Overview
Cliff serves as the General Counsel of Reminger, and as Co-Chair of the law firm’s Insurance Coverage/Bad Faith and Appellate Advocacy practice groups. He primarily focuses his practice on complex insurance coverage litigation, appellate practice, professional liability, oil and gas, and general liability. He practices in courts throughout the State of Ohio and provides representation to insurance clients in other states. In addition to having argued in the Ohio Supreme Court nine times, Cliff has litigated matters in virtually every appellate district in the State of Ohio, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.
Cliff has been a featured speaker on issues involving insurance coverage and litigation. He has been retained to act as an arbitrator on insurance coverage issues, and as an insurance expert, testifying on one occasion before the Royal Court of London. He has authored numerous articles in the area of insurance coverage law. Prior to joining Reminger, Cliff served as a judicial clerk to the Ohio Court of Claims and as a master commissioner at the Ohio Supreme Court for three years.
Cliff has been listed in Best Lawyers in America for Appellate Practice and Insurance Law since 2007. In fact, he was selected by Best Lawyers as “Lawyer of the Year for Appellate Practice – Cleveland” in 2015. He has also been honored as a “Super Lawyer” by Ohio Super Lawyers Magazine for the past 11 years and has been named by them as a Top 100 Ohio Lawyer and a Top 50 Cleveland Lawyer.
Honors & Recognitions
Listed in Best Lawyers of America for Appellate Practice, Litigation - Insurance and Insurance Law, since 2007
Selected as Best Lawyers Lawyer of the Year 2015 – Appellate Practice – Cleveland
Recognized as a Super Lawyer in Ohio Super Lawyers Magazine
Named a Top 100 Ohio Lawyer and a Top 50 Cleveland Lawyer by Ohio Super Lawyers Magazine
Results
- Jun 12, 2020, Motion for Directed Verdict8th Appellate Dist
Represented an individual Defendant in defense of a will contest. The case was originally dismissed on a motion for summary judgment, then remanded for trial. At the conclusion of Plaintiffs’ case in chief to the Jury, we along with the other defense team members, successfully won a motion for directed. This appeal addressed significant evidentiary issues and, in the process, affirmed the trial court.
- Aug 14, 2018, Judgment ReversedOhio Supreme Court
P. Portee v. Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Defendants appealed adverse Court of Appeal decision reversing summary judgment based on statute of limitations.
- Aug 25, 2017, Defense verdict upheld8th Appellate Dist
Lynn Cordova, et al. v. Emergency Professional Services Inc., et al.
Defense verdict to emergency physician involving allegations of failure to diagnose and treat diverticulitis. The court of appeals upheld the jury verdict and trial court's refusal to excuse a physician for cause as a prospective juror, and indicated that that decision as it relates to excusing jurors for cause due to impartiality is reviewed under an abuse of discretion standard.
- Jul 16, 2014, Reversed9th Appellate Dist.
E. Hubiak, et al. v. Ohio Family Practice Center Inc., et al
Plaintiff appealed adverse trial court judgment in medical malpractice claim
- Oct 11, 2013, Judgment Affirmed6th Circuit Court of Appeals
Philadelphia Indemnity Insurance Company v. Youth Alive, Inc.
Defendant appealed adverse trial court judgment of denial of insurance coverage
- Jul 11, 2013, Reversed5th Appellate Dist
M. Phillips, et al. v. A. Phillips Deskin, et al.
Client- Plaintiff appealed adverse trial court judgment dismissing claim for fraud, constructive trust and intentional interference of expectancy in inheritance
- Dec 6, 2012Ohio Supreme Court
Houdek v. ThyssenKrupp
On behalf of employer, obtained Ohio Supreme Court reversal of Court of Appeal decision. Ohio Supreme Court reinstated favorable trial court summary judgment ruling on test of deliberate intent relative to employer intentional tort.
- Oct 25, 20128th Appellate Dist
Allison L. Farmer, et al. v. Renee S. Berry, et al.
Defendant-Appellant appealed trial courts granting of summary judgment in legal professional liability case
- Jun 29, 2012, Judgment Affirmed9th Appellate Dist.
Plaintiff appealed adverse trial court judgment in probate will contest action.
- Sep 29, 2010, Judgment Affirmed6th Appellate Dist
Murray Mining Coal Companies v. Rockies Express Pipeline
Plaintiff appealed adverse trial court judgment in claims for conversion of coal rights and injunctive relief against construction of utility pipeline.
- Dec 4, 2009, Reversed11th Appellate Dist
Anthony v. Andrews
Reversing sanctions issued against Defendant physician for failure to proceed in good faith at mediation conference since privileged communications should not have been disclosed in mediator's report.
- Mar 30, 2009, Affirmed9th Appellate Dist.
Strickler v. First Ohio Bank & Lending, Inc.
Affirming denial of Defendant bank's motion to stay proceeding pending arbitration since arbitration provisions did not apply to class action claims.
- Jan 29, 2009, Affirmed8th Appellate Dist
Cosgrove v. Rose
Affirming order of probate court which determined that a trustee had the authority to make monthly distributions of funds to a contingency trust beneficiary.
- Nov 11, 2008, Reversed8th Appellate Dist
Thomas v. Univ. Hospitals of Cleveland
Reversing summary judgment of medical malpractice claims granted in favor of Defendant surgeons since expert testimony created a genuine issue as to proximate causation of injuries.
- Aug 27, 2008, Affirmed9th Appellate Dist.
Braden v. Sinar
Affirming summary judgment in favor of Defendant since Plaintiff failed to establish a prima facie claim of medical malpractice without adequate expert testimony.
- Aug 7, 2008, Affirmed8th Appellate Dist
Pappas v. Ippolito
Affirming summary judgment in favor of Defendant since Plaintiff could not have relied upon Defendant's alleged representations prior to sale of apartment building
- Jul 26, 2007, Reversed8th Appellate Dist
Estate of Holman v. Kates
Reversing jury verdict rendered in favor of Defendant doctor in medical malpractice suit because trial court erred in prohibiting Plaintiff's testimonial statements
- Mar 21, 2007, ReversedSupreme Court of Ohio
State Auto Ins. Co. v. Pasquale
Reversing appellate court's denial of insurance company's motion for summary judgment since contractual exclusion of vehicles designed for use mainly off public roads from uninsured and underinsured coverage was valid.
- Mar 1, 2007, Reversed8th Appellate Dist
Kowalski v. Marymount Hospital
Reversing jury verdict rendered in favor of Defendants doctors in medical malpractice suit due to a jury instruction given at trial which probably misled the jury in a matter substantially affecting the complaining party's substantial rights.
- City of Sharonville v. American Employers Ins. (United National)May 19, 2006, Decision AffirmedSupreme Court of Ohio
Insurance carrier client appeals from an adverse ruling at the trial court finding coverage in a governmental liability complaint alleging ostensible intentional conduct by insured’s agents
- Jun 17, 2005, Judgment ReversedSharonville v. American Employers Ins. Co.
Sharonville v. American Employers Ins. Co.
Plaintiff appeals adverse trial court ruling on declaratory judgment seeking coverage under governmental liability insurance policy.
- Sep 3, 2004, Affirmed1st Dist. Ct. of App.
City of Sharonville v. United National Ins. Co.
Plaintiff City appeals adverse trial court judgment denying coverage for murder “cover up” conspiracy claim.
- Aug 5, 2002, Decision Affirmed5th Dist. Ct. Appeals
Henderson v. Luhri
Appeal of trial court’s judgment entry denying Defendant/Appellant’s Motion to Intervene.
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Education
J.D., Cleveland State University College of Law, 1983
B.A., Cleveland State University, 1980
Admissions
- State of Ohio, 1983
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio, 1989
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, 1989
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1993