Profile
Rick is a seasoned trial attorney. He has tried nearly 100 civil jury cases and won the overwhelming majority of them. He honed his trial skills as a medical malpractice defense lawyer and still enjoys handling those cases today. Over the years, Rick’s practice has expanded to include a variety of business and intellectual property disputes, and he currently spends much of his time representing clients in significant breach of contract and patent infringement matters in courts across the country. With extensive experience representing high-tech companies and universities, he is comfortable working with a range of technologies – from medical devices to consumer and office products to industrial equipment – and with experts in a variety of highly specialized fields.
Jury trials are rare today, but Rick still appreciates the chance to try a case where doing so is in his client’s best interests. In a recent contract dispute over the development of cutting edge technology, he represented a multinational corporation against a large, well-known company and won a jury verdict of over $15 million – a verdict that was summarily affirmed on appeal. Rick also counts among his trial victories employment and high-exposure medical malpractice and other personal injury cases. He has successfully resolved numerous other cases for his clients through arbitration or mediated settlements. In addition to his role as an advocate, Rick also serves as a mediator for the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York. But he is most proud of his ability to understand what matters to his clients and then efficiently and effectively deliver on those objectives.
Outside of the office, Rick loves to spend time with his five children, who are now living all across the country. And although he’s not burying jumpers much these days, he still runs, plays golf, and is an avid spectator at sporting events of all kinds.
Representative Experience
- Kodak Graphic Communications Canada Company v. E.I. DuPont De Nemours and Company (2d Cir 2016 (15-318-cv))
- OS Security LLC v. John D. Brush & Co. (CDCA SACV 14-00314)
- St. Clair Intellectual Property Consultants, Inc. v. Eastman Kodak Company (DDe, 04-1336); Eastman Kodak Company v. Speasl, St. Clair, et. al. (Santa Clara Co., CA 1-05-CV039164)
- Roberts v. Los Alamos National Security LLC v. University of Rochester (WDNY 11-CV-6206)
- Jenks v. University of Rochester Medical Center, et.al. (Wayne Co., NY, 68566/09)
Credentials
Education
- Washington and Lee University, J.D., cum laude, 1982
- Albion College, B.A., cum laude, 1978
Admissions to Practice
- New York
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
- U.S. District Courts of New York (All Districts)
- U.S District Court of Texas (Eastern)
- Various pro hac vice admissions throughout the country
Activities
- American Intellectual Property Law Association
- New York State Bar Association
– Commercial and Federal Litigation Section - Monroe County Bar Association
– Litigation Section
Presentations & PUBLICATIONS
- "Evidence Institute – Demonstrative Evidence." Monroe County Bar Association.
- "Electronic Health Records – Effective Use in Litigation." Monroe County Medical Society.
- Trial Strategies (various client presentations)
- Demonstrations of Trial Practice (multiple organizations)
Recognition
- American Board of Trial Advocates
– Former Vice President, Executive Committee - Rochester Chapter - Ranked by Chambers USA (Upstate New York)
– Litigation: General Commercial - Selected to The Best Lawyers in America®
– Commercial Litigation
– Litigation - Intellectual Property
– Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants
– Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants (2016 "Lawyer of the Year" Rochester, NY)
- Selected to Super Lawyers® and New York Super Lawyers®
Community
- Multiple pro bono matters
- Golisano Children's Hospital
– Various support activities - Pittsford Rowing
– Former Board Member
Testimonials
- "I turn to Rick to represent us in important litigations because I trust him to understand our objectives, and to use his expert skills and judgment to handle the litigation to best achieve them."
– Anonymous
- "Rick is an extremely capable attorney who thinks outside the box to get the best for his clients."
– Anonymous
- "Rick begins every case by thinking about how he’d win it at trial – his ability to develop and execute on a successful strategy, no matter how complex the facts, is an invaluable skill. And he manages to do all that without forgetting I have a budget."
– Anonymous
