Mary Ellen Fairfield
Columbus Office
Ms. Fairfield is a partner in the Vorys Columbus office and a member of the litigation group. Her practice includes the defense of all types of civil litigation, including employment and business and commercial disputes.
Career highlights include:
- Representing automotive manufacturers in civil litigation including products liability and employment cases
- Being selected as the first woman in Ohio to the American College of Trial Lawyers in 1992
- Serving as trial counsel for a large manufacturer in all of its litigation, including large class action cases
- Representing a large university in disputes in litigation against athletic coaches
Ms. Fairfield is a member of the American Bar Association, the Ohio State Bar Association, the Ohio State Bar Foundation, the Columbus Bar Association, and the Federal Bar Association.
Ms. Fairfield has served as a faculty member for the National Institute of Trial Advocacy and as an Adjunct Professor of Trial Practice at The Ohio State University College of Law from 1985-1995. She has lectured frequently on employment law and trial practice matters.
Ms. Fairfield has served as a mediator during Settlement Week for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio and for the Franklin County, Ohio, Court of Common Pleas. She has served on the Advisory Group for the Southern District of Ohio pursuant to the Civil Justice Reform Act of 1990.
Ms. Fairfield received her J.D. cum laude from The Ohio State University College of Law where she was the Articles Editor for the Ohio State Law Journal. She received her B.A. with honors from Purdue University.
Publications
- Charles F. Dugan & Mary Ellen Fairfield, “Liability in the Context of a Tender Offer,” Ohio State Law Journal, 1974 (35 Ohio St. L.J. 412)
Professional and Community Activities
- YWCA Endowment Fund, Former President and Former Treasurer, 1997-present
- Advisory Group for the Southern District of Ohio, Member, pursuant to the Civil Justice Reform Act of 1990
- YWCA Columbus, President, 1982-1984; Treasurer, 1980-1982
- The Center for New Directions, Board of Directors, 1982
- Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority, Commissioner, 1976-1978 (appointed by the Mayor of Columbus)
- Ohio Bar Examiner, 1975
Honors and Awards
- Fellow of the Ohio State Bar Foundation since 1992
- Fellow of the Columbus Bar Foundation since 1990
- The Best Lawyers in America in Labor and Employment Law and Personal Injury Litigation, 1995-2008
- The Best Lawyers in America in Commercial Litigation, 2006-2008
- The Best Lawyers in America in Product Liability Litigation, 2007-2008
- Ohio Super Lawyers, Employment and Labor, 2004-2008
- The Best Lawyers in America in Business Litigation, 1999-2007
- YWCA Women of Achievement, 1993
- Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, 1992