Michael Martin Neltner

Mike has represented insurers and their insureds for over 20 years now as panel counsel for both large (Thompson Hine) and mid-size firms so he has a mix of big firm litigation experience (motions practice and large firm discovery experience) as well as smaller-size firm trial experience (handling cases from inception through trial verdict).  He has authored coverage opinions on hundreds of coverage topics throughout the United States and litigates his cases to conclusion.  He has been counsel in top dollar complex litigation cases and has won decisions for his clients in matters involving "pill mill" opioid lawsuits filed by state attorneys general; NFL chronic traumatic encephalopathy lawsuits filed by former players; Louisiana and Texas oil refinery explosion and construction defect cases; Recovery suits for thefts due to Bernie Madoff and cryptocurrency crimes; to name a few.  While in law school, he was an extern to the Honorable Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer and received the highest grade possible from the Chief Justice.  He published two law review articles while a student at the University of Cincinnati where, as editor-in-chief, his Board published the largest most critically acclaimed law review edition in the 180+ year history of the University and he has authored articles on topics including Construction Defect Law, Risk Transfer, Insurance Coverage Law, and Employment Law for various legal publications in addition to speaking at many Insurance Coverage seminars on a variety of topics related to insurance coverage law.  In 1994, he won the prestigious James B. Helmer, Jr. award for the most significant contribution to the University of Cincinnati Law Review.  He also takes pride in the fact that over the past 20+ years, he has won over 90% of his motions for summary judgment and has never had a jury verdict higher than the last plaintiff demand prior to trial.  He has successfully litigated numerous wrongful death and multi-million dollar lawsuits saving his clients millions of dollars with successful verdicts and settlements.

Mike holds the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter ("CPCU") designation and has been awarded the highest possible ratings by Martindale-Hubbell (AV Preeminent) and AVVO (10) and has been recognized by organizations such as Outstanding Young Men of America, Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges (top 5%), Who’s Who in American Law, and Who’s Who in America for contributions to his community and academia (as a corporate attorney, Mike is not eligible for “Super Lawyer” recognition).  In November of 2017, he was awarded the prestigious "Outstanding Advocy Award" by the Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys (“OACTA”) and is the only person in OACTA's 51-year history to receive 3 of OACTA's top awards.  He has served as an advisor, mentor and/or judge for the University of Cincinnati Moot Court Competition, the Collegiate National Mock Trial tournament held at Xavier University, the Thomas More College Mock Trial Society and the Ohio High School Mock Trial Competition Committee.  He has been a frequent lecturer on ethics in the legal profession to Thomas More College’s pre-law fraternity.

For fun, Mike was a coach for 27 years, coaching both high school and other soccer and tennis teams to seven League Titles (including winning the Cincinnati GCL three straight years as a high school soccer coach) and three State Championship appearances.  He was a fitness instructor for Friars Club and the Western-Southern Corporate Fitness Program for ten years.  Mike is married to his wife of 28 years, Barb, and has three children.