BakerHostetler
Alumni Login
| Subscribe | Print
Open search/close search button Open menu/close menu button
Services
Professionals
About Us
Offices
News/Resources
Diversity
Pro Bono
Careers
Alumni

Michael K. Farrell

Partner

Cleveland
T +1.216.861.7694
F +1.216.696.0740
mfarrell@bakerlaw.com
Download Vcard

Overview

With the main focus of his practice in the class action arena, Michael Farrell has significant experience as lead counsel in the defense of class actions, probate and fiduciary litigation, media-related litigation and the defense and prosecution of complex commercial litigation.

Throughout his career, Michael has defended clients in alleged class actions challenging insurance company claims practices; billing practices within the telecommunications and car rental industries; products liability; false advertising; and defamation, invasion of privacy and related claims against print and electronic media outlets. Michael also has significant experience defending and prosecuting claims involving fiduciaries.

Select Experience

  • Represented a manufacturer in two putative nationwide class actions in which plaintiffs assert, inter alia, claims for breach of express and implied warranties and state-law misrepresentation and failure to disclose theories based on alleged defects in vinyl siding manufactured and sold by defendants. Harney v. Associated Materials, LLC, et al. and Luckey v. Associated Materials, LLC, et al.
  • Twice successfully argued the appeal of class certification before the Ohio Supreme Court and obtained a reversal of trial and an appellate court certification of class. Stammco, LLC v. United Telephone of Ohio.
  • Obtained a reversal of a class certification in Ohio Supreme Court. Cullen v. State Farm Mutual Insurance Corporation.
  • Obtained and affirmed a denial of class certification in trial and appellate courts. Augustus v. The Progressive Corporation.
More »

Experience

  • Represented a manufacturer in two putative nationwide class actions in which plaintiffs assert, inter alia, claims for breach of express and implied warranties and state-law misrepresentation and failure to disclose theories based on alleged defects in vinyl siding manufactured and sold by defendants. Harney v. Associated Materials, LLC, et al. and Luckey v. Associated Materials, LLC, et al.
  • Twice successfully argued the appeal of class certification before the Ohio Supreme Court and obtained a reversal of trial and an appellate court certification of class. Stammco, LLC v. United Telephone of Ohio.
  • Obtained a reversal of a class certification in Ohio Supreme Court. Cullen v. State Farm Mutual Insurance Corporation.
  • Has represented multiple beneficiaries and fiduciaries in litigation involving disputes over disposition of trust property, the duties and obligations of fiduciaries, and related issues.
  • Represented numerous media defendants through discovery and obtained summary judgments in their favor. Reese v. WOIO, Morris v. WOIO, Roth v. WOIO, Sikora v. Plain Dealer Publishing Co.
  • Represented a newspaper in a putative class action challenging delivery methods. Obtained summary judgment dismissing the claims and affirmance on appeal. Reddy v. Plain Dealer Publishing Co.

Recognitions and Memberships

Recognitions

  • Martindale-Hubbell: AV Preeminent

Memberships

  • American Bar Association
  • Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association: Certified Grievance Committee

Services

Industries

Admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of West Virginia
  • Ohio

Education

  • J.D., Case Western Reserve University School of Law, 1988, magna cum laude
  • B.A., Miami University, 1984

Blog

In The Blogs

Previous Next
Class Action Lawsuit Defense
BakerHostetler's 2023 Q1 Insurance Class Action Quarterly Report Released
By Mathew G. Drocton, Mark A. Johnson
May 9, 2023
BakerHostetler released its 2023 Q1 Insurance Class Action Quarterly Report, which summarizes a variety of insurance class action themes. Total loss class actions kept going around the country, and labor depreciation class actions...
Read More ->
Class Action Lawsuit Defense
The Advisory Committee on Civil Rules Proposes a New Rule to Address Early Case Management in Multidistrict Litigation
By Kyle T. Cutts
March 30, 2023
On March 28, 2023, the Advisory Committee on Civil Rules (Committee) convened in West Palm Beach, Florida, to discuss a variety of proposed amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, including a new rule that would provide...
Read More ->
Class Action Lawsuit Defense
New Challenges to Incentive Awards for Class Representatives Invite Supreme Court Review
By Nicholas A. Cordova, Julie Singer Brady
March 28, 2023
Last week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit issued a decision that highlights a growing disagreement among federal appellate courts as to whether class action settlements may include a cash incentive award to named...
Read More ->
Class Action Lawsuit Defense
BakerHostetler Releases Insurance Class Action Quarterly Report – 2022 Q4
March 8, 2023
BakerHostetler released its Insurance Class Action Quarterly Report for 2022 Quarter 4, devolving trends in the insurance class action space from the past quarter. We witnessed further development of total loss, uninsured/underinsured...
Read More ->
Class Action Lawsuit Defense
BakerHostetler Files Amicus Brief on Behalf of Ohio Chamber of Commerce
January 19, 2023
As predicted back in March 2022, class litigation related to Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of man-made chemicals that have been widely used in various industrial and consumer products, have skyrocketed over the last...
Read More ->

Services

Find Professionals

Offices

About Us

Careers

Firm Diversity

LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Instagram Youtube RSS
Subscribe »
© 2023 Baker & Hostetler LLP