Hands-On Guidance From A Tested Litigator

News From The Firm

Ohio Supreme Court Holds Court In Jackson, Ohio

On April 24, 2024, the Ohio Supreme Court conducted a regular public session in Jackson, Ohio at the Middle School Auditorium during which students from all school districts in Jackson County had the opportunity to watch the High Court preside over oral arguments in three of its cases. Attorneys who represented the parties in the three cases agreed to travel to Jackson, Ohio to present their arguments.

Attorney Richard Lewis had the honor of being assigned as the personal host to Justice Jennifer Brunner following the court’s public session at a luncheon attended by county office holders and dignitaries at which the Justices of the Supreme Court gave talks and thanked the local community and local Judges, Christopher Regan, Justin Skaggs, and Mark Musick, for planning and hosting the event.

The Ohio Supreme Court endeavors to travel offsite to local communities in Ohio from time to time to provide opportunities for the public and school students to observe how the court functions.

The Twelve Strays of Christmas

Photo of Richard M. Lewis
Photo of Richard M. Lewis

The Twelve Strays of Christmas is the name given to charitable giving by Attorney Richard Lewis of Jackson, Ohio to the Jackson County Dog Pound to pay for an adoption of one dog per month from the pound by persons who otherwise might not be able to afford the costs to adopt a dog. The cost to adopt a dog is $100.00 and pays for the spay or neuter of the dog, vaccinations, and a dog license for a year. Attorney Lewis gave the pound $1,200.00 to pay for one adoption per month for twelve months beginning December 2023. If there’s no need to pay for an adoption in a particular month then one dog that month will be spayed or neutered with the funds.

Attorney Lewis lives near the Jackson County Dog Pound and observes the operation of the dog pound is much improved compared to how it was operated when it was first established in its current location. At one time Lewis had taken in eight dogs to live at his residence who all had been dropped outside the pound at a time when there was no procedure in place or sufficient staffing to take the dogs into the pound. Those dogs found their way to Lewis’ home who gave them a lifetime home. That situation is much improved since those times.

There continues to be a need to fund adoptions of dogs from the pound to allow dogs a chance to find a lifetime home and human companionship and to facilitate the dogs taken into the pound getting a home and being removed from the pound to free up space for the next dog taken in.

Attorney Lewis To Continue Service As A Trustee Of The Ohio Association For Justice

Photo Of Richard M Lewis
Picture of Richard Lewis

Columbus, Ohio (May 4, 2023). Richard Lewis was sworn in to serve another year as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Ohio Association for Justice. The oath of office was administered to Mr. Lewis on May 4, 2023 by Justice Michael P. Donnelly, a member of the Ohio Supreme Court.

The ceremony took place during the annual convention of the Ohio Association for Justice (“OAJ”) during which the organization presented two days of continuing legal education to lawyers and judges who attended. Topics of continuing legal education presented included New Trends in Civil Litigation, Technology, Medical Malpractice, Trucking Accidents, and Professional Conduct.
The mission of OAJ is to protect and promote Ohioans’ right to a fair and impartial civil justice system, including their constitutional right to trial by jury, through advocacy, education and training.

Richard is honored to be able to continue his service as a Trustee of the Ohio Association for Justice. He also continues to serves as the Chairperson of the Consumer Law Section.

Attorney Lewis Attends OAJ Conference with Interns Amber Lewis and Marshall Evans

Photo of Richard M. Lewis
Pictured (from left to right) are Marshall Evans, Richard Lewis, & Amber Lewis

COLUMBUS, OH (June 22nd, 2021) – Attorney Lewis and a few other firm members attended the Ohio Association for Justice’s (OAJ) 2021 Annual Convention on Tuesday, June 15th and Wednesday, June 16th. Given its nature as a “hybrid” convention, attendants both participated in sessions in-person and online. CLE sessions were categorized for attendant selection, with categories including New Trends in Civil Litigation, Professional Conduct, “New Lawyers Training,” Employment Law, Workers’ Compensation, Subrogation, Civil Rights Law, Medical Malpractice, Trucking Litigation, and Technology. These sessions also counted towards attendants’ biennial CLE hours.

Highlights in the program included a plenary session featuring Michael Mogill of Crisp Video Group, comments from both Outgoing President Robert J. Wagoner and Incoming President David Meyer, and the swearing in of 2021-22 OAJ trustees by Ohio Supreme Court Associate Justice Jennifer Brunner. Attorney Lewis looks forward to fulfilling his duties as a re-elected trustee and is grateful to OAJ for hosting this opportunity for networking and education. Interns Amber and Marshall also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to experience the benefits of the OAJ convention first-hand and hope to attend many more in the future.

Questions? Call the firm at (740)286-0071 or message us on Facebook.

The Law Firm of Richard M. Lewis, LLC, serves clients in southern Ohio with experience, quality, and integrity. The firm’s attorneys provide solutions for complex problems in a variety of subjects, including personal injury, probate and estate planning, family law, business transactions, real estate, and insurance.

Marshall Evans Joins The Law Firm of Richard M. Lewis, LLC, for Summer 2021

Photo of Marshall K. Evans
Marshall K. Evans

JACKSON, OH (June 3rd, 2021) – Capital University student Marshall Evans began his internship at The Law Firm of Richard M. Lewis, LLC, on Monday, May 17th. Over the course of this summer, Marshall will be assisting with the management of the firm’s online presence.

As a Communication major with a minor in Public Relations, Marshall looks forward to putting skills acquired from Capital’s curriculum to work. Anticipated projects include the creation of marketing guidelines for the firm, the creation and management of a few new social media channels, conducting a social media campaign for the firm, and drafting copies with which to update the website.

While focused on creating content and monitoring its impact on perceptions of the firm, Marshall will also be assisting in the more straightforward aspects of Attorney Lewis’s litigation practice.

Marshall interns at the firm between the completion of degree requirements for his bachelor’s degree and the start of his legal education at Capital University’s Law School. Starting next semester, Marshall will be earning credits both towards his bachelor’s and juris doctor degrees.

The small-campus atmosphere of Capital University also inspired Marshall to contribute to the legal profession in his hometown of Jackson. Driven by a desire to undo stereotypes about the legal profession and law in general, he hopes to contribute what the Communication and Public Relations disciplines have to offer in bringing about more understanding.

“I think that firms in small-town Ohio can benefit more from social media now than ever,” Marshall said. “Platform options only continue to expand. Social media can be used to share what services you offer, what you don’t offer, and maintain those relationships vital to any client-based business.”

Marshall intends to begin drafting material soon and would encourage friends and family to check out the firm’s Facebook page (Law Firm of Richard M. Lewis) for updates on firm developments, comments, and services.

Questions? Call the firm at (740)286-0071 or message us on Facebook.

The Law Firm of Richard M. Lewis, LLC, serves clients in southern Ohio with experience, quality, and integrity. The firm’s attorneys provide solutions for complex problems in a variety of subjects, including personal injury, probate and estate planning, family law, business transactions, real estate, and insurance.

###

Amber Lewis Joins The Law Firm of Richard M. Lewis, LLC

Photo of Richard M. Lewis
Richard Lewis (left) and Amber G. Lewis (right)

JACKSON, OH (June 1st, 2021) – Amber Gilliland Lewis will join The Law Firm of Richard M. Lewis, LLC, as a legal intern after earning her juris doctor from the University of Cincinnati College of Law. Amber will sit for the Ohio Bar Exam in July 2021. Once she passes the bar exam and is licensed to practice, she will become an associate attorney for the firm this fall.

Amber (pictured right, with Attorney Lewis) graduated from The Ohio State University in May 2018 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science with a specialization in Data Analysis. She also has a minor in Religious Studies and graduated magna cum laude. Amber also graduates from the University of Cincinnati College of Law this month. In her time there, she has served as the Senior Article Editor of their Human Rights Quarterly journal. She has also been recognized as a Weaver Institute Fellow and received both the William S. Richardson Champion for Public Service and CALI Excellence for the Future Awards.

As for her interest in law, Amber views practicing law as a means of giving back to the Appalachian community. She is originally from Wellston, Ohio, and now lives in Jackson with her husband Sherman and their dogs. Her co-foundation of OSU’s Community of Appalachian Student Leaders speaks to her drive to give back to her home region. Doing so has been and still is her ultimate career goal, and she is thrilled to start achieving it at the firm.

“I’m excited to start with the firm to gain expertise in my career under such skilled litigators,” Amber said. “In addition to what I look forward to gaining from this opportunity, I hope to add fresh eyes to the law firm.”

One specific contribution that Amber hopes to make comes from her status as a Weaver Fellow – a distinguished student who has cooperated with psychiatric and legal scholars of the Weaver Institute at the University of Cincinnati College of Law. The institute hosts monthly conferences to review recent developments in mental health law for both law and psychology students. Amber believes that insights from these conferences will prove useful in adding understanding of intersections between mental health and the law to the firm’s already varied practice.

Amber will assist the firm in providing services to clients in various types of law, ranging from school and education law to litigation, estate work, business transactions, and other matters.

Richard M. Lewis, the principal attorney at the firm, is eager to work with Amber and is appreciative of her decision to join the firm. He believes she will be a great addition.

Questions? Call the firm at (740)286-0071 or message us on Facebook.

The Law Firm of Richard M. Lewis, LLC, serves clients in southern Ohio with experience, quality, and integrity. The firm’s attorneys provide solutions for complex problems in a variety of subjects, including personal injury, probate and estate planning, family law, business transactions, real estate, and insurance.

###

Attorney Lewis Designs Webinar on Consumer Law

JACKSON, OH (May 18th, 2021) – On February 11, 2021, Attorney Richard M. Lewis hosted and moderated a seminar on consumer law entitled “Current Trends in Consumer Law.” The seminar was presented online and was sponsored by the Ohio Association for Justice.

Photo of Richard M. Lewis

Attorney Lewis (pictured left) identified the topics and recruited the speakers. The webinar qualified for credits by the Ohio Supreme Court for continuing legal education for the attorneys who attended.

Topics covered during the webinar included hospital billing, residential construction claims, Ohio’s lemon law, and class actions involving consumer law claims. The webinar was recorded and continues to be available for attorneys on the web site of the Ohio Association for Justice.

The speakers and their topics appear below.

 

Photo of Melissa Wright Esq
Photo of Teresa Heffernan Esq

Melissa Wright, Esquire (left), Section Chief of OAG Consumer Protection Section and Teresa Heffernan, Esquire (right), Senior Assistant Attorney General of the OAG Consumer Protection Section.

  • The Role of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section
  • Accessing and Researching the Public Inspection File
  • COVID-based Claims
  • Enforcement Actions
  • …and more
Photo of Dan Myers EsqDan Myers, Esquire
  • Home Construction Quagmires & Hospital Billing Issues
Photo of Daniel Karon EsqDaniel Karon, Esquire
  • Class Actions Involving Consumer Law Claims
Photo of Mark Willis EsqMark Willis, Esquire
  • Screening Lemon Law Cases to Make Money & Help Consumers
  • Insurers Jumping Titles to Totaled Vehicles
  • Trial of the Residential Construction Case – Trial Preparation & Trial Tactics

Questions? Call the firm at (740)286-0071 or message us on Facebook.

The Law Firm of Richard M. Lewis, LLC, serves clients in southern Ohio with experience, quality, and integrity. The firm’s attorneys provide solutions for complex problems in a variety of subjects, including personal injury, probate and estate planning, family law, business transactions, real estate, and insurance.

###

ATTORNEY RICHARD M. LEWIS ACHIEVES RECERTIFICATION IN CIVIL TRIAL LAW WITH THE NATIONAL BOARD OF TRIAL ADVOCACY

Check Out Our SafeGuarding Article

New Staff Member

Amber Gilliland has joined The Law Firm of Richard M. Lewis, LLC, as a legal intern for the summer of 2020 after completing her second year of law school at the University of Cincinnati.

Photo of Richard M. Lewis

###

Attorney Hosts State Trial Lawyers Annual PAC Leadership Breakfast

Attorney Richard Lewis hosted the annual PAC leadership breakfast at the Annual Convention of the Ohio Association for Justice (“OAJ”) held May 2nd in Columbus, Ohio. Lewis is the Chair of OAJ’s Legislative Committee. His special guest was Ohio State Senator, Matt Dolan, of Chagrin Falls.

Senator Dolan’s family owns and operates the Cleveland Indians baseball team. More importantly, for governmental affairs, however, is that Senator Dolan served on the Ohio House Appropriations Committee for three terms and now serves on the Ohio Senate Appropriations Committee. The Appropriations Committees are perhaps the most important committees in the two chambers of the Ohio Legislature because the Appropriations Committees set the State’s priorities by determining the State’s budget.

The annual breakfast is held in honor of all OAJ members who, by investing in the OAJ PAC, demonstrate their commitment to defend the Seventh Amendment right to trial by jury through advocacy at the State House, the Ohio Supreme Court, and the Bureau of Worker’s Compensation.Photo of Richard M. LewisPhoto of Richard M. LewisPhoto of Richard M. LewisPhoto of Richard M. Lewis

###

Attorney Finley Elected Judge

LAWRENCE COUNTY COMMON PLEAS COURT

Attorney Christen N. Finley, who has been an associate attorney of The Law Firm of Richard M. Lewis, Jackson, Ohio, since August 2009, was elected to serve as the first female Judge of the Lawrence County, Ohio, Common Pleas Court, in November 2018. Christen will be sworn in on December 21, 2018, by Ohio Supreme Court Justice Sharon L. Kennedy.

Richard Lewis and Suzanna King have been proud to work with Christen and wish her the best as she presides over the cases that come before her as Judge. Christen has been an effective and caring attorney for the clients of The Law Firm of Richard M. Lewis, who she has represented in the past nine years. Christen will be missed as a member of the legal team at the Lewis firm. Attorney Lewis believes Christen will be a wonderful public servant for the people of Lawrence County as one of their two Common Pleas Judges and he celebrates the fact that she is the first female Judge elected to that Court.

###

Attorney Lewis Appointed For Second Term As Chairperson Of The OAJ’S Legislative Committee

LEWIS NAMED CHAIR OF LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE BY OAJ

Attorney Richard M. Lewis of Jackson, Ohio was appointed to serve a second year as Chairperson of the Legislative Committee of the Ohio Association of Justice. OAJ, as the association is known, is a statewide organization of trial attorneys. Its Legislative Committee reviews legislation proposed in the Ohio General Assembly which might affect OAJ’s members and their clients. The members of the committee and its chairperson analyze the legislative bills, write position papers on the bills, recommend policy positions about the proposed legislation to OAJ’s leadership, and sometimes provide testimony in the Ohio House and Senate concerning the proposed legislation.

Lewis is a member of the board of trustees of OAJ. OAJ has approximately 1250 attorney members whose law practices involve representing people injured by the negligence of others.

Attorney Lewis has a litigation-based law practice serving clients in eight counties in southeastern Ohio on a regular basis. Lewis also represents clients in the federal courts sitting in Columbus and Cincinnati.

###

Attorney Lewis Appointed Chairperson Of The Legislative Committee, OAJ

Richard M. Lewis has been appointed Chairperson of the Legislative Committee of the Ohio Association for Justice. The Ohio Association for Justice (“OAJ”) is a statewide organization of attorneys whose core mission is to advance the rights of its members’ clients at the Statehouse and before the Ohio Supreme Court. OAJ is vigilant in monitoring and reacting to proposed legislation that would impact its members’ practices and the legal rights of Ohioans.

The Chairperson of the Legislative Committee is responsible for identifying proposed new legislation expected to affect the clients of the attorneys who are members of OAJ. The Chairperson is responsible for assigning committee members to assist with analyzing the legislation and determining what should be done to support, modify, or oppose the legislation. The Chairperson works closely with the Executive Director of OAJ who is also its point person at the state house. Often times the Chairperson will arrange for attorneys or individuals who would be affected by the legislation to testify before the House or Senate Committee assigned to consider the legislation.

Attorney Lewis looks forward to the opportunities chairing this committee will present him to be personally engaged in the legislative process and most importantly to be of some help to the clients represented by the members of OAJ. Mr. Lewis expects the responsibilities of the position to require a significant amount of his time but he expects to add that time commitment to his current schedule rather than to reduce the time he spends on behalf of his own clients. Attorney Lewis looks forward to the experience and insight he expects to gain from this opportunity.

Attorney Lewis maintains an active regional law firm with offices at 295 Pearl St., Jackson, Ohio. Mr. Lewis is assisted in his law firm by two attorneys, Suzanna King and Christen Finley. The Law Firm of Richard M. Lewis regularly practices in the courts of Athens, Gallia, Jackson, Meigs, Pike, Ross, Scioto, and Vinton and the federal courts sitting in Columbus and Cincinnati.

###

New York Times Reports On Johnson & Johnson DePuy Orthopedics A.S.R. Hip Implants

On January 22, 2013, the New York Times reported that Johnson & Johnson conducted an analysis in 2011 which estimated its all-metal implant would fail within five years in nearly 40 percent of patients who received it according to newly disclosed court records. At the same time, Johnson & Johnson was performing its analysis, it was publicly playing down similar findings from a British implant registry about the device’s early failure rate.

According to the New York Times article, Johnson & Johnson’s analysis seems to suggest that the implant is likely to fail prematurely over the next four years in thousands more patients who received the hip implant made by Johnson & Johnson’s DePuy Orthopaedics division.

About 7,000 lawsuits concerning the A.S.R. hip implant have been consolidated in a federal court in Ohio. About 93,000 patients worldwide received an A.S.R., about one-third of them in the United States.

If you received one of these implants, call The Law Firm of Richard M. Lewis at 740-688-2164.

###

Press Release

Attorney Richard Lewis will be one of the speakers in Cleveland to provide continuing legal education to other attorneys who attend the Winter Convention of the Ohio Association for Justice on Thursday and Friday, November 15 and 16. Lewis’ presentation will be part of the insurance law classes. The convention will be held at the Wyndham Hotel at Playhouse Square.

Lewis’ law firm regularly provides legal services in Athens, Gallia, Jackson, Meigs, Pike, Ross, Scioto, and Vinton Counties and the United States Federal Courts in Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio. Practicing law with Lewis are attorneys Christen Finley of Lawrence County and Suzanna King of Athens County. Finley works on cases which involve family law including custody, divorce, dissolution, guardianships and probate estate. King works on cases involving medical malpractice, personal injury, defective medical devices and drugs, insurance law and civil litigation.

###