Mitchell G. Blair

As Vice Chairman, Mitch helps manage and support many of the Firm’s most significant clients. He oversees major projects to ensure appropriate resources are dedicated to addressing clients' needs and to provide clear communication and reporting. He also helps lead the firm’s efforts in developing new and expanded client relationships.

Mitch has been ranked in Chambers USA for 20 years, most recently ranked in Band 1 (Ohio) in Chambers USA 2024. He is one of only four Northeast Ohio attorneys ranked in the highest tier, Band 1, in Litigation: General Commercial.

Clients interviewed by Chambers USA noted, "Mitch is an outstanding commercial litigator. He handles a lot of high-value cases and is a very skilled litigator. He is good on his feet and a good communicator who explains complex issues well. Mitch is a very good advocate. He's highly practical and very strong on strategic decisions and resolving particularly challenging matters. Mitch is excellent; he gets good results and doesn't leave any stone unturned."

Peers in the market interviewed by Chambers USA stated, "I've known Mitch for a long time. The bottom line is, he's a terrific lawyer. He is highly regarded in every realm – very smart, strategic, and unflappable. He is very matter-of-fact and practical. We think very highly of him." And, "Mitch Blair is a terrific lawyer, who is one of the best in Cleveland. I see him representing corporate clients. He's one of my favorite lawyers. He's collegial and smart and is very well respected by the judges in Cleveland."

Mitch joined Calfee in 1982. He was elected Partner in 1990, a member of the Executive Committee in 2003. Mitch served as a member of the Management Committee from 2009-2023.

Honors & Recognitions

• Chambers USA, Litigation: General Commercial, Band 1, Ohio (2005-2024). Chambers USA researchers reported the following client feedback:
  • “Mitch is very diligent, careful, and thoughtful. He is also very good at strategizing – he thinks several steps ahead before taking action. He is collegial and has great instincts. Mitch is one of the top litigators in the country.”
  • "Mitch has considerable experience in securities litigation and contract disputes and is also the firm's vice chairman. Mitch is one of the most organized, detail-oriented, careful, and thoughtful attorneys that I've ever had the pleasure of working with. In addition to these strengths, he is very experienced and knowledgeable with respect to securities litigation and is a true advocate for his clients."
• Benchmark Litigation, Litigation Star – U.S. (National) and Ohio: International Arbitration, White-Collar Crime, Securities, Commercial, and Professional Liability (2018-2025); recognized by Benchmark Litigation (2007-present)
  • Benchmark Litigation sources stated, “Mitch is one of the best-known litigators in Cleveland. I would put Mitch against any litigator in the country.”
• The Best Lawyers in America^®, Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, and Litigation – Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy) (2005-2025)
  • Comments from clients surveyed by Best Lawyers include: “Mitch is a seasoned and skilled litigator. Mitch is particularly adept at explaining complex litigation to senior management. He is one of the best as far as using associates cost-effectively while still maintaining a thorough knowledge of the details of any case.”
• Ohio Super Lawyers, Securities Litigation (2008-2024)
• Martindale-Hubbell, AV Preeminent Rating and listed in Cleveland’s Top-Rated Lawyers Guide

Education

J.D., Marshall-Wythe School of Law of the College of William and Mary, 1982

B.A., magna cum laude, Union College, 1979

Experience

Particularly successful in defending clients before juries, Mitch has won cases in federal and state courts on behalf of plaintiffs and defendants involving business disputes, including class and derivative action defense and SEC enforcement actions. Mitch has a track record of successfully representing corporations and individuals in high-stakes litigation.

• Mitch is representing an Asian consumer electronics company in a shareholder derivative action, developing and implementing the defense strategies with co-counsel, interfacing with the court where this action was filed and the court to which the action was removed, and together with co-counsel, drafting, editing, and providing comments on case filings, and also providing comprehensive representation to the clients.
• Mitch has extensive experience representing directors of some of the region's largest companies in shareholder derivative litigation and in defending these companies in accompanying class actions.
• Mitch represented one of the nation’s largest utilities in a multi-million-dollar breach of contract dispute, achieving a settlement worth $200 million to the client.
• Mitch led a trial team that obtained a multi-million-dollar judgment for an international tire company.

Professional & Community

• Eighth District Judicial Conference, Life Member
• 50 Club, Member
• Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation, Past President
• Great Lakes Science Center, Chair, Governance Committee and Board Member
• Great Lakes Theater, Past President of the Board of Trustees
• Boy Scouts of America, Greater Cleveland Council, Past President
• Cuyahoga Community College Foundation, Board Member
• Leadership Cleveland, Member
• National Eagle Scout Association, Member
• Bluecoats, Inc., Member

Presentations

Active outside of the courtroom, Mitch has addressed the following organizations on topics related to jury trial techniques and defending class actions, corporate governance and compliance:

• Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association Securities Law Institute
• Glasser Legal Works SEC Hot Topics Institute
• Annual SEC Issues Update Seminar on enforcement topics
• Association of Corporate Counsel 
• PricewaterhouseCoopers Leadership Forum