Dykema Gossett PLLC

Dykema Gossett PLLC is a nationwide leader in automotive product liability and class action defenses, representing manufacturers and suppliers in high-stakes, often nationally significant litigation and regulatory matters. The practice’s attorneys have defended claims including wrongful death, defect, property damage, and recall cases, while the firm’s experience encompasses critical automotive components such as airbags, seatbelts, fuel systems, and AV technologies. The firm represents a highly distinguished client roster, including Ford, Honda, and Bosch. Recent significant matters for the firm include advising Nissan North America in a three-week jury trial, with the jury returning a defense verdict avoiding over $750m in sought damages. The firm have also represented General Motors in a product liability case where the plaintiff claimed severe chemical burns from a defective knee airbag. The court granted GM’s motion for summary judgment, dismissing the case before trial. The firm’s bench of trial lawyers includes Bloomfield Hills based practice leader Brian Smith, who focuses on catastrophic injury and class action defense, handling cases nationwide, while Ann Arbor based John Thomas brings great experience in appeals and complex litigation, including successful class action trials. Minneapolis based Michael Carey, co-leader of the electric and autonomous vehicles practice, advises on risk mitigation for advanced mobility technologies. As the firm's litigation director also working out of Bloomfield Hills, Michael Cooney is a seasoned trial attorney defending product manufacturers in class actions, intellectual property, and product liability cases nationwide. Dallas based Deron Wade is an accomplished trial lawyer who represents clients in courts, multidistrict litigation, defending automotive manufacturers in product liability and mass tort claims. Ann Arbor based Krista Lenart has defended class actions involving product defects, unfair practices, and constitutional violations in federal and state courts.