Thomas I. Michals

Tom has appeared in federal and state courts on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants involving claims for personal injury, wrongful death, intentional tort and other tort causes of action. He also has represented clients in cases involving products liability, medical and legal malpractice, life insurance claims, commercial contract disputes and commercial real estate litigation claims.

Tom has counseled premises owners and manufacturer clients on the selection, content and location of necessary and appropriate warnings. He also has assisted manufacturing clients in complying with product labeling requirements as well as code and regulation compliance.

Tom works closely with utility companies, builders, insurance companies and other publicly and privately held corporations in negotiating their business disputes.

Prior to his law career, Tom handled corporate investigations for Research Associates, Inc. He uses his extensive investigative experience to investigate claims, review the circumstances that gave rise to an incident, and recommend policy changes to prevent or defend against future claims. Tom also has conducted fraud investigations for the boards of directors of manufacturing clients.

Tom joined Calfee in 1988 and was elected Partner in 1998.

Honors & Recognitions

• Benchmark Litigation, "Litigation Star" – U.S. (National) and Ohio: Insurance, Product Liability and Recall, Commercial, Real Estate Litigation (2019-2025)
• The Best Lawyers in America^®, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants (2024-2025)

Education

J.D., magna cum laude, Case Western Reserve University School of Law, Order of the Coif, 1988

B.S., Central Missouri State University, 1977

Experience

• Lead attorney representing the prevailing utility in a personal injury action from trial through the decision by The Ohio Supreme Court – Link v. FirstEnergy, 147 Ohio St. 3d, 2016-Ohio-5083
• Lead attorney representing the prevailing utility in a wrongful death action from trial through the decision by The Ohio Supreme Court – Turner v. Ohio Bell Tel. Co., 118 Ohio St. 3d 215, 2008-Ohio-2010
• Lead attorney representing a utility from trial through the decision by The Ohio Supreme Court in Allstate Ins. Co. v. Cleveland Elec. Illum. Co., 119 Ohio St. 3d 301, 2008-Ohio-3917
• Lead attorney for the prevailing property management holding company in a case in The Ohio Supreme Court – State, ex rel. The K&D Group, Inc. v. Buehrer, 135 Ohio St. 3d 257, 2013-Ohio-734
• Lead plaintiff’s attorney in a case in which the jury awarded the largest plaintiff verdict in the State of Ohio in 2002 in a wrongful death automobile accident case – Lori Austin, Adm. of the Estate of Craig Austin v. Scott G. Leiendecker, Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, Case No. CV-01-443864
• Lead attorney for the prevailing police officer in a reported Federal Court excessive force case – Wallace v. City of Shelby, 968 F. Supp. 1204 (1997)

Professional & Community

• Cathedral Latin High School, Varsity Football Coach
• Lake Catholic High School Parent Advisory Board, Former Chairman
• Lake Hospital Foundation, Former Trustee
• Lakeland County College Paralegal Advisory Committee, Member