Rita A. Maimbourg

Rita A. Maimbourg is a Partner in the Cleveland Office and co-chair of the Medical & Pharmaceutical Liability Group of Tucker Ellis & West LLP. She is a trial lawyer who devotes the majority of her professional time to the defense of drug and device manufacturers, health care institutions, physicians, and nurses. Rita assists her health care clients in risk management activities, including presentations to physician groups on various medical-legal topics. Her practice takes her to federal and state courts throughout the country, and she has tried cases to verdict in Ohio and Illinois. Early in her career, she gained broad litigation experience in employment, construction, general business, and product liability cases.

Rita grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania, received her undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1978 magna cum laude and her JD degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in 1981, Order of the Coif.

Representative Trials

DiCosolo v. Janssen Pharmaceutica, Inc., Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois. Wrongful death product liability suit involving recalled fentanyl pain patch. Jury trial 2008.

Cleveland Clinic v. Bel-Park Anesthesia, Inc., Common Pleas Court of Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Contribution action against joint tortfeasor due to facial burns from a surgical fire. Jury trial 2006.

Johnson v. Brad Pohlman, M.D., Common Pleas Court of Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Wrongful death medical malpractice suit involving alleged misdiagnosis of lymphoma. Jury trial 2006.

Brown v. Cleveland Clinic, Common Pleas Court of Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Medical malpractice action involving permanent bowel injury from hernia surgery. Jury trial 2005.

Shameem v. Dimberio, Common Pleas Court of Lake County, Ohio. Complex commercial case including RICO claims. Bench trial 2004.

Civic & Professional Involvement

William K. Thomas Inn of Court, Master Bencher
Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Judicial Selection Committee
Judicial Conference of the Eighth Judicial District of Ohio
     Life Member
Leadership Cleveland Class of 2011
 

Awards & Professional Recognition

Crain's Cleveland Business "Woman of Note"
Ohio Super Lawyer® (2005-2011)
Top 50 Women Ohio Super Lawyer® (2007-2011)
Top 25 Women Cleveland Area Super Lawyer® (2007-2009)
Best Lawyers in America®
     Cleveland Best Lawyers Medical Malpractice Lawyer of the Year for 2012

Full Bio