Insights

Trucking litigation has never been more complex — or more costly. Plaintiff’s counsel have grown increasingly sophisticated in how they build and present cases against drivers and carriers, moving well beyond simple negligence arguments toward coordinated strategies designed to maximize jury sympathy and verdict amounts. Two of the most potent tools in the plaintiff playbook […]

In a landmark change for landowners for injuries due to dog bites in Ohio, the Ohio Supreme Court last week narrowed the parameters of who is legally responsible for behavior of a dog under Ohio Revised Code 955.28(B), the statute that establishes strict liability for injuries suffered from a dog bite. Claims for damages sustained […]

Courts are no longer satisfied with just sanctioning the lawyer who files AI-fabricated authority. The emerging trend is more pointed—and more dangerous for litigators: judges are increasingly criticizing, and penalizing, opposing counsel who fail to catch it. Recent decisions reflect growing frustration on the part of the judiciary with fake citations generated by AI. While […]

Today, the United States Supreme Court held that state tort law direct-negligence claims for negligent selection/hiring of motor carriers by freight brokers and freight forwarders are not preempted by the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act of 1994 (FAAAA or F4A). Previously, there was a split amongst U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeal regarding whether the “safety […]

The Ohio Board of Professional Conduct published its first comprehensive Ethics Guide on the use of artificial intelligence in legal practice. Released April 2026, the Guide provides nonbinding guidance to lawyers for ethically integrating AI into their practice. Executive Summary The Guide is not alarmist — it recognizes that AI, used properly, can meaningfully improve […]

The tentacles of artificial intelligence reach in varied and often surprising ways.  In civil litigation, we’re on the precipice of a seismic shift where the AI tools will be used by both lawyers and self-represented/pro se litigants.  In 2025, we saw the beginnings of that shift with the breadth and depth of the shift yet […]

On Wednesday April 8, 2026, the Supreme Court of Ohio revisited a key exception to statutory immunity afforded to municipalities for injuries and deaths that occur at their recreational facilities. See Hoskins v. City of Cleveland, 2026-Ohio-1225. A swimmer drowned while swimming at a city-owned pool. A lifeguard was overseeing activities in the pool but […]

We’re pleased to announce that twelve of our attorneys have been recognized in the 2027 edition of Super Lawyers®, honoring outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Congratulations to all, especially the 4 Rising Stars! 2027 Ohio Super Lawyers 2027 Ohio Rising Stars Since 1991, Super Lawyers has […]

We are pleased to announce that Amily “Ami” Imbrogno has joined the firm’s Cleveland office as a Partner in the Business & Employment and General Litigation practice groups. Ami brings extensive experience representing governmental entities, businesses, and individuals in complex matters of public and private law. Her practice encompasses employment and labor law, governmental tort […]

We are pleased to announce that Jennifer Gardner and Liz Phillips have been elected partners at the firm. Jennifer L. Gardner brings extensive experience in general litigation and insurance defense, representing businesses, carriers, and individuals in matters involving breach of contract, construction defects, personal injury, and wrongful death. Admitted to practice in Ohio, Michigan, Colorado, […]

We’re pleased to announce that twelve of our attorneys have been recognized in the 2026 edition of Super Lawyers®, honoring outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Congratulations to all, especially the 4 Rising Stars! 2026 Ohio Super Lawyers 2026 Ohio Rising Stars

We’re proud to have been named in the 2026 edition of Best Law Firms®, including two of our practice groups that were nationally ranked. National Tier 1 Cleveland Tier 1 Cleveland Tier 2

Gallagher Sharp is proud to announce that twelve of our attorneys have been recognized in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers®. We would like to especially congratulate Monica Sansalone on receiving this year’s “Lawyer of the Year” award for Legal Malpractice Law. The “Lawyer of the Year” accolades are reserved for one individual per practice […]

Partner, Joe Santoro, and the Appellate team, Partner Richard Rezie and Associate Phil Kelly, obtained a decision from the 11th District Court of Appeals upholding the defense verdict for Norfolk Southern rendered by a jury in a FELA case on March 15, 2024.  Plaintiff Drew Herman alleged that he was struck by a backhoe due […]

Recreational boating claims are among the most complex files an adjuster can encounter and involve a unique intersection of federal admiralty law, navigational rules, multi-party liability, and coverage issues that don’t arise in everyday casualty work. Join us for an in-depth webinar that will take you inside a detailed Lake Erie collision scenario – from […]

2025 was a year of consequential legal developments that will reshape how cases are litigated, defended, and won. Our 2025 Year in Review examines the developments that will shape litigation defense for years to come, from the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decisions on universal injunctions and freight broker liability, to the growing threat of nuclear […]

Enter your email below to view the webinar: Join Partner Sarah Beaubien as she provides essential guidance on Michigan’s unique liability system, which features some of the nation’s highest insurance rates and most complex litigation procedures. The 2021 amendments fundamentally changed the landscape by introducing tiered coverage options and allowing plaintiffs to pursue economic damages […]

Enter your email address to receive link to the presentation. Experience a unique maritime symposium commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Edmund Fitzgerald tragedy. Hear from the retired Coast Guard Commander who investigated the disaster, admiralty attorneys involved in the legal aftermath, and industry leaders who discussed how maritime safety has evolved and where it’s […]

Enter your email below to view the webinar: What to Expect: The one-hour presentation will explore Ohio law (2315.18) that limits non-economic (“pain and suffering”) damages to $250,000-$350,000 unless specific catastrophic injury criteria are met. Particular focus will be on interpreting what constitutes a “permanent and substantial physical deformity” – the most contested exception used […]

Enter your email below to view the webinar: In the ever-evolving landscape of insurance regulation, staying informed is not just beneficial—it’s essential. Partner Richard Rezie presents a comprehensive overview of Ohio’s Unfair Claims Practices regulations, including recent legal developments, compliance requirements, and best practices for claims adjusters handling various types of insurance claims. What’s Covered:

In a year marked by transformative legal decisions and industry shifts, this report provides strategic insights on the developments reshaping Professional Liability, Transportation, General Litigation and other key practice areas. From the rise in legal malpractice claims and disciplinary trends, to the transformative NAR settlement in real estate, the landmark Chevron decision’s impact on transportation […]