Michael J. Suffern
Counsel
Michael’s primary expertise is defending mass torts and individual cases involving pharmaceutical products, dietary supplements, consumer products, and medical devices. He defends large corporations in state and federal courts throughout the U.S. in high-profile product liability litigation. He has extensive experience guiding clients through all phases of complex, multidistrict litigation, and statewide coordinated actions. Michael also has wide-ranging general litigation experience, including representing plaintiffs in catastrophic truck and automobile accident cases, defending insurance companies in coverage and bad faith suits, and defending senior living facilities, nursing homes, and car rental companies in injury cases. Michael has been recognized among The Best Lawyers in America®, including the designation of 2016 “Lawyer of the Year” in Cincinnati for Product Liability Litigation and named to the Ohio Super Lawyers list.
Education & Admissions
Education
- University of Notre Dame
(B.A., 1984)
- University of Cincinnati College of Law
- Loyola University Chicago School of Law
(J.D., magna cum laude, 1990)
Admissions
- State of Illinois
- State of Ohio
- U.S. Supreme Court
- Commonwealth of Kentucky
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
- U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin
- U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
Experience
- Has defended large corporations in high-profile product liability litigation in state
and federal courts throughout the United States. - Experience managing and litigating mass tort cases involving consumer
products and medical devices. - Litigates a variety of commercial and business disputes involving senior living
facilities, nursing homes, car rental companies, partnerships, and contracts. - Experience in the areas of insurance bad faith and coverage claims.
Publications & Presentations
Presentations
- “Product Liability Law, Problem Areas and Best Practices,” Xavier University (February 2014)
- “Product Liability,” Guest Lecturer Xavier University (April 2008)
- “Medical Devices: Law and Policy,” Guest Lecturer Xavier University (March 2012)
- “Winning Without Fighting: Not All Disputes Are Created Equal,” PriceWaterhouseCoopers General Counsel Forum (August 2007)
Involvement
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- Ohio State Bar Association
- Kentucky Bar Association
- Cincinnati Bar Association
- Defense Research Institute
Honors
HONORS
- Designated Best Lawyers Product Liability Litigation “Lawyer of the Year” in Cincinnati (2016)
- Named to The Best Lawyers in America©, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants; Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants (2007-2023)
- Named to the Ohio Super Lawyers list (2012-2022)
- Named a Cincy Leading Lawyer in Class Action/Product Liability in a survey of lawyers by Cincy Magazine (2011-2023)
Personal
Michael is the President of his parish’s conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. He visits neighbors in need to provide material and emotional support in an effort to help them meet their most basic needs, such as food, clothing, shelter, and medicine.
Michael loves to travel, hike, and camp in the mountains.
News
- Ulmer Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© 2023 Report
- Ohio Super Lawyers Recognizes Ulmer Attorneys in 2022 Lists
- Ulmer Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© 2022 Report
- Ohio Super Lawyers Honors Ulmer Attorneys in 2020 Lists
- Best Lawyers® 2020: 60 Ulmer Attorneys Recognized, Two Partners Named “Lawyer of the Year”
- Eleven Ulmer Attorneys Recognized as Cincy Leading Lawyers