Firm History: A Name That Matters - Nurenberg Paris (2024)

1928

Dudnik & Associates founded by Abe Dudnik (born in Russia; moved to U.S. at age 5). Joined by Samuel Komito (offices in the Engineering Building until 1988).

1930s–1980s

Well known for representing injured railroad workers and people injured in auto, cab, bus, and trucking accidents.

1940

Scholarship fund established at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law by Abe Dudnik. Established in memory of his mother who put him through law school.

1944

Dudnik files suit against International Motor Freight for injury at Noble Products Plant.

1953

Marshall Nurenberg joins firm in February as a clerk. He is admitted to the bar in March of 1953.

1953

Dudnik named Regional Counsel of the Switchmen’s Union of North America.

1955

Dudnik heads the Practicing Law Institute as part of the Cuyahoga Bar Association.

1957

Leon Plevin joins the firm after working for Dudnik as an investigator through law school.

1959

Dudnik teaches medical trial techniques weekly at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. He donates his salary to aid indigent students.

1959

Aaron Jacobson joins the firm after a short career as a reporter for the Dayton Daily News and Cleveland News covering police beat.

1960s–1980s

Nurenberg is well known for his cases involving railroad workers in FELA cases.

1960

Dudnik files suit against Trans-American Corp for violating Sherman Anti-trust Law by conspiring to monopolize the bail bonding business throughout the country.

1963

Jack McCarthy joins the firm from the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s office.

1963

Abe Dudnik passes away. Firm becomes known as Komito, Nurenberg, Plevin, Jacobson, Heller & McCarthy.

1963

Gallick v. B & O Railroad, United States Supreme Court (Dudnik Nurenberg’s U.S. Supreme Court bug bite case. Record $625,000 Verdict.)

1964

Kelley’s Island 1962 air crash trial by Marshall Nurenberg in Erie County Common Pleas against Sky Tours, Inc.

1969

Verdict of $1.3 million for three orphans in fatal chlorine gas leak trial. One of the highest wrongful death awards in the history of Ohio courts at that time.

1970s–1980s

Firm develops product liability practice involving consumer and industrial products.

1971

Thomas Mester joins the firm as an attorney.

1971

Hired in-house investigators Bill Fife, followed by John Zarzeczny and Dan Davis in years following.

1973

Aaron Jacobson named Chairman of Medical-Legal committee of the Academy of Medicine.

1975

Marshall Nurenberg named as Fellow of International Academy of Lawyers.

1976

Aaron Jacobson appointed Editor of Cleveland Bar Journal.

Late 1970s

Appellate Department developed, headed by Harlan Gordon, followed by Kathy St. John.

1978

Workers’ Compensation Department established.

1980

David Paris joins the firm as an attorney.

1981

$2.28 million verdict in Sours case. Firm’s first auto crashworthiness case against General Motors.

1982

Hired first paralegal, Tamara Brininger.

1986

Firm changed name to Nurenberg, Plevin, Heller & McCarthy.

1988

Moved from Engineers Building to Standard Building.

1990

Firm develops National Aviation practice when Jamie Lebovitz joins firm.

1991

NP Law litigation software developed. Computerized docket.

1990-2014

David Paris instructor at Trial Advocacy Institute at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.

1992

Holeton v. Crouse Cartage – striking down of old WC subrogation statute

1995

Firm files first class action against State Farm Insurance Company.

1997

Anne L. Kilbane elected to the Court of Appeals, 8th District of Ohio.

1997

John White aviation case – $7.5 million, largest aviation verdict in Ohio by Jamie Lebovitz

1997

www.nphm.com website launched.

1999

$2.25 million verdict in firm’s first birth injury case tried by Thomas Mester and Bill Jacobson.

2000

Alaska Airline aviation cases result in global $300 million settlement.

2001

David Paris elected president of CATA.

2004–2013

SuperLawyers & Rising Stars: Thomas Mester, David Paris, Jamie Lebovitz, William Jacobson, Kathleen St. John, Jonathan Mester, and Andy Young

2005

David Paris resolves $10 million consumer class action against Spitzer Auto Group.

2006

Changed name to Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy.

2006

David Paris named Fellow of International Academy of Trial Lawyers.

2006

David Paris & Kathleen St. John settle State Farm class action for $31 million after 11-year battle.

2007-2011

Thomas Mester co-instructor at Case Western Reserve University in Law in Movies.

2009

NPHM begins new branding campaign. NP boxes & Experience Matters logo created.

2010

David Paris named Cleveland State University Distinguished Alumni of the Year.

2011

David Paris named Cleveland-Marshall College of Law Distinguished Alumni of the Year.

2011

$11 million verdict in aviation crash in Philadelphia State Court by Jamie Lebovitz.

2012

Community Matters logo developed.

2012

Nala Evan’s medical malpractice birth injury verdict for $8.5 million by William Jacobson and Thomas Mester.

2012

U.S. News Best Lawyer Award

2013

Miller wrongful death verdict in the Ohio Court of Claims for $3.4 Million in fatal pothole accident by Jamie Lebovitz.

2013

Martindale Client Distinction Awards to David Paris, Jamie Lebovitz, and Thomas Mester

2013

Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy scholarship endowments top $700,000 at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and Case Western Reserve University.

2015

Firm moves to 5\3 Building at 600 Superior Avenue, Cleveland, OH.

2017

Attorney Jordan D. Lebovitz obtains his commercial driver’s license to better understand the perspective of truck drivers.

2017

Managing partner David M. Paris inducted into the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law Hall of Fame as a Living Legend.

2018

Partner Pamela E. Pantages and attorney Jeffrey M. Heller obtain a $2.75 million verdict, one of the highest in Montgomery County history, for a plaintiff who suffered a brachial plexus injury at birth.

2018

Slogan changes to “Fighting For The Injured Since 1928”

2019

Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy, Co., L.P.A. is pleased to announce that Dana M. Paris and Jordan D. Lebovitz have been promoted to partners at the firm.

2020

COVID-19 hit pause on all businesses and people lives, but Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy proceed work on current and new client’s cases during this time.

2020

Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy, Co. L.P.A. is pleased to announce that Benjamin P. Wiborg has been promoted to partner at the firm.