Christopher M. DeVito

Christopher M. DeVito has been a shareholder in Morganstern, MacAdams & DeVito Co., L.P.A. since 1994. He earned his B.B.A. in Finance/Economics from the University of Notre Dame in 1987 and his J.D. from the Ohio State University College of Law in 1990.

Mr. DeVito's practice areas include:

Automobile and Franchise Law,
Business Litigation,
Commercial Transactions,
Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Litigation.

He has represented a broad base of clients, both plaintiffs and defendants, in a variety of matters including:

purchase and sale of businesses,
construction litigation,
contract disputes,
employment matters,
fraud, and misrepresentation,
municipal litigation,
personal injury resulting from premises liability,
medical malpractice and wrongful death claims

Mr. Devito also has experienced and specializes in the representation of automobile dealership and their relationship with the manufacturer, other automobile dealership, lender liability, employment, buy-sell agreements, and the day-to-day operations within the franchise.

Mr. DeVito offers a real world approach to litigation by addressing all of the client's needs and concerns in an expedient and economically viable manner. This results in directing the firm's efforts only on the tasks necessary to achieve the client's desired outcome.

Mr. DeVito is admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Ohio (11-05-90); United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio (07-09-91); United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio (077-09-91); United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit (08-05-92); United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit (12-13-93); the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (04-19-96); and the United States District Court for the Eastern Districts of Wisconsin (02-24-00).

Mr. DeVito is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association, the Cuyahoga County Bar Association, the Cleveland Bar Association, and the Cleveland Academy of Trial Attorneys. Mr. DeVito is active in many civic organizations including: Cleveland National Air Show Board Member and Officer (1990-Present); Notre Dame Club of Board Member (1998-Present); and International Services Center Board Member Officer (1998-Present); actively participates in various leadership roles within St. Christopher's Parish (1992-Present).

SAMPLE VERDICT, DECISIONS AND SETTLEMENTS

$700,000.00 Jury Verdict
December 8, 2000 (5 day trial)
Ohio Court of Claims Case No. 98-10468-PR
Aquilon, et al. v. Dick Corp., et al.

Aquilon, a Cleveland flats entertainment nightclub, was awarded a jury verdict of $700,000.00 because of Dick Construction Company's (1) improper and negligent closing Merwin Avenue and (2) maintaining a nuisance to the Aquilon business for over 2.5 years.

$290,000.00 Settlement (Confidential)
January, 2000 (Week before trial)
Cuyahoga Court of Common Pleas
Sgt. Andre Smith v. John Doe

Defendant motor vehicle driver ran over the foot of Plaintiff, an off-duty policeman who was directing traffic near street construction site. Plaintiff suffered broken foot, loss of overtime and reduced pension benefits.

$210,000.00 Jury Verdict (Remanded)
August 25, 2000 (3 day trial)
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Case No. 1998 - W.D. Appeal No. 0056
Crouse, et al. v. Cyclops Industries, et al., 560 Pa. 394, 745 A.2d 606 (2000).

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court remanded the case and 1995 jury verdict of $210,000.00 against steel company for breach of its promise to supply conversion work after selling its moth balled Aliquippa forging plant to the Plaintiffs. The second jury in May, 2001 also returned a verdict for Plaintiffs.

$483,000.00 Jury Verdict (Reinstated)
January 28, 1998 (4 day trial)
Ohio Supreme Court Case No. 96-1211
Jim's Steak House, Inc., et al. v. City of Cleveland, 81 Ohio St.3d 18 (1998)

The Ohio Supreme Court reinstated the 1994 jury verdict of $483,000.00 for the Jim's Steak House restaurant and its owner, Raymond Rockey against the City of Cleveland because it negligently closed the Eagle Avenue Bridge and reasonable access to the business for over 6 years. City of Cleveland eventually had to pay the Plaintiffs the entire judgment and post judgment interest on April 27, 1998 in the amount of $648,146.30.

Injunctive Relief and Attorneys Fees
February 27, 1997 (5 day administrative hearing)
Eighth District Court of Appeals Case No. 96-AP-06-779
General Motors v. Joe O'Brien Chevrolet, Inc., 118 Ohio App.3d 470, 693 N.E.2d 317 (1996).

Automobile dealership successfully protested General Motors attempt to relocate a competing Chevrolet franchise within ten (10) miles of its current facility. Joe O'Brien Chevrolet was also awarded all of its litigations costs, including attorney fees, expert expenses and trial costs.

E-mail: cdevito@mmd-law.com