Author Archives: Jay Butchko
What Is A “Bait and Switch” Contract?
As attorneys who work in contract disputes and consumer protection, we frequently speak with clients about a phenomenon known as “bait and switch,” whereby a seller will create a disingenuous offer in order to ‘lure’ in a buyer, only to turn around and make a major ‘switch’ in that contract; whether that involves charging… Read More »
Breach Of Contract Vs. Copyright Case Could Have Far-Reaching Effects
A breach of contract lawsuit that is making its way to the US Supreme Court could have major implications for copyright violation claims and breach of contract disputes. The case – ML Genius Holdings LLC v. Google LLC – involves allegations that Google illegally lifted content from the website Genius and posted this content… Read More »
Consumer Protection Laws Not Only Protect Individuals, But Also Businesses
While it is true that a number of consumer laws have historically been applied to individuals and households, according to recent reports, this is changing: A growing number of those behind these laws, including the courts, are increasingly defining “consumer” to also include small- and medium-sized businesses when it comes to prohibitions on deceptive… Read More »
Unpaid Water Bills, Liens, & Foreclosure In Ohio
One of the most surprising aspects of real estate law in Ohio is that individuals can have a lien placed on their property for failing to pay a water bill – a lien which can then lead to foreclosure and losing your home – a move which, to many, sounds far too extreme. This… Read More »
Consumer Protections Against Unfair, Deceptive Practices By Suppliers In Ohio
When construction companies and other businesses accept payment but fail to finish the job, as well as engage in other deceptive, unfair practices, they can be sued under a number of Ohio consumer protection laws, including the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act, as well as several others, which we describe below. Ohio Consumer Sales… Read More »
Canceling Home Purchase Contracts In Ohio: What You Need To Know
According to the latest statistics, homebuyers are backing out of their contracts to purchase homes at historically high rates, likely due in part to rising interest rates and a “softening” housing market. According to Redfin, in the month of August alone, more than 60,000 of these contracts were canceled. Whether or not there will… Read More »
When Employers Sue Over Previous Employment Contracts
Many employees, as a condition of their employment, are forced to sign documents in connection with their employee handbook and other agreements, requiring that they not compete with the company (in a very specific, illegal way), divert interest away from it, or otherwise act in contravention of the company’s interests (including soliciting the company’s… Read More »
Fighting Homeowners Or Condo Association Foreclosures
According to the latest statistics, Ohio is among the top five states with the highest rate of foreclosures, with Northeast Ohio being one of the hardest hit areas. This is likely due, in part, to the recent lift on foreclosure restrictions; For example, in one Ohio county alone, nearly half of all foreclosure cases… Read More »
Dangerous Vehicle Defects & Consumer Claims
There has been nonstop news coverage concerning serious consumer claims related to the vehicle recalls, whereby certain vehicle models have been spontaneously catching fire, placing a number of consumers at risk of serious injury and, in some circumstances, even death; Some have even lost their lives after suffering severe burns when, for example, their… Read More »
Leaseback Real Estate Contracts
We all too often see relationship and contract breakdowns where these fields emerge; for example, when one party purchases property from another, promising to lease it back to them, only to instead sell the property to another buyer without allowing for that “holdover” period. When disputes like these arise, consulting with experienced Columbus real… Read More »