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Presentation Materials

Social Media and Public Employee Freedom of Speech Outline (Jonathan Downes)

Social Media Issues: Navigating Current Legal Issues and Best Practice Outline (Larry James)

Novak v. City of Parma Executive Summary (Larry James)

Anderson v. City of Jellico Opinion (Case 21-5704, U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit)

Social Media: The Records Management Challenge (Ohio Electronic Records Committee)

Social Media Policies Packet - Policy Examples (SPBR)

Social Media FAQs (Larry James)

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Presentation Description

This session will examine ways in which social media can impact employment matters. The presenters will address the use of social media as part of a disciplinary investigation, related constitutional issues, and limitations on employers and employees. The presenters will also examine social media policies and how they are designed to provide guidelines and requirements for your organization's social media use as well as how employees use social media, both personally and professionally.  Relevant case law involving social media will also be discussed.

The "Social Media: Navigating a Changing Legal World, Best Practices!" presentation is for managers, HR, and other professionals who manage or interact with employees who have the right to appeal to the SPBR Board or pertinent municipal civil service commission. This training also applies to those having collective bargaining agreements that allow for an appeal to the SPBR Board or pertinent municipal civil service commission.

This event is also for new or current managers, union officials, attorneys, staff, human resource professionals, and those who are or will be working in positions where they need to know how Ohio’s laws and court decisions govern public employment issues.

Content is presented by professionals in the field who speak from the perspective of daily experience. Materials are designed to give you easy access to the provisions of the law and the rules you need to consult.

Presenters

Jonathan J. Downes, Esq., Attorney
Zashin & Rich Co., L.P.A. 
OSBA Certified Specialist in Labor and Employment Law
Authored “Civil Service Law in Ohio”, Westlaw top legal editor.

Larry H. James, Esq., Partner
Crabbe, Brown & James, LLC
FOP National Counsel, Former Columbus City Safety Director
National General Counsel, Fraternal Order of Police since 2001

Terry L. Casey, Chairman (Moderator)
State Personnel Board of Review since 2011

Presenter Biographies

Jonathan Downes has over 30 years of experience in practicing labor and employment law in Ohio and has successfully negotiated over 500 labor agreements and has presented over 100 impasse proceedings and 100 arbitrations. He represents cities, townships, counties, school districts, and public officials throughout the State of Ohio. Jonathan also represents private employers in employment matters. He has argued cases before the Ohio Supreme Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

Jonathan is rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell. Jonathan is a Fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers. Jonathan has been selected as one of the “Best Lawyers in America – Employment and Labor Law” every year since 2010, as an “Ohio Super Lawyer” every year since 2004, one of “Central Ohio Top Lawyers” since 2009, and received the OHPELRA “Award of Excellence” in 2016 and the OHPELRA “Pacesetter Award” I 2022. He is certified by the Ohio State Bar Association (“OSBA”) as a Specialist in Labor and Employment law.

He lectures frequently at State and National conferences and seminars on many topics including state and federal employment and labor law developments, civil rights, civil service, arbitration, and collective bargaining.  Jonathan served on the Civil Service Review Commission for the State of Ohio, authored “Civil Service Law in Ohio,” and edits the Westlaw annual publication of the “Ohio Civil Service and Collective Bargaining Laws and Rules Annotated.” Jonathan was a member of the OSBA’s Board of Governors for the Labor and Employment Law Section, is a member of the Ohio Management Lawyers Association, and a charter member and past president of the Ohio Public Employers Labor Relations Association. Jonathan volunteers in his community in various capacities including serving on boards of two charter schools and advises a high school mock trial team.

Larry James has been at the heart of the business, legal, civic, and political scene for the last thirty years. He is a respected litigator, as well as an advisor to local and national leaders. In recognition of his many achievements, the law firm changed its name from Crabbe, Brown, Jones, Potts & Schmidt to Crabbe, Brown & James in January 2001.

In 2011, The Ohio State University selected Mr. James as lead counsel to represent the OSU Student Athletes in the NCAA investigations. In 2013, Armen Keteyian published his book The System: The Glory and Scandal of Big-Time College Football.  A chapter in his book is dedicated to Larry’s work in representing the OSU football players. In 2012, Mr. James and his wife, Donna, were awarded the American Red Cross of Greater Columbus’ Humanitarians of the Year Award.

Larry is a life member of the Sixth Circuit Judicial Conference. He has served as General Counsel of The National Fraternal Order of Police since 2001. He is also co-founder of the African-American Leadership Academy, a member of the Board of Trustees of Kenyon College, founding and current President of the Lincoln Theatre and served sixteen years as the President of The King Arts Complex.

Larry is a 1974 graduate of Wittenberg University with a B.A. in Political Science. He received his J.D. from Cleveland State Law School in 1977.

Terry Casey is a native of Coshocton and was first appointed to the State Personnel Board of Review (SPBR) by Governor John R. Kasich on January 14, 2011.  He has served as Chairman during the past ten plus years.  During this period, SPBR expanded its number of oral arguments before the full Board in order to ensure careful examination of legal issues.  SPBR’s recent statewide educational programs have attracted record turn-out of attendees and provided highly-rated speakers.  

A graduate of Ohio State University in 1972, Mr. Casey holds a degree in Business Administration and also studied journalism. Mr. Casey served as Administrative Assistant to Columbus Mayor Tom Moody and U.S. Representative Sam Devine. He also served 14 years on the Franklin County Board of Elections, including 12 years as its Chairman.  During his election board service, Mr. Casey was involved with a variety of personnel issues, including the implementation of merit pay and employee evaluations.  During this period, he was also active with election officials around Ohio and was appointed by Bob Taft as Chairman of the Board of Voting Machine Examiners.   

Mr. Casey has had extensive background in media and research consulting, including work with Ohio House Speaker Jo Ann Davidson, various schools, libraries, judges and local government officeholders. He served on the Columbus Metropolitan Library Board of Trustees 1988-2002, including as its board president. During his tenure, the Columbus Metropolitan Library system gained ranking as the nation’s number one library and hosted First Lady Barbara Bush at its main library re-dedication. Mr. Casey was named to the Ohio Library Trustee Hall of Fame and served on the Ohio Library Council board for six years, including as its Chair. Mr. Casey has been a regular television news panelist and consultant in Columbus and statewide.

Personally, he has been a student of history and an active photographer, traveling extensively on six continents and 23 countries in Europe, plus recent travels to southeast Asia, southern Africa, the Amazon River and Middle East. 
Married nearly 49 years, his wife was previously a Registered Nurse with Dublin City Schools.  His son has a Masters in Computer Technology from the University of Virginia and his daughter-in-law is University of Virginia Law School graduate.  There are two Casey grandsons, ages ten and eight. 
 

ADA Accommodations

SPBR is committed to providing access and inclusion, and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs, and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws. To request a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Janine Burnside, HR Manager/ADA Coordinator, no later than 14 days before your event. 

Janine Burnside
HR Manager/ADA Coordinator
614-728-8233 (Voice)
711 (then dial) 614-728-8233 (TTY)
janine.burnside@das.ohio.gov