Appellate Advocate

Appellate advocate–counsel, co-counsel, or brief-writer. Appellant direct appeal reversals: overall civil 45%; overall criminal 56.5%.  Federal criminal 62.5%; federal civil 50%; state criminal 53.33%; state civil 43.75%.  Other appeals: interlocutory orders 50%; post-conviction 0%.  Appellee state civil affirmed 66%.  Paul Croushore, JD, LLM, croushlaw@fuse.net (513) 225-6666

• Federal Civil               2-2          Won: In re Mozelle Olson, Jackson v. Constantine I; Lost: Ekman v. CIR, Warren v. Ohio Dept Public Safety 
• Federal Criminal      5-3          Won: US v. Salisbury, US v. Landerman, US v. DeWitt, US v. Garland, US v. Parillo I; Lost: US v. Mahaffey, US v. Nance, US v. Simms 
• State Civil                   7-9         Won: Dials v. Powers, INF v. Donnellon, Edwards v. GAA, Roe v. Heap, Providian v. Woods (KY), JSO v. Commonwealth, BodyPower v. Mansour; Lost:  Wilson v. AEP, Wood v. Health Care, Furlong v. Shaffer, Mansour v. Vulcan, Leitschuh v. Allen, Mansour v. Acciani, Nelson v. City of Whitehall, Alt v. Community Cable, Gammarino v. Smith 
• State Criminal          8-7         Won: Ohio v. Rowe, Ohio v. Xie, Ohio v. Draughn I, Ohio v. Ellis, Ohiov. Coach, Ohio v. Barnett I, Ohio v.
  Beatley, Ohio v. Morgan; Lost:  Ohio v. Merchant, Ohio v. Draughn II, Ohio v. Francis,  Ohio v. Boyer, Ohio v. McGraw, Ohio v. Brewster, Ohio v. Gamboa  
• Appellee                  4-2          Won: Price v. Will, Baker v. Providian, Ohio v. Barnett II, Ohio v.  Morgan; Lost: Ohio v. Roberts, Watson v. Cedardale 
• Interlocutory Orders       2-2          Won: In re Bowman (mandamus), US v. Simms (release pending appeal); Lost: US v. Parillo II (release pending appeal), US v. Bowman (release pending appeal)
• Post Conviction                 0-3         Won:                                                                Lost: Ohio v. Fry, Ohio v. Hill, US v. Parillo (6/27/95) 
• US Sup. Ct. petitions       0-1          Won:                                                                Lost:  US v. Parillo (3/1/93): cert petition denied 
• Settled pending app       3              In re Mozelle Olson II (settled at oral argument); Jackson v. Constantine II(settled pending oral argument); Ryan v. Gateway (settled pending appeal)  
   

Cases: 

1. Crim              Won   Ohio v. Rowe (1990), 68 Ohio App.3d 595 for John F. Jackson Murder conviction improperly based upon polygraph examination results of co-defendant. 
2. Crim              Won   Ohio v. Xie (July 31, 1990), unreported, 90-LW-2492 (10^th Dist. Ohio) for Max Kravitz: Trial court abused discretion in refusing to allow withdrawal of guilty plea to murder charge where trial counsel gave ineffective advice as to parole eligibility. 
3. Civ                 Lost   Wilson v. AEP (April 21, 1992), unreported 92-LW-2712 (10^th) for Mike Moses: Although trial court held to have incorrectly applied definition of malice in defamation action, that error did not require reversal. 
4. Crim-Aee    Lost   Ohio v Roberts (June 12, 1992), unreported No. 13-91-44 (3d Dist Ohio) w/Ken Murray 
5. Crim              Won   Ohio v. Draughn (June 24, 1992), unreported, 92-LW-3511 (10^th) w/Ken Murray: Appellant’s irrational conduct during trial should have put trial court on notice that appellant had again lapsed into incompetence. 
6. Crim              Lost   Ohio v. Merchant (June 30, 1992), unreported, 92-LW-2615 (10^th) for Sanders & Friedman: Trial court repaired flawed analogy as to culpable mental state of recklessness by reference to correct definition. 
7. Crim              Won   US v. Parillo I, unreported, 92-US App. LEXIS 18515 (6^th Cir. July 28, 1992): Sentencing calculation in fraud case should reflect only the difference in value and not included a vulnerable victim enhancement.  
8. post-conv     Lost   Ohio v. Fry (Dec. 11, 1992), unreported, 92-LW-5557 (11^th): denial of post-conviction motion to vacate guilty plea based on ineffective assistance of counsel without hearing was not reversible error.  
9. Crim              Lost   Ohio v. Gamboa, (Dec. 28, 1992), unreported, 92-Ohio App. LEXIS 6680 (5^th): breaks in chain of custody of evidence excused in rural Ohio. 
10. Crim           Won   US v. Salisbury, 983 F.2d 1369 (6^th Cir. Jan 15, 1993) with Max Kravitz: 42 U.S.C. 1973i(e) void for vagueness as applied to Republican committee-woman who pressured voters into voting for R candidates. 
11. Crim            Won   Ohio v. Ellis (Jan 15, 1993), unreported, 93-LW-0151 (6^th): Clear error in jury instruction in felonious assault case where trial judge mispronounced “physiological” as “psychological”, despite lack of objection.  
12. Civ               Won   In re Mozelle Olson (Mar 11, 1993), unreported, N.D. Ohio Toledo: Bankruptcy court sanctions against debtor reversed—responsibility was that of debtor’s counsel, not debtor. 
13. Crim            Lost   Ohio v. Draughn II (March 29, 1993), unreported 93-LW-1001 (5^th): On retrial after reversal, trial counsel waived any claim of error by acquiescing in trial court’s procedures. 
14. Crim            Won   Ohio v. Morgan (April 17, 1993), unreported 93-LW-1896 (5^th) w/Max Kravitz: Pattern of corrupt activity under Ohio statute must include conduct punishable as felony under Ohio, not federal, law. 
15. Crim            Won   US v. Garland, 991 F.2d 328 (6^th Cir. Apr 19, 1993) w/Ramsey Clark & Max Kravitz: Evidence developed after trial demonstrated actual innocence and constituted “newly discovered evidence” per FRCrimP 33. 
16. Crim            Won   Ohio v. Barnett I (April 29, 1993), unreported, 93-LW-0851 (3d): Involuntary manslaughter charge cannot properly be based upon unscheduled traffic minor misdemeanor. 
17. Civ-Aee      Lost   Watson v. Cedardale Homes (August 20, 1993), unreported, No. 92-CAE-11040 (5^th): Defective default judgment motion that did not include a certificate of service voids the subsequent default judgment. 
18. Crim           Lost   Ohio v. Francis (Sept 3, 1993), unreported, 93-LW-2546 (5^th Dist): trial counsel not shown to have been ineffective under test of Strickland v. Washington.   
19. Civil            Won   Jack Schmidt Olds v. Commonwealth Capital (Sept 30, 1993), unreported, 93-LW-5703 (10^th Dist): trial court erred in finding that defendant’s agent signed in a personal rather than representative capacity. 
20. Crim-Aee  Won  Ohio v. Barnett II (Dec 29, 1993), 68 Ohio St.3d 115: Involuntary manslaughter charge cannot properly be based upon unscheduled traffic minor misdemeanor. 
21. Crim            Lost   US v. Parillo II, unreported, 1994 US App. LEXIS 413 (6^th Circuit, Jan 7, 1994): Trial court’s sentence calculation on re-sentencing held not unreasonable.  
22. Crim           Lost   Ohio v. Brewster (Mar 16, 1994), unreported 93 CA 503 (4^th): Ineffective assistance of trial counsel not proven to arise to plain error in murder conviction. 
23. Crim-Aee  Won   Ohio v. Morgan (Dec 14, 1994), 71 Ohio St.3d 178 for Max Kravitz & Bill Holt: Allegation of violation of 18 USC 1955 (conspiracy to gamble) is not a proper predicate offense under Ohio RICO statute. 
24. Crim           Lost   Ohio v. Boyer (Dec 27, 1994), unreported, 94-LW-0607 (10^th) w/Bernie Yavitch: Speedy trial after mistrial need not comply with speedy trial statute.   
25. Civ               Lost   Nelson v. City of Whitehall (March 9, 1995), unreported No. 94APE09-1305 (10^th) w/Bernie Yavitch: Failing to withdraw a warrant after a defendant appears voluntarily, resulting in a subsequent arrest, does not amount to harassment. 
26. post-conv   Lost   Ohio v. Hill (Jun 16, 1995), unreported, 95-LW-1746  (11^th): Death penalty defendant not denied due process under any of 18 theories, including claim of right to conduct DNA test not available at trial. 
27. post-conv   Lost   US v. Parillo III, unreported, 1995 US App. LEXIS 16133 (6^th Circuit, Jun. 27, 1995): Trial counsel not proven to be ineffective despite errors. 
28. Civ              Won   Jackson v. Constantine, unreported, No. 94-4236 (6^th Circuit, Dec 21, 1995): DEA Administrator’s misunderstanding of Ohio law required remand to permit reconsideration. 
29. Civ-Aee     Won   Price v. Will (Mar 30, 1995), unreported 95-LW-2633 (10^th) w/Dean Talaganis: Trial correct finding of multiple contracts was not reversible error. 
30. Interloc     Won   US v. Simms, unreported 1996 US App LEXIS 1426 (6^th Circuit, Jan 4, 1996): Defendant entitled to release pending appeal. 
31. Interloc      Lost   US v. Bowman I, unreported 1996 US App LEXIS 26272 (6^th Circuit, Oct 3, 1996): Defendant not entitled to stay trial pending appellate review of pretrial issues. 
32. Crim           Lost   US v. Mahaffey (9^th Cir. Jan 25, 1996), unreported, No. 95-30123: defense counsel not ineffective for permitting trial court to persuade them to call their primary witness by telephone to speed up the trial. 
33. Civ               Lost   Alt v. Community Cable (March 28, 1996), unreported 1-95-64 (3d Dist. Ohio): Award of attorney fees to prevailing plaintiff was not an abuse of discretion. 
34. Crim           Lost   US v. Simms (6^th Cir. May 16, 1996), unreported, No. 95-4322, 1996 US App. LEXIS 16860: no reversible error by trial court. 
35. Civ               Won   Dials v. Powers (July 2, 1996), unreported 96-LW-3447 (5^th) w/Boyd Binning: trial court erred in vacating default judgment without evidentiary hearing 
36. Civ                Lost   Mansour v. Acciani (July 31, 1996), unreported C9500911 (1^st Dist Ohio): trial court did not err in granting motion for summary judgment and failing to impose sanctions for discovery violations. 
37. Crim           Lost   US v. Bowman II (October 3, 1996), unreported 96-3845 (6^th Cir. 1996): Defendant not entitled to release pending appeal. 
38. Crim           Won   Ohio v. Beatley (March 21, 1997), unreported 8-96-20 (3d Dist. Ohio): Trial court erred in accepting a guilty plea without engaging in the discussion with the Defendant required by Civ.R. 11. 
39. Crim           Lost   Ohio v. McGraw (March 21, 1997), unreported 96-CA-1411 (2d Dist Ohio): guilty plea renders erroneous denial of motion to dismiss due to speedy trial violation immune from appeal. 
40. Crim           Won   US v. Landerman, 109 F.3d 1053 (5^th Cir. Mar 31, 1997): violation of right to cross-examine prosecution witness as to pending state felony charges requires reversal.  
41. Civ               Lost   Leitshuh v. Allen (September 12, 1997), unreported 16392 (2d Dist. Ohio): complaint in violation of statutory rules could properly be amended at trial over defendant’s objection.
42. Interloc     Won   Mandamus In re Bowman (Dec 9, 1997) unreported 6^th Cir. No. 97-3893:  Petition for mandamus to require trial judge to recuse self granted; new trial judge ordered. 
43. Civ               Lost   Wood v. Health Care (July 30, 1998), unreported 98-LW-3509 (10^th) w/Boyd Binning: summary judgment to defendant proper based on open and obvious condition causing injury to business invitee.   
44. Civ               Won   BodyPower v. Mansour (August 14, 1998), unreported C9700796 (1^st Dist): order that plaintiffs pay receiver fee is res judicata and not subject to revision to punish the defendant for prior appeals.  
45. Civ               Won   INF v. Donnellon (May 21, 1999), 133 Ohio App.3d 787 (1^st Dist): trial court erred in holding that receiver is personally immune from suit for improper actions taken during the receivership. 
46. Civ               Lost   Ekman v. Commissioner, 184 F.3d 522 (6^th Cir. Jun 4, 1999): Taxpayer who prevails at trial as to 90% of assessed deficiencies is not entitled to attorney fees because Commissioner’s position not shown to be “unreasonable”; experimentation property must be depreciated rather than deducted, thus IRS position that the property must be capitalized is somehow not unreasonable. 
47. Civ               Lost   Furlong v. Shaffer (Dec 14, 1999), unreported (10^th): court sale deed relates back to time of auction.  
48. Crim           Won   Ohio v. Coach (May 5, 2000), unreported 00-LW-1817 (1^st Dist): Defendant must be present at sentencing; changing judgment entries without Defendant present violates due process. 
49. Civ               Lost   Mansour v. Vulcan (June 19, 2000), unreported CA99-09-150 (12^th Dist): waterproofing company not required to conform to consumer sales practices act RC 1345.21 by having a warehouse and despite lack of a showroom open to the public.  
50. Civ.             Won   Edwards v. Grant Anesthesia Associates (Dec 29, 2000), unreported (10^th) for Boyd Binning & Lewis Williams: trial court admission of evidence containing prejudicial hearsay error requiring retrial. 
51. Civ               Lost   Warren v. Ohio Dept Public Safety (Oct 31, 2001), unreported (6^th Cir.): summary judgment against Title VII plaintiff affirmed for other reasons.  
52. Crim           Lost   US v. Nance (2002), unreported (6^th Circuit), 2002 US App. LEXIS 23219: federal sentencing guidelines not misapplied by trial court. 
53. Civ-Aee     Won   Baker v. Providian (Dec 19, 2003), unreported (Kentucky CA 2002-CA-002355-MR): customer’s claims against bank in defense of defaulted loan agreement held meritless; trial court decision affirmed. 
54. Civ               Won   Roe v. Heap (May 11, 2004), unreported (10^th Dist) for Boyd Binning: trial court erred in granting summary judgment in favor of defamation defendant who publicly made false statements about plaintiff. 
55. Civ               Won   Providian v. Woods (May 13, 2005), unreported (Kentucky CA 2003-CA-000094-MR): trial court erred in relieving debtor of liability as sanction for creditor’s failure to appear for noticed hearing. 
56. Crim           Won   US v. DeWitt (2005), unreported (6^th Circuit), 2005 US App. LEXIS 17828: trial court’s reliance upon facts not admitted by defendant in plea agreement but proven by preponderance of evidence requires re-sentencing under Booker v. Washington; U.S. waived claim of non-appealability by failing to raise in its initial brief. 
57. Interloc   Won  US v. Grisel (July 19, 2007), unreported (6th Circuit): appellant is entitled to bond pending appeal; trial court denial of bond reversed.
58. Civil         Lost    Gammarino v. Charles Smith (unreported), 2007-Ohio-4073.  Rent abatement of one-half is appropriate sanction for landlord who violates trial court’s orders to repair apartment, and ownership of the property is yet to be determined.