"The entire team provides outstanding legal services."
Client quote, Chambers USA
Overview
Calfee’s Utility Tort Defense practice, a key subgroup of the firm’s Tort, Accident, and Products Liability (TAPL) group, is comprised of lawyers dedicated to defending tort claims against utility companies and their employees.
Calfee’s TAPL group was founded in 1997 and is led by Tom Michals, one of the most experienced lawyers in this practice area. Tom has nearly 25 years of experience successfully defending utilities against serious personal injury and wrongful death cases (including cases involving serious disability, disfigurement, burn, and traumatic brain injuries). He has argued successfully in the Ohio Supreme Court on behalf of both electric and telephone utility clients.
The team’s core members, including Tom Michals and Anthony F. Stringer, have handled cases on behalf of multiple utility clients across a wide range of industries and in numerous jurisdictions. We have defended virtually every type of tort case a utility is likely to face, from minor property damage claims to personal injury and wrongful death claims with demands over $100 million dollars. The core team members have first-chair trial experience in utility tort defense cases and have successfully defended utility tort claims at trial, on appeal, and to the Ohio Supreme Court.
Calfee’s team is somewhat unique among U.S. law firms practicing utility tort defense law in that we have developed significant knowledge and understanding of utility culture, business practices, and the many complex logistical, engineering, and technological issues that come into play when accidents occur involving utility facilities and equipment.
We also have special expertise in defending post-storm contact incidents and the difference in claims resulting from such incidents as opposed to those that occur on a blue-sky day.
Whereas many lawyers hired by utilities to defend tort claims face a steep learning curve regarding these issues, we are able to “hit the ground running,” having experience in all types of tort claims that may be asserted against a utility.
Noteworthy
Chambers USA Leading Law Firm Rankings
Since 2005, Calfee has been recognized as a Leading Law Firm for Litigation: General Commercial by Chambers USA, most recently in Band 2 in Ohio (2024).
Clients interviewed by Chambers USA researchers commented, "We're very pleased with the firm's breadth of expertise and ability to bring together the right people. I think they are a good balance of practical and strategic. Calfee is very responsive; it's an excellent firm. They're savvy, quick to adapt, and put people at ease in complex commercial litigation. The team is exceptionally responsive. The entire team provides outstanding legal services."
Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” Rankings
Calfee was selected for inclusion in the 2025 "Best Law Firms" rankings in numerous litigation areas.
Benchmark Litigation Rankings
Calfee was selected for inclusion by Benchmark Litigation 2025 as a Highly Recommended Law Firm in Dispute Resolution in Ohio. Additionally, 16 of Calfee's Litigation partners have been ranked by Benchmark Litigation as "Litigation Stars" in the U.S. (National), Midwest, and Ohio and as “40 & Under" and "Future Stars" Honorees.
Professionals
Professionals
Experience
Experience
- Represented the prevailing utility in a personal injury action from trial through the decision by The Ohio Supreme Court.
- Represented the prevailing utility in a wrongful death action from trial through the decision by The Ohio Supreme Court.
- Represented a utility from trial through the decision by The Ohio Supreme Court.
- Directed verdict in a jury trial on behalf of a public utility in a complex property dispute.
- Tom Michals is qualified as an expert witness on an attorney’s duty to analyze apportionment issues in tort cases.
Services
Services
- Personal injury claims
- Wrongful death claims
- Property damage claims
- Mass tort/toxic tort claims
- Intentional tort claims
- Fraud investigations
- Excess exposure issues in litigation or coverage
Calfee attorneys are experienced in conducting post-incident investigations. They know what to look for and where to find it.
News & Events
News
