Michelle M. Thompson joined Perez Morris in 2021. As an experienced trial attorney, she handles cases from inception to jury and bench trials, and has a robust motion and appellate practice. Michelle’s extensive litigation background includes complex business litigation, labor and employment, special investigations and fraud, premises liability, real estate and construction industry litigation, and Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act matters on behalf of businesses throughout the U.S. Michelle enjoys being an aggressive litigator when warranted. Whether she is defending ADA Title III claims, defending business disputes, or subrogating property loss claims, her goal always is to achieve the best possible outcome for her clients by strategizing options and risks with them throughout the litigation process.

While attending the University of Dayton School of Law, Michelle interned for Chief Magistrate Sharon L. Ovington, United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio and served as staff writer for the Dayton Law Review. She also worked for a Fortune 500 insurance company; handling insurance defense and subrogation cases. Upon entering private practice, she immersed herself in both the legal and non-legal communities. Michelle received the Ohio State Bar Foundation District 2 Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under in 2018 and was a recipient of the Dayton Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 Award in 2019.

Michelle enjoys volunteering in her community, spending time with her family and her dog Bailey, and is a supporter and avid fan of all women’s sports

Admissions

Ohio, 2016

Southern District of Ohio, 2016

Illinois, 2021

Memberships & Affiliations

• Ohio State Bar Association Leadership Academy Alumni, Member 2016 – present
• Ohio Women’s Bar Association, 2020 – present
• Columbus Bar Association, 2021 – present
• American Bar Association, 2013 – present
• Dayton Bar Briefs, Editor, 2016 – 2020
• National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF)
• University of Dayton Law Review, Staff Writer

Awards & Recognition

• The Best Lawyers® in America: Ones to Watch, Litigation – Construction; Litigation – Labor and Employment; Product Liability Litigation – Defendants, 2023 – present
• Ohio Rising Star, Ohio Super Lawyers Magazine, 2022 – present
• University of Dayton School of Law’s Richard P. Perna 2021 Young Alumni Award of Excellence
• Dayton Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 Award, 2019
• Dayton Bar Association Rising Star, 2019
• Ohio State Bar Foundation District 2 Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 and Under, 2018

Board Positions & Community Service

• NAMWOLF Emerging Leaders Initiative, Co-Chair, 2022 – present
• Pro Bono Partnership of Ohio, Member 2020 – present
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, 2021 – present
• Dayton Children’s Hospital Women’s Board Member, 2017 – 2020
• Dayton History Bell Board, 2016 – 2020
• The Disability Foundation, An Affiliate of the Dayton Foundation, Trustee, 2017 – 2020
• Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley, Advisory Council, 2017 – 2020