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A cross-border trial lawyer specializing in complex litigation for over three decades, Jeff serves as first chair trial counsel in actions involving product liability, life sciences (pharmaceutical and medical device), commercial and contractual disputes, general negligence, motor vehicle accidents, birth trauma, family law and toxic/chemical exposure. A licensed attorney in the United States (Michigan and Illinois), as well as a licensed barrister and solicitor in Ontario, Canada (allowing him to practice in every province except Quebec), Jeff has appeared in and tried cases as first chair in courts throughout both countries on behalf of plaintiffs and defendants. He has tried twenty cases before juries—most involving high-exposure, catastrophic, multimillion-dollar damages—and argued appeals at both the state and federal levels. Clients rely on Jeff for his ability to manage and present extraordinarily complex technical actions—no matter the subject—in a way that connects with juries and judges.

Jeff is presently lead national U.S. trial counsel for a Canadian-based insurer. He has previously served as lead trial counsel (representing both defendant and plaintiff) across the U.S. and Canada for a U.S. automobile manufacturer, several automobile suppliers, various non-automotive product manufacturers and suppliers, medical devices makers and various insurers. He has also been lead appellate counsel before the U.S. Court of Appeals and Michigan Court of Appeals.

In practice, Jeff engages in significant legal research, writing, oral advocacy, and alternative dispute resolution. He is an adjunct professor of law at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, teaching Alternative Dispute Resolution. Jeff is certified as a mediator by the Michigan Supreme Court and is an adept negotiator. He is also a Member of the State Bar of Michigan’s Standing Committee on Character & Fitness, where he both argues before, mediates and adjudicates candidate petitions in formal hearings.

 

Bar Admissions

  • Michigan, 1993
  • Illinois, 1996
  • Ontario, Canada, 2015

Court Admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Illinois

Education

  • University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, J.D., 1993

    cum laude

    Frank Murphy Honor Society

    American Jurisprudence Award

  • Miami University, B.A., 1990
    Dean's List
    Major:  Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs

Professional Associations

    • Michigan Supreme Court SCAO
      —Certified Mediator 
    • University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
      —Professor of Law, 2023 – 2024
    • State Bar of Michigan Standing Committee on Character & Fitness
      —Advisory Member, 2018 – 2024

Distinctions

    • Super Lawyers Magazine
      —Michigan Super Lawyers, 2010 — 2018
      Named in the Business Edition Annual List for Litigation, 2013 — Present
    • Martindale-Hubbell
      —Rated AV Preeminent 

Recent Verdicts & Case Studies


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.

Recent News, Events and Blogs


Speaking Engagements

  • “Avoiding the Maze: U. S. Pre-Suit Claims Resolution,” Co-Presenter, Client Presentation, June 2019
  • “Navigating the Complicated U.S. Litigation Process,” Co-Presenter, Client Presentation, September 2018
  • "Canadian Products Liability: Cross-Border Fundamentals and Key Developments in Canadian Law," Co-Presenter, Client Webinar, March 2018
  • "The Latest Developments in the Defense of Typical Defect Theories: Roofs, Seat Belts, Air Bags, Tires, and Electronic Stability Control (ESC)," CLE Presentation, ACI Automotive Product Liability Litigation Conference, June 2012
  • "Real World Outcomes of Rollover Crashes Involving Rollover Activated Airbags and the Effect on Litigation," Client Seminar, February 2012
  • "The Application of Virtual Reality to Accident Reconstruction," Presenter, Client Seminar, September 2010
  • "The Effect of OEM and Supplier Bankruptcies on Automotive Product Liability Litigation," Presenter, Client Seminar, September 2009
  • "The New Frontier: e-Discovery," Presenter, Client Seminar, September 2006

Publications

  • "Mich. Drug Companies Now Less Immune Under Tort Reform," Co-Author, Law360, February 2014
  • "The Extremely Immature Newborn: The Dilemma of the Microbaby," Health Systems Risk Management Advisor, Volume 10, No. 1, 2002