J. Patrick Schomaker
Shareholder
Bio
Patrick serves the insurance industry in defense of both 1st and 3rd party claims, and has done so exclusively for over 15 years. Patrick brings a unique approach to every claim and uses his significant experience with pre-suit claims to more efficiently and effectively resolve claims for his clients. When necessary, Patrick has the courtroom experience to defend your case through a jury trial.
Patrick assists insurance carriers in the investigation of 1st party property and casualty claims. He has taken hundreds of Examinations Under Oath on claims ranging from fire and theft losses, to claims of bodily injury. Patrick has experience with Civil RICO as a tool for insurance carriers to protect their policyholder’s premiums by seeking recovery from large-scale fraud rings.
Patrick is active in many industry organizations, and has served on the board of the Ohio chapter of the National Society of Professional Insurance Investigators. He teaches and conducts training for clients as well as industry groups such as NSPII, IASIU, CLM and OACTA.
Patrick serves as an Executive Mentor for students at his alma mater, Xavier University, interested in a legal career. Patrick is a lifelong resident of Cincinnati, Ohio, where he lives with his wife and three children.
Education
Salmon P. Chase College of Law, Highland Heights, Kentucky
Juris Doctor, 2003; Moot Court
Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, English Minor, 2000
Admitted to Practice
Federal Courts:
- United States District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio
- United States District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana
State Courts:
- State of Ohio
- State of Indiana
- Commonwealth of Kentucky
Notable Experience
Publications
- “Federal Authorities Bring Charges in Alleged Arson Fraud Scheme,” NSPII News, (Winter 2009)
Presentations
- “Trending Issues Facing SIU - A Panel Discussion from SIU Management,” (2017), presented at National Society of Professional Insurance Investigators Ohio Joint Insurance Fraud Seminar, Columbus, Ohio
- “The Ethical Investigation of Medical Provider Fraud," (2016), presented at Indiana Medical Fraud Symposium, Indianapolis, Indiana
- “Mock Jury Trial: Civil Arson,” (2015), portrayed plaintiff’s counsel at National Society of Professional Insurance Investigators Advanced Fraud Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky
- “The Best Defense is a Good Offense,” (2012), presented at OACTA Annual Conference, Dayton, Ohio
- “Best Practices for First Responders to Slip/Trip & Fall in Premises Liability Claims,” (2012) presented at Rising Star Casino, Rising Sun, Indiana
- “What to Look for in an Origin and Cause Report,” (2012), presented jointly with Trace Lawless and Tyler Hull at the National Society of Professional Insurance Investigators, Dublin, Ohio
Significant Jury Verdicts
- Defense verdict for insurer in federal court on plaintiffs’ breach of contract claims stemming from the denial of a fire loss claim. The claim was denied for both intentional acts and material misrepresentation, and the federal court jury returned a verdict for the defense on all counts.
- Defense Verdict in Lucas County Common Pleas Court (Toledo, Ohio) in lawsuit stemming from a motor vehicle accident with disputed injury claims. Two plaintiffs claimed damages consisting primarily of chiropractic treatment resulting from direct telephone solicitation following the accident. Following a unanimous jury verdict, the trial judge awarded plaintiffs their ER bills based on undisputed reasonableness.
- Defense verdict in disputed-liability automobile accident case in LaGrange County, Indiana. Defendant claimed she encountered a sudden emergency due to road conditions. Plaintiff unsuccessfully argued the defendant was speeding and using her cell phone at the time of the accident as the basis of his punitive damages claim.
- Jury verdict in the amount of plaintiff’s undisputed medical bills where liability was not contested in Franklin County, Ohio. Based on the evidence at trial, the jury refused to award any amount of non-economic damages for plaintiff.
Community Involvement
- Xavier University Executive Mentor Program
Participated as mentor for college upperclassmen interested in legal career, 2007 – Present - Shademoore Park Association, Treasurer, 2015-2016
- Nicholas Academy Athletic Council, Board member, 2013-2016
- Nicholas Academy Football, Program Coordinator, 2014-present
- “Ask a Lawyer Today” Lawrenceburg, Indiana
Participated in volunteer program allowing citizens to consult with attorneys free of charge on Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday (2008, 2013) - Community Service Committee, Young Lawyers Section, Cincinnati Bar Association
Committee member (2006)
Memberships
- National Society of Professional Insurance Investigators (NSPII)
- Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys
- Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana
- Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky State Bar Associations
- Cincinnati Bar Association
Areas of Practice
- Auto Accident Litigation
- Claim Investigations
- Insurance Bad Faith Litigation
- Insurance Coverage
- Premises Liability Defense
- Property & Casualty Insurance Litigation