Previous Law Firm Name

• Bertsch, Millican & Winslow Co., L.P.A., December 8, 2000
• Koeth, Rice & Pelsozy Co., L.P.A., April 22, 2002

Law Firm Overview

Koeth, Rice & Leo Co. L.P.A. and its predecessor firms have been practicing law in the Northeastern Ohio area since 1919. Richard M. Bertsch, one of its original founding partners, began specializing in insurance defense law in 1955. Since that time, the firm has devoted a significant percentage of its practice to work involving insurance-related litigation, including product liability, environmental and asbestos litigation, complex contractual coverage litigation including bad faith, construction law, as well as bodily injury, premises, automobile and other personal injury liability representation.  We also have experience with issues involving governmental liability for police actions and governmental immunity in both state and federal courts.

The strength of our firm has always been our commitment to provide immediate and personal attention by an experienced attorney who will provide our client with the best possible legal services in an efficient manner.  Each of the members of the firm has extensive litigation experience and knows the benefits and risks the practice and can effectively represent their clients in that process.

Robert J. Koeth - born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1952, he was admitted to the bar in 1982.  He began his legal career as an Assistant Cuyahoga County Prosecutor rising to level of trial work in its Major Crimes Division.  He practices before all Ohio courts, federal and state, involving product liability, premises liability, construction law and commercial litigation, as well as, employer international tort.  He is a member of the Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys, The Defense Research  Institute, and the Cleveland & Ohio State Bar Associations.  Mr. Koeth is a graduate of Cleveland State University and the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.

Clark D. Rice - born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1955, he was admitted to the bar in 1980.  He began his legal career as a judicial law clerk for the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas.  He then served as an Assistant Cuyahoga County Prosecutor in the Criminal Division as primary trial and appellate counsel.  He practices before all Ohio courts, federal and state, involving construction litigation, premises liability, auto personal injury claims, and commercial litigation.  He is a member of the Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys, and the Cleveland & Ohio State Bar Associations.  Mr. Rice is a graduate of Bethany College and the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.

Ann E. Leo -  born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1953, she was admitted to the bar in Ohio in 1979.  She began her legal career as a judicial law clerk for the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas.  She practices before all Ohio courts, federal and state, involving complex insurance coverage issues, declaratory judgement issues, bad faith litigation, commercial litigation, and appellate work.  She is a member of the Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys, the Ohio State Bar Associations.  Ms. Leo is a graduate of Cleveland State University and the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.

Shawn W. Schlesinger - born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1973, he was admitted to the bar in Ohio in 1998.  He practices before all Ohio courts, federal and state, involving casualty, product liability, premises liability, and toxic tort cases, insurance coverage litigation, and commercial litigation.  He is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association and the Cleveland Bar Association, where he serves as a Member of the Certified Grievance Committee.  Mr. Schlesinger is a cum laude graduate of Ohio University and a magma cum laude graduate of the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.

Reported Decisions

Stefano v. Commodore Cove East, Ltd., (8th Dist. 2001) 145 Ohio App 3d 290
DeFranco v. Shaker Square of Ohio, L.L.C., (8th Dist. 2004) 158 Ohio App 3d 105
Beaver Excavating Co. v. United States Fid. & Guar. Co., (7th Dist. 1998) 126 Ohio App.3d 9.
State Auto Ins. Co. v. Golden, (8th Dist. 1998) 125 Ohio App.3d 674
Millers Mut. Ins. Co. v. Plastivax, Inc., (11th Dist. 1996) 113 Ohio App.3d 678.
Royal Plastics, Inc. v. State Auto. Mut. Ins. Co., (8th Dist. 1994) 99 Ohio App.3d 221.
State Auto Mut. Ins. Co. v. Rainsberg, (8th Dist. 1993) 86 Ohio App.3d 417.
Jackson v. Glidden Co., (8th Dist. 1995) 98 Ohio App.3d 100, Prod.Liab. Rep. (CCH) P14,410.
Lin v. Gatehouse Constr. Co., (8th Dist. 1992) 84 Ohio App.3d 96.
Green v. River Terminal Ry.Co., (6th Cir.1985) 763 F.2d 805.
Pondbrook Development, Inc. v. Twinsburg Tp, (N.D.OH 1999) 35 F. Supp.2d 1025
Aurora Shores Homeowners Ass'n. Inc. v. F.D.I.C., (N.D.OH 1998) 2 F.Supp. 2d 975

Areas of Practice

• Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Bad Faith Insurance
• Business Organizations
• Construction Law
• Insurance Defense
• Litigation & Appeals
• Personal Injury -- Defense
• Products Liability Law
• Toxic Torts

Representative Clients

• State Automobile Insurance Company
• State Farm Insurance
• Farmers Insurance Co.
• Universal Underwriters Insurance Company
• Lumberman's Underwriting Alliance
• Meridian Mutual Insurance
• Act One, Inc.
• Associates in Behavioral Management, Inc.

West Practice Categories

Alternative Dispute Resolution, Bad Faith Insurance, Business Organizations, Construction Law, Insurance Defense, Litigation & Appeals, Personal Injury -- Defense, Products Liability Law, Toxic Torts