Ronald S. Kopp

Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America^® for Bet-The-Company Litigation (2007-2020), Ron has practiced in the area of business litigation since joining Roetzel more than 30 years ago. Though he has handled many types of complex cases, including product liability and other tort matters, he focuses his practice these days on business litigation and commercial disputes—trying many such cases to verdict. He has represented numerous large and middle-market clients in shareholder and partnership disputes, legal malpractice, fraud and breach of contract disputes, as well as intellectual property litigation. In addition, he has represented large and middle market clients in energy-related disputes.

Utilizing skills acquired during his many years of experience as a trial lawyer, Ron also assists parties in the resolution of disputes without resort to litigation via his work as a skilled mediator and arbitrator.  As a mediator, he works with those engaged in contentious matters to forge an agreement outside a courtroom setting. Attorneys also call upon Ron to render decisions in their cases as a neutral arbitrator, recognizing him for his legal acumen, fairness, and professionalism.

Ron’s reputation for professionalism and leadership among his peers extends statewide, as evidenced by his election to serve as President of the Ohio State Bar Association in 2016-2017. He has also served as president of the Akron Bar Association.

Experience

• Represented shareholders sued for breach of fiduciary duty by state court receiver of dissolved corporation
• Represented an energy equipment and services supplier in a dispute with the manufacturer of defective catalysts to be installed in a selective catalytic reduction system at a utility power plant
• Represented a public utility holding company with respect to alleged legacy CERCLA liability related to defunct manufactured gas plants
• Represented company sued in mass tort cases resulting from use of asbestos in its manufacturing process
• Represented a privately held food manufacturer in obtaining a seven-figure award in an international arbitration proceeding against a Chinese supplier, and then collected on the judgment following confirmation of the award
• Successfully represented a Fortune 500 company in pursuing its trademark rights pertaining to the wrongful sale by others of trademarked goods
• Obtained a $20.6 million verdict on behalf of Fortune 500 company following a jury trial in contract dispute involving a failed Asian construction project
• Successfully defended a large, privately held manufacturing company against allegations of patent infringement, including winning affirmance of trial court's decision in the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals
• Represented private owner of horse racetrack and casino in dispute with horsemen's association over right of the association to withhold consent to transmit simulcast signal
• Represented a privately held national company in obtaining a multi-million dollar jury verdict (including punitive damages) in an Ohio trade secret case against the company's largest competitor; verdict affirmed on appeal
• Represented a major metropolitan newspaper and other media entities in numerous cases (including those that went to jury verdict) involving libel, invasion of privacy, breach of contract, public records and Sunshine law
• Successfully represented groups of shareholders on multiple occasions in shareholder dispute litigation

Services

• Construction Law
• Eminent Domain
• Franchise Law
• Securities Litigation
• Complex Business & Commercial Litigation
• Liability Defense
• Intellectual Property Litigation
• Environmental Litigation
• Probate, Trust & Guardianship Litigation
• Public Law Litigation

Industries

• Construction

1. The Ohio State University, Moritz College of Law, J.D.
2. Miami University, B.A.

Bar Admissions

1. Ohio

Court Admissions

1. U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
2. U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
3. U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
4. U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
5. U.S. Supreme Court

• Recipient of Marquis Who’s Who Lifetime Achievement Award, 2020
• Listed in Marquis Who’s Who in America
• AV^® Preeminent™ rating from Martindale-Hubbell Law Director®
• Named Akron, OH "Lawyer of the Year" by The Best Lawyers in America® for Bet-the-Company Litigation by (2016, 2020)
• Named Akron, OH "Lawyer of the Year" by The Best Lawyers in America® for Intellectual Property Litigation (2019, 2021)
• Named to "America's Most Honored Professionals (Top 1%)" by The American Registry (2014)
• Selected as an "Ohio Super Lawyer" by Ohio Super Lawyers magazine (2004-2023)
  • Selected as one of "Top 10 Ohio Lawyers" by Ohio Super Lawyers magazine (2010)
  • Selected as one of "Top 100 Ohio Lawyers" by Ohio Super Lawyers magazine (2007-2018)
  • Selected as one of "Top 50 Cleveland Lawyers" by Ohio Super Lawyers magazine (2007-2016, 2018)
• Inducted into the Million Dollar Advocates Forum (2006)
• Named to The Best Lawyers in America® for Bet-The-Company Litigation (2007-2024); Commercial Litigation (2007-2024); Litigation- First Amendment (2012-2024); Litigation - Intellectual Property (2012-2024); and Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions-Defendats (2024)
• Recipient of the Read Family Difference Maker award from the Leadership Akron Alumni Association (2018)
• Trained arbitrator and mediator

Professional Affiliations

• Ohio State Bar Association, President (2016-2017); Board of Governors (2012-2018)
• Ohio Bar Foundation Fellow
• Ohio Bar Foundation, Trustee (2015-2017)
• Ohio Legal Assistance Program, Inc., Trustee (2016-current)
• Akron Bar Association, President (1996-1997); Board of Trustees (1989-1992 and 1995-1998)
• Akron Bar Foundation Board of Governors (2004-2012)
• Federal Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• The University of Akron School of Law, Adjunct Professor (1993-1999)
• Kent State University Department of Journalism and Mass Communications, Adjunct Professor (1989-1995)

Community Affiliations

• Leadership Akron, Board of Trustees (2006-2017); Board Chair (2014-2016)
• Fairlawn Country Club Board of Trustees (2005-2009), President (2007-2008)
• Welty Family Foundation, Trustee and Secretary (2008-present)
• United Disability Services, Trustee (1987-1993, 1999-2005)
• Summit County Historical Society, Trustee (1984-1997)
• Akron General Medical Center Foundation, Trustee (1988-1994)