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Peter H. Weinberger, Esq.

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Overview

Peter H. Weinberger has successfully handled a wide variety of complex injury and wrongful death cases caused by medical malpractice, defective products, and motor vehicle accidents. In the medical malpractice field, he has tried and settled cases that have involved failures to timely diagnose diseases failed surgeries and birth injuries. In the field of defective products, he has concluded cases involving industrial plant explosions, defective insulation products, dangerous drugs, and defective machinery. Some of the complex motor vehicle cases have included collisions involving overloaded trucks, tractor-trailer collisions, and railroad crossing cases. Peter is experienced in counseling clients who have suffered catastrophic injuries requiring lifetime medical care and in evaluating and presenting the economic and non-economic losses associated with wrongful death.

Best Lawyers Peter W Banner

Mr. Weinberger has been appointed as Plaintiff’s co-liaison counsel in the National Prescription Opiate Multidistrict Litigation case in the Northern District of Ohio Federal Court representing cities, counties, hospital groups, and third-party payers against the manufacturers and distributors of opiate medications such as OxyContin and Fentanyl. This case seeks to recover the enormous public costs associated with the opioid epidemic caused by the illegal marketing and distribution of these drugs. Peter has also served as a member of the Plaintiff's Steering Committee in several cases centralized in Multi-District Litigation including in re Teflon and in re Gadolinium and was a member of the Plaintiff's Executive Committee in the Olmesartan (Benicar) MDL.

Mr. Weinberger has also been consistently selected as a “Super Lawyer” on Ohio Super Lawyers magazine’s list, including being placed in the Top 10 Ohio list for 2020, and the Top 5 Cleveland list for 2018. Peter's votes are among the highest received in the Super Lawyers nomination process each year.

Peter was voted by Best Lawyers in America® as Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year in Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs for 2013 and 2021. Peter has also been named Lawyer of the Year in Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs in 2012. He has been voted among the Best Lawyers in America® since 2007.

He has been recognized as a Local Litigation Star – Plaintiff in the 2016 edition of Benchmark Litigation, a publication focusing on leading trial attorneys and firms in the United States. This was the fourth consecutive year that Mr. Weinberger has been selected as a Local Litigation Star by Benchmark Litigation. The publication’s rankings are the result of extensive interviews with private practice lawyers and in-house counsel. The guide's "local litigation stars" reflect lawyers who are recommended by peers and clients to have established consistent reputations as trial attorneys.

Peter H. Weinberger also has been selected by The National Trial Lawyers Association (a professional, educational, and business organization of trial attorneys) as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Ohio. Selection for this association is extended to civil plaintiff attorneys by special invitation. Candidates are considered for membership based on superior qualifications, leadership, reputation, influence, stature, and profile in the Trial Lawyer community.

Peter has been honored by a number of professional groups. He is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, a Fellow in the International Society of Barristers, an advocate of the American Board of Trial Advocates, a sustaining member of the American Association for Justice, and has received distinguished service awards from the Cleveland Academy of Trial Attorneys and the Cuyahoga County Bar Association. He is a past president of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association (formerly the Cuyahoga County Bar Association) and the Cleveland Academy of Trial Attorneys. He has lectured extensively on all aspects of personal injury cases and trial practice.

Of note is Peter's involvement in a number of cases that have impacted the personal injury law in the state of Ohio. Among his most important cases is the case of Galayda v. Lake Hospital Systems, which struck down as unconstitutional a provision of the 1987 Tort Reform Law that attempted to set a limit on personal injury damages. In 2003 and 2004, as Legislative Chair of the Ohio Association for Justice, formerly the Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers, he led the fight against tort reform in the Ohio Legislature. For his efforts, he received the president's award from the Ohio Association for Justice and the Spangenberg Award (named in honor of the founding partner of this law firm) from the Cleveland Academy of Trial Attorneys.

Employment

  • 1988-2017: Spangenberg Shibley & Liber LLP, Managing Partner

Education

  • 1975: Case Western Reserve University School of Law, J.D.
  • 1972: Syracuse University, B.A.
    • Major: Psychology
  • 1968: Orange High School

Admissions

  • 1995: United States Supreme Court
  • 1986: 4th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals
  • 1975: Ohio Supreme Court
  • 1975: U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
  • 1975: 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals

Leadership

  • 1994-Present: Law-Medicine Center of CWRU Law School, Advisory Committee
  • 2004-2010: Commission on Rules of Practice and Procedures, Ohio Supreme Court
  • 2009: Chairman Civil Rules Committee
  • 2008: Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association Blue Ribbon Panel, Member
  • 2006: Transition Team Member for Governor-Elect Ted Strickland
  • 2003-2005: Legislative Chair
  • 2003-2004: Ohio State Bar Association, Jury Instruction Committee
  • 2002-2004: Trial Lawyers Care (providing pro bono representation of September 11 Victims Compensation Fund), Member
  • 1993-2003: Cuyahoga Bar Foundation, Trustee
  • 1999-2003: Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers, Trustee
  • 1999-2001: Cuyahoga Bar Foundation, President
  • 1996-2001: Cleveland Bar Association Judicial Election Monitoring Committee, Member
  • 1997-2001: Cleveland Bar Association Judicial Election Monitoring Committee, Chairman
  • 1998-2000: Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, Trustee
  • 1993-1999: The Supreme Court Committee on Courthouse Security, Member
  • 1995-1998: Editorial Board for "Deposing and Examining Personal Injury Experts," James Publishing Corporation, Member
  • 1995-1998: Cuyahoga Bar Association Holiday No Dinner Dance for the benefit of the Hungry, Co-Chairman
  • 1992: The Committee For More Effective Judicial Elections, A Project of the Ohio Metropolitan Bar Leaders, Member
  • 1991-1992: Cuyahoga County Bar Association, President
  • 1987-1990: Cleveland Bar Association, Charter member - Council - Litigation Section
  • 1985-1986: Cleveland Academy of Trial Attorneys, President
  • 1984-1986: Cuyahoga County Bar Association, Grievance Committee, Chairman
  • 1980-1981: Young Lawyers Section, Cleveland Bar Association, Chairman
  • 1978: Cleveland Bar Association, Law Day Chairman
  • 8th District Judicial Conference, Charter Member
    • AdHoc Committee on Formation of conference, Member
    • Commission on Pre-trials, Member
    • Commission on Personal Injury Litigation, Co-chairman
    • Life Member Committee, Member

Professional Memberships

  • American Association for Justice (formerly ATLA), Sustaining Member
  • American Board of Trial Advocates, Advocate Member
  • American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow
  • American Trial Lawyers Association, Top 100 Lawyers
  • Cleveland Academy of Trial Attorneys
  • Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
  • International Society of Barristers, Fellow
  • Million Dollar Advocate Forum
  • Ohio Association For Justice (formerly, the Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers)
  • Ohio State Bar Association

Lectures

  • 2023: Baylor MDL Judicial Summit, Aspen, Colorado
  • 2015: AAJ Webinar - The Volkswagen Case, Lecturer
  • 2014: The Don Keenan Reptile Superstars Seminar - The theory of Primacy and Recency and Reptile approaches to final argument, Lecturer
  • 2009-2010: Personal Injury Law Update, Federal Bar Association, Northern District of Ohio Section, Lecturer
  • 2008: Lake County Bar Association, "Medical Malpractice – The Winds of Change,” Lecturer
  • 2007: Plaintiff's closing argument, Masters in Trial Demonstration, ABOTA, Seminar Participant
  • 2007: The City Club of Cleveland, "Was Malpractice Tort Reform Effective," Debate Participant
  • 2006: The Illusion of the Non-Economic Caps
  • 2006: Testimony before the Ohio House Judiciary Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee Opposing changes to the Ohio Insurance Guaranty Act
  • 2005: Cleveland Bar Association Health Care Institute – Medical Malpractice Tort Reform, Speaker
  • 2004: Cleveland Workout Group – Seminar on Medical Malpractice Tort Reform, Invited Panelist
  • 2004: Testimony before the Ohio House Judiciary Committee on Constitutional Issues Arising from Proposed SB 80
  • 2004: Testimony before the Ohio Medical Malpractice Insurance Commission
  • 2004: Grand Rounds Presentation at the Medical College of Wisconsin, "A Medical Legal Case involving the failure to Diagnose Primary Hyperoxaluria”
  • 2004: Testimony opposing Tort Reform (SB 80) before the Ohio House Judiciary Committee
  • 2003: Testimony opposing Tort Reform before Ohio Senate Commerce Committee
  • 2002-2003: Trial Tactics, Seminar Chair
  • 2001: The Future of Personal Injury Practice in the 21st Century, Eighth Judicial Conference, Panelist Speaker
  • 2000: Medical Malpractice Presentation, Northern Ohio Association for Healthcare Quality, Invited Speaker
  • 1999: Novel Concepts in Final Argument
  • 1994-1998: Developing Deposition Skills, National Institute of Trial Advocacy, Instructor
  • 1997: Trial Superstars, Cross-Examination of Medical Experts, Cleveland Bar Association, Invited Speaker
  • 1997: Preparation, Selection, and Examination of Expert Witnesses, Lecturer
  • 1997: Civil Trial Walk Thru
  • 1996-1997: Ohio Tort Reform - Medical Malpractice, OCLE, Lecturer
  • 1996: Medical Malpractice - Advanced Issues, OCLE, Lecturer
  • 1996: Tort Reform Seminar, Co-chairman
  • 1995-1996: Litigation from the Plaintiff's Perspective, OCLE, Lecturer
  • 1995: Cross-Examination of the Defense Medical Doctor
  • 1994: Making the case for Pre-Judgment Interest
  • 1993: Doubling Time Theory in Cancer Cases, Medical Negligence Seminar
  • 1992: Post Verdict Motion Practice
  • 1990: Preparing and Trying Automobile Accident Cases, Lecturer
  • 1990: Fourteenth Annual Law Review Symposium "Litigation 1990," The Ohio Northern University Lecturer - The Cuyahoga Bar Association - Ethics Seminar, Tort Reform, Cross-Examination of Experts
  • 1989: Damages in Opening Statement
  • 1988: Evaluating and Settling Personal Injury Cases, Lecturer
  • 1988: Tort Reform Legislation Seminar, Cuyahoga Bar Association, Chairman and Lecturer
  • 1988: A Mock Product Liability Trial, Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc., Plaintiff's Counsel
  • 1987: Toxic Torts - Solving the Causation Problem
  • 1987: Immunities and Insurance Law
  • 1986: Professional Educational Systems, Uninsured Motorist Claims and Coverage, Lecturer
  • 1986: Product Liability, Council on Hazardous Substances, Cleveland State University
  • 1986: Closing Argument
  • 1986: Toxic Tort Litigation, Case Western Reserve University School of Law, Continuing Legal Education, Lecturer, and Program Coordinator
  • 1986: Testimony on behalf of Cuyahoga Bar Association before Ohio Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Disciplinary Procedures
  • 1985: Direct and Cross-Examination of Medical Expert
  • 1984: Damages
  • 1984: Voir Dire and Direct Examination
  • 1983: Uninsured Motorist Claims Symposium, Lecturer
  • Cleveland Bar Association Trial Practice Seminars, Lecturer
  • Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers, Lecturer

Publications

  • 2016: “Compensating Persons Injured by Medical Malpractice and Other Tortious Behavior for Future Medical Expenses Under the Affordable Care Act” published in the Health Policy and Law Review of Loyola University Chicago School of Law
  • 2004: "S.B. 179: Immunizing Hospitals from Liability for Negligent Credentialing" published In Ohio Trial, Volume 14, Issue 1
  • 1986: Product Liability Law - published in Northeastern Sun Magazine

Awards and Honors

  • 2023: Living Legacy Award – Cleveland Metro Bar Association
  • 2023: Recognized by Best Lawyers
  • 2021: Best Lawyers in America, Lawyer of the Year, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
  • 2020: Super Lawyers - Named a Top 10 Lawyer in the State of Ohio
  • 2017: Best Lawyers in America, Lawyer of the Year, Medical Malpractice Litigation – Plaintiffs
  • 2017: Ohio Super Lawyers, Medical Malpractice – Plaintiff
  • 2013-Present: Benchmark Litigation, Local Litigation Star – Plaintiff
  • 1990-Present: Who’s Who in American Law
  • 2007-2017: Listed in Best Lawyers in America
  • 2005-2015: “Ohio Super Lawyer “ – Nominated and Published by Law and Politics and Cincinnati Magazine and Northern Ohio Magazine
  • 2013: Best Lawyers in America, Lawyer of the Year – Personal Injury
  • 2012: Cleveland Medical Malpractice Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year Award
  • 2012: Named a Top 10 Lawyer in the State of Ohio
  • 2012: Top 5 Lawyers in Cleveland
  • 2005: Cleveland Academy of Trial Attorneys, The Spangenberg Award
  • 2005: Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers, Distinguished Service Award
  • 2004: President's Award - Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers
  • 1999-2001: Cuyahoga County Bar Association, President’s Award
  • 1985-1996: Cuyahoga County Bar Association, Outstanding Service Award
  • 1989: Cuyahoga County Bar Association Certificate of Appreciation
  • 1985: Cleveland Academy of Trial Attorneys, Award of Special Merit
  • Selected by The American Trial Lawyers Association as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Ohio
  • Selected by The National Trial Lawyers Association as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Ohio

Organizations

  • 2014-Present: Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Leadership Council, Chairman
  • 2007-2008: Chagrin Valley Country Club, President
  • 2005-2008: Chagrin Valley Country Club, Board of Trustees
  • 2004-2005: Chagrin Valley Country Club, Membership Committee
  • 2004-2005: Buildings and Grounds Committee, Chairman
  • 1999-2002: Cleveland Athletic Club, Board of Directors
  • 1992-1993: The First Unitarian Church of Cleveland, President
  • 1990-1992: The First Unitarian Church of Cleveland, Member
  • 1985-1987: Solon Civil Service Commission, Commissioner
  • 1986-1987: Solon Civil Service Commission, Vice Chairman

Outside of the Courtroom

Pete and his wife, Laurie, have been married for more than 50 years and have two children, Kelly and Adam, and four grandchildren.

Pete has served in many leadership roles in professional and charitable organizations. He has been president of two local bar associations, president of the First Unitarian Church of Cleveland, and president of Chagrin Valley Country Club.

Pete serves as chairman of the leadership council of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center.

    I was having a hard time finding someone to represent me. I was frustrated. But after SS&L took my case, I was treated VERY well! Ericka Campbell is a rockstar! She was phenomenal at communicating with me. Spangenberg Shibley & Liber are the utmost

    - William R.

    SS&L treated me well and I felt supported.

    - Brian R.

    Our Family will be Forever Grateful!

    - Tim S.

    Attorney Tor and the whole team at Spangenberg Shibley & Liber, including the receptionist, made me feel welcome, comforted, and confident throughout my case. They showed me respect and kindness from start to finish.

    - Zandra S.

    I was feeling uncertain but after I met with Nick I felt at ease & confident. Communication was great, I was constantly informed and everyone was genuine & compassionate.

    - Sonja S.
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