Melvin D. Weinstein Director (614) 462-5450 •     Download vCard Litigation

Practice Focus

Trial lawyer who represents clients in civil litigation in state and federal courts at the trial and appellate levels. Extensive experience with complex business disputes involving claims for fraud, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, theft of trade secrets, violations of covenants not to compete, unfair competition, insurance coverage disputes and professional liability.

Career Highlights

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®.

Recognized as an Ohio Super Lawyer® by Law & Politics magazine.

Martindale-Hubbell A-V Rating, which indicates very high to pre-eminent legal ability and very high ethical standards as established by confidential opinions from members of the bar.

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Has served as trial and appellate counsel for many corporate clients. A sample of reported decisions in state and federal courts includes:

Represented Abercrombie & Fitch in action for trade dress infringement (Abercrombie & Fitch Stores, Inc. v. American Eagle Outfitters, Inc., 280 F.3d 619 (6th Cir. 2002))

Successfully appealed to Ohio Supreme Court, winning reversal of Board of Tax Appeals' assessment of sales tax against business (Rowe-Reilly Corporation v. Tracy, 85 Ohio St.3d 625 (1999))

Successfully appealed trial court's refusal to enforce arbitration provision in commercial agreement (Harsco Corporation v. Crane Carrier Company, 122 Ohio App.3d 406 (1997))

Successfully represented Fortune 500 company in action against investment banking company for breach of fiduciary duty, ultimately settled for $20 million. (GenCorp Inc. v. Shearson Lehman Brothers, Inc., 766 F.Supp. 1460 (S.D. Ohio 1991))

Represented board of directors of closely held corporation in shareholder dispute (Cullen v. Milligan, 61 Ohio St.3d 352 (1991))

Successfully represented group of insurance companies in defense of action for fraud and breach of contract (Lewelling vs. Farmers Insurance of Columbus, Inc., 879 F.2d 212 (6th Cir. 1989))

Successfully defended State of Ohio in action for medical malpractice (McCrory v. State of Ohio, 67 Ohio St.2d 99 (1981))

Professional Memberships and Volunteer Activities

• American Bar Association, Trial Practice committee and Litigation sections, member
• Columbus Bar Association, Federal Court committee, member
• Ohio State Bar Association, member

Publications and Presentations

Products Liability: 50 State Handbook (Ohio Chapter), West Publishing Company, 1994-95 Ed., (with S. Martijn Steger)

Bar Admissions

• Ohio
• Supreme Court of Ohio
• Supreme Court of the United States
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
• U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio

Education

Juris Doctorate (1973)
University of Cincinnati

Bachelor of Arts, Political Science (1969)
The Ohio State University