Dagger Law Blog and Articles

Dagger Law Welcomes Meghan J. Burge Ash

Phoyo of Meghan J. Burge Ash, Associate Attorney

Meghan J. Burge Ash has joined the Dagger Law team as an associate attorney serving Dagger Law’s Lancaster and Canal Winchester locations. She engages in the general practice of law, with an interest in business law; which includes areas such as acquisitions and mergers, contract creation and disputes, oil, gas, and mineral rights and agribusiness and agricultural law. Ash is also interested in personal injury law, which includes areas such as insurance claims, workers compensation, wrongful death and medical malpractice.

“Meghan represents the best and the brightest of attorneys joining the profession after successfully graduating law school,” said Jeff J. Spangler, co-managing partner at Dagger Law. “Meghan possesses the skills and experience we look for, and we are thrilled to add her as a valued member of the firm.”

She received her bachelor’s degree from Xavier University in Cincinnati, where she graduated cum laude and majored in environmental science. She went on to graduate with distinction from Vermont Law School in South Royalton, Vermont, with a master’s in environmental law and policy. She then earned her Juris Doctor, graduating magna cum laude from Capital University Law School in Columbus, where she served on the Student Bar Association. Ash was the recipient of the Dean’s List Award for all six semesters. She also received the CALI Excellence for the Future Award for both environmental law as well as law and social science.

Ash is a member of the Fairfield County Bar Association, as well as the Ohio State Bar Association. She is also a member of the Young Professionals of Fairfield County and The Rivet Society. She currently resides in Canal Winchester with her husband and dog, Preston, affectionately known as “Pup.”

Dagger Law Welcomes Hannah Travis

Photo of Hannah Travis, Associate Attorney

Hannah Travis has joined the Dagger Law team as an associate attorney serving Dagger Law’s Lancaster and Canal Winchester locations. She engages in the general practice of law, with an emphasis on domestic relations and juvenile law; which includes areas such as divorce, dissolution, child custody, paternity, visitation, child support and antenuptial agreements.

“Hannah has a desire and passion for law, and we are delighted to welcome her to our firm,” said Jeff J. Spangler, co-managing partner at Dagger Law. “It is exciting to grow our practice with talented attorneys who will provide our clients with outstanding legal and business services.”

Travis earned her Juris Doctor degree from Capital University Law School, in Columbus, Ohio, where she was a teaching assistant for legal analysis, research, and writing as well as a student peer advisor. She was also on the dean’s list.

She graduated cum laude from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree, majoring in sociology-criminology and psychology. She also played for the Ohio University women’s golf team.

Travis is a member of the Fairfield County Bar Association, as well as the Ohio State Bar Association. She has participated in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program in Lancaster for numerous years, currently serving as a mentor by doing monthly activities with her little sister. She is also a member of the Young Professionals of Fairfield County and The Rivet Society. A lifelong resident of Fairfield County, Ohio, she enjoys golfing, shopping and spending time with her friends and family.

Everitt of Dagger Law Awarded Prestigious Ohio Land Title Professional Designation

Bryan M. Everitt, Associate attorney

Bryan M. Everitt, associate attorney and title insurance agent with Dagger Law, recently became the newest recipient of the Ohio Land Title Professional (OLTP) designation.

Everitt is one of only 17 title professionals in Ohio to hold this designation according to the Ohio Land Title Association (OLTA). The OLTP designation is intended to recognize individuals in Ohio’s title insurance industry who have made contributions to the title industry through their respective work experience, OLTA attendance, OLTA involvement, involvement in the American Land Title and Regional Land Title Associations, and involvement with other professional organizations related to real estate.

“Bryan continues to make contributions to the title industry through his work, as well as through his involvement with national, state, and local land title associations,” said Jeff J. Spangler, co-managing partner at Dagger Law. “He is passionate about serving others and we are proud he has earned this recognition for his commitment to the real estate and title industry.”

Senate Bill 175 – Stand Your Ground/Duty to Retreat

Effective April 6, 2021, Governor Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 175 into law. Prior to the enactment of Senate Bill 175, individuals had no duty to retreat when exercising self-defense in only two locations: (1) in his/her vehicle or (2) his/her residence. Ohioans may now use lethal force in self-defense anywhere they have a legal right to be. The trier of fact does not assess whether the litigant had the ability to retreat when examining the party’s assertion of self-defense. This modification is applicable to both criminal and civil tort claims regarding self-defense.

What you need to know about Minimum Wage

Effective January 1, 2021, Ohio modified its minimum wage and created three (3) different categories of pay The minimum wage in Ohio now differentiates between “large employers” and “small employers.” A “large employer” is defined as an employer who brings in more than $323,000 in gross receipts per year. If you are categorized as a large employer, the requisite minimum wage is $8.80 per hour. A “small employer” is one that accrues less than $323,000 in gross receipts per year. The minimum wage for “small employers” is $7.25 per hour. For employees who receive tips (e.g., bartenders and service industry workers), the minimum wage is $4.40 per hour.