Dykema Adds Experienced Product Liability Litigator Bret R. Henry in Los Angeles

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today the addition of Bret R. Henry as Senior Counsel in the firm’s Product Liability and Class Action Litigation Practice Group. Henry joins Dykema’s Los Angeles office after more than 18 years with Yoka | Smith LLP.

Henry is an experienced litigation attorney who represents clients in complex product liability matters, complex tort actions, and catastrophic injury and wrongful death litigation. He has significant experience defending automotive parts manufacturers, suppliers, and servicers in high-exposure product liability litigation nationwide and has served as national and regional counsel for companies operating in the automotive sector.

“Bret’s extensive product liability experience and deep understanding of the automotive industry make him a natural fit for Dykema and the sophisticated work we handle for clients across the country,” said Brian Newman, Managing Member of Dykema’s Los Angeles office. “His ability to navigate highly technical matters and develop coordinated litigation strategies across jurisdictions further strengthens both our Los Angeles bench and the firm’s nationally recognized product liability capabilities.”

Henry has handled all phases of complex litigation in state and federal courts, including matters involving significant potential exposure and numerous multinational defendants. His experience includes conducting hundreds of fact and expert witness depositions and managing large-scale discovery involving highly technical and trade secret materials. He regularly works with in-house legal teams, engineers, technical experts, and local counsel to develop coordinated litigation strategies across multiple jurisdictions.

In addition to his litigation practice, Henry advises clients on regulatory matters affecting automotive manufacturers, suppliers, and servicers. His experience includes counseling clients regarding Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, TREAD Act reporting requirements, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, component specifications, product standards, and labeling requirements. He also advises on emerging automotive technologies, including advanced driver assistance systems, automatic emergency braking systems, electronic stability control, and other software- and hardware-related vehicle systems.

Henry earned a J.D., cum laude, from Pepperdine University School of Law, an M.B.A. from Pepperdine University’s Graziadio Business School, and a B.A., cum laude, from the University of California, San Diego.