Practice areas: Insurance Coverage, Consumer Law; view more
Licensed in Ohio since: 1999
Education: University of Notre Dame Law School
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2013 - 2026 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2009 - 2011 At Frederick & Berler, LLC, in Cleveland, Ohio, Brian E. Roof brings dedication to the forefront as he navigates the intricate realms of consumer law, class actions, insurance coverage, and bad faith. He serves clients throughout the state.
Having honed his skills through an externship with a federal district judge and gaining firsthand experience litigating from both plaintiff and defendant perspectives, Mr. Roof possesses a well-rounded legal acumen shaped by over 25 years of experience. He approaches each case with a 360-degree view, representing a diverse clientele ranging from Fortune 500 companies to mid-sized firms, public and private organizations with revenues spanning $4 million to $30 billion, and individual clients.
Mr. Roof is committed to being a strategic ally for his clients, leveraging his sharp business insight to swiftly grasp the nuances of various industries and align legal strategies with business goals. His collaborative and approachable demeanor fosters strong relationships with business units, enabling them to achieve their objectives. Renowned for his pragmatic judgment, he effectively engages with key leaders.
A cum laude graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Mr. Roof earned his Bachelor of Arts in government and international relations in 1994, followed by his Juris Doctor cum laude from Notre Dame Law School in 1999. That same year, he was admitted to practice in Ohio.
A respected figure in the legal community, Mr. Roof is actively involved with the Litigation Counsel of America, the Defense Research Institute, the Ohio State Bar Association and the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association. His professional excellence is recognized with an AV Preeminent* peer-review rating through Martindale-Hubbell and a “Superb” rating on Avvo.
*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.
Practice areas
Insurance Coverage, Consumer LawFocus areas
Bad Faith Insurance, Insurance, Insurance Defense
- 50% Insurance Coverage
- 50% Consumer Law
First Admitted: 1999, Ohio
Bar / Professional Activity
- Member of Ohio State Bar Association
- Delegate to the Eight District Judicial Conference
- Selected to Serve on the Advisory Group of the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
- Member of Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association and the Insurance Law Committee
Representative Clients
- Counsel for a contractor in an insurance coverage and bad faith litigation arising out of construction defect case. Underlying multi-party case settled without contractor contributing to the settlement., 2022
- Attorney for an insured in obtaining cyber coverage for financial losses resulting from an email scam., 2023
- Represented director and officer and the company in a breach of contract and bad faith litigation against insurer involving a CGL policy and the EPLI provision of a D&O policy. The breach of contract claim was based on the insurer failing to defend the insureds and fully indemnify them. Obtained favorable settlement., 2023
Pro bono / Community Service
- Notre Dame Lawyers' Alumni Committee, Secretary-Treasurer
- Member of the Board of Directors of National Alliance on Mental Illness Greater Cleveland (NAMI GC), 2024
- Member of the Board of Citizens Academy, Citizens Academy East, and Citizens Academy Southeast, charter schools that are part of Breakthrough Charter Schools
- President of the Board of Directors, Linking Employment Ability and Potential (LEAP)
Honors
- Selected as a Fellow in the Trial Lawyer Honorary Society, Litigation Council of America, 2009
Educational Background
- University of Notre Dame, Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, 1994
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- This article involves the insurance coverage issue of the insurer's duty to notify the insured of changes to the policy that will be in the renewal., Co-Author, "Insurer Beware: Policy Renewals May Not Change Coverage as Intended", The Defense Research Institute: Covered Events, Insurance, 2011
- Overview of various Ohio insurance coverage issues that are unique to Ohio law., Author, “Practicing Insurance Coverage Law In Ohio", Coverage Opinions by Randy Maniloff, 2016
- Contributing author on several chapters on Ohio Insurance coverage., Co-Author, New Appleman Ohio Insurance Law, Lexis/Nexis, Insurance, 2023
- Co-Author, “Evaluating the Liability Insurer's Duty to Defend” (Chapter 9) and “Responding to Tender” (Chapter 10)., Co-Author, .New Appleman Ohio Insurance Law, Lexis/Nexis, Insurance, 2018
- Panel discussion on bad faith., Panelist, JEOPARDY: Bad Faith Grab Bag of Fun Facts and Issues, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Insurance, 2015
- Review and update of Ohio law on attorney-client privilege and work product doctrine., Co-presenter, "Protections Against Waiver of the Attorney-Client Privilege and Work Product Doctrine", Ohio State Bar Association CLE Program, Lawyers, 2008
- Article on the implications of choice of law issues on the attorney-client privilege, Co-Author, "Counseling the Corporate Counsel: The Impact of Choice of Law Issues on the Attorney-Client Privilege", DRI's The Business Suit, Business, 2009
- Article on whether and when an insurer has a right to recoup defense costs from an insured., Author, "Recouping Defense Costs Paid on Behalf of the Insured", The Defense Research Institute: For the Defense, 2012
- Article on whether and when insureds are entitled to discover attorney-client privileged information in insurer's claims files., Co-Author, "Full Coverage? Insurer's Claims Files And The Attorney-client Privilege", Ohio Lawyer Magazine, 2012
- Co-presenter, "The Inner Workings of Insurance", Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association and the Insurance Law Committee, Insurance, 2014
- In light of policyholders' attempts to obtain coverage for cyber hacks and data breaches under CGL policies, ISO over the years has made changes to the CGL policies. This presentation reviewed, summarized, and analyzed those changes., Presenter, "Changes to ISO's CGL Forms in Light of Cyber Claims", Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, 2015
- Summary of legal issues facing insurance brokers and agents., Presenter, "When Claims Go Sideways -- What an Agent Needs to Know to Protect the Client and Agency E&O", Insurance Board of Northern Ohio and two Insurance Brokerage Firms, Insurance And Insurance Brokers And Agents, 2016
- And Financial
- Auto
- Insurance
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2013 - 2026
- Rising Stars: 2009 - 2011
