Overview
Experience
News
Professional

Overview

Michelle Bach, chair of the firm’s Workers’ Compensation Department, concentrates her practice in the area of Workers’ Compensation defense.   She has been recognized as a Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation Law by the Ohio State Bar Association.

Michelle represents state funded and self-insured businesses and public entities.   She routinely attends hearings before the Industrial Commission of Ohio.  She is also a skilled and experienced litigator. She has handled many bench and jury trials in various Courts of Common Pleas throughout Ohio.  She also handles actions pending in the Court of Appeals and before the Supreme Court of Ohio.  Michelle routinely advises clients regarding how to control Workers’ Compensation costs.

Michelle has been selected by her peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® in the practice area of Workers’ Compensation Law – Employer (since 2012) and has received Ohio Super Lawyers® recognition (2015-2024).

Recognition + Awards

South Metro Regional Safety Council Speaker of the Year Award 2018-2019

Best Lawyers in America since 2012: Workers' Compensation Law-Employers

Super Lawyers Rising Stars 2005

Super Lawyers 2015-2024

Bar Admissions

Ohio, 1995

Education

University of Pittsburgh School of Law, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
J.D. – 1995
Honors: cum laude

Miami University
B.A. – 1992
Honors: magna cum laude

Publications

Topics Editor, University of Pittsburgh Law Review, 1994-1995. Author, “Challenging the Fields: The Case for Electromagnetic Field Tort Injury Remedies Against Utilities,” 86 U. Pitt. L. Rev. 441 (1996)

Notable Defense Victories

Donald W. Goodrich vs. Appvion Operations, Inc., et al.
Montgomery County Common Pleas Court, Case No. 2019 CV 04736, February 2021

Pamela Linderson v. Sarah Morrison, Administrator, Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, et al.
Miami County Common Pleas Court, Case No. 18 CV 00362, November 27, 2019

Brenda E. Caskey v. Sarah Morrison, Administrator, Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, et al.
Greene County Common Pleas Court, Case No. 2016CV0283, April 26, 2017 (Magistrate’s Decision)

Darlene B. Carpenter v. Fairfield City School District, et al. Butler County Common Pleas Court, Case No. CV 2014 06 1782, June 30, 2015 (Magistrate’s Decision)

Rosa Loja v. Dayton Bag & Burlap Co., et al.
Montgomery County Common Pleas Court, Case No. 2012 CV 08751, December 18, 2013

Mary Little v. Dayton Public Schools, et al.
Montgomery County Common Pleas Court, Case No. 2008 CV 09890
Directed Verdict and Jury Verdict October 17, 2013

Diana K. Harruff v. Marsha P. Ryan, et al.
Mercer County Common Pleas Court, Case No. 08 CIV 217, June 4, 2013

Presentations + Speeches

February 25, 2026
Safety Council of Southwestern Ohio
“When are Workers’ Compensation Claims Compensable?  A Guide for Employers”

December 3, 2025
Greene County Safety Council
“Top 10 Plays to Reduce Your Workers’ Compensation Costs”

November 5, 2025
Beavercreek Schools
“ When are Workers’ Compensation Claims Compensable and How to Play Good Defense”

October 29, 2025
Wright State University
“When are Workers’ Compensation Claims Compensable?  A Guide for Employers”

September 18, 2025
South Metro Safety Council
“Into the Deep-Navigating the Involuntary Abandonment Doctrine”

May 8, 2025
Coolidge Wall Labor and Employment Seminar, Austin Landing
“Into the Deep-Navigating the Involuntary Abandonment Doctrine”

February 5, 2025
Highland-Fayette-Clinton Safety Council
“How to Play Good Defense”

September 21, 2023
South Metro Safety Council
“When are Workers’ Compensation Claims Compensable?”

February 9, 2023
South Metro Safety Council
“Top 10 Plays to Reduce Workers’ Compensation Costs”

May 12, 2022
South Metro Safety Council
“How to Play Good Defense”

September 9, 2021
South Metro Safety Council
“Workers’ Compensation Court Appeals: How to Present a Winning Case”

June 14, 2021
South Metro Regional Chamber of Commerce
“Top 10 Plays to Reduce Workers’ Compensation Costs”

May 7, 2021
Ohio State Bar Association LiveCLE
“Basics of Labor and Employment Law: Leave Laws and Navigating the Alphabet Soup That is the BWC, ADA, FMLA, etc.”

January 15, 2021
Coolidge Wall
“The Latest on COVID-19 for Employers”  Webinar

September 10, 2020
Piqua Chamber of Commerce
“House Bill 81: Changes to Ohio Workers’ Compensation Law”

August 20, 2020
Piqua Chamber of Commerce
“HR Council ‘Tricky Triangle 2.0’ presentation”

May 21, 2020
Piqua Area Chamber of Commerce
“Preparing for the New Normal in Your Business” Webinar

May 4, 2020
Coolidge Wall
“Getting Back to Work in Ohio” Webinar

February 27, 2020
Shelby County Human Resources Council

October 10, 2019
South Metro Regional Safety Council

October 9, 2019
Western Ohio HR Council

October 4, 2019
Ohio Public Risk Management Association (OHPRIMA)

August 21, 2019
Champaign County Urbana Safety Council

April 11, 2019
South Metro Regional Safety Council

March 6, 2019
2019 BWC Ohio Safety Congress & Expo

January 8, 2019
Lima/Allen County Safety Council

Professional

Ohio State Bar Association (Workers’ Compensation Sub-Committee)
Dayton Bar Association (Workers’ Compensation Sub-Committee)

Community

President, South Metro Regional Safety Council
Board Member, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Our Practices

Our attorneys have experience in the issues that business owners and entrepreneurs frequently face:
For nearly every type of business, real estate is a crucial component of success. For property owners, managers, developers and construction companies, commercial property issues are an everyday facet of business, and skillful solutions to those issues are essential to success of the business. Even if your company is not directly involved in the real estate industry, your place of business — whether purchased or leased — is a critical investment.
At Coolidge Wall, we understand how intimidating business issues like organization, internal governance and contract negotiation can be. As a client, you can expect our corporate and business lawyers to become thoroughly familiar with your business goals and operations. We then draw on the full experience of a distinguished staff of attorneys to help you make wise decisions for your business — from incorporation onward.
Litigation is one of the most challenging aspects of legal practice, one that not every attorney is prepared to handle. Coolidge Wall's team of seasoned litigators have experience with all types of disputes: civil and administrative litigation, appeals, and even select criminal matters.
At Coolidge Wall, we believe that a company’s workforce is its most important asset. However, managing personnel issues and striking the balance between attracting talent and keeping workforce expenses manageable can be a difficult and delicate task. Employers can easily make mistakes that lead to litigation, overcompensation or morale difficulties. Our labor and employment attorneys are well acquainted with labor trends and employment law and use that knowledge to provide our clients with creative and cost-effective advice.
The Ohio workers’ compensation system fills a legitimate need and was designed for administrative convenience. But for businesses of all sizes, workers’ compensation issues can be a nightmare. Employers trust the workers’ compensation practice team at Coolidge Wall to provide informed counsel and competent representation regarding these important issues.
Tax is a universal issue for every business in the United States. The record keeping, planning and preparation that is necessary to keep your tax affairs in order and avoid paying more than you should touches every aspect of your operation.

Our clients trust the attorneys of Coolidge Wall with their important estate planning and probate needs.  Our team is experienced in all aspects of estate planning and probate law, including wills and trusts, estate tax planning, probate administration, and business succession.

Our extensive transactional and civil work in the private sector has provided our team of attorneys at Coolidge Wall with the knowledge and practical experience necessary to provide public sector entities with competent legal counsel for a wide range of issues.

Coolidge Wall is here
to serve your legal needs

Coolidge Wall offers a diverse array of legal practice areas and business insight for our clients. Let our history, reputation and knowledge work for your business-no matter where you are. Contact us to learn how we can contribute to your company’s success.
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