Overview
Rafael, Partner-in-Charge of Reminger’s Fort Wayne, Indiana office, is a trial attorney who has defended jury trials involving allegations of medical malpractice, long term care liability, wrongful death, catastrophic personal injury, and professional liability. Rafael enjoys a highly varied practice that reflects the versatility he has developed during his more than 20 years as a litigator. Rafael has served as lead counsel in litigation disputes in the state and federal courts of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Ohio, and Indiana. Rafael also represents companies and individuals in actions brought by professional licensing and oversight boards, departments of insurance, as well as clients facing employment and discrimination-related claims before the United States Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the EEOC, and state civil rights commissions. Rafael is also experienced in resolving claims through ADR, including arbitration and mediation.
Rafael is a graduate of the prestigious Boston Latin School, the oldest school in America. He earned a B.A. from Denison University in Granville, Ohio, after which he spent two years as a Sales Representative for UNUM Insurance. Rafael graduated, with honors, from New England Law/Boston, where he was a member of the International Law Journal, a recurring member of the Dean’s List, and the recipient of multiple CALI Awards for Excellence.
Honors & Recognitions
Listed in Best Lawyers in America for Litigation - Insurance
Recognized as a Super Lawyer by Indiana Super Lawyers Magazine
Recognized as a Rising Star and as a Super Lawyer by Ohio Super Lawyer Magazine, 2006-2020
Recognized as a Rising Star by Massachusetts Super Lawyers Magazine
Community & Professional
Board of Directors for the Broadway School of Music and Arts (2010-2015)
Leadership Ohio, Class of 2014
Board of Directors for the Hudson Library & Historical Society (2011-2014)
City of Hudson Architectural and Historic Board of Review (2012-2014)
American Bar Association
- Litigation Section
Rhode Island Bar Association
Ohio State Bar Association
Indiana State Bar Association
Allen County Bar Association
Results
- Aug 6, 2024, Motion for Summary Judgment GrantedAllen Superior Court
Motion for summary judgment granted in favor of attorneys in legal malpractice and deceit case.
- Jul 19, 2021, Motion For Summary JudgmentIndiana Supreme Court
Represented addiction treatment center in professional liability claim.
- Apr 27, 2021, Judgment OverturnedIndiana Court of Appeals
Successful appeal of trial court order denying motion for summary judgment.
- Feb 28, 2021, Motion to Dismiss GrantedSt. Joseph County, Indiana
Represented real estate agent in professional liability claim.
- Jan 15, 2021, Judgment AffirmedIndiana Supreme Court
Defense of appeal of trial court and Appeals Court orders enforcing arbitration of claims against assisted living facility.
- Dec 1, 2020, Motion to Dismiss GrantedAllen Circuit Court
Defense of Title VII employment discrimination claim based on race.
- Mar 17, 2020, Judgment AffirmedIndiana Court of Appeals
Defense of a nursing home when plaintiff appealed adverse trial court order enforcing arbitration.
- Dec 20, 2019Delaware County, IN
Trial defense of claims of medical malpractice
- Apr 22, 2019Allen County, Indiana
Defense of claims of wrongful termination and withholding of compensation
- Oct 30, 2018Steuben County, IN
Trial defense of claims of dental malpractice
- Jul 25, 2018Allen County, Indiana
Defense of local store of national pet care franchise against allegations of injury to pet
- Jan 27, 2018, Trial VerdictDelaware County, IN
Defense of psychiatric facility against claims of medical malpractice and wrongful death
- May 23, 2016, Trial VerdictPortage
Defense of national recreational association against claims of nuisance and infliction of emotional distress
- Oct 16, 2015Cuyahoga
Defense of long term care liability claim
- Apr 3, 2014, Trial VerdictCuyahoga County
Defense of wrongful death claim
- May 23, 2012, Motion To DismissLorain
Claims of negligence/breach of fiduciary duty for alleged mishandling of a UTMA account.
- Jan 19, 2012, Reversed8th Appellate Dist
Estate of Wood v. Harborside Health Care
Estate of deceased resident appealed adverse trial court judgment in wrongful death for alleged failure to timely diagnose and treat resident’s infection claim.
- Jan 19, 2012, Trial Verdict Reversed8th District Court of Appeals
Estate of Wood v. Harborside Health Care
Estate of deceased resident appealed adverse trial court judgment in wrongful death for alleged failure to timely diagnose and treat resident’s infection claim.
- Oct 11, 2011, Judgment Affirmed11th Appellate Dist
April Mayle, Admrx. Of the E/O Jamel Smith, Jr., et al. v. McDonald Steel Corporation
Plaintiff appealed adverse trial court judgment in wrongful death drowning premises liability claims.
- May 26, 2011, Judgment Affirmed8th Appellate Dist
M. Kacsmarik, et al. v. Lakefront Lines Arena, et al.
Plaintiff appealed adverse trial court judgment in personal injury claim as a spectator at son’s hockey practice.
- Mar 4, 2011, Favorable OutcomeLake
Defense of governmental liability wrongful death claim involving drowning
- Oct 15, 2010Cuyahoga
Defense of a nursing home liability claim.
News
News
Speaking Engagements
Insights
Publications
Reminger Reports
Practice Areas
- Medical Malpractice
- Professional Liability
- Legal Professional Liability
- Financial Services Professional Liability
- General Liability/Surplus Risks
- Architects and Engineers/Construction Liability
- Employment Practices/Civil Rights Defense
- Long-Term Care Liability
- Products Liability
- Governmental/Public Entity Liability
- Broker-Dealer and Investment Advisor Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
- Directors & Officers (D&O) Liability Defense
Education
J.D., New England Law/Boston, cum laude, 1999
B.A., History and Political Science, Denison University, 1994
The Boston Latin School, 1990
Admissions
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 1999
- U. S. District Court for Massachusetts, 2000
- State of Rhode Island, 2006
- State of Ohio, 2008
- U.S. District Court for Northern District of Ohio, 2009
- U.S. District Court for Southern District of Ohio, 2009
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, 2010
- State of Indiana, 2015
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana, 2015
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana, 2015
- State of Maine, 2021