Richard D. Schuster
Columbus Office
Mr. Schuster is a partner in the Vorys Columbus office and the chairperson of the toxic tort practice group. His practice includes serving as National Coordinating Counsel to several Fortune 500 companies, representing numerous clients state-wide in Ohio in toxic tort actions, advocating for tort reform and significant appellate work.
Career highlights include:
- Arguing before the Ohio Supreme Court on procedural and constitutional issues involved with Ohio’s asbestos reform
- Testifying before the Ohio General Assembly on various occasions regarding legislation on tort reform, asbestos reform, silica reform and public nuisance reform
- Defending government contractors in several class action lawsuits alleging Price-Anderson Act claims
- Representing a governmental entity in a mandamus action before the Ohio Supreme Court
Mr. Schuster is a member of the American Bar Association, the Ohio State Bar Association, and the Columbus Bar Association.
Mr. Schuster has participated in a variety of seminars and made presentations on topics related to the expansion of litigation in the lead industry, federal and state toxic tort legislation, medical criteria in Ohio’s asbestos legislation, preparing a winning silica case in Ohio and updates in the silica industry.
Mr. Schuster received his J.D. from The Ohio State University College of Law with honors and his B.A. from Miami University.
Mr. Schuster served as a law clerk for The Honorable John D. Holschuh of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.
Publications
- “Ohio Tort Reform. A Roadmap for Success?,” The Metropolitan Corporate Counsel, February 2005
- “Ohio First to Put Reins on Out-of-Control Asbestos Litigation,” The Metropolitan Corporate Counsel, July 2004
- "Landmark Asbestos Law Aids Sick, Protects Jobs," Business Courier, Spring 2004
- “Ohio Enacts Landmark Silica and Mixed Dust Legislation,” Mealey’s Litigation Report: Silica, August 2004
- “Silica: The Next Asbestos?” The Ohio Chamber of Commerce’s 2004 Environmental and Safety Directory, 2004
- “Punitive Damages Awards in Strict Product Liability Litigation: The Doctrine, The Debate, The Defenses,” Ohio State Law Journal, 1981 (42 Ohio St. L.J. 771)
Honors and Awards
- Ohio Super Lawyers, Class Action/Mass Torts, 2007-2008