Michael Leizerman
E.J. Leizerman & Associates
717 Madison Avenue
Toledo, OH 43604
Map
Phone: (800) 628-4500 | Fax: (888) 828-7371
http://www.leizerman.com
http://www.truckaccidents.com/states/oh
I Wrote the Book on Trucking Litigation
Legal Topic
Personal Injury
Preferred New Clients
Most of my cases are significant truck accident cases with resulting life-changing injuries or death.
Sub-Topics
Car Accident
- Auto Accident
Serious/Catastrophic Injuries
- Head/Brain Injury
Truck Accident
Wrongful Death
Bar Admissions
OH, Nov 1994
Bar Number: 0063945
MI, Oct 1995
Bar Number: P53413
TN
Bar Number: 017110
Specialty Certifications
Board Certified Civil Trial Advocate
Other Court Admissions
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
• U.S. District Court, Middle District of Tennessee
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
• Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals
Association Memberships
• Past chair and current executive board member, American Association for Justice Trucking Litigation Group
• Past president, Toledo Bar Association
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member Center of Professional Responsibility (ABA)
• Member, Ohio Association for Justice
• Member, Public Justice
Continuing Education
I teach continuing legal education seminars on truck accident litigation across the United States. Some of my recent presentations include:
• Litigating Truck Collision Cases College, Atlanta (October 9-12, 2009)
Discovery presentation, SafeStat/CSA presentation, instructor
• Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association, Arkansas (November 13, 2009)
Cognitive science in truck litigation
• Litigating Truck Collision Cases Seminar, New Orleans (February 26, 2010)
Dealing with the standard defenses in a trucking case
• Litigating Truck Collision Cases Seminar, Las Vegas (October 9, 2010)
Insurance coverage in truck cases
• Litigating Truck Collision Cases: "Rules," "Reptiles," & Experts Seminar, Atlanta
Maximizing damages in a trucking collision case using Rules, Reptiles, and Experts (May 20, 2011)
• Trucking Litigation Exposed, New Orleans (June 14, 2011)
Shifting Cargo cases
• American Association for Justice National Convention, New York (July 11, 2011)
Persuasion at Trial from Aristotle to fMRI
Papers and Publications
Litigating Truck Accident Cases, West Publishing, 2005 (plus annual updates)
Finding Insurance in Truck Crash Cases, Trial Magazine, February 2008 (peer reviewed article)
Example Cases
$6.1 million verdict for truck crash in construction zone
I received punitive damages against a trucking company from a very conservative jury, which included a Catholic nun, all of whom said that they didn't believe in punitive damages.
Education
University of Toledo College of Law
Juris Doctorate
Toledo
OH
1994
Independent Honors Study
University of Michigan
Bachelor's Degree
Ann Arbor
MI
1991
Number of Attorneys
4
State Licensed In
Ohio, Michigan and Tennessee
Firm Focus and History
I focus on truck accident cases. I have written the book Litigating Truck Accident Cases, I own the website TruckAccidents.com, and I have my commercial driver's license (CDL). I am constantly reading and learning to understand more. I have also completed an intensive course in the specific workings of airbrakes.
I am the second generation. My family established the firm in 1977. I have worked there all of my adult life, and became the managing partner in 2002.
Previous Employment Summary
I have worked at this firm all my adult life.
Activities and Awards
• Multi-Million Dollar Advocates club
• Graduate, Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
It's great.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I believe that not all cases need an attorney, although that is usually not the case in truck accident litigation. It depends on the circumstances.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I believe that not all cases need an attorney, although that is usually not the case in truck accident litigation. It depends on the circumstances.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I wanted to be a lawyer since I was eight years old. I love working with ideas and persuading people.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
Taking improv classes with a Second City instructor and working with coaches who have helped me learn, and put into practice, the idea that a lawyer should be listening more than he's talking.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I had a case many years ago that involved two tractor trailers. One truck's electrical system didn’t work. The other truck's brakes didn't work. It struck me how crazy and dangerous this was. Was this out of the ordinary? I looked it up and found out that nearly 1 in 4 tractor trailers or drivers are illegal to be on the road when they are inspected. I decided to focus on truck accident cases. I started researching and went to truck driving school to get my CDL so that I could understand these cases better.
What do you like best about your career?
I love the fact that I can continue to learn about trucking mechanics, brakes, company regulation, and persuasion techniques for the rest of my life and know that I will get better and better, but always have something more to learn.
Tell us about your law firm:
I have a great support staff. Still, I pride myself on taking very few cases so that my clients can always get in touch with me. I am almost always available by email.
What are your strengths and style?
I believe in knowing when to listen, and knowing when to be more aggressive.
Personal Interests:
I spend a lot of time with my two boys. I raise sheep, turkeys and chickens on my small hobby farm. I garden and grow great tomatoes and pretty good pickles (still trying to tweak the brine). I love music and play the piano and Irish button accordion and piano accordion.
Office Manager/Assistant
Angie Sigurdson
Fax
(888) 828-7371
Office Hours
My receptionist answers 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
I also have an answering service that answers 24 hours. I usually monitor my email 6:00 a.m. to midnight
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
I operate on a contingent fee that is usually one-third of recovery.
Hourly Rates
Not applicable.
Free Initial Consultation?
Free consultation for as long as needed.
Typical Retainer
No retainer.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the state agency that licenses lawyers upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any state licensing agency.
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