Michael Farrell has significant experience as lead counsel in the defense of class actions, the defense of media defendants in defamation, privacy and other media-related litigation, and in the defense and prosecution of a wide range of complex commercial litigation matters.
In the class action field, Mr. Farrell has defended clients in the insurance industry in cases challenging estimating, adjusting and premium practices, in the telecommunications industry in a case challenging billing practices, and in other consumer-based industries, including the car rental industry. Mr. Farrell recently successfully argued the appeal of class certification before the Ohio Supreme Court in the case of Stammco, LLC v. United Telephone of Ohio, obtaining reversal of the trial and appellate court’s certification of a class in that case.
Mr. Farrell also has extensive experience defending electronic and print media outlets against all manner of libel, invasion of privacy and related claims and has represented media entities as plaintiffs in matters involving access to records and governmental meetings and proceedings in both trial and appellate courts, including original actions before appellate courts seeking writs of mandamus and prohibition in the Ohio appellate courts and Ohio Supreme Court.
Mr. Farrell is a member of the American and Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Associations and is a member and former officer of its Certified Grievance Committee.