Overview
We are heavily involved in the defense of lawyers being sued principally by former clients, but sometimes by third-parties as well. The underlying subject matter is as diverse as the practice of law itself, as we have defended matters involving labor law, pension law, criminal law, personal injury claims, patent and trademark law, domestic relations law, corporate transactions, probate law, discrimination law--in short, virtually every type of matter in which attorney/client relationships are formed. While we are well acquainted with those lawyers that frequently bring such claims, we are also familiar with those that appear as 'experts' in such matters, as advertising in this area is at a premium. A common misconception in the practice of attorney professional liability matters is that the defense lawyers themselves must be 'experts' in the particular matter at hand. Our experience has taught us that the best defense lawyers for these cases are not only those who can offer judicious insight into the best available experts for a given case, but, more pointedly, those who have the trial skills to distill the particular subject matter into an area that a jury can grasp. Because of the diversity of areas we frequently confront, it is important that our practice group is comprised of lawyers that are legally acute, and those with exceptional trial skills.
We also frequently represent other lawyers before Certified Grievance Committees, matters of professional fitness to practice, and matters before the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline of the Ohio Supreme Court.
Representative Clients
AmTrust North America; Argo Group US, Inc.; Aspen Specialty Insurance Company; Attorney Protective; AXA XL; AXIS US Insurance; Berkley Select, LLC; CNA Insurance Companies; Houston International Insurance Group; ProAssurance LawyerCare; ProSight Specialty Insurance; The Travelers Companies, Inc.; Zurich American Insurance Company.
Testimonials
"Reminger is our ‘go to’ firm for legal professional liability claims."
-Michael, Claim Director
“As claim counsel responsible for insured’s attorneys, I know that when I retain Reminger, I can count on their excellent work.”
-Jean, Claim Counsel
"The Reminger loss prevention hotline for our insured lawyers received an outstanding grade in response in our survey of insured attorneys and attendees to Reminger’s risk management and loss prevention webinars to the point that 93% responded as the services and advice provided of being good while 50% rated those services as ‘great’.”
- Pam, President
“I can always count on Reminger’s attorneys to defend our lawyer and accountant insureds in a first rate manner.”
-Courtney, Claim Counsel
Results
- Sep 10, 2024, DismissalUnion County Court of Common Pleas
Obtained dismissal of legal malpractice claim against an estate planning attorney and his firm.
- Aug 6, 2024, Motion for Summary Judgment GrantedAllen Superior Court
Motion for summary judgment granted in favor of attorneys in legal malpractice and deceit case.
- May 30, 2024, Dismissal Affirmed4th Appellate Dist
Fourth Appellate District affirmed the dismissal of legal malpractice claim based upon Ohio’s newly enacted statute of repose.
- Apr 26, 2024, Motion for Judgment on Pleadings GrantedCuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas
Less than five months after legal malpractice case filed, all claims dismissed against attorney and law firm based on the legal malpractice statute of repose and statute of limitations.
- Apr 17, 2024, Motion For Summary Judgment
In a contentious legal malpractice case alleging numerous allegations about representation, obtained summary judgment and dismissal of all claims in favor of attorney and her law firm.
- Apr 2024, DismissalHamilton County Common Pleas Court
Obtained Rule 12 dismissal on behalf of Ohio attorneys and their law firm in omnibus civil lawsuit alleging a failure by the clients to defend the plaintiff in separate litigation, succeeding on claims of pleading deficiency and other legal bases.
- Jan 30, 2024, Summary Judgment GrantedCuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas
Summary judgment granted in favor of an attorney and his law firm. The attorney was accused of legal malpractice regarding his representation of his client who was the wife that had a business dispute with her husband’s family-owned business. The wife claimed over six figures in damages against the attorney and filed the legal malpractice suit as the power of attorney for her husband. There was little case law as to the applicability of the attorney-client relationship when a power of attorney is involved in this scenario and also where the wife was trying to state claims that as a spouse she had standing and privity to bring the legal malpractice claim and how the statute of limitations applied as a result. The trial court initially agreed that the case was barred by the statute of limitations granting judgment on the pleadings in favor of our clients. However, this was then reversed and remanded as the appellate court ruled there were sufficient allegations in the pleadings to state a claim. After discovery, Andy and Melany won again as they filed a motion for summary judgment which the trial court granted holding that the claims were barred by the statute of limitations and the wife lacked standing as a spouse and also under the power of attorney to bring her claim.
- Jan 10, 2024, DismissalCuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas
Represented a well-known Cleveland law firm and lawyer in a legal malpractice case and obtained dismissal of all claims against the firm and the attorney.
- Dec 22, 2023, Motion for Judgment on the PleadingsCuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas
Obtained a motion for judgment on the pleadings in favor of attorney who was sued for legal malpractice and various aiding and abetting tort claims under the “malice”; “bad faith”; and “fiduciary duty” exceptions to the attorney-client relationship.
- Nov 22, 2023, Summary JudgmentHamilton County Court of Common Pleas
Obtained summary judgment in favor of divorce attorney in a legal malpractice case.
- Sep 29, 2023, Summary JudgmentLake Superior Court
Obtained summary judgment in favor of attorney.
- Sep 8, 2023, Motion for Judgment on the PleadingsLucas County Court of Common Pleas
Plaintiff alleged claims of legal malpractice, fraud, civil conspiracy, IIED, and unlawful acts intended to violated plaintiff’s 4th, 5th, and 6th amendment rights related to our client's legal representation of Plaintiff. Plaintiff filed his claims outside of the 1 year statute of limitations for legal malpractice and all related claims were subsumed into the legal malpractice claim and were barred as untimely.
- 2023, DismissalAthens County Court of Common Pleas
Obtained dismissal in legal malpractice action alleging malpractice of appeal of criminal matter through grant of motion for summary judgment.
- 2023, DismissalCuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas
Obtained dismissal in legal malpractice action through grant of motion to dismiss within 90 days of assignment.
- Aug 2023, DismissalJefferson County Kentucky Circuit Court
Obtained dismissal of all professional negligence claims asserted against out-of-state law firm arising from an underlying Colorado workers’ compensation matter.
- Jul 6, 2023, Motion to Dismiss Granted with PrejudiceHamilton County Common Pleas Court
Defended a real estate title company in an action for malpractice and professional negligence arising out of an allegedly improper real estate transfer. Plaintiff asserted damages in the six figures for a purported loss in property value arising from the alleged errant transfer. Upon receiving the Complaint, we timely prepared a Motion to Dismiss, arguing Plaintiffs failed to state a claim for malpractice and professional negligence against our client. More specifically, based upon the contract documents attached to Plaintiffs’ Complaint, it was clear from the face of the Complaint that our client was not in privity with the Plaintiffs and owed no duty. Further, under Ohio law, a title company cannot be held liable for legal malpractice. Upon oral argument, the Court ruled from the bench and granted Lawyers Title’s Motion to Dismiss without further delay.
- Mar 1, 2023, Summary JudgmentWarren County Court of Common Pleas
Succesfully obtained summary judgment for our attorney-client in a claim for legal malpractice filed in the Warren County Court of Common Pleas. This case involved the attorney’s representation of a client in a business dispute that concluded approximately seven (7) years ago. The Court agreed with our argument that the malpractice claim was barred by the statute of limitations, and dismissed the case on summary judgment before the start of discovery.
- Feb 13, 2023, Summary Judgment GrantedMonroe County, Ohio
Summary judgment granted on all claims based on the expired statute of limitations and the finding that legal malpractice claims are not tolled until final judgment in an underlying matter.
- Nov 22, 2022, Dismissal Affirmed6th Appellate Dist
Dismissal affirmed in favor of our attorney client in regards to alleged civil conspiracy, malicious prosecution, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, fraud, abuse-of-process, false imprisonment, and other negligence-based claims, arising out of our clients’ representation of a spouse in a contested custody dispute with the Appellant-father.
- Sep 23, 2022Medina
Defense of legal malpractice claim.
- Jul 28, 2022, Judgment Affirmed8th Dist. Ct. of Appeals
Court of appeals upheld summary judgment regarding expert witness testimony requirements in legal malpractice matter.
- Jun 28, 2022, Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings GrantedDelaware
Defense of legal malpractice claim.
- Jun 24, 2022Medina, Ohio County Court of Common Pleas
Obtained summary judgment granted in favor of law firm and attorney in legal malpractice case.
- Jun 16, 2022, Affirmed6th Circuit Court of Appeals
A published decision affirming the federal district court’s dismissal of a complex legal malpractice claim stemming from the settlement of a state law insurance coverage dispute.
- Jun 1, 2022, DismissalU.S. District Court of Ohio, Northern District, Eastern Division
Obtained dismissal of malicious prosecution and First Amendment 1983 claim against a prosecutor.
- Apr 18, 2022, Affirmed11th Appellate District
Affirming trial court’s dismissal of claims against attorneys and court personnel stemming from protracted domestic relations and custody dispute.
- Mar 10, 2022, DismissalSummit County
In a case alleging legal malpractice, case proceeded to bench trial with all claims against the lawyer being dismissed and costs being taxed to the plaintiff.
- Feb 17, 2022, Motion to Dismiss GrantedUnited States District Court, Western District of Kentucky
Motion to Dismiss granted on claim for legal malpractice involving an underlying domestic relations case.
- Jan 25, 2022, Summary Judgment GrantedLake County Court of Common Pleas
Summary Judgment granted in favor of defendant lawyer/law firm on vicarious liability legal malpractice claims asserted against them because said claims were barred by the applicable statute of limitations.
- Dec 15, 2021Ohio Supreme Court
Defended an attorney against claims of misconduct from former clients. Represented attorney before both Disciplinary Counsel and the Supreme Court of Ohio.
- Jul 25, 2021, Reversed and Motion to Dismiss GrantedKentucky Court of Appeals
The Kentucky Court of Appeals reversed the trial court's deciosion and granted our motion to dismiss a claim for legal malpractice against a guardian ad litem in the Kenton County Circuit Court. On February 22, 2022, the Kentucky Supreme Court denied discretionary review of the case.
- Jun 30, 2021, DismissalOhio Supreme Court
Obtained Dismissal in Supreme Court Mandamus Action against two Judges over alleged failures to provide a victim statutory rights.
- Yost v. McNea, 6th Dist. Erie No. E-20-014, 2021-Ohio-2145Jun 25, 2021, Decision AffirmedOhio Court of Appeals, Sixth District Erie County
Affirming trial court’s denial of Motion for Relief from Judgment stemming from the dismissal of a legal malpractice claim concerning an underlying adoption proceeding.
- Jan 2, 2020, Judgment Affirmed8th Appellate Dist
Appellate court affirms trial court’s dismissal of plaintiff’s legal malpractice claim, finding that defendant-attorney exercised sound professional judgment.
- Sep 5, 2019, Complaint dismissed with prejudiceCuyahoga
Time-barred legal malpractice complaint dismissed in its entirety following a grant of defendant-attorney’s motion for judgment on the pleadings 171 days after receipt of assignment.
- Aug 2019, Dismissal of ClaimHamilton County Court of Common Pleas
Obtained dismissal of a malpractice claim at the pleading stage that alleged a failure to properly represent a client in an underlying criminal matter, on the basis that the claim was barred by the one-year statute of limitations.
- Jun 11, 2019, DismissalU.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
Early dismissal of Vermont based Executor of the Estate in plaintiff’s legal malpractice and conspiracy claim, finding attorney did not avail the privileges and protection of Ohio by participating in disciplinary investigation.
- May 17, 2019, Dismissal of complaintCuyahoga
Defense of legal malpractice claim against appellate attorney alleging a failure to object to the State's submission of inadmissible exhibits into the appellate file.
- May 16, 2019Lorain
Represented professional services assistance program alleged to have violated plaintiff's constitutional civil rights.
- May 7, 2019Cuyahoga County
Former client-business owner brought a legal malpractice lawsuit against former attorney for alleged deficiencies in the handling of a business dispute and probate matter.
- Jan 19, 2019, Judgment Affirmed8th Dist. Ct. of Appeals
Terry L. Jochum, et al., v. Ezio Listati, et al.
Plaintiff appealed adverse trial court judgment in defense of legal malpractice claim.
- Sep 3, 2018, Motion to Dismiss GrantedU.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
Defense of legal malpractice case alleging conspiracy
- Mar 22, 2018, Directed VerdictUSDC, Bankruptcy
Defense of legal professional liability in domestic relations matter
- Feb 13, 2018Cuyahoga
Defense of alleged estate planning legal malpractice. Motion for Summary Judgment granted in favor of attorneys, resulting in dismissal of entire lawsuit.
- Dec 18, 2017Portage County Court of Common Pleas
Motion for summary judgment granted in favor of client in defense of legal professional liability claim.
- Dec 13, 2017, Dismissal of Charges and Summary JudgmentU.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Western Division
Obtained dismissal and judgment as a matter of law in federal court on civil rights claims brought against a guardian ad litem due to the defendant’s absolute immunity in performing a quasi-judicial function.
- Dec 12, 2017, AffirmedOhio Seventh District Court of Appeals
Pipino v. Gallagher Sharp
Motion for Summary Judgment in favor of client in defense of legal professional liability claim affirmed on appeal.
- Nov 16, 2017, Judgment Affirmed8th Dist. Ct. of Appeals
Fourtounis v. Verginis
Appeal of trial court's grant of motion for summary judgment in third-party legal malpractice action.
- Aug 22, 2017, DismissalUnited States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
Early dismissal of domestic relations attorney on claimed violations of 42 USC 1983, abuse of process and conspiracy.
- Jun 28, 2017, Judgment Affirmed8th Appellate Dist
T. Kryzwicki v. E. Flanagan
Plaintiff appealed adverse trial court judgment in legal professional liability claim
- May 23, 2017Cuyahoga
Defense of legal malpractice claim and counterclaim for fees
- Apr 27, 20178th Dist. Ct. of Appeals
Alkire v. Alsfelder
Motion for summary judgment granted in favor of client was affirmed on appeal in defense of legal professional liability case.
- Sep 12, 2016Mahoning County Court of Common Pleas
Motion for summary judgment granted in favor of client in defense of legal professional liability claim.
- Jun 30, 2016, Summary Judgment Affirmed2nd Appellate District, Montgomery County
Berridge v. McNamee, et al.
Appellate court upheld summary judgment victory on behalf of law firm in underlying case alleging loss of life insurance proceeds
- Jun 29, 2016, Denied JurisdictionOhio Supreme Court
Edward Formica, et al. v. Jeffrey A. Dehner, et al.
Plaintiff appealed adverse Court of Appeals decision in legal malpractice claim
- Jun 23, 2016, Motion to Dismiss based upon immunity grantedMahoning
Defense of legal malpractice action
- Mar 6, 2016, Judgment Affirmed6th Appellate Dist
Darrick E. Smith v. Vedo R. Candiello
Plaintiff appealed adverse trial court judgment in legal malpractice case based on statute of limitations.
- Feb 8, 2016Cuyahoga
Defense of legal malpractice claim
- Jan 29, 2016Cuyahoga
Motion for summary judgment was granted in favor of client in defense of legal professional liability claim.
- Jan 11, 2016, Judgment Affirmed12th Appellate Dist
Edward Formica, et al. v. Jeffrey A. Dehner, et al.
Plaintiff appealed adverse trial court judgment in legal malpractice claim.
- Jun 25, 2015, ProbationUSDC Southern Ohio
Defense of federal white collar criminal
- Jun 23, 2015Cuyahoga
Motion for summary judgment was granted in favor of client in defense of legal professional liability claim.
- Jun 9, 2015, Reversed7th Appellate Dist
Schneidmiller v. Rapp, et al.
Plaintiff appealed adverse trial court judgment in legal malpractice case based on running of statute of limitations.
- May 22, 2015Warren
Defense of legal malpractice liability claims
- May 14, 2015Cuyahoga
Motion for summary judgment was granted in favor of client in defense of legal professional liability claim.
- J. McComb, et al. v. Katz, Greenberger & Norton Co., L.P.A.May 12, 2015Warren
Defense of complex commercial representation legal malpractice claim
- May 12, 2015Belmont
Motion for summary judgment was granted in favor of client in defense of legal professional liability claim.
- Apr 23, 2015, Summary JudgmentU.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky
Summary judgment granted on claim for legal malpractice
- Feb 13, 2015Franklin
Defense of legal malpractice claim
- Sep 22, 2014Franklin
Defense of legal malpractice claim
- Sep 14, 201411th Dist. Ct. of Appeals
DiPaolo v. Blair & Latell
Motion for summary judgment granted in favor of client was affirmed on appeal in defense of legal professional liability claim.
- Jun 4, 2014Summit County
Defense of legal malpractice claim
- May 29, 2014, Judgment Affirmed7th Appellate Dist
David Fry v. Heidi Hanni
Plaintiff appealed trial court’s decision granting summary judgment in legal malpractice claim
- May 8, 2014Summit
Defense of legal malpractice claim
- Mar 26, 2014Cuyahoga
Defense of legal malpractice claim
- Mar 24, 2014, Judgment Affirmed3rd Appellate Dist.
Krantz v. Family and Community Services of Northeast Ohio
Plaintiff appealed adverse trial court judgment in legal malpractice claim
- Mar 21, 2014Cuyahoga
Defense of legal malpractice claim
- Mar 7, 2014Summit County
Defense of legal malpractice claim
- Mar 7, 2014Lake County
Defense of legal malpractice claim
- Feb 26, 2014, Judgment AffirmedSummit
Plaintiff appealed trial court’s decision granting summary judgment in legal professional liability claim
- Feb 3, 2014, Summary Judgment GrantedMahoning
Defense of legal malpractice claim involving shares of stock and in various other business ventures
- Jan 29, 2014, Favorable OutcomeMahoning
Defense of legal malpractice in underlying divorce matter
- DiPaolo Industry Development v. Blair & LatellJan 3, 2014Trumbull
Motion for summary judgment was granted in favor of client in defense of legal professional liability claim.
- Nov 18, 2013Lucas
Defense of legal malpractice claim
- Sep 4, 2013Morgan
Defense of legal professional liability claim
- Aug 23, 2013, Summary Judgment GrantedRichland
Defense legal malpractice claim
- Aug 21, 2013Henry
Defense of legal malpractice claim
- Aug 9, 2013U.S. District Court, Northern Ohio
Motion for judgment on the pleading was granted in favor of client in defense of a class action legal professional liability claim.
- Jul 9, 2013Cuyahoga County
Defense of legal malpractice claim
- May 28, 2013, Summary Judgment GrantedMahoning
Legal Malpractice
- May 2, 2013, Summary Judgment GrantedSummit
Defense of Legal Malpractice claim
- Apr 5, 2013, Sanctions Awarded to Defendant after Claims DismissedU.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
Motion for Sanctions granted in legal professional liability case for frivolous claims.
- Apr 1, 2013, Judgment AffirmedU.S. District Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
Jason Milner, et al. v. Robin Biggs, et al.
Plaintiff appealed adverse trial court judgment in legal malpractice case
- Mar 21, 2013, Motion to Dismiss GrantedU.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
Legal Malpractice
- Mar 5, 2013Cuyahoga
Motion for summary judgment was granted in favor of client in defense of legal professional liability claim.
- Jan 13, 20139th Appellate Dist.
Heiland v. Smith
Motion for summary judgment granted in favor of client was affirmed on appeal in defense of legal professional liability claim.
- Jan 9, 2013U.S. District Court, Northern Ohio
Shieldmark, Inc. v. Creative Safety Supply, LLC. Defense of legal malpractice claim in patent infringement case
- Dec 5, 2012, Directed VerdictWarren
Defense of attorney before Board of Commissioners on Grievance & Discipline
- Sep 30, 2012U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
Motion to dismiss was granted in favor of client in defense of a class action legal professional liability claim.
- Sep 21, 2012U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
Motion for judgment on the pleadings was granted in favor of client in defense of a class action legal professional liability claim.
- Sep 20, 2012, Judgment Affirmed10th Appellate Dist
R. Cotterman v. C. Arnebeck, et al.
Plaintiff appealed adverse trial court judgment in legal malpractice claim
- Aug 2012, Motion For Summary JudgmentButler County
Motion for judgment on the pleadings granted in favor of law firm in legal malpractice action
- Jul 24, 2012, Motion to Dismiss and Compel Arbitration grantedPortage
Motion to dismiss and compel arbitration was granted in favor of client in class action legal professional liability claim.
- Mar 6, 2012, Denial of Temporary Restraining Order and Early DismissalUnited States Disctrict Court for the Southern District of Ohio
Denial of temporary restraining order and early dismissal of plaintiff’s malpractice claims against attorneys based on lack of privity
- Jan 18, 2012Cuyahoga
Defense of legal malpractice claim
- Nov 14, 2011, Affirmed Early Dismissal5th Dist. Ct. Appeals
Berkmyer v. Serra, 2011-Ohio-5901
Affirming early dismissal of malpractice claims against defendant estate planning attorney for lack of privity with contingent beneficiaries.
Subsequent History, cert denied, Supreme Court of Ohio, 131 Ohio St. 3d 1484
- Sep 29, 2011, Summary Judgment Affirmed8th Appellate Dist
Kelly Vocaire v. Stafford & Stafford Co., L.P.A., et al.
Plaintiff appealed adverse trial court judgment in legal malpractice claim arising out of domestic relations representation.
- Jul 18, 2011U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
Motion for judgment on the pleadings was granted in favor of client in class action legal professional liability claim.
- Jun 16, 2011, Directed VerdictClark
Defense of legal malpractice claim
- Apr 16, 2011, Judgment Affirmed6th Appellate Dist
David Woodrow, et al. v. Tom Heintshelm et al.
Plaintiff appealed adverse trial court judgment in legal malpractice claim.
- Apr 15, 2011Supreme Court of Ohio
Disciplinary Counsel v. Stafford
Respondent appeals finding of conduct prejudicial to administration of justice as justified by obstructive discovery.
- Nov 4, 2010, Favorable OutcomeCuyahoga
Defense of disciplinary charge involving multiple claimed violations
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All Practice Group Attorneys
- Andrew J. Dorman
- James O'Connor
- Joseph Borchelt
- Logan C. Hughes
- Jennifer J. Jandes
- B. Scott Jones
- Rafael P. McLaughlin
- Thomas A. Prislipsky
- Vincent P. Antaki
- Shannon K. Bockelman
- Nicholas G. Brunette
- Charles J. Davis
- Melvin J. Davis
- Michael P. Gilbride
- Trenton W. Gill
- David R. Hudson
- Lindsay M. Johnson
- Patrick Kasson
- Melany Kotlarek
- Jonathan Krol
- Danielle J. Lewis
- Danielle Lorenz
- Ronald A. Mingus
- Ian D. Mitchell
- Michael P. Murphy
- Sean T. Needham
- Zachary B. Pyers
- Daniel Rafferty
- Matthew L. Schrader
- Timothy B. Spille
- Jade A. Stewart
- Meredith Turner-Woolley
- Eric J. Weiss
- Holly Marie Wilson
- Robert S. Yallech