Mary Ellen Fairfield
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 Michael E. Moritz 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 Michael E. Moritz 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.
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 & Awards
- Columbus CEO, Top Lawyers in Columbus, 2010-2013
- Fellow of the Ohio State Bar Foundation since 1992
- Fellow of the Columbus Bar Foundation since 1990
- Chambers and Partners, Leading Lawyer in Litigation: General Commercial, 2012
- The Best Lawyers in America, Columbus Litigation - Labor & Employment Lawyer of the Year, 2012
- The Best Lawyers in America, Bet-the-Company Litigation, 2010-2013
- The Best Lawyers in America, Labor and Employment Law and Personal Injury Litigation, 1995-2013
- The Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, 2006-2013
- The Best Lawyers in America, Product Liability Litigation, 2007-2013
- Ohio Super Lawyers, Top 25 Women Columbus Area Super Lawyers, 2010-2013
- The Best Lawyers in America, Business Litigation, 1999-2007
- YWCA Women of Achievement, 1993
- Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, 1992
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Peer Review Rated
News
- Thirty-nine Vorys Attorneys included in 2013 Chambers USA Guide
- Vorys Attorneys Recognized as 2013 Ohio Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
- 126 Vorys Attorneys included in the 2013 The Best Lawyers in America® List
- Thirty-five Vorys Attorneys Listed in 2012 Edition of Chambers USA
- 75 Vorys Attorneys Recognized as 2012 Ohio Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
- Eleven Vorys Attorneys Named 2012 “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers®
- More than 100 Vorys Attorneys named on 2012 The Best Lawyers in America® List
- Fairfield Featured in Law360's Top Litigators Series
- 72 Vorys Attorneys Recognized as 2011 Ohio Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
- Vorys Ranked #1 Law Firm in Ohio on 2011 Best Lawyers in America® list
- 54 Vorys Attorneys Recognized as 2010 Ohio Super Lawyers
- Vorys ranked #1 law firm in Ohio on 2010 Best Lawyers in America® list
- 70 Vorys Attorneys Recognized as 2009 Ohio Super Lawyers
- Vorys Attorneys Named on 2009 Best Lawyers in America List
- Vorys named the "2008 Leading Ohio Law Firm" by Best Lawyers
Events
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)
