In the world of high-stakes litigation, most lawyers see a battle. Michael Meuti sees a chess match. He is a seasoned trial and appellate litigator who helps businesses and individuals navigate high-stakes disputes with precision and purpose. He crafts strategies that dismantle multimillion-dollar threats and uncover paths to victory where others see a dead end.
He proved it when his novel legal theory salvaged a half-billion-dollar claim for a client. He proved it again when he took an eight-figure class-action demand and methodically dismantled it, forcing a settlement for a fraction of the cost. Known for his strategic mindset, creative problem-solving and relentless focus on efficiency, Michael approaches litigation as both an intellectual challenge and an opportunity to outthink the opposition, finding the smartest, most direct path to victory.
This track record of delivering results is why Crain’s Cleveland Business named him a 2025 Notable Litigator. Michael brings this same intensity to every challenge, whether it’s representing clients in the retail, energy and healthcare sectors, or fighting for justice in his pro bono work against unconstitutional laws and discrimination.
As chair of Benesch’s Appellate Practice Group, Michael’s work has national impact. Honed through trial and appellate clerkships and as the Simon Karas Fellow in the Ohio Solicitor General’s Office, his strategic vision secures precedent-setting victories that neutralize threats not only to his clients, but to entire industries.
Outside the courtroom, Michael regularly speaks on topics related to false advertising and consumer litigation. He is passionate about mentoring associates in legal writing, staying active through resistance training, and camping with his daughters as part of the Cuyahoga Valley Native Sons & Daughters program. He believes that cultivating both a sharp mind and meaningful personal connections is essential to success—in and out of the courtroom.
*Matter completed prior to joining Benesch.
Representative Experience
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In the New Jersey Supreme Court, achieved reversal of a lower-court decision holding that N.J. Consumer Fraud Act plaintiffs state a claim by alleging that the retailer advertised a false discount.
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Briefed and argued case to Ninth Circuit and Washington Supreme Court addressing illusory-sale theory under Washington Consumer Protection Act. Awaiting decision.
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Obtained dismissal of complaint alleging false advertising under California’s False Advertising Law, Unfair Competition Law, and Consumer Legal Remedies Act for rapidly growing oral-care company.
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Drafted amicus brief to Washington State Supreme Court addressing whether consumer-protection statutes support claims for price-gouging during a pandemic.
- Persuaded two different courts that California Civil Code section 1670.8 (the “Yelp Law”) does not provide a private right of action where the allegedly unlawful terms were not threatened to be enforced against the plaintiff, in a case where plaintiffs were seeking $2,500-$5,000 per website visitor.
- Defeated class certification on behalf of telehealth company in false-advertising case, convincing court that individualized questions regarding injury and damages precluded class treatment and that class plaintiffs’ damages and consumer-survey experts’ opinions were not reliable.
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Represents officers of company in mass arbitration asserting consumer-protection claims against company and its officers.
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Achieved reversals of lower-court decisions refusing to enforce a telehealth company’s arbitration clause in intermediate courts of appeal in New Jersey and Florida, as well as the Sixth Circuit.
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Represented an auto insurer in class-action litigation addressing the insurer’s obligation to pay title and license fees in total-loss claims; defeated motion for class certification.
- Represented an Ohio teleservices company in a bet-the-company consumer class action alleging fraud. Drafted major briefs, including the brief opposing class certification.*
- Represented a major grocery chain in class-action antitrust litigation against a dairy cooperative and a dairy processor. Drafted the brief successfully opposing summary judgment.*
- Represents multiple manufacturers in Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act matters.
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Represented green-energy company in putative class action pursuing land-use claims.
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Represented Ohio utility pursuing constitutional challenge to competing public utility’s business practices, in intermediate appellate court and Ohio Supreme Court. Achieved reversal of the trial court’s opinion.
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Represented an international developer and manufacturer of high-temperature industrial materials in environmental class action brought by group of residents and landowners.
- Represented a Fortune 50 corporation in a Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act matter including dozens of depositions, extensive motion practice, and two multiweek trials.*
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Represents civil-rights plaintiff who was denied service at a café because he is Jewish.
- In intermediate Ohio appellate court, represented residents of small town challenging local ordinance permitting residents to carry handguns to city council meetings in violation of Ohio statute prohibiting firearms in buildings in which a courtroom is located
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Represented sitting U.S. Senator in amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in “Bridgegate” case.
- Represents officers of company in parallel state and federal class actions alleging violations of the securities laws.
- On behalf of telehealth provider, defeated RICO claim asserted by competitor.
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Represented a chain-restaurant franchisee as plaintiff in a civil RICO class action seeking recovery for overcharges by its supplier. Drafted successful class certification briefs before the case was resolved with a nine-figure settlement.*
- Represented as lead counsel a developer of youth-sports parks in a commercial dispute. Achieved full victory for the client in federal district court and preserved that victory on appeal.*
- Represented a public corporation in contract dispute with a former parent company regarding employee-benefit liabilities. Deposed the plaintiff company's chief financial officer, its general counsel and seven other witnesses, and drafted all major briefs.*