Refer a Case to Ciano & Goldwasser
Many of our cases come from referrals by other attorneys, judges, and former clients. That is not an accident. It reflects over 25 years of delivering results for referred clients and keeping referring attorneys informed throughout the process.
We welcome referrals across all of our practice areas, including personal injury, sexual assault and human trafficking, wrongful death, and business litigation. Referral fees are available in accordance with Ohio Professional Rule 1.5(e).
Business / Litigation Law
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Sports Law
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Healthcare Law
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Personal Injury/Wrongful Death
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Sexual Assault Victim Representation
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Business / Litigation Law ✳︎ Sports Law ✳︎ Healthcare Law ✳︎ Personal Injury/Wrongful Death ✳︎ Sexual Assault Victim Representation ✳︎
How Attorney Referral Fees Work
Ohio Professional Rule 1.5(e) allows attorneys at different firms to share fees on referred cases when the following conditions are met:
The client gives written consent to the fee-sharing arrangement
The total fee is reasonable
The referring attorney either assumes joint responsibility for the representation or the division of fees is proportional to the services each attorney performs
All participating attorneys sign the written fee agreement
We handle the details of structuring the referral agreement. The specific fee arrangement is discussed on a case-by-case basis. For contingency matters (personal injury, sexual assault, wrongful death), there is no cost to the referring attorney or the client unless we recover compensation.
For a deeper look at how referral fees work under Ohio rules, see our guide:
Cases We Accept by Referral
Personal Injury and Wrongful Death
Andy Goldwasser leads all personal injury and wrongful death matters. He takes on a limited number of serious, high-value cases and commits the firm's full resources to each one. Case types include:
Catastrophic injuries (amputations, spinal cord injuries, burns)
Wrongful death
All personal injury and wrongful death cases are handled on a contingency fee basis. Clients pay nothing unless we win.
Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking
Andy also maintains a specialized practice representing survivors of sexual assault, rape, and human trafficking. He brings what the firm describes as particularized expertise in sexual abuse, built through years of handling these cases and active involvement in the survivor community. The firm files civil claims against the institutions that failed to protect victims, including businesses, churches, schools, sports organizations, and youth organizations.
Andy serves on the Board of Directors of the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center and chairs its governance committee. He is a member of the National Crime Victim Bar Association (NCVBA). Quenna Bell, who has supported this practice for approximately 20 years, is a certified Cleveland Rape Crisis Center Ambassador trained specifically in survivor support.
These cases are also handled on a contingency basis.
Business Litigation, Healthcare, and Sports Law
The firm's business litigation team, led by Phil Ciano, handles complex commercial disputes including:
Shareholder and partnership disputes
Trade secrets litigation
Non-compete and employment matters
Healthcare law (physician representation, PE transactions, device suppliers)
Sports and entertainment law (franchise acquisitions, agency contracts, arena financing)
Fee structures for business-side matters are arranged on a case-by-case basis.
Why Attorneys Refer Cases to Us
Results
Andy Goldwasser's recent results include a $4.2 million jury verdict against the United States Twirling Association (E.D.N.Y., June 2024). The jury found the organization 88% responsible for the sexual assault of a 17-year-old. That verdict was recognized as the 35th Highest Verdict in New York in 2025. Other results include a $5.8 million product liability verdict, a $1.93 million auto accident settlement, and service as subclass counsel in $1.1 billion medical device MDL.
Phil Ciano has represented investor syndicates raising over $1 billion to acquire Major League Baseball teams and has served as a federally appointed Special Master, court-appointed Receiver, and mediator of complex business disputes.
Credentials
| Andy Goldwasser | Phil Ciano | |
|---|---|---|
| Super Lawyers | Top 50 Cleveland, Top 100 Ohio (2016 to present) | Top 50 Cleveland, Top 100 Ohio (2015 to present); Top 5 Business Litigator (2026) |
| Best Lawyers | Listed since 2015; "Lawyer of the Year," Products Liability (2019) | Listed since 2015 |
| Other Recognition | National Trial Lawyers Top 100, ABOTA, Crain's Notable Litigator (2025) | Benchmark Litigation Star (2023), Crain's Notable Litigator (2025) |
| Court Admissions | All Courts in Ohio, Northern District of Ohio, Southern District of Ohio, U.S. Supreme Court | All Courts in Ohio and Washington D.C. |
The business litigation team also includes Brent Silverman (Ohio Super Lawyer since 2015, Benchmark Litigation State Star since 2020), Anastasia Wade (Duke Law, argued before the D.C. Circuit), and Oliver Herthneck (Case Western Reserve, Super Lawyers Rising Star 2022-2024).
Selective Caseload, Full Commitment
We take on a limited number of matters and commit completely to each one. When you refer a case to us, your client works directly with the partner handling their matter. Andy answers his phone personally, including evenings and weekends. Clients have 24/7 access to the attorney on their case throughout the engagement.
How to Refer a Case
Call Andy Goldwasser directly at (216) 658-9900. He personally evaluates every potential case.
You can also reach us through the contact form on our website. Include details about the matter and we will respond promptly.
Once we agree to take the case, we work with you to structure the referral arrangement per Ohio Professional Rule 1.5(e). You will be kept informed throughout the engagement.