Clifford S. Mendelsohn
Cliff Mendelsohn helps clients efficiently and effectively manage large dockets of cases spread across multiple jurisdictions throughout the United States.
Cliff serves as national counsel for motor vehicle accident litigation and premises liability litigation for three global companies, providing the clients with consistency, efficiency, and cost savings in those areas of litigation. In these roles, he defends a wide range of fatality, catastrophic injury, and personal injury claims in state and federal courts throughout the country. Cliff has first-chair experience at trial, arbitrations, and mediations and has tried multiple cases to verdict.
In addition to his litigation and trial experience, Cliff counsels companies on regulatory compliance and best practices for fleet safety, and he frequently publishes and presents on issues involving both fleet safety and fleet defense.
- Education
- University of Michigan Law School (J.D., cum laude, 2001)
- Emory University (B.B.A., 1998)
- State Admissions
- Ohio, 2001
- Federal Admissions
- United States Court of Appeals, First Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
- United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio
- United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio
- Service Areas
- Mass Tort & Product Liability
- Consumer Product Safety
- Life Sciences Litigation
- Artificial Intelligence & Autonomous Vehicles
- Health & Life Sciences
- Industries Represented
- Automobile
- Chemical
- Consumer Products
- Medical Devices
- Pharmaceutical & Medicine
Representative Trials
- Obtained defense verdict in favor of coatings manufacturer in negligence claim arising from slip-and-fall. Jury trial, 2023.
- Achieved favorable verdict for coatings manufacturer in negligence claim arising from slip-and-fall. Jury trial, 2022.
- Obtained defense verdict for delivery driver in personal injury case arising from motor vehicle accident. Jury trial, 2017.
- Defended retailer in personal injury case arising from motor vehicle accident involving delivery driver’s alleged distracted driving. Jury trial, 2017.
- Defended retailer in personal injury case arising from motor vehicle accident involving allegations of whether off-duty employee was in course and scope of employment at time of accident. Jury trial, 2016.
- Defended retailer in personal injury case arising from motor vehicle accident involving delivery driver. Jury trial, 2013.
- Defended automobile manufacturer in product liability and wrongful death claims arising from rollover accident. Jury trial, 2009.
Representative Cases
- Manages national defense of personal injury claims related to vehicle fleet operations of three global companies
- Defended pharmaceutical manufacturer in federal and state courts throughout the country in wrongful death claims related to alleged defect in pain medication
- Defended pharmaceutical manufacturer in multi-district litigation regarding alleged defect in implantable mesh device
- Represented automobile manufacturer in multi-district litigation related to alleged defects in design of fuel system
- Defended automobile manufacturer against design defect claims involving serious injuries and death resulting from rollover accidents and vehicle fires
- Defended manufacturers of vinyl chloride in personal injury, wrongful death, and class action claims in federal and state courts throughout the country relating to workers’ alleged occupational exposure to vinyl chloride
- Counseled consumer product manufacturers in multiple industries on procedures for responding to consumer product complaints
Publications & Speaking Engagements
- “Defending Negligence Entrustment Claims: How to Tell Your Fleet’s ‘Safety Story’ to Minimize the Risks of a Nuclear Verdict,” Fleet Response Client Summit (September 2022)
- “How to Make Telematics Data Work for You – Not Against You – in Vehicle Accident Litigation,” 2022 NAFA Fleet Management Association Virtual Institute and Expo (April 2022)
- “Steps That Fleets Can Take to Defend Negligent Entrustment Claims and Minimize the Risk of Nuclear Verdicts,” 2021 NAFA Fleet Management Association Institute & Expo (September 2021)
- “Negligent Entrustment and Nuclear Settlements,” New Jersey Chapter Webinar, NAFA Fleet Management Association (January 2021)
- “The Use of Telematics Data in Motor Vehicle Accident Litigation,” Webinar, NAFA Fleet Management Association (March 2020)
- “Consolidating Accident Data,” FLEETOWNER (May 2019)
- “A National Counsel Model for Vehicle Fleet Accident Cases,” Law360 (April 2019)
- “A Look at the Future of Autonomous Vehicle Litigation,” Ohio State Bar Association WebCast (July 2018)
- “Evolution of Shopping Center Signage Creates New Legal Issues for Landlords and Tenants,” Shopping Center Legal Update (Spring 2015)
- “CPSC Database Has Potential for Far-Reaching Business and Legal Implications,” Product Liability Law360 (January 2010)
- “Protecting Your Company Against Nanotechnology Litigation” – 2009 Ohio Innovation Summit (April 2009); Ohio CLE Webinar (December 2009)
- “Nanotechnology Litigation: Factors to Consider When Advising Your Clients,” International Association of Defense Counsel Product Liability Newsletter (May 2009)
- Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Stars® (2009, 2011-2013, 2015, 2016)
- Cleveland Leadership Center, Cleveland Bridge Builders Class of 2014
- College Now, Mentor
- Shaker Schools Foundation
- Board of Trustees (2019-present)
- Advisory Committee (2017-2018)
