Overview
Reminger has one of the largest governmental practices in the Midwest providing comprehensive representation to county governments, townships, villages, cities and schools.
Reminger’s multi-state practice handles virtually every type of governmental need. This includes:
- Tort claims, including those arising out of the operation of vehicles, defective premises, and other injuries from governmental functions.
- Civil Rights claims, including §1983 actions.
- Employment disputes.
- Zoning and land use disputes.
- Construction disputes.
- All aspects of school liability.
- Counseling on construction projects.
Reminger’s governmental liability practice stands out for three reasons. First, the size of Reminger’s practice – throughout the Midwest – has led to an expertise not often found. Simply, Reminger lawyers have been involved in virtually every aspect of governmental litigation. Second, Reminger brings a fearless approach to all litigation, including governmental litigation. Too often governmental lawyers fear taking a hard case to trial. Reminger lawyers, having more trial experience than most, are always ready to stand and try a meritless claim. Third, Reminger offers uncompromising value in its services. Proper staffing of Reminger’s cases, dramatically cuts clients’ costs. Reminger never over-staffs a case, unlike many firms which bring multiple lawyers to events, where there is no need for such. Further, Reminger’s geographical scope allows files to be placed in the hands of the right lawyers, in the geographical area where the case is venued.
Our Service
Our Governmental Liability Practice Group distinguishes itself from our competition in the following ways:
- Dedicated Client Service. Our group is committed to exceeding reporting guidelines of our clients. We also proactively meet with governmental entities during both regular session meetings and executive session meetings to help counsel clients not only through the litigation process, but also in the administrative process both before and after a lawsuit is filed.
- Philosophy of Practice. We are mindful that many lawsuits including 'Sunshine Law' claims and civil rights claims run the risk of paying the opposing party's attorney fees. Thus, we pride ourselves on being trial lawyers, rather than simply 'litigators'. We collaborate with our clients to resolve the matter in the least amount of time and at the least amount of expense to keep not only our fees reasonable, but those of our opponents as well.
- We are a good value. Our firm is a leader in 'alternative fee arrangements' and we presently serve numerous clients on a fixed fee basis. Our hourly rate is competitive, simple and straightforward and includes all in-house, out-of-pocket expenses such as long distance telephone calls, mailings, mileage, computer usage research charges, faxes, copies, etc.
- Value-added components. Our governmental attorneys will provide complimentary consultation with insureds and members in areas of loss prevention, case evaluation, substantive law, and claim management. Our attorneys will also make themselves available for a complementary marketing presentation and provide insight into new legislation and case law which often impacts governmental liability and concepts of governmental immunity. Our statewide offices, in-house videoconferencing facilities, and total firm electronic integration allows us to conduct interviews, discovery, and presentations with economic efficiency throughout the region.
Representative Matters
Reminger lawyers hav obtained some of the landmark decisions in the governmental liability arena and have handled significant cases which include:
- Successfully represented a city in an employee class action mandamus case, in front of the Ohio Supreme Court, seeking payment of back benefits for fifteen years.
- Successfully trying a jury trial for race discrimination of a teacher who put children at risk.
- Successful defense of a teacher termination case where the teacher implicitly threatened to bring a gun to school.
- Obtaining the landmark Sixth Circuit case involving the scope of a management employees’ freedom of speech rights and the ability of a municipality to curtail those rights, so the municipality may properly run its service operations.
- Successfully trying the case of a terminated police chief.
- Successfully defended a municipality for double drowning deaths, over a low head dam.
- Tried and obtained a dismissal of a removal petition of Trustees.
- Successfully defended a municipality, in the Ohio Supreme Court, on a claim brought by a drunk pedestrian struck, walking in the street.
- Successfully defended a terminations of multiple fire fighters.
- Successfully defended a school district in federal court on significant claims of copyright and trademark infringement. One of Ohio’s landmark cases on the right of schools under the fair use doctrine.
Representative Clients
Allied Darwin, Arch Insurance, Cleveland Metroparks, HAS, Tokio Marine HCC – Public Risk Group, Municipal Insurance Alliance, Ohio Government Risk Management Plan, OTARMA, Public Entities Pool administered by American Risk Pooling Consultants, Inc., Multiple Ohio municipalities, villages and townships, the City of Newark, the City of Chillicothe, the City of Bridgeport, Etna Township, Village of Lincoln Heights, Monroe Township, Pleasant Township, Franklin Township, Liberty Township, Bennington Township, Village of Bethesda, City of Washington Court House, Lucas County, Ross County Agricultural Society, Washington County Agricultural Society, Muskingum County Agricultural Society and Washington County Health District
Testimonials
"Pat Kasson resolved a very dangerous school district claim at an excellent value by virtue of his knowledgeable and practical approach.”
-Brian, Claim Counsel
Results
- Jan 20, 2021, Motion for Summary Judgment Upheld on Appeal6th Circuit Court of Appeals
First of its kind defense of Prosecutor and Clerk of Courts for publicly making a Plaintiff’s personal driver’s license and date of birth information available.
- Sep 30, 2020, Order Granting Plaintiff’s Motions for Leave to File Surreply, Granting Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment, and Directing Entry of JudgmentU.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana
Plaintiff, a prison inmate, filed a Section 1983 action against nurses at Terre Haute Regional Hospital. After summary judgment was filed, Plaintiff voluntarily agreed to dismiss all the nurses except one. This nurse cared for Plaintiff after his left foot surgery at THRH. Plaintiff alleged that the nurse was deliberately indifferent to his serious medical needs because he was discharged in violation of THRH policy and for not placing a medical shoe on him prior to discharge. Summary judgment was sought, in part, on the basis that the nurse was not deliberately indifferent to Plaintiff’s medical needs. Although the nurse discharged Plaintiff in violation of the hospital policy, Plaintiff did not prove that he was harmed by the premature discharge and that there was no evidence she knew that he would be walking thus negating the need to place a medical shoe on his foot.
- Sep 29, 2020, Summary Judgment Granted
Defense of a police excessive force case.
- Sep 17, 2020, Judgment Reversed and Remanded8th Appellate Dist
Appealed trial court judgment dismissing school board’s claim regarding sharing of tax revenue.
- Sep 9, 2020, Judgment ReversedSixth Appellate District, Lucas County, Ohio
Landmark decision on ability of government employees to contract with their employer. Represented Spencer Township in appeal to reverse a judgement regarding a breach of contract on behalf of a terminated Fire Chief. The Court found that the contract was null and void and not enforceable and judgment was entered in favor of the Township.
- Sep 2, 2020, Summary Judgment GrantedWashington
Summary judgment granted in favor of school district, administrators, and teachers on negligence claims involving an individualized education plan, supervision, and staffing levels
- Aug 26, 2020, Summary Judgment Granted5th Dist. Ct. Appeals
Summary judgment on gender discrimination and retaliation claims upheld involving a female police officer who was terminated at the end of her training phase
- Jun 23, 2020, Summary Judgment GrantedU.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana
Plaintiff, a prisoner at Wabash Correctional Facility, alleged a Section 1983 claim for a deliberate indifference to his medical needs in violation of the 8th amendment.
- Jun 22, 2020, Affirmation of Summary Judgment6th Circuit Court of Appeals
The Plaintiff had complained that his civil rights were violated with respect to his medical treatment in jail. The court granted summary judgment finding that he had not met his burden to show that they exercised deliberate indifference in his medical treatment
- Jun 2, 2020, Summary Judgment GrantedU.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division
Summary judgment granted in favor of school district on claims of copyright and trademark infringement
- Mar 6, 2020, Motion for Judgment on the PleadingsUnited States District Court Northern District of Ohio (Eastern Division)
Defense of police chief and captain against Fourteenth Amendment claim that the police department failed to adequately investigate the circumstances of the death of Plaintiff’s family member.
- Oct 23, 2019, Judgment granted on Plaintiff’s punitive damages claim limiting overall damage exposure in an admitted liability caseFairfield
Defense of damages in an admitted liability auto accident.
- Sep 27, 2019, Motion for Summary Judgment Granted and Plaintiff’s Amended Complaint was DismissedUnited States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
Plaintiff, a prison inmate, filed a Section 1983 action against Defendant alleging he was deliberately indifferent to his serious medical needs. Defendant had treated Plaintiff over the course of almost 6 months for large kidney stones. Summary judgment was sought on the basis that he was not a state actor (acting under color of law) and therefore not liable under Section 1983. The Court granted summary judgment—" There is no evidence in the record to indicate that defendant was a state actor when he provided medical services to Plaintiff.”
- Aug 27, 2019, Motion For Summary JudgmentLicking
Defense of gender discrimination case.
- Jun 3, 2019, Summary JudgmentDelaware
Defense of premises liability case alleging significant injury
- Apr 25, 2018, Defense Ruling UpheldOhio Supreme Court
Christopher Plank, Administrator of the Estate of Monica Plank v. City of Bellefontaine and City of Bellefontaine Water Department
Defense of municipality in wrongful death case, arguing against jurisdiction
- Nov 20, 2017, Third District Court of Appeals reversed the trial court’s denial of political subdivision immunity and remanded the case to the trial court to grant Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment, pursuant to the Third District’s decision3rd District Court of Appeals
Christopher Plank, Administrator of the Estate of Monica Plank v. City of Bellefontaine and City of Bellefontaine Water Department
Defense of municipality in wrongful death case
- Sep 29, 2017, Defense VerdictU.S. District Court, Northern Ohio
Defense of governmental liability claim for property damages arising out of demolition of Plaintiff’s condemned property.
- Sep 22, 2017, Judgment Affirmed5th Appellate Dist
S.C., A Minor, et al. v. Licking Co. Health Dept., et al.
Plaintiff appealed adverse trial court judgment in governmental premises liability personal injury claim
- Sep 12, 2017, Judgment Affirmed4th Appellate Dist
T. Anderson, et al. v. Warren Local School District Board of Education
Plaintiffs appealed adverse trial court judgment in claim by homeowners alleging trespass and negligence by school district for fronting damages to their residences.
- Aug 17, 2017, Motion For Summary Judgment GrantedCuyahoga
Defense of public record request/injunction
- Jul 11, 2017, Judgment Affirmed5th Appellate Dist
Patterson v. Licking Township
Plaintiff appealed adverse trial court judgment in governmental liability claim based on wage and hour compensation
- Owens v. Franklin Township Police DepartmentJul 10, 2017, Defense VerdictFranklin
Defense of governmental liability police action for false imprisonment claim
- Aug 19, 2016, Motion for Summary Judgment GrantedU.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
Defense of First Amendment Freedom of Speech Claims
- Dec 21, 2015, Motion to Dismiss GrantedHamilton
Defense of intentional infliction of emotion distress claim
- Dec 10, 2015, Judgment Affirmed8th Appellate Dist
D. Bentkowski v. Seven Hills, et al.
Plaintiff appealed adverse trial court judgment in employee claim against governmental entity in wrongful disclosure, invasion of privacy, retaliation and conspiracy
- Aug 26, 2015, Permit deniedMarion
Defense of conditional use permit appeal from property owner
- May 8, 2015, Judgment Affirmed1st Appellate Dist
George Fisher v. Amberley Village
Client appealed validity of tax levy by Village for providing police services.
- Apr 22, 2015, Motion for Summary Judgment GrantedU.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
Defense of municipality
- Feb 20, 2015, Motion For Summary Judgment GrantedU.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
Defended citizen’s First Amendment challenge to municipal sign ordinance.
- Feb 6, 2015, Reversed6th Appellate Dist
H. Stanton v. Jerusalem Twp., et al.
Governmental defendant appealed adverse trial court judgment granting fire chief judgment for wrongful termination.
- Apr 1, 2014, Judgment AffirmedU.S. District Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
LaBorde v. City of Gahanna and RITA
Plaintiff appealed governmental liability class action claim against City and Regional Income Taxing Authority based on constitutional rights regarding computation of City income tax credit.
- Jan 29, 2014, Defense VerdictMeigs
Defense of bus and auto liability personal injury claim for governmental liability
- Nov 19, 2013, Defense VerdictU.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
Defense of 1983 civil rights claims in using excessive force, illegal seizure and malicious prosecution.
- Jun 14, 2013, Summary JudgmentCuyahoga
Defense of improper design of a sanitary sewer system causing erosion to property
- May 22, 2013, Summary JudgmentU.S. District Court, Northern District
Defense of government regarding constitutional claims
- Mar 15, 2013, Trial Court Granted Defendants Motion for Summary JudgmentCuyahoga
Defense of municipality
- Mar 6, 2013, Plaintiff VerdictFranklin
Defense of sexual harassment in employment and governmental context as well as gender discrimination case
- Feb 25, 2013, Reversed and Summary Judgment Granted7th Appellate Dist
C. Rastaedt v. City of Youngstown
Defendant appealed governmental liability case to court of appeals based on trial courts denial of summary judgment in personal injury claim arising out of municipalitys duty to maintain highways.
- Jul 13, 2012, Trial Court Granted Defendants Motion for Summary JudgmentCuyahoga
Defense of premise liability claim
- May 31, 2012, Reversed and Remanded8th Appellate Dist
Michael A. Lingo, et al. v. State of Ohio, et al./Thomas E. Day, Jr., Clerk of Court Bedford Muni. Ct., Victoria Dailey, Clerk of Court Chardon Muni. Court, and Lisa Mastrangelo, Clerk of Court of the Willoughby Mun. Court
Whether the named plaintiffs and a class of similarly situated plaintiffs are entitled to declaratory relief, injunctive relief and damages related to alleged overcharged court costs by clerks of court
- Apr 18, 2011, Favorable OutcomeFranklin
Eminent domain proceedings to value 'taking' of property valuation claim for public utility pipeline easement use
- Mar 4, 2011, Favorable OutcomeLake
Defense of governmental liability wrongful death claim involving drowning
- Nov 16, 2010, Judgment Affirmed10th Appellate Dist
Richard Weldon, et al. v. Prairie Township, et al.
Plaintiff appealed adverse trial court judgment in claim for damages arising out of township’s independent contractor work.
- 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.
- May 26, 2010, Favorable OutcomeU.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
Defense of eminent domain utility easement valuation claim
- Apr 28, 2010, Favorable OutcomeU.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
Execution of eminent domain valuation claim
- Apr 27, 2010, Judgment Reversed10th Appellate Dist
Pomante v. Maritime Ashland Pipeline
Plaintiff appealed adverse trial court judgment in attack on pipeline easement dimensions
- Mar 22, 2010, Affirmed5th Appellate Dist
Shawnee Assoiciates, LP v. Village of Shawnee Hills, et al.
Plaintiff appealed adverse trial court judgment in governmental liability claim arising out of utility assessments.
- Feb 12, 2010, Defense VerdictFranklin
Defense of township in property damage claim
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Main Contacts
- ChairColumbus
- Indianapolis
All Practice Group Attorneys
- Patrick Kasson
- Ronald A. Mingus
- Vincent P. Antaki
- Alex M. Beeman
- Nicholas G. Brunette
- Brett Clayton
- Melvin J. Davis
- Kevin P. Foley
- Michael P. Gilbride
- Gregory G. Guice
- Justin D. Harris
- Daniel R. Haude
- Robert W. Hojnoski
- Kent Hushion
- Lyndsay I. Ignasiak
- Jackie M. Jewell
- Kelly Johns
- B. Scott Jones
- Jonathan Krol
- Nathan A. Lennon
- Mark A. MacDonald
- Rafael P. McLaughlin
- Brian R. Noethlich
- Keona R. Padgett
- Zachary B. Pyers
- Codie J. Ross
- Matthew L. Schrader
- Timothy B. Spille
- Thomas N. Spyker
- Ryan J. Sterling
- Michael J. Valentine
- Stephen E. Walters
- Robert D. Warner
- Trevor Wells
- Holly Marie Wilson