I am an Ohio State Bar Association Board Certified labor and employment law specialist. My practice consists of a wide variety of employment law issues involving both state and federal law. My goal is to help people avoid the litigation process, if possible, and achieve a desireable result at the minimum expense. However, I have over 30 years of experience at trials, administrative hearings, appeals and arbitrations if litigation becomes necessary to achieve the client's goals. My clients include those who are victims of wrongful discharge, non-compete restrictions, reductions in pay and position, reassignment to undesirable positions and employment discrimination based on a physical characteristic such as race, color, disability, age religion. I also handle retaliation cases when an employee complains about employer conduct that is against the law. My clients work for the federal and state government, as well as the private sector. I have a particular interest in helping people with health-related issue that have been subject to discrimination in the workplace or are seeking disability insurance benefits through private disability insurance, and the state and federal retirement programs. I have practiced in state and federal courts throughout Ohio, and before such government agencies as the State Personnel Board of Review, the Unemployment Compensation Review Commission, the Induistrial Commission of Ohio, the Merits System Protection Board and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Practice areas
38 years
34 years
24 years
Languages spoken
English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
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OH | Active | 1983 | 10/19/2020 |
Legal answers | 0 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
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Seected as "Top Lawyer" | Columbus C.E.O. Magazine | 2016 |
Selected as Ohio Super Lawyer | Law & Media Politics, Columbus Monthly, Cleveland Magazine, and Cincinnati Magazine | 2016 |
Client's Choice Award | Avvo.com | 2015 |
Selected as Ohio Super Lawyer | Law & Media Politics, Cincinnati Magazine, Columbus Monthly and Cleveland Magazine | 2015 |
Selected as Ohio Super Lawyer | Law & Media Politics, Cincinnati Magazine, Columbus Monthly and Cleveland Magazine | 2014 |
Super Lawyer of America | Law & Media Politics, Corporate Counsel Edition (Employment and Labor Law) | 2014 |
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Selected as "Top Lawyer" | Columbus C.E.O. | 2014 |
AV Preeminent 5 out 5 rating | Martindale Hubbell Law Directory | 2014 |
Selected as Ohio Super Lawyer | Law & Media Politics, Cincinnati Magazine, Columbus Monthly and Cleveland Magazine | 2013 |
Selected as Ohio Super Lawyer | Law & Media Politics, Cincinnati Magazine, Columbus Monthly and Cleveland Magazine | 2013 |
Super Lawyer of America | Law & Media Politics, Corporate Counsel Edition, (Employment and Labor law) | 2013 |
AV Preeminent 5 out of 5 rating | Martindale Hubbell Law Directory | 2013 |
AV Preeminent 5 out of 5 rating | Martindale Hubbell Law Directory | 2012 |
Selected as "Top Lawyer" | Columbus C.E.O. | 2012 |
AV Preeminent 5 out of 5 rating | Martindale Hubbell Law Directory | 2011 |
Selected as "Top Lawyer" | Columbus C.E.O. | 2011 |
Selected as Ohio Super Lawyer | Law & Media Politics, Cincinnati Magazine, Columbus Monthly and Cleveland Magazine | 2011 |
Super Lawyer of America | Law & Media Politics, Corporate Counsel Edition | 2011 |
AV Preeminent 5 out of 5 rating | Martindale Hubbell Law Directory | 2010 |
Selected as "Top Lawyer" | Columbus C.E.O. | 2010 |
Selected as Ohio Super Lawyer | Law & Media Politics, Cincinnati Magazine, Columbus Monthly, & Cleveland Magazine | 2010 |
Super Lawyer of America | Law & Media Politics, Corporate Counsel Edition, (Employment and Labor Law) | 2010 |
AV Preeminent 5 out of 5 rating | Martindale Hubbell Law Directory | 2009 |
Selected as "Top Lawyer" | Columbus C.E.O. | 2009 |
Super Lawyer in America | Law & Media Politics Corporate Counsel Edition (Employment and Labor Law) | 2009 |
AV Preeminent 5 out of 5 rating | Martindale Hubbell Law Directory | 2008 |
AV Preeminent 5 out of 5 rating | Martindale Hubbell Law Direectory | 2007 |
Selected as Ohio Super Lawyer | Law & Media Politics, Cincinnati Magazine, Columbus Monthly, and Cleveland Magazine | 2006 |
AV Preeminent 5 out of 5 rating | Martindale Hubbell Law Directory | 2006 |
AV Preeminent 5 out of 5 rating | Martindale Hubbell Law Directory | 2005 |
Selected as Ohio Super Lawyer | Law & Media Politics, Cincinnati Magazine, Columbus Monthly and Cleveland Magazine | 2005 |
AV preeminent rating 5 out of 5 | Martindale Hubbell Law Directory | 2004 |
Became Board Certified in Labor & Employment Law | Ohio State Bar Association | 2004 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Board-certified employment law specialist | Mowery Youell & Galeano, Ltd. | 2004 - Present |
Assistant Chief | Ohio Attorney General's Office Workers' Compensation Section | 1989 - Present |
Assistant Attorney General | Ohio Attorney General's Office Civil Rights Section | 1983 - Present |
Owner/Attorney | Merl H. Wayman Law Office | 1997 - 2004 |
Workers' Compensation Team Manager | Barkan + Neff Co., L.P.A. | 1993 - 1997 |
Assistant Chief | Ohio Attorney General's Office Employment Services Section | 1989 - 1991 |
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Association name | Position name | Duration |
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Ohio State Bar Association Labor & Employment Law Council | Member | 2010 - Present |
Ohio Employment Lawyers Association | Member | 1997 - Present |
Franklin County Inn of Court | Member | 2008 - 2010 |
Ohio Employment Lawyers Association | Managing Editor - OELA Newsletter Bulletin | 2002 - 2004 |
Americn Diabetes Association Legal Advocay Committee | Member | 2000 - 2002 |
Columbus Employment Lawyers Association | Vice Chairman | 1998 - 2004 |
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American Diabetes Associatin | Franklin County Community Leadership Board Member | 1998 - 2000 |
Ohioans for Diabetes Control Legislative Coalition | Co-Chairman | 1998 - 2000 |
National Employment Lawyers Association | Member | 1997 - 2004 |
Ohio Employment Lawyers Association | Executive Board | 1997 - 2004 |
Ohio Attorney General's Office | Co-Chairman, Continuing Legal Education Committee | 1992 - 1993 |
Franklin County Common Pleas Court Settlement Week Progam | Mediator | 1990 - 1991 |
Ohio Mock Trial Competition | Supreme Court of Ohio | 1984 - 1994 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
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Lawyers Weekly USA | Are Small Corporations Covered Under Anti-Discrimination Laws? | 2003 |
Ohio State Bar Association Labor And Employment News | Determining If A Shareholder Is An Employee Under Federal Anti-Discrimination Statutes | 2003 |
Diabetes Directions - a publication of the Central Ohio Diabetes Association | Does The Americans With Disabilities Act Still Protect People With Diabetes? | 2000 |
Employee Rights Quarterly | Patient Bill Of Rights - The Right To Sue Your HMO | 2000 |
The Employee Advocate | The Eleventh Amendment And Its Impact On Federal Court Jurisdiction Over Civil Rights Suits Against State Employers | 1999 |
Diabetes Advocate | The Americans With Disabilities Act And Persons With Diabetes | 1997 |
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Kent State University | Affirmative Actin Employment Resource Directory | 1979 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Cleveland State University - Cleveland-Marshall College of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1982 |
Kent State University | M.Ed. | 1979 |
Ohio University | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1974 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
State Personnel Board of Review Academy | The Procedure for Perfecting and Handling an Administrative Appeal for Judicial Review of an SPBR Order udner R.C. 119.12 | 2016 |
Introduction to Employment Law | Introduction to Ohio Workers' Compensation Law & Practice | 2015 |
Advanced Workers' Compensation | Challenges and Considerations for Employees who Work at Home | 2015 |
Advanced Workers' Compensation | Ohio Workers' Compensation Retaliation Law and Practice | 2015 |
Advanced Workers' Compensation Seminar | "Workers' Compensation Retaliation | 2013 |
Unemployment Compensation 101 | Just Cause Determinations With Quitting And Receiving Unemployment Compensation | 2012 |
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Advanced Workers' Compensation Seminar | Workers' Compensation Retaliation | 2012 |
Advanced Workers' Compensation Seminar | Workers' Compensation Retaliation | 2011 |
Unemployment Compensation 101 | Just Cause Determinations For Quitting And Receiving Unemployment Compensation | 2010 |
Ohio Employment Lawyers Association Annual Conference | ERISA/Long Term Disability Law & Practice | 2010 |
Cleveland Employment Lawyers Association Annual Conference | "The Amendments To The Americans With Disabilities Act & Proposed Regulations | 2009 |
Ohio Employment Lawyers Association | Federal Case Law Update | 2004 |
Cleveland Employment Lawyers Association Annual Conference | Federal And State Employment Law Case Update | 2003 |
Ohio Employment Lawyers Annual Conference | The ADA, FMLA & Workers' Compensation Trilogy | 2001 |
Channel 6 "Newsmakers" | Television Commentary, Ohio Senate Bill 147 | 2001 |
Ohio Senate Health, Human Services & Aging Committee | Proponent Testimony, Ohio Senate Bill 147: Evaluation Of The Impact Of Mandated Health Insurance Of Diabetes Supplies, Equipment & Education | 1999 |
Ohio Rehabilitation Association Conference | Your Employment Rights Under The Americans With Disabilities Act | 1999 |
CD & Cassette Interview | Employment And Labor Law Lawcast | 1999 |
Cleveland Employment Lawyers Association Annual Conference | How To Use A Vocational Expert In ADA Litigation | 1998 |
Industrial Commission of Ohio Continuing Legal Education Seminar | Case Law Update | 1991 |
Workers' Compensation Committee | Newsletter Editor And Monthly Speaker | 1989 |
State Conference | Idiopathic Falls And Compensable Injuries In The Workplace | 1989 |
Case name | Outcome |
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Coy v. County of Delaware, 993 F. Supp.2d 779 (S.D. Ohio 2014) | District court denied motion for summary judgment. Case later settled. |
Woodrum v. Premier Auto Glass, 108 Ohio App.3d 530 (1995) | Judgment reversed. Court finds claimant was injured in the course of and arising out of employment. |
Ford Motor Company v. Ohio Bureau of Employment Services | Court of Appeals judgment affirmed. |
South Ridge Baptist Church, 911 F.2d 1203 (6th Cir. 1990) | State motion to dismiss affirmed |
Harover v. City of Norwood, 42 Ohio St.3d 607 (1989) | Judgment for Defendant, Bureau of Workers' Compensation |
State ex rel. Viox Builders v. Lancaster, 46 Ohio St.3d 144 (1989) | Writ of mandamus denied |
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Neil v. Mayfield, 1988 WL 76179 (2nd Dist. July 22, 1988) | Employees appeal from summary judgment dnied. |
State ex rel. Eaton Corp. v. Lancaster, 40 Ohio St.3d 404 (1988) | Court grants limited writ concluding that Industrial Commission must determine whether injured worker has reached maximum medical improvement. |
State ex rel. Burley v. Coil Packing, Inc., 31 Ohio St.3d 18 (1987) | Court reverses court of appeals and denies writ of mandamus. As long as there is some evidence to support Commission's decision, the medical report need not consider the combined effects of all allowed conditions. |
State ex rel. Braswell v. Industrial Commission, 25 Ohio St.2d 61 (1986) | Court denies writ and finds that claimant's medical evidence failed to consider physician's knowledge of the physical demands of his position. |
State ex rel. Leedy v. School Employees Retirement System, 2005 WL 858183 | Writ of mandamus granted. |
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Fri Feb 06 2015
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Wed Feb 04 2015
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Mon Feb 02 2015
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Mon Jan 26 2015
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Mon Jan 26 2015
Rachel Sabo, Employment and labor Attorney on Jan 23, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Merl is a great person to work with and someone I am proud to call colleague. He is very knowledgable and has a great reputation in the community.