Fortney & Klingshirn

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Fortney & Klingshirn is a member of the Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Attorneys.  According to Martindale-Hubbell, membership is reserved for

the most distinguished law practices - those that have achieved the highest "AV" rating in the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory.  The "A" signifies the highest levels of legal ability, while the "V" denotes "very high" adherence to professional standards of conduct, ethics, reliability and diligence.  This rating is the result of a peer review system based upon the confidential opinions of practicing attorneys and judges.

Foreword, Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Attorneys.  

Our attorneys

Michael L. Fortney and Neil E. Klingshirn began their practice with Squire, Sanders & Dempsey, a national law firm based in Cleveland, Ohio. Since then, Neil and Mike have maintained an employment law practice. Mike has also developed a construction law practice and expertise in arbitration and alternative dispute resolution.

In 1993 Mike and Neil formed their current firm. For more information about Michael L. Fortney or Neil E. Klingshirn please click on their names or scroll down this page.

Michael L. Fortney

Mike Fortney graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1979, and received his law degree from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in 1985, graduating summa cum laude.  Because of his experiences both before and after becoming a lawyer, Mike brings a unique perspective to his practice.

Before law school, Mike worked as a chemist, served as the president of a local union, and worked as a carpenter for a general contractor. During law school, Mike received a number of awards and honors, including the Federal Bar Association award for the outstanding law school student in the Sixth Federal Appellate District, and an appointment to the Law Review.

After working for the Law Reform division of the Cleveland Legal Aid Society during law school, Mike began his law practice with Squire, Sanders & Dempsey, one of Cleveland's largest law firms, concentrating in labor and employment law. He continued his practice with Millisor & Nobil, continuing his concentration in employment law and litigation, while developing a practice in construction law. He now maintains areas of expertise in employment and labor law, litigation, construction law and ADR.

Mike has extensive experience in alternate dispute resolution. His is a member of the ADR Federal Court Panel for the Northern District of Ohio. He as an arbitrator on the employment and construction panels for the American Arbitration Association, and serves on the Construction Advisory Council of the AAA. Mike has been an arbitrator and mediator on many construction and employment disputes and has been an advocate in numerous ADR proceedings involving construction and labor disputes.

Mike has developed an extensive practice representing non-union contractors waging battle against trade unions in "salting" campaigns. He has counseled contractors in developing procedures to effectively deal with salts, and has successfully litigated unfair labor practice charges filed with the NLRB by unions in salting campaigns.

Mike has lectured on issues relating to employment law, construction law, and arbitration. Given his experiences, both as a lawyer and before becoming a lawyer, Mike brings an uncommon understanding and perspective to his practice.

When he is not practicing law, Mike and his family operate a tree farm from his home in Medina County. Mike coaches youth baseball and basketball, and is active in other community and civic organizations.

Neil E. Klingshirn

Neil E. Klingshirn began his legal career in the labor department of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey. In 1988 Neil joined the labor specialty firm of Millisor & Nobil. Neil and Mike formed Fortney & Klingshirn in 1993.

Neil is a 1986 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Law. Neil was an Articles Editor of the Ohio State Law Journal and a founder and Trustee of the Student Funded Fellowship. He graduated with Honors in Law, and is a member of the prestigious Order of the Coif.

Neil graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's of business administration in accounting from Kent State University in 1986. Kent State University honored Neil as the 1983 Outstanding Senior of the Year.

In the business community Neil is Vice President of Leadership Akron's Class XIII.  Neil is active in the Akron Regional Development Board (ARDB) where he previously served on the Small Business Council's Executive Board and chaired its Legislative Affairs Committee. Neil served on the Members' Benefits Committee and remains a member of the joint ARDB/Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce Workers' Compensation Advisory Board.

Neil lends his employment law expertise to his community as well, where he serves on the Personnel Advisory & Appeals Board. In 1998 Neil served as Finance Chair for the Hudson Local Schools' ballot levy.  Neil earlier co-chaired the successful merger of the Village of Hudson and Hudson Township, as well as the 1995 Charter Revision Campaign Committee.

Neil and family reside in Hudson, Ohio, where they are members of St. Mary's Catholic Church. Neil is an officer of the St. Mary's Men's Club and annual coordinator of the Father/Child Canoe trip.  In 1995 Neil co-chaired a major capital campaign and, in 1994, guided a complex land sale and rezoning initiative to a successful conclusion.

When Neil is not at work for his firm, community or church you can usually find him in his backyard playing ball with his kids.  

4040 Embassy Parkway  Suite 280  Akron, Ohio 44333
 330-665-5445   fax 330- 665-5446

This site was last updated on November 02, 2006