Michael R. Fortney

Attorney, Litigation, Real Estate & Construction

Michael R. Fortney, Esq.

INTRODUCTION

PRACTICE AREA: Real Estate & Construction; Litigation

Mr. Fortney is a member of the Firm's Litigation Department and Real Estate and Construction practice. He focuses his practice on construction law. Mr. Fortney regularly assists his clients through all stages of the construction process, including bidding and contract negotiations, risk management and risk avoidance, and scheduling and change orders throughout projects.

Mr. Fortney is an experienced litigator, both in the construction and commercial context. He regularly assists construction clients with disputes concerning mechanic's lien and bond claims, delay and acceleration claims, other breach of contract claims, and defective work or design claims. Outside of construction, Mr. Fortney has handled a wide range of employment and business disputes for his clients, including claims related to non-competition agreements, tortious interference, and breaches of employment agreements and other contracts.

Mr. Fortney has been selected to the 2021 Super Lawyers© Ohio Rising Stars List and Martindale-Hubbell has awarded Mr. Fortney an AV Preeminent rating for having the highest legal ability and ethical standards.

Contact:
p: 440.695.8054
f: 440.695.8098
MFortney@WickensLaw.com

LEARN MORE ABOUT MIKE

Why did you begin practicing this area of law in the first place?

I learned a lot about the construction industry and construction issues in the law from my father. When I first graduated law school in 2014 I began practicing with him. I quickly developed a love for litigating and arguing, especially in the construction context, and the rest is history.

Why do/should people want to and choose to work with you?

I always put the client's interest first. I am an outside of the box thinker, and I like to lay out options and potential outcomes to clients upfront, so they can make the best possible decision for their unique situation.

What else should we know about you?

I have been married to my wife since 2010. We have two kids and a dog who loves to eat anything except his food. I have bicycled from Portland, Maine to Niagara Falls. I built my own deck on the back of my house (and I think it looks better than most of the professionally built decks in my neighborhood). I was the runner-up in the Oxford Idol karaoke competition at Miami University in 2005.

Education

2014 - Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (J.D.)

2005 - Miami University (B.A.)

Professional & Civic Affiliations

Ohio State Bar Association
Akron Bar Association
Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association

Admissions

State of Ohio
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

Recognitions & Awards

Martindale-Hubbell AV rating
Selected to the Super Lawyers© Ohio Rising Stars List (2021)
CALI Excellence for the Future Award

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