Phone:  313-961-3234
Fax:  313-961-6184

Richard A. Dietz is a shareholder who has been with Foster, Meadows & Ballard, P.C. since 1980.  He is a graduate of the University of Michigan (BA with distinction, 1977) and the University of Detroit School of Law (JD, Cum Laude, 1980).  

Mr. Dietz’ practice is dedicated to litigation and trials of major matters arising in various transportation industries. With the firm’s specialization in maritime legal services for more than 60 years, Mr. Dietz has handled cases in the Port of Detroit and Ports in the Great Lakes region and is an integral part of the firm’s admiralty and maritime legal practice.  He has extensive experience defending death and serious injury claims as well as significant property damage claims.  Representing commercial vessel owners, his cases have included defense of Jones Act claims, Petitions to Limit Liability and Limitation of Liability Proceedings; vessel sinkings and groundings, crew mutinies, stowaways on vessels; salvage and cargo claims, attempted seizures and boardings by the Coast Guard, immigration and customs issues involving vessel owners, as well as environmental disputes surrounding the vessel.  He also handles matters involving common carrier liability for passenger vessels.

He has defended wharf and dock owners in claims involving breach of their duties.  He has defended officers and captains in licensing disputes.  With respect to pleasure boating, Mr. Dietz has handled marina liability matters including slips and falls, sinkings, as well as pleasure boat accidents and salvage claims.

Mr. Dietz heads the firm’s railroad litigation practice with 30 years of experience in handling railroad transportation matters.  He has extensive experience defending death and serious injury claims in Federal Employer’s Liability Act (FELA) lawsuits, as well as railroad crossing accident claims.  He has handled railroad matters involving derailments and related issues including evacuation of town or city where the derailment occurred and associated damages, including environmental and business interruption claims.


While specializing in transportation litigation, Mr. Dietz’ practice encompasses all types of litigation.  He has handled lawsuits in both federal and state courts in Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. He has extensive experience in the areas of insurance litigation as well as professional liability and products liability.

Mr. Dietz is licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan, the State of Ohio, the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan, the Northern District of Ohio, the Eastern and Western Districts of Wisconsin, as well as the United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.

Mr. Dietz is a member of the National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel (NARTC), The Maritime Law Association of the United States the Michigan Bar Association, American Bar Association, and Ohio Bar Association. He is a current member and past president of the Propeller Club of the United States, Port of Detroit.