Family Law

• Child Support
  The Ohio Supreme Court ruled that such an “at-will†employee cannot be fired under these circumstances, because the public’s interest in an efficient and effective child support system cannot be undermined by the act of an employer in firing an “at-will†employee who has to have his or her wages garnished as the court’s way of making sure the child support payments were made.

Criminal Law

• Theft
• Embezzlement
  Our business needed legal counsel... due to a lawsuit that was filed against us by a bank stemming from an act of embezzlement committed by an unscrupulous ex-employee. Initially, we hired an attorney we had used in the past, but he did not keep us informed and we began to worry about the quality of our representation. Our accountant highly recommended Mr. Worhatch as he had hired David for problems in his own firm that were caused by an unscrupulous partner. Our accountant explained that Mr. Worhatch had filed and won a lawsuit against that partner for losses sustained by the partnership.
• Assault
  Individuals can pursue remedies for sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and civil assault and battery. Wrongful discharge may also occur when an employee reports such conduct on behalf of a coworker and the employer retaliates by firing one or both individuals.

Business and Corporate Law

• Business Disputes
  If you need help with commercial and residential real estate transactions, commercial developments and residential subdivisions, home builders, leases, mortgages, land contracts, land use, zoning and building laws, regulations and appeals, title insurance, lenders, real estate agents, brokers and commissions, property tax appeals and valuations, disputes involving real estate interests, contract disputes over real property rights, and specific enforcement or performance of real estate contract terms, you need a real estate attorney who has a wide variety of experiences in the areas that matter most to you.

Employment Law

• Wrongful Termination
  A select number of our clients are able to take advantage of the claim of “wrongful discharge†or “wrongful termination.†In Ohio, an employer exercising rights under the “employment-at-will†doctrine nevertheless can be held liable for a “wrongful discharge†if the employer’s conduct in terminating its “at-will†employee effectively amounts to a violation of some federal or state law or regulation spelling out an important public policy in this state.
• Employment Discrimination
  Probationary employees are not without any rights, regardless of whether they are covered by union contracts or not. If you are a probationary employee, you would have recourse to pursue a claim for employment discrimination...
• Employment Contract
  Most government employees who are not covered by a union contract are classified as “civil service†workers entitled to protections given to protect a public employee’s contractually protected property interest in continued employment in the public sector. Employees in the private sector generally do not get these protections unless they negotiate individual employment contracts or work under a collective bargaining agreement negotiated on their behalf by their union.
• Employment Litigation
  My son found Mr. S. David Worhatch on Google with good recommendations regarding employment issues from the employee side, so I contacted [him. I found... David... to be a very experienced professional with a strong sense of ethics and justice. When he consulted with me, he is always empathetic and took my life situation and experience into consideration before giving advice or guidance regarding the laws related to my case. With his representation, he negotiated a fair settlement with my former employer. I strongly recommend Mr. S. David Worhatch to anyone needing representation with labor or employment issues. He is the best!
• Non-compete Agreement
  In Ohio, non-compete agreements (also called “non-competition agreements†and “covenants against competition†) are binding and legally enforceable to the extent reasonably necessary to protect the legitimate business and competitive interests of the employer.
• Severance Agreement
  Negotiating the terms of your employment can eliminate some of the unknowns, such as being fired suddenly, and guarantee benefits such as relocation expenses, vacation pay, retirement plans, and executive severance pay packages.
• Sexual Harassment
  Because sexual harassment and harassment based on one’s race are by far the most litigated forms of harassment, I have decided to include in this FAQ details on only these two types of claims. If you believe you may be the victim of harassment in the work setting on the basis of your color, religion, or age, contact my office for an appointment to discuss your circumstances.

Property Law

• Real Estate Litigation
  My firm provides services comparable to the quality you expect of large, overhead-rich downtown law firms, but at a fraction of the cost. For your convenience, I am available evenings and weekends by appointment. Contact me today and let me know how I can help you protect your interests in real estate matters.
• Real Estate Transactions
  Ohio law requires written instruments and contracts for most real estate transactions. At the Law Offices of S. David Worhatch, I guide my clients through all aspects of real estate deals, transactions, contract negotiation, litigation, and dispute resolution.
• Land Use and Zoning
• Property Damage
  Would require the employee to expose co-workers, members of the public, business invitees, or the like to personal injury, property damage, or any of the other types of misconduct mentioned above

Health Law

• Personal Injury
  An employment-related case is not like a personal injury case. There are many more defenses available to employers in employment-related disputes than are generally available to people or companies responsible for causing a personal injury.

Trusts and Estates

• Estate Planning
  S. David Worhatch aims to protect your future through solid legal planning. If you need an employment attorney or the services of an estate planning lawyer, contact me directly by phone or fill out the form.
• Wills
  If you want to investigate or file a wage or compensation claim in Ohio, turn to The Law Offices of S. David Worhatch in Summit County. I have nearly 40 years of experience in the practice of law and offer a broad range of services. In addition to employment law disputes, for example, I assist clients with wills and trusts, business succession planning, and real estate transactions. I work with my clients, instead of merely for them, I empower them to protect their family’s financial security in the years to come. I am proud to claim many five-star Google ratings. To get in touch with me, call us or fill out the form on my website.
• Trusts
  [Some years later], individual members of our family joined in hiring Mr. Worhatch on an issue concerning an irrevocable trust. The grantor of the trust wanted to amend or revoke that trust, and all but one of the family members were prepared to go along. However, our long-time family attorney said that the grantor of a trust could not take such an action, not even with court approval, and that the one family member’s objection in any event would make it highly unlikely that the trust’s terms ever would be changed. David researched the law and found out that a [newly enacted] statute... open[ed] the door to bringing a lawsuit of this type even though such an action could not have been tried before. Mr. Worhatch brought the lawsuit on behalf of the grantor of the trust and all of the family members who agreed with his plans for modifying the trust’s terms. After the judge agreed that the case could not be thrown out because of the amended version of that statute, Mr. Worhatch persuaded everyone to sit down with a mediator and an equitable settlement ultimately was concluded... one that sidestepped family disharmony and brought peace when it eventually comes time to distribute the assets of the trust.
• Power of Attorney
  Many people do not like to think about what will happen when they die or become incapacitated. It is, however, important to make sure your family is properly protected and your health care wishes are made clear. As an experienced Ohio estate planning lawyer, I can help you with a will, trust, power of attorney, living will, and any other instruments needed to carry out your wishes. To help reduce future estate taxes, I can explain estate planning techniques.

Finance Law

• Bankruptcy
  I needed an attorney with knowledge of real estate [and] bankruptcy law to help me purchase a house. I saw David Worhatch online [and] called his secretary to ask some questions. She got me an appointment with David that afternoon. He made a few phone calls, sent a few emails [and] got my house! Smart guy, excellent speaker [and] he knows the law! Super glad I chose him - I would not have gotten my house without his help!
• Foreclosure
  What all of this means, of course, is that it is vital that you act promptly to preserve your rights, as any delay risks foreclosure of your access to the appeal process. An experienced “civil service†employee can guide you through this time-sensitive process, but only if you approach him or her at the earliest possible time.
• Tax Law