Melissa Korfhage helps companies navigate the legal minefields of complex litigation. With the understanding that complex multi-issue, multi-jurisdictional, and multi-party suits bring about a unique set of challenges, Melissa applies her deep understanding of the litigation process to undertake large document reviews, multiple witness depositions, complex data calculations, shortened timelines, and an in-depth understanding of many complex and related issues. With a client centric focus, Melissa is cognizant of the expense of litigation and works to control costs with effective case management and budgeting tools, risk-assessment techniques, and through various mediation and arbitration methods when appropriate.
Melissa works directly with companies to preserve electronically stored information in compliance with state and federal court requirements. She assists clients in developing effective, standardized procedures, protocols, and methodologies to manage risk and control costs at each stage of the e-discovery life cycle. In addition, Melissa has obtained significant jury trial experience, including participating in multiple product liability trials for Brown & Williamson Tobacco Company, and defending Wal-Mart on a contract claim in federal court in Dayton, Ohio. Melissa has also acquired significant appellate experience in multiple appellate jurisdictions, including the Supreme Court of Ohio.
Melissa's litigation work is concentrated in mass and toxic tort and product liability. Her experience spans a variety of industries at both the state and federal level. Melissa is also a contributing author to the legal treatise Drug Product Liability Reporter. Her clients include Procter & Gamble, Wal-Mart, International Flavors and Fragrances, and Brown & Williamson Tobacco Company.
Memberships & Affiliations
· Ohio State Bar Association
· Cincinnati Bar Association
· Kentucky Bar Association
· National Institute for Trial Advocacy
· Volunteer Lawyers for the Poor
Distinctions
· YWCA of Greater Cincinnati, Rising Star 2008
· Kentucky Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Award (2006)
Experience
Fixodent Denture Cream Litigation
The Procter & Gamble Distributing LLC
Dinsmore's Products Liability Team recently received a ruling in favor of The Procter & Gamble Defendants ("P&G") which is the first in the country to assess and reject the scientific basis for lawsuits filed by a number of Fixodent® users.
Thomas and Marker Construction v. Big Box Retailer
Big Box Retailer
Defense of breach of construction contract claim
Publications
June 16, 2008, What is Bisphenol-A and Why Should Companies be Aware of It?
March 21, 2008, The Constitutionality of Punitive Damages Caps
February 21, 2008, Causation Evidence in Ohio Toxic Tort Litigation
Presentations
April 12, 2006, "Fraudulent Joinder," LexisNexis CLE