Insight

In the News 2017: Cleveland

Newsworthy highlights of lawyers from Cleveland.

Cleveland Lawyers In the News
CC

Compiled by Tess Congo

March 15, 2017 01:20 PM

IN THE HEADLINES

Bashein & Bashein Company: W. Craig Bashein (appellate practice; commercial litigation; insurance law; mass tort litigation / class actions – plaintiffs; medical malpractice law – plaintiffs; personal injury litigation – plaintiffs, 2014) filed suit in Lake County Common Pleas Court on behalf of two self-employed contractors who suffered severe injuries while working at a jobsite for Osborne Inc., who they are suing for negligence. Despite wearing protective suits while pouring a concrete slab under a crawl space, Nicholas Petro and Anthony Sajovic found that their legs were wet and burned beneath their protective clothes. They allege that Osborne employees failed to warn the workers of the dangers of the ready-mix cement that they were provided. Petro suffered extensive second-degree chemical burns to both lower legs that required excision and grafting and also got a MRSA infection, while Sajovic stated that he endured second- and third-degree chemical burns to both knees and lower legs that also required grafting. Alleging that they have permanent injuries that prevent them from working, Petro and Sajovic are seeking unspecified damages and a jury trial.

Frantz Ward: Andrew J. Natale (construction law, 2006) was inducted into the Diocese of Cleveland Catholic Youth Organization’s Hall of Fame after being involved with the Catholic Youth Organization for 15 years as a seventh and eighth grade football coach at St. Rita’s Church.

Lowe Eklund Wakefield: James A. Lowe (personal injury litigation – plaintiffs; product liability litigation – plaintiffs, 1993) and Maryland attorney Robert C. Sanders have filed a complaint against Chesapeake Energy with the American Arbitration Association for unpaid oil and gas royalties on behalf of Ronald and Joetta Hale. The complaint alleges that Chesapeake Energy did not pay more than $9.8 million in royalties (including derivative revenue) to all leaseholders concerning oil and gas wells and natural gas liquids production. The Hales have two oil and gas leases with Chesapeake and, as the complaint posits, are due a portion of that $9.8 million. The complaint states that the company understated product sales and selling prices while deducting nondeductible costs. Chesapeake is also facing royalty lawsuits in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Pennsylvania.

McGlinchey Stafford: Richik Sarkar (commercial litigation, 2013) was selected to participate in the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity’s 2017 Fellows Program, which devotes itself to promoting diversity by identifying, training, and promoting leaders in the legal profession.

ON THE MOVE

PRIVATE PRACTICE:

McCarthy, Lebit, Crystal & Liffman: Charles I. Kampinski (personal injury litigation – plaintiffs, 1989) has joined the firm’s personal injury and wrongful death and litigation practice groups.

Tucker Ellis: Joseph P. Koncelik (environmental law, 2013) and Carl F. Muller (employment law – individuals; employment law – management; litigation – labor and employment, 2013) have been awarded partnership.

ITN FEATURE

Will Charges against 12 RNC Protestors Be Upheld?

Berkman, Gordon, Murray & DeVan: J. Michael Murray (criminal defense: white-collar; litigation – First Amendment, 1993) argues that police interrupted 12 protestors arrested during the Republican National Convention last summer while they were “exercising their constitutionally protected right to free speech,” according to Cleveland.com. Murray is one of several attorneys representing the protestors.

Assistant city prosecutor James Hewitt, III, argued that the group was arrested after failing to disperse after a flag-burning demonstration was over and that the charges should be upheld. During the flag burning, protestors locked arms and formed a circle around Gregory “Joey” Johnson and Lisa Castanon while they burned an American flag.

During a video that Murray played in court, officers used a fire extinguisher on the f lag moments after it was set on fire. Police state that the fire had spread to Johnson’s pants, which Johnson denies. Johnson is one of America’s most well-known flag burners due to his arrest outside the 1984 RNC in Dallas, which led to a U.S. Supreme Court decision that deemed flag burning a constitutionally protected right of free speech.

The charges against Johnson and Castanon were dropped earlier this month. Judge Charles L. Patton, Jr., heard the case regarding the other 12 protestors at the end of January and will decide whether the charges against them will also be dismissed.

Trending Articles

Announcing the 2023 The Best Lawyers in America Honorees


by Best Lawyers

Only the top 5.3% of all practicing lawyers in the U.S. were selected by their peers for inclusion in the 29th edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.

Gold strings and dots connecting to form US map

Announcing the 2022 Best Lawyers® in the United States


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers listed in the 28th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America® and in the 2nd Edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for 2022.

2022 Best Lawyers Listings for United States

2021 Best Lawyers: The Global Issue


by Best Lawyers

The 2021 Global Issue features top legal talent from the most recent editions of Best Lawyers and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch worldwide.

2021 Best Lawyers: The Global Issue

The U.S. Best Lawyers Voting Season Is Open


by Best Lawyers

The voting season for the 31st edition of The Best Lawyers in America® and the 5th edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America is officially underway, and we are offering some helpful advice to this year’s voters.

Golden figures of people standing on blue surface connected by white lines

How To Find A Pro Bono Lawyer


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers dives into the vital role pro bono lawyers play in ensuring access to justice for all and the transformative impact they have on communities.

Hands joined around a table with phone, paper, pen and glasses

The Best Lawyers in Australia™ 2024 Launch


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is excited to announce The Best Lawyers in Australia™ for 2023, including the top lawyers and law firms from Australia.

Australian Parliament beside water at sunset

How Palworld Is Testing the Limits of Nintendo’s Legal Power


by Gregory Sirico

Many are calling the new game Palworld “Pokémon GO with guns,” noting the games striking similarities. Experts speculate how Nintendo could take legal action.

Animated figures with guns stand on top of creatures

What the Courts Say About Recording in the Classroom


by Christina Henagen Peer and Peter Zawadski

Students and parents are increasingly asking to use audio devices to record what's being said in the classroom. But is it legal? A recent ruling offer gives the answer to a question confusing parents and administrators alike.

Is It Legal for Students to Record Teachers?

Inflation Escalation


by Ashley S. Wagner

Inflation and rising costs are at the forefront of everyone’s mind as we enter 2023. The current volatile market makes it more important than ever to understand the rent escalation clauses in current and future commercial lease agreements.

Suited figure in front of rising market and inflated balloon

The Upcycle Conundrum


by Karen Kreider Gaunt

Laudable or litigious? What you need to know about potential copyright and trademark infringement when repurposing products.

Repurposed Products and Copyright Infringemen

8 Different Types of Criminal Defenses in Law


by Best Lawyers

Learn about the different types of criminal defenses available in law, including innocence, self-defense, insanity and more. Protect your rights today.

Silver handcuffs laying on finger printed papers

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for 2023


by Best Lawyers

The third edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™ highlights the legal talent of lawyers who have been in practice less than 10 years.

Three arrows made of lines and dots on blue background

A Celebration of Excellence: The Best Lawyers in Canada 2024 Awards


by Best Lawyers

As we embark on the 18th edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada™, we are excited to highlight excellence and top legal talent across the country.

Abstract image of red and white Canada flag in triangles

Wage and Overtime Laws for Truck Drivers


by Greg Mansell

For truck drivers nationwide, underpayment and overtime violations are just the beginning of a long list of problems. Below we explore the wages you are entitled to but may not be receiving.

Truck Driver Wage and Overtime Laws in the US

Choosing a Title Company: What a Seller Should Expect


by Roy D. Oppenheim

When it comes to choosing a title company, how much power exactly does a seller have?

Choosing the Title Company As Seller

The 2024 Best Lawyers in Spain™


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is honored to announce the 16th edition of The Best Lawyers in Spain™ and the third edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Spain™ for 2024.

Tall buildings and rushing traffic against clouds and sun in sky