McGraw Appointed to Chair the Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law Section
Attorney Bill McGraw has been appointed to chair the Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law Section for the Ohio State Bar Association. The appointment was effective July 1, 2009 by Barbara J. Howard, President.
The Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law Section is very active in promulgating, drafting, lobbying and obtaining passage of new probate, trust and estate planning laws. The Section consists of approximately 2,900 members of the Ohio State Bar Association.
Mr. McGraw is President of Dungan & LeFevre. He is a graduate of Ohio University and The Ohio State University College of Law. He has been named an Ohio Super Lawyer every year since its inception and was named a Top 100 Super Lawyer in 2006 and a Top 50 Dayton-Cincinnati Super Lawyer for 2005.
Mr. McGraw has been elected a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. He is an OSBA Board Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law. He serves on the Editorial Board of the Probate Law Journal of Ohio, authoring numerous articles. He also makes continuing legal education presentations around the state on trust, estate planning and probate law.
OVI Penalties Modified Again
Effective September 30, 2008 our legislature again modified provisions of the Ohio Revised Code as it relates to OVI laws, in particular the penalties associated therewith. Minimum fines now start at $375 for first time offenders and can go all the way up to $1075. In addition, in cases involving high tests (over .17) the restricted yellow plates are required as is 3 days in jail and a 72 hour alcohol program. Specific levels for drugs found in the urine or blood have been added to these prohibitions and can result in similar penalties.
It only gets worse from there for multiple offenders and for those who have refused chemical tests in the past. The prospect for driving privileges during the initial administrative license suspension still remains in most instances.
In short, contact Dungan & LeFevre for any questions you might have in this area. A mistake without counsel will only serve to compound an already difficult situation.
Kappers Receives Access to Justice Award
Attorney Alan Kappers was honored for his service to the community at the Access to Justice awards November 12, 2008 at the Dayton Marriott. Barbara Ehrenreich, journalist, historian and social critic was the keynote speaker.
Kappers received the Lloyd O'Hara Public Interest Law Award. Kappers is considered the leader in establishing the original Legal Aid Society, which provided services to Miami, Clark, Preble and Greene counties. Kappers authored the original Articles of Incorporation and by-laws for the new organization and applied for the initial grant from Legal Services Corporation. Kappers laid the ground work for funding legal services to the low income and poor to assure equal access to justice.
This was the third year for the Access to Justice awards which recognize exemplary service on behalf of low-income residents of the Miami Valley. The awards are presented by Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc., Legal Aid of Western Ohio Inc. and the Greater Dayton Volunteer Lawyer's Project.
"Jeans Day" Benefits Local Charities
Since January, 2008, the employees of Dungan & LeFevre have participated in "Jeans Day" once a month. By making a donation to the organization which has been selected for that particular month, employees are permitted to wear jeans to work that day. Thus far Dungan & LeFevre's employees have donated to the following organizations:
January, 2010 - Friends of Hayner|
February, 2010 - American Heart Association
February, 2010 - Collected donations for Haiti earthquake victims
March, 2010 - United Way
April, 2010 - Miami County Dental Clinic
May, 2010 - CASA/GAL of Miami County
June, 2010 - Goodwill Easter Seals
July, 2010 - Hospice of Miami County
January, 2009 - Community Blood Center
February, 2009 - American Heart Association
March, 2009 - Riverside/Miami Co. Board of Mental Retardation & Developmental Disabilities
April, 2009 - Habitat for Humanity
May, 2009 - Troy Historical Society
June, 2009 - Troy Civic Theatre
July, 2009 - Miami County Park District
August, 2009 - Piqua Arts Council
September, 2009 - The Future Begins Today
October, 2009 - Miami County Humane Society
November, 2009 - El Sombrero's Free Community Thanksgiving Dinner
December, 2009 - A Special Wish Foundation
January, 2008 - Partners in Hope
February, 2008 - Troy Food Pantry
March, 2008 - St. Pat's Soup Kitchen
April, 2008 - Red Cross
May, 2008 - Family Abuse Shelter
June, 2008 - The Barn Ministries
July, 2008 - Health Partners of Miami Co.
August, 2008 - Troy Rec
September, 2008 - Mission: WWII Veterans to Washington, D.C.
October, 2008 - Operation Coverup (collected coats for the Miami Co. Sheriff's Office)
November, 2008 - El Sombrero's Free Community Thanksgiving Dinner
December, 2008 - Salvation Army