alumni recently welcomed Dean Twinette Johnson for a visit to our downtown St. Louis office.?Dean Johnson, who was appointed Dean this summer, described the recent activities at the law school and opportunities for students to meet and work with alumni.?The law school is located next to the courthouse and is only a few blocks from our St. Louis office.

Congratulations to our four new associates who recently passed the Ohio Bar exam: Marleni Chavana, Mark Illingworth, Esq., Olivia LeRoux, and Sam Stepanovic. Marleni is in our Complex Business Litigation practice group and based in our Cleveland office. Mark is part of the Complex Business Litigation and Financial Services practice groups and located in our Cincinnati office. He brings two decades of experience in leadership at global financial services companies. Olivia is located in our Columbus office and is part of Complex Business Litigation, Intellectual Property Litigation and Transportation & Logistics Litigation practice groups. Sam is part of the Real Estate practice group and works in our Cleveland office. Welcome to UB Greensfelder. We're happy to have you on the team and look forward to seeing your contributions to the firm and our clients.

On Friday, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas struck down the DOL’s final rule that was set to raise the minimum salary threshold nationwide for “white collar” employees to be exempt under the FLSA. Read more on the court’s decision to strike the rule and what employers should do in our alert by UB Greensfelder Partner and Co-Group Leader of the Employment & Labor Practice Chris Bailey and Associate David Wasserman: https://lnkd.in/dhdf5EJt.?