Trees, People, & the Law
Featuring Victor Merullo

Municipalities, other government agencies, utilities, private contractors, and landowners often find themselves involved in litigation from incidents related to trees. Consequently, the rights, duties, and liabilities these entities have, with regard to trees, are an area of increasing interest and concern. This information-packed seminar is designed to provide a background for understanding the issues surrounding trees, people, and the law. State and local statutes and court cases will be included to tailor the seminar to each locality.

How You Will Benefit?

Trees, People, and the Law is the only full-day seminar of its kind devoted exclusively to trees and the law and presented by a highly qualified attorney with extensive experience relating to the law of trees. Attendees will:

• Gain an understanding of statutory and common-law concepts
• Review case law as it relates to tree liabilities
• Receive information on how the law works, trends in the law, and liability issues
• Have the opportunity for discussion with others who share similar concerns

Participants Will Learn

• How the law works
• What damages are recoverable for injuries caused by trees
• What damages are recoverable for injuries to trees
• About negligence and nuisance concepts
• How the law affects easements and utility companies
• About current legal trends
• What is required of an expert witness
• Where to locate state statutes and municipal ordinances

Topic Outline

• Introduction/Overview

   --History of Law
   --Tree Related Law
• Negligence & Nuisance Issues
• Current Legal Trends
• Ordinances
• Easements and Public Utility Issues
• Specific Case Law
• Selected Cases of Local Interest
     --State Cases & Statutes
• Qualifying as an Expert Witness
• Discussion & Conclusion

Meet your Instructor

Victor D. Merullo is an attorney with the law firm Merullo, Reister & Swinford in Columbus, Ohio. Victor has been in the public and private practice of law for more than 20 years. He worked for the Ohio Attorney General, assigned primarily to the Ohio Department of Agriculture. In the private practice of law, he has handled cases in various aspects of the law including numerous tree-related matters. Victor is considered a leading expert in the law of trees and wrote ÒArboricultre and the Law,Ó the first publication devoted exclusively to the law of trees.