Robert T. Coniam

rconiam@rayrobcle.com

Education:

·          Cleveland State University Law School - Cleveland, Ohio

            Juris Doctor, 1986

·          Ohio Northern University - Ada, Ohio

            Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, 1971

            Phi Eta Sigma (Academic Honorary)

            Member 1970 N.A.I.A. All-American Wrestling Team

Licensed to Practice:           

·          State of Ohio, 1986 - All Courts

·          U.S. District Courts:

            Northern District of Ohio

            Eastern District of Michigan

            Northern District of Indiana

            Western District of New York

·          U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Circuits

Professional Experience:

·          Ray, Robinson, Carle, & Davies P.L.L. - Cleveland, Ohio

            Partner - 1995 to present

            Associate - 1986 to 1994

            General practice of law, emphasizing litigation, for both plaintiffs and defendants including

            Protection & Indemnity Club defense. Lead counsel in trials to judgment in both state and

            federal courts. Appellate practice in both state and federal courts.

·          Nurenberg Plevin Heller & McCarthy Co., L.P.A. - Cleveland, Ohio

            Law Clerk - 1985 to 1986

Pre-Legal Experience:

·          Small business owner - 1976 to 1985

·          United States Steel Corporation - Lorain, Ohio

            Mill Foreman - 1971 to 1976

Professional Associations:

·          Ohio State Bar Association

·          Cleveland Bar Association

·          Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers

·          Maritime Law Association of the United States

Reported Cases:

·         Grosse Ile Bridge Co. v. American Steamship Co., E.D. Michigan, 1995-1996: First chair in 7-week

            bench trial of vessel/bridge collision with $2 million property damage. Adverse judgment

            reversed on appeal, 302 F.3d 616 (6th Cir. 2002). Awaiting opinion on remand.

·          Reed v. ULS Corporation, 25 F.Supp.2d 948 (D. Minn. 1998), aff'd 178 F.3d 988 (8th Cir. 1999):

            Summary judgment for client vessel owner affirmed on appeal on personal injury claim by

            longshoreman.

·          Hoeffling v. USS Great Lakes Fleet, Inc., 792 F.Supp. 1029 (E.D. Mich. 1991): Punitive damages in

            admiralty.

·          Daughenbaugh v. Bethlehem Steel Corp., 891 F. 2d 1199 (6 Cir. 1989): Jones Act/unseaworthiness

            summary disposition.

·         Lyons v. Schoch & Associates, Inc., 1993 Ohio App. Lexis 246: First chair for defendant in jury trial

            of vessel sale contract. Client exonerated, and $39,000 recovery on counterclaim.

Unreported Cases:

·          Ciers v. Inland Steel Co., Cuyahoga County, Ohio, 1997: First chair for defendant in seaman's

            personal injury trial. Verdict for plaintiff. Case settled during appeal.

·         Middleport Terminals v. Brown-Minneapolis Tank & Fabricating Co., S.D. Ohio 1994: Represented

            plaintiff in UCC warranty claim against manufacturer of 90-foot-diameter hot asphalt storage

            tank whose roof beams failed. Adverse verdict affirmed on appeal.

·          Pollner v. Kinsman Lines, Inc., N.D. Ohio 1991: First chair for defendant in jury trial of vessel

            collision with personal injuries. Plaintiff recovered $60,000.

·          Saeed v. Kinsman Lines, Inc., N.D. Ohio 1991: First chair for defendant in seaman's personal injury

            trial. Defense verdict.