Z&R Press
Press and Media
Law360
Mocktails Seen As Key Ingredient For Holiday Party Inclusivity
November 8, 2023
Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal
Women in Law
April 2020
Smart Business Cleveland
2017 Smart Business Family Business Achievement Awards
September 2017
Crain's Cleveland Business
Ohio Employers Confront Marijuana Use
July 22, 2017
Sports Illustrated
Lane Johnson's Bold Move To Sue His Own Union Is Rare, But Not Unprecedented
January 11, 2017
Law360
Packers Player Drops NFL Drug Suspension Dispute
December 19, 2016
Sports Business Daily
NFL, NFLPA Appoint Das As Third Arbitrator In Michael Pennel Lawsuit
December 5, 2016
Sports Business Journal
Eagles Lineman Challenges NFL and NFLPA in NLRB Filings
December 5, 2016
Law360
Eagles Lineman Says Suspension Violates Federal Labor Law
November 29, 2016
The Business of Sports with Andrew Brandt
RTAB #30: Lane Johnson's Legal Team (Audio Interview)
November 29, 2016
BNA's Health Law Reporter
Surprise! The NLRB Says You Just Might Be a 'Joint Employer'
September 24, 2015
BNA's Health Law Reporter
NLRB Adopts New Joint Employer Standard; Ruling Could Affect Health-Care Industry
September 3, 2015
BNA's Health Law Reporter
Challenge to NLRB Election Rule Fails; Employers Urged to Prepare New Game Plan
June 11, 2015
American Bar Association Section of Labor and Employment Law
Member Spotlight: George S. Crisci
April 13, 2015
Crain's - Article and Video
Zashin & Rich embraces Cleveland roots and rock 'n' roll heritage
November 16, 2014
BNA's Health Law Reporter
Justices Reject NLRB Recess Appointments; Significant Health Care Decisions in Limbo
July 10, 2014
BNA's Health Law Reporter
The EEOC and FTC Turn Up the Heat on Employer Background Checks
April 2014
Crain’s
Zashin & Rich move marks big milestone
for E&Y Tower
November 2013
Cleveland.com
Zashin & Rich law firm leases last full floor of Ernst & Young Tower at Flats East Bank project
November 2013
CCH Employment Law Daily
NLRB NEWS - Controversy Erupts Over NLRB Recess Appointments
January 2012
Crain’s
Companies should consider coverage against employee-related claims
By Stephen Zashin | July 2004
Crain’s
ADR programs can save dollars and time
By Stephen Zashin | November 2003
COSE Update: Legal Ease
One Size Does Not Fit All
(Employment Practices Liability Insurance)
By Stephen Zashin
COSE Update: Legal Ease
Noncompete Agreements
By Michele Jakubs
COSE Update: Legal Ease
Ohio's 'Baby COBRA' Law
By Helena Oroz
Law360
Packers Player Drops NFL Drug Suspension Dispute
December 19, 2016 | By Zachary Zagger, Editing by Edrienne Su | Download PDF
Green Bay Packers nose tackle Mike Pennel agreed to drop his lawsuit against the NFL and NFL Players Association over the handling of his substance abuse policy suspension appeal, according to an order Friday issued days after the football league revealed Pennel accepted a four-game suspension.
Pennel “voluntarily dismisse[d]” his claims in Ohio federal court against the league and the players union with prejudice, according to a stipulated dismissal signed off by U.S. District Judge John R. Adams.
Pennel, who missed the first four games of this season for a prior substance-abuse policy violation, had alleged the NFL and NFLPA were not following the proper procedure under the substance abuse policy for hearing his appeal to potential discipline for an alleged subsequent violation. Under the policy, Pennel could have faced a possible 10-game suspension.
But last week, the NFL issued a statement through the Packers saying that Pennel accepted a four-game suspension. The punishment means he will miss the remainder of the NFL regular season but could return for the playoffs if the Packers qualify.
Pennel had brought the suit last month, saying the NFL and NFLPA failed to maintain at least three arbitrators in a pool from which an arbitrator is drawn to hear a disciplinary appeal as required by the NFL Policy and Program on Substance Abuse. He asked the court for a restraining order to postpone his appeal, which was scheduled for earlier this month. He further asked the court to appoint a neutral arbitrator specifically to hear his case under the Federal Arbitration Act.
But the NFL and players union later agreed to appoint a third arbitrator to the pool and postpone Pennel’s appeal, telling the court that should resolve the dispute, though Pennel continued to push his lawsuit.
Representatives for Pennel and the players union did not respond to requests for comment Monday. The NFL declined to comment.
Pennel, a 25-year-old nose tackle, had been notified on Nov. 8 that he faced discipline for another violation of the substance-abuse policy, according to his complaint. He timely filed an appeal, but the NFL informed him in an email on Nov. 23 that there were only two arbitrators available for assignment, the complaint alleged.
The Packers held on to beat the Chicago Bears 30-27 on Sunday in Chicago to keep their playoff hopes alive. Pennel will be eligible to return to the Packers’ active roster on Jan. 2, following the team’s final regular season game against the Detroit Lions on New Year's Day.
Pennel is represented by Stephen S. Zashin, Patrick J. Hoban and David R. Vance of Zashin & Rich.
The NFL is represented by Philip M. Oliss of Squire Patton Boggs LLP and Daniel L. Nash and Stacey R. Eisenstein of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP. The NFLPA is represented by David L. Greenspan, Jeffrey L. Kessler and Jonathan Amoona of Winston & Strawn LLP and Thomas D. Warren of BakerHostetler.
The case is Pennel v. National Football League Players Association et al., case numbers 1:16-cv- 02889 and 5:16-cv-02889, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.