Atty. Michael Schmeltzer
Michael’s practice is focused on his passion – standing up for everyday people against those who refuse to take responsibility for their wrongful conduct. He represents clients in a wide variety of complex cases, including catastrophic personal injury, construction accidents, trucking and motorcycle accidents, product liability, wrongful death, nursing home negligence, and medical and professional malpractice.
Business Litigation & More Attorney · Serving Akron, OH · 20+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About Michael Schmeltzer at a Glance
Michael Schmeltzer is an Attorney based in Akron, Ohio, practicing at Slater & Zurz LLP. They have 20+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 2006. Their practice focuses on contracts, discrimination, medical malpractice, personal injury, and employment. Admitted to practice in Ohio (2006), U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio (2008), and U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio (2011). Educated at Kent State University B.A. Dick Costic/Cleveland Press Club Scholarship Kent State University B.A. Robert Burdoch Award Kent State University B.A. Staff Reporter Kent State University B.A. Op (Dick Costic, 2001) and University of Akron School of Law J.D. Assistant Editor University of Akron School of Law J.D. Akron Law Review University of Akron School of Law J.D. Founding Member and Executive Editor Uni (—). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Active member of American Bar Association Ohio State Bar Association Akron Bar Association. Provides legal services in English. Serves clients in Akron, OH and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Michael Schmeltzer
- Michael’s practice is focused on his passion – standing up for everyday people against those who refuse to take responsibility for their wrongful conduct
- He represents clients in a wide variety of complex cases, including catastrophic personal injury, construction accidents, trucking and motorcycle accidents, product liability, wrongful death, nursing home negligence, and medical and professional malpractice
- Michael has experience with all stages of litigation and has handled matters before state and federal administrative agencies, has tried cases, argued appeals, and successfully handled mediations in both state and federal court
- Michael has a proven track record of obtaining results for his clients in complicated injury cases
- He recovered $2.7 million for his clients during 2015 – 2018. • Seven-figure gross recovery in a wrongful death/survivorship action against a commercial shipping operation that struck a recreational boat on Lake Erie • $801,000 gross recovery for a motorcyclist who suffered catastrophic personal injuries, including a debilitating brain injury, after crashing into heavy farm equipment • $800,000 gross recovery for a traumatic brain injury caused by an out-of-control semi tractor-trailer striking a parked (but occupied) semi tractor-trailer in a rest area • $625,000 gross recovery for catastrophic injuries arising out of a commercial construction tragedy where client fell through an unsecured roof hole onto concrete 35 feet below • $425,000 gross recovery for a wrongful death caused by a motorist turning left in front of a motorcyclist • $418,000 gross recovery for seriously injured clients who swerved to miss a motorist who pulled into their lane of travel and crashed into an embankment • $325,000 gross recovery in a products liability case where the client was ejected 16 feet head first into dirt wall when the backhoe he was operating suddenly separated from the tractor to which it was attached. • $250,000 gross recovery for a dog attack that resulted in permanent disfigurement and substantial loss of use of client’s hand and forearm
- Michael’s Rating Michael is “AV-Rated,” which is the highest rating available to any individual lawyer by Martindale-Hubbell, and he is recognized as an “Ohio Rising Star” and was one of the “Top 100″ trial lawyers in Ohio by National Trial Lawyers
- In 2017, Michael was selected as a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America (LCA), which is a trial lawyer honorary society composed of less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers
- Fellowship in the LCA is highly selective and by invitation only
- Fellows are selected based upon excellence and accomplishment in litigation, both at the trial and appellate levels and superior ethical reputation
- Michael was recognized in 2015 by the Akron Regional Chamber of Commerce and Ohio Governor John Kasich as a “30 for the Future Award” recipient
- More About Michael When he is not protecting the rights of injured persons in the courtroom, Michael writes and lectures about timely legal issues and regularly volunteers his time with community-based organizations
- He served as a Representative at Large for the Ohio Association for Justice (“OAJ”) from 2013-2016 and is currently a member of its Legislative Committee
- Michael also serves as the Vice-President and has chaired various committees for the National Alliance on Mental Illness – Summit County
- Education and Certification Michael is also a certified motorcycle instructor for Motorcycle Ohio (a division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety)
- Michael is licensed to practice law in all Ohio State courts and the U.S
- District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio
- He attended Kent State University, where he earned his B.A. degree in journalism with a minor in political science
- Michael later attended the University of Akron School of Law, where he served as assistant editor of the Akron Law Review, was a member of its Jessup International Moot Court competition team, and served as executive editor of its Journal of Technology Transfer (now the Akron Journal of Intellectual Property)
- Media Appearances February 5, 2015 guest appearance on America’s Workforce Radio discussing social media discovery during litigation
- Lectures • A Basic Understanding of Removal: Don’t Leave State Court Without It, Ohio Association for Justice 2014 Winter Convention • Navigating the Uncharted Waters of Social Media Discovery During Litigation, Ohio Association for Justice, August 21, 2014 CLE • Social Media Discovery in Personal Injury Cases, Ohio Association for Justice 2012 Winter Convention • The Commercial Docket & Business Litigation, Ohio Association for Justice 2012 Annual Convention Publications • The Chink in the Armor: Convincing Courts that the Medical Malpractice Statute of Repose is an Affirmative Defense May Lead to Additional Avenues for Avoiding the Statute – Ohio Trial, Summer 2014 • Contributor, Electronic Discovery Litigation Pack – American Association for Justice, August 2013 • Saving Medical Malpractice Claims from the Statute of Repose – Ohio Trial, Spring 2013 • Discovering Social Media: Navigating the Uncharted Waters of Social Media Discovery During Litigation – Ohio Trial, Spring 2012 Professional Leadership, Memberships, & Recognition • Top 100, The National Trial Lawyers (2019) • Ohio Rising Star, Super Lawyers (2012-2018) • Top 40 Under 40, The National Trial Lawyers (2017-2018) • AV-Rated, Martindale-Hubbell • Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America • Rated as “Superb” for experience, industry recognition, and professional conduct, • 2015 Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce 30 for the Future Award • 2015 Alumni Practical Publication Award Recipient, University of Akron School of Law • American Bar Association, Member • Ohio State Bar Association, Member • Ohio State Bar Association, Jury Instructions Committee (11/2012 – present) • Ohio State Bar Association Leadership Academy (Class of 2013) • Akron Bar Association, Member • Akron Bar Association, Grievance Committee, Investigative Subcommittee (2012 – 2016) • American Association for Justice, Member (2006 – present) • Ohio Association for Justice, Member • Ohio Association for Justice, Representative-at-Large, 2013-2014, 2014-2015, 2015-2016 Board of Trustees • Ohio Association for Justice, Legislative, Subrogation and Retention Committees (2014 – 2016) • Supreme Court of Ohio Lawyer-to-Lawyer Mentoring Program, Mentor (2013 – 2015) • Community Legal Aid, Volunteer Legal Services Program • National Alliance on Mental Illness, Summit County: Vice President (2015 – present)
- Board Member (10/2013 – present)
- Chair, Advocacy & Outreach Committee
- Instructor, Family-to-Family Education Program • Torchbearer’s, Communications Committee (2008 – 2013), Alumnus (2013 -present) • University of Akron School of Law Alumni Association • Motorcycle Ohio Instructor, Ohio Dept. of Public Safety (7/2016 – present) • Motorcycle Safety Foundation Certified Riding Instructor, MSF#201611 (2016 – 2018)
Practice Areas Explained
Michael Schmeltzer's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Michael Schmeltzer handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Akron.
Contracts in Akron
Michael Schmeltzer is one of 76,101 contracts attorneys indexed nationally. Browse contracts attorneys in Ohio →
Workplace Discrimination in Akron
Michael Schmeltzer is one of 7,049 discrimination attorneys indexed nationally. Browse discrimination attorneys in Ohio →
Medical Malpractice in Akron
Medical malpractice lawyers represent patients harmed by negligent doctors, hospitals, and other providers. Free case review, no fee unless you win.
Michael Schmeltzer is one of 48,593 medical malpractice attorneys indexed nationally. Browse medical malpractice attorneys in Ohio →
Personal Injury in Akron
Personal injury attorneys help accident victims recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering. Most work on contingency — no fee unless you win.
Michael Schmeltzer is one of 262,557 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury attorneys in Ohio →
Employment Law in Akron
Employment lawyers represent workers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage & hour disputes, and severance negotiations.
Michael Schmeltzer is one of 167,770 employment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse employment attorneys in Ohio →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Akron
Practicing law in Ohio. Legal matters in Ohio are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Akron are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Ohio state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Ohio brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Ohio courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Akron Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Akron-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Ohio attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Akron or all attorneys in Ohio.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Akron Choose Michael Schmeltzer
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Michael Schmeltzer's practice in the field of contracts, discrimination, medical malpractice, personal injury, and employment.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
Michael Schmeltzer brings 20+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Multi-State Bar Admission
Licensed in Ohio, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio, and U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio, Michael Schmeltzer can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering contracts, discrimination, and medical malpractice, Michael Schmeltzer can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Akron
A Akron-based practice means Michael Schmeltzer attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues Michael Schmeltzer Handles in Akron
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Michael Schmeltzer has experience with under Ohio law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Michael Schmeltzer directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
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Michael Schmeltzer's Practice Areas & Specializations
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