A Major Exoneration, New Hemp Ban, and a Lesson for Ohio Firms

Hamilton County exonerates longtime death-row inmate after more than 25 years.

Prosecutors dismissed the case against Elwood Jones after determining the remaining evidence was insufficient to proceed.

Officials also acknowledged prior investigative failures, including the withholding of evidence.

Prosecutors stated that new medical testing excluded Jones as a suspect.

This marks the 12th death-row exoneration in Ohio history.

Why it matters: Conviction-integrity work continues to reshape litigation risk, evidentiary standards, and public confidence in the justice system.

It’s a trend worth tracking for defense attorneys and litigators statewide.

Ohio moves to ban intoxicating hemp products.

The General Assembly passed Senate Bill 56 this week banning most intoxicating hemp at retail and adjusting adult-use marijuana law language.

It now heads to Gov. DeWine.

Why it matters: Regulatory changes in controlled substances could affect criminal defense practices and compliance counseling across the state.

Taft announces combination with Morris, Manning & Martin (effective Dec. 31, 2025).

This is a strategic expansion move that indicates where large firms believe demand is heading going into 2026:

Scale, geographic reach, and deeper bench strength.

Why it matters: Even for smaller Ohio firms, the takeaway is positioning.

Clients increasingly equate “bench and breadth” with confidence, especially in higher-stakes matters.

Here’s an idea you can steal.

If you serve small businesses in Columbus:

Run a simple “local authority” ad campaign built around one specific question.

Ad angle: “3 Questions Every Ohio Small Business Should Ask Before Signing a Commercial Lease”

Target: Columbus and Dublin (and nearby suburbs) business owners

CTA: “Send us your lease, and we’ll flag the 3 highest-risk clauses before you sign.”

Why it works: It’s not a “hire us” ad.

It’s a decision-support ad.

Specific, local, and instantly useful, which is what earns clicks and consults.

David Kapor – Columbus, OH

Kapor chose disability law to make a difference for vulnerable claimants, recognizing the ripple effect a win has on families and communities.

His firm stands out by truly listening, treating clients with respect, and using educational intake that empowers claimants.

He doesn’t do assembly-line processing.

This client-centric approach, combined with strong referral relationships in the medical community, has helped his firm grow.

His current challenge: bringing the next generation into specialized disability advocacy.

His advice for fellow Ohio lawyers:

Learn to say “No.”

Until next time,

-The Ohio Brief

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