Phillip M. Sarnowski

Phil solves legal problems for companies in the transportation, retail, and insurance industries. He defends matters involving catastrophic injury, wrongful death, premises liability, product liability, insurance coverage, and toxic torts, among other claims.

As a member of Roetzel's Emergency Response Team, Phil is available around-the-clock for immediate and proactive response to trucking accidents and other catastrophic losses. He regularly leads matters from the initial rapid-response call through final resolution—whether that be pre-suit settlement, mediation, summary judgment, trial, or appeal.

Clients rely on Phil to maintain open communication and keep them informed of process, procedure, and obligations throughout their dispute. They appreciate his innovative solutions to resolve claims in a cost-efficient and timely manner. And they count on his effective defense of their rights, like he provided the landlord in a premises liability lawsuit arising from an allegation of a dangerous condition on their property. Phil won a motion for summary judgment—a ruling affirmed on appeal—which resulted in the dismissal of all claims against his client.

Experience

• Successfully defended individuals in defamation lawsuit, winning summary judgment on all claims
• Represented landlord in premises liability lawsuit arising out of an alleged dangerous condition on the property. Won motion for summary judgment on all claims asserted, which was affirmed on appeal
• Successfully defended retail operation in premises liability lawsuit with a $1,100,000 demand from Plaintiff, winning summary judgment on all claims asserted against our client
• Assisted freight broker with operating agreement and various business needs associated with new partnership
• Represented numerous employers in workers’ compensation disputes at Industrial Commission hearings throughout Ohio
• Successfully represented multiple motor carriers in personal injury, wrongful death, and survival actions throughout Ohio, favorably resolving matters for our clients
• Successfully defended large motor carrier and won summary judgment on all claims arising out of a wrongful death action involving $5,000,000 in alleged damages
• Successfully defended national retailer in premises liability action and won summary judgment on all claims asserted
• Obtained defense verdict in favor of large gas station chain in alleged defective fuel claim in small claims trial
• Won motion for summary judgment in favor of public transit company on all claims asserted involving sudden emergency doctrine
• Successfully defended public transit company against claims of personal injury arising out of the bus movement, winning summary judgment on all claims asserted
• Obtained dismissal of all claims asserted after filing motion for summary judgment
• Resolved a claim involving allegedly significant personal injuries incurred as a result of a hazardous condition on the premises of a large national retailer for a nominal amount after filing motion for summary judgment
• Secured dismissal with prejudice of all claims asserted against public transit company by leveraging a property damage counterclaim
• Won motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction that precluded further pursuit against national motor carrier
• Recovered a significant amount of damages in favor of global engineering and technology company pre-suit

Services

• Transportation & Logistics
• Transportation Regulatory Compliance
• Emergency Response & Crisis Management
• Transportation Litigation
• Business and Commercial Litigation
• Liability Defense
• Product Liability & Mass Torts
• Insurance Coverage
• Appellate
• Retail Liability Defense
• Aviation Liability Defense

Industries

• Transportation & Logistics
• Insurance

1. Capital University Law School, J.D.
   • cum laude
   • Capital University Law Review, Articles Editor
   • Moot Court, American Bar Association National Team Member (2015-2016; 2016-2017)
   • Mock Trial, American Association of Justice Team Member (2016-2017)
   • Order of the Barristers Award
   • Ambassador Award
2. Youngstown State University, B.B.A., Finance

Bar Admissions

1. Ohio
2. Pennsylvania

Court Admissions

1. U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
2. U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
3. U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
4. U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan

• Selected as an "Ohio Super Lawyers - Rising Star" by Ohio Super Lawyers magazine (2020-2024) 
• Selected to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for Transportation Law (2022-2025); Product Liability Litigation - Defendants (2022-2025) 
• Ohio State Bar Association Leadership Academy
• Columbus Bar Association Barrister Leadership Program
• 2023 OACTA Outstanding Young Lawyer Award

Professional Affiliations

• Ohio State Bar Association
• Columbus Bar Association
• Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys
• American Bar Association
• Ohio Trucking Association
• DRI
• Ohio Center for Law-Related Education:Mock Trial Program Executive Case Committee
• Ohio Center for Law-Related Education: Moot Court Program Executive Case Committee
• 2024 OACTA Board of Trustees