BMCO - Baasten McKinley & Co LPA

06/01/2026

We’re excited to welcome Gabrielle “Gabby” Johnson back to Baasten McKinley & Co. as our 2026 summer intern.

Gabby is currently a second-year student at Kent State University, where she is pursuing the 3+3 accelerated track and actively participating in pre-law programming, including LSAT practice and law school-focused discussions.

We’re pleased to have Gabby back with us this summer and look forward to supporting her continued interest in the legal field.

Welcome back, Gabby!

05/29/2026

Baasten, McKinley & Co., LPA is proud to recognize Rachel M. Reight for her role on the Planning Committee for the Ohio State Bar Association’s Ninth Annual Public Sector Labor Law Seminar.

Rachel will also be presenting "The Impact of Property Tax Abolition on Public Services" as part of this important CLE program, which brings together labor and employment law professionals from across Ohio to address key developments in collective bargaining, public-sector employment relations, civil service rules, arbitration, pension considerations, and related issues.

The seminar will take place June 27, 2025, and is approved for 6.5 total CLE hours, including 6.5 Ohio Bar Labor and Employment Law Certification Hours.

Register here: https://www.ohiobar.org/2025-cle-live-seminarsmeetings/ninth-annual-public-sector-labor-law-seminar2/

05/20/2026

Last week, Rachel Reight presented to the Westshore Service Council on Public School Scholarship Granting Organizations, helping community leaders better understand issues that affect public schools, educators, students, and families.

At Baasten McKinley & Co., our work is rooted in service to the education community. We believe strong public schools are essential to strong communities, and we are committed to supporting the educators, employees, and institutions that make that mission possible.

Thank you to the Westshore Service Council for creating space for meaningful discussion around public education and community impact.

05/04/2026

We are proud to announce that the team at Baasten, McKinley & Co., L.P.A. has been working behind the scenes to help plan the upcoming seminar: Fundamentals of Employment Law.

At BMCO, we believe that a fair workplace starts with a deep understanding of the law. This program is designed to provide practitioners with the essential tools to navigate the complexities of the employer-employee relationship, from hiring practices to wage and hour compliance.

Education is advocacy. By helping shape this curriculum, we’re ensuring that the next generation of legal professionals is equipped to protect rights and promote fairness across Ohio.

📅 Join us for this live seminar!
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Advancing the practice of law in Ohio.

05/02/2026

Celebrating Law Day with the next generation of leaders!

At Baasten, McKinley & Co. L.P.A., we were honored to support the Portage County Bar Association’s mock trial program this week. Established by President Eisenhower in 1958, Law Day is an annual celebration of the rule of law and its role in protecting our fundamental freedoms.

It was a privilege to work alongside talented students from Garrettsville, who stepped into the courtroom as our jury and witnesses. While local attorneys handled the legal arguments, these students brought the trial to life with their insight and dedication!

We wrapped up the celebrations by attending the PCBA Law Day Dinner, reflecting on this year’s theme: "The Rule of Law and the American Dream."

Thank you to the PCBA and the Garrettsville community for a fantastic day dedicated to civic education and the future of our profession.

04/25/2026

Baasten McKinley & Co. is pleased to share that Rachel Reight will be presenting at the OASNP Conference on April 25, 2026.

Rachel’s presentation, “Special Education Legal Update,” will address important legal developments impacting special education professionals, school districts, county boards, families, and the students they serve.

We are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this important conversation and to support the professionals working every day in the special education field.

04/17/2026

Our partner, Rachel Reight, had a great evening presenting at the Ohio Education Association Summit Portage Joint Leadership Council last night.

It was a strong turnout, with leaders from across those counties attending to hear important legal updates affecting educators and classified employees in our schools.

Thank you to everyone who joined the conversation and contributed to a thoughtful discussion on the issues impacting school employees today.

03/27/2026

Baasten McKinley & Co., LPA is proud to recognize Rachel Reight on her completion of her year as a Fellow with the Ohio State Bar Foundation.

As part of this distinguished cohort, Rachel played a key role in coordinating last week's AI and the Law Symposium, which brought together judges, attorneys, and legal professionals to examine the evolving role of artificial intelligence in the practice of law. The program featured a live deposition simulation demonstrating how AI can be used to enhance attorney performance, offering a practical and forward-looking perspective on emerging technology.

Associate attorney Abbey Bashor also attended the symposium and contributed to the discussion by raising a thoughtful question regarding European Union AI regulation and its potential implications for the United States legal landscape.

Rachel’s fellowship experience reflects a deep commitment to the legal profession and to ensuring that innovation is approached with both strategic insight and professional responsibility, with an emphasis on access to justice. We are proud of her contributions and look forward to her continued involvement with the Ohio State Bar Foundation.

Baasten McKinley & Co. was honored to support this important program.

03/18/2026

We’re proud to share that our own Rachel Reight presented (alongside her husband, Brian Harrod, Attorney at Renner Otto) at the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Legal Clinic at Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C).

This program brings together growing businesses and experienced advisors to address real-world legal and operational challenges. Rachel provided practical guidance to help small business owners navigate employment-related issues and build stronger, compliant workplaces.

At Baasten, McKinley & Co., LPA, we are committed to supporting the business community through both counsel and education. We’re honored to be part of an initiative that empowers entrepreneurs to grow with confidence.

03/07/2026

See Us at the NEOEA MegaConference!

Baasten McKinley & Co. is excited to have our attorneys presenting multiple sessions at this year’s NEOEA MegaConference on March 7, 2026.

Join Rachel Reight and Abbey Bashor for these informative sessions designed for education professionals:

Legally Intelligent with Artificial Intelligence
Presenter: Rachel Reight

I’m Not a Nurse, But I Play One at School
Presenters: Rachel Reight & Marcus Whiteamire

Law & Order: Educator Unit
Presenter: Rachel Reight & Abbey Bashor

These sessions will explore emerging legal issues, practical guidance for educators, and real-world scenarios impacting today’s schools.

We look forward to connecting with everyone attending the conference!