Michael J. Bertsch

Michael J. Bertsch is a member of Nicola, Gudbranson & Cooper, LLC in Cleveland, Ohio. He focuses his practice on defending employers in workers’ compensation and employment law-related matters. He represents employers facing workplace injury claims, alleged safety violations, OSHA violations, intentional tort allegations, and other employment disputes. His civil litigation experience includes workers’ compensation court appeals, mandamus actions, wrongful discharge claims, product liability matters, and first-party insurance disputes. He handles cases at both the trial and appellate levels while advising employers on issues that can affect workplace operations and legal exposure.

Michael earned his B.S. in Business Administration, magna cum laude, from Xavier University and his J.D. from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Cleveland State University. He is admitted to practice before the Ohio Supreme Court, the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and the US District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio. His business education and legal training established the foundation for a career focused on employer representation, workers’ compensation proceedings, employment litigation, and complex civil disputes.

Michael represents employers before the Industrial Commission of Ohio and in Ohio state trial and appellate courts in workplace injury matters. His practice includes investigating and defending safety violation claims and alleged OSHA violations, along with advising employers about OSHA compliance. He also represents employers before the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation adjudication panel and administrator in matters involving rating and reimbursement issues. His work further includes counseling and litigation concerning employment policies and practices, allowing him to assist employers with both preventive compliance concerns and disputes requiring formal proceedings.

Michael J. Bertsch has a broader litigation background that includes jury trials, workers’ compensation appeals, mandamus proceedings, employer intentional tort claims, wrongful discharge disputes, and other civil cases. His combination of administrative, trial, and appellate experience allows him to represent employers through several stages of workplace-related disputes. Through his legal practice, he continues to focus on workers’ compensation, employment law, employment litigation, OSHA compliance and litigation, and civil trial and appellate work. His practice centers on helping employers respond to claims, evaluate legal risks, address regulatory concerns, and defend their interests before administrative agencies and courts.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Nicola, Gudbranson & Cooper, LLC
• Member, Ohio State Bar Association
• Member, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Workers’ Compensation & Litigation sections
• Member, Lake County Safety Council

Licensed State

• Ohio

Education

• Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Cleveland State University
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Xavier University
  BS in Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude

Awards & Badges