Eric (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. For example, in a 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 acts as a private mediator, and serves as a mediator on a panel selected by 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.
Services
Education
- Albion College, B.A., cum laude
- Washington and Lee University School of Law, J.D., cum laude
Admissions
- New York
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Western District of New York
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
- U.S District Court, Eastern District of Texas
- Various pro hac vice admissions throughout the country
Representative Work
- 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)
Recognitions
- Pro Bono Honor Roll, The United States District Court for the Western District of New York, 2024
- Former Vice President of the Executive Committee, American Board of Trial Advocates - Rochester Chapter
- Listed, Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business (Litigation: General Commercial), 2018 - 2024
- Listed, Best Lawyers in America "Lawyer of the Year" (Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants) 2024
- Listed, Best Lawyers in America "Lawyer of the Year" (Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants) 2016
- Listed, Best Lawyers in America (Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Intellectual Property, Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants) 2003 - 2024
- Listed, Upstate New York Super Lawyers (Business Litigation, Medical Malpractice, Intellectual Property Litigation), 2007 - 2023
- Selected to Super Lawyers® and New York Super Lawyers®
News & Insights
Civic
- Multiple pro bono matters
- Golisano Children's Hospital
- Former Board Member, Pittsford Rowing
Professional
- American Intellectual Property Law Association
- New York State Bar Association
– Commercial and Federal Litigation Section - Monroe County Bar Association
– Litigation Section