Our Attorneys

David N. Lutz

Biography

David Lutz's practice has been devoted to complex civil litigation for over 23 years, primarily defending manufacturers in product liability litigation and representing defendants in commercial litigation. David has defended asbestos and silica litigation on behalf of over a dozen clients in multiple jurisdictions, including serving as regional and national counsel.  He coordinates and manages all asbestos and silica litigation handled by the Minneapolis office. David also has experience in drug and medical device litigation.

David has represented some of the world’s largest product manufacturers in cases across the country including motor vehicles, farm equipment, heavy industrial equipment, paint equipment, computer equipment, playground equipment, medical devices and all-terrain vehicles. He has also represented shareholders in close corporations and manufacturers in cases brought by terminated sales representatives, dealers and franchisees.

David is a Qualified Neutral under Rule 114 of the General Rules of Practice and is listed on the Facilitative / Hybrid Minnesota Statewide ADR-Rule 114 Neutrals Roster.

Education

  • The University of Michigan Law School, J.D., 1989
  • University of Minnesota, B.A., 1986
    summa cum laude
    Phi Beta Kappa
    Major:  Political Science
    Major:  History

Bar Admissions

  • Minnesota, 1989
  • North Dakota, 2001
  • Wisconsin, 2005

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court District of Minnesota, 1989
  • U.S. District Court Western District of Wisconsin, 1995
  • U.S. District Court District of Colorado, 1999

Memberships and Affiliations

Defense Research Institute, Inc.
    Toxic Torts & Environmental Law Committee Member

American Bar Association

Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association

Minnesota State Bar Association

LifeScience Alley

Representative Clients

Vermeer Manufacturing Company

Hercules Chemical Company, Inc,

General Motors Corporation

Ford Motor Corporation

Masco Corporation

International Truck and Engine

Wagner Spray Tech Corporation

U. S. Silica

Caribiner International, Inc.

Fire Brick Engineers

Representative Cases

CASE RESULTS DEPEND UPON A VARIETY OF FACTORS UNIQUE TO EACH CASE.
CASE RESULTS DO NOT GUARANTEE OR PREDICT A SIMILAR RESULT IN ANY FUTURE CASE.


Mohn v. Navistar, Minnesota State Court

Oldeen v. Honda, United States District Court Western District of Wisconsin

Field Group v. McGraw, Minnesota State Court

Quality Business Forms v. Secured Choice, Inc., Minnesota State Court

Barrington Church v. Wagner Spray Tech, Illinois State Court

Olson v. Vermeer Manufacturing, Wisconsin State Court

Gator Boring v. Vermeer Manufacturing, Florida State Court

Bretzke v. Mack Trucks, Minnesota State Court

Gessling v. Ford Motor Company, Missouri State Court

Skelly v. Nexen Group, Minnesota State Court

Poehler v. Ford Motor Company, Minnesota State Court

Published Works

Dealing Effectively with the Child Witness, (with Norma Gant), IPEMA Newsletter, Summer, 2008

Defense Themes in Design Cases, (with Shane Bohnen and Norma Gant), IPEMA Newsletter, Fall, 2007

Defense Themes in Playground Equipment Warnings Cases, (with Shane Bohnen), IPEMA Newsletter, June, 2007

Diesel Exhaust - The Next Asbestos?, For the Defense, DRI, November, 2005

For Defendants: Developing the Sophisticated User/Intermediary Defense, Silica Legal News Report, September, 2005

Holding Municipalities Responsible for Improper Installation and Maintenance of Your Recreation Products, (with Ryan Nilsen) www.ipema.org, September, 2004