Jack Clapp

Jack Clapp founded R. Jack Clapp and Associates, Co., L.P.A. in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1995 Mr. Clapp decided to establish an office in Washington, DC due to the firm's growing aviation case load. The purpose of the Washington, DC office was to be close to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). In 2005 the Washington, DC office became Clapp, Desjardins & Ely, pllc.

Education:

  • Juris Doctor, Cleveland Marshall School of Law, magna cum laude ,1990.
    • Managing Editor, Cleveland Marshall Law Review, 1989 - 1990.
    • Moot Court Board of Governors, 1989 - 1990.
  • Bachelor of Science, University of Cincinnati, B.S., magna cum laude.
Admissions:
  • State Court Admissions: Ohio
  • Unites States Federal District Court Admissions: Northern Ohio
  • United States Circuit Court Admissions: Sixth Circuit

Professional Activities:

  • American Bar Association (Litigation Section)
  • Ohio State Bar Association
  • Member, American Association of Justice
  • Member, Ohio Association of Justice
  • Member, Lawyer-Pilot's Bar Association
  • Law lecturer, Cleveland Marshall School of Law, 1993 - 1995

Legal Experience:

  • Mr. Clapp has tried numerous serious personal injury and wrongful death cases.
  • Mr. Clapp has worked on a number of Plaintiff Steering Committees. These committee are typically formed in the aftermath of a serious disaster. Mr. Clapp was trial counsel in the cases arising out of the crash of United Airlines Flight 232 that crashed in Sioux City Iowa; the Northwest Airlines crash that occurred in Detroit, Michigan; Corporate Jet Aircraft Disaster, Lima, Peru; International Exposition Center/German National Circus Bleacher Collapse, 1993.
  • Mr. Clapp also has represented Plaintiffs injured or killed in farming accidents, medical malpractice actions and all terrain vehicle crashes.

Selected Reported Cases and Publications:

  • Nationwide Mut. Ins. Co. v. Irish, 857 N.E.2d 169 (2006)
  • Craig v. Woodruff, , 748 N.E.2d 592 (2000)
  • Moore v. State Auto. Mut. Ins. Co., 88 Ohio St.3d 27, 723 N.E.2d 97 (2000)Trying the Wrongful Death Case in Ohio: Strategies in Preparation and Valuation (NBI 1999)
  • How to Litigate Your First Civil Trial in Ohio (NBI 2000)
  • Auto Insurance Law and Accident Litigation in Ohio (Lorman 2000).

Professional Accomplishments:

  • Ohio Lawyer's Weekly, Ohio Lawyer of the Year 2000

Other Experience:

  • Professional firefighter, City of East Cleveland, Ohio, 1975 - 1989.