Welcome Back To The Ohio Brief
This week’s issue covers a contractor safety ruling that may shift hazard-assessment expectations in public spaces, new legislation affecting PI timelines, and a look at how Misny Law has done so well with a simple local brand.
👀 Ohio Case Watch
Recently, in State v. Smith (Ohio 12th Dist., filed Oct 2025), a contractor sued a homeowner after a backyard accident and succeeded on the “open and obvious” doctrine.
The key: the appellate court reaffirmed that Ohio contractors must still conduct an independent hazard‑assessment even when a hazard appears obvious.
For Ohio litigators, this means if your defense or plaintiff involves a hazard in a “public” or “semi‑public” setting, documentation of hazard‑assessment may be pivotal.
📡 State Legislation Radar
The Ohio House has introduced HB 432 (Oct 2025) to expand the statute of limitations for certain personal‑injury claims from 2 to 3 years when latent injury is involved.
If passed, firms serving Ohio clients should update intake checks, client‑alerts and website disclosures.
Missing a possible claim may create a competitive edge for you.
📍Local Firm Spotlight
Misny Law (Greater Cleveland) illustrates how deep local‑brand capital pays dividends.
Managing partner Tim Misny told the Akron Beacon Journal:
“It amazes me on a daily basis.”
He built his 20‑office Ohio footprint by using broadcast/OOH messaging (“I’ll Make Them Pay!”) to dominate local visibility.
For your firm, the lesson:
Consider investing not just in lead traffic but in memorability and local brand‑trust.
Raise your visibility and you may also raise your cost per lead, but reduce cost per client over time.
🕺Marketing Moves
Cleveland area billboard shows attorney Tim Misny with one eyebrow raised and pointing at the camera, with one of his famous slogans, "Misny Makes Them Pay!"
That visual gave a tangible image for the Tim Misny brand.
You can replicate this locally by choosing 1‑2 signature visuals/performance pieces for your practice…
Push them into your ad sets and local OOH buys…
And then 10x the awareness and familiarity through email + LinkedIn.
⭐ Featured Ohio Lawyer This Week
Meet Tim Misny.
With a J.D. from Cleveland‑Marshall, decades of PI experience, and an 80‑acre estate nicknamed “Misnyland”, he demonstrates the power of aligning legal excellence with personal branding and community recognition.
When he asks, “Why do you have such a big house?” he answers, “Because I can.”
Takeaway for Ohio attorneys: Elevate your presence beyond “just another firm.”
Invest in something legible by the public (billboard, video, case‑study release, local sponsorship).
When you appear in the inbox or on the street, you’re not only credible… you’re memorable.
What will you try this week that people will remember?
Until next time,
-The Ohio Brief