Dykema Recognized for Having One of the Strongest Automotive Practices in the Nation

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that the firm’s Automotive Product Liability Litigation and Automotive Litigation practices have been ranked by the Legal 500 United States 2019 (The Legal 500) as some of the best Automotive Industry-related legal practices in the nation. In addition to the practice rankings, nine of Dykema's Automotive Industry Group attorneys received individual recognition, including Terri Reiskin and Derek Whitefield being named “Leading Lawyers.”

Dykema was recognized as one of the top three firms in the nation (Tier 1) for “Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Action: Automotive/Transport – Defense” and one of the top seven firms in the nation (Tier 2) for “Transport: Rail and Road – Litigation.” 

For more than 30 years, The Legal 500 has analyzed the capabilities of law firms across the world, with a comprehensive research program revised and updated on an annual basis. According to their website, The Legal 500 assesses the strengths of law firms in more than 100 jurisdictions. Rankings highlight the practice area teams who are providing the most cutting edge and innovative advice to corporate counsel. Their research is based on feedback from 300,000 clients worldwide, submissions from law firms and interviews with leading private practice lawyers, and a team of researchers.

The Legal 500 recognized the following Dykema attorneys and practices, as identified by Legal 500 category:

Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Action: Automotive/Transport – Defense

Leading Lawyers

• Terri Reiskin
• Derek Whitefield

Tier 1

Dykema Gossett PLLC regularly acts as national product liability, trial and appellate counsel for leading car manufacturers in relation to personal injury suits arising from car accidents, manufacturing defects and breach of warranty claims and recalls, which have included major class actions. Los Angeles-based Derek Whitefield recently represented Toyota and Honda Motor in serious injury lawsuits involving alleged seat and seat belt defects. Washington, D.C.-based Terri Reiskin leads the team; James Feeney in Los Angeles is also recommended.

Transport: Rail and Road – Litigation

Tier 2

Praised for its ‘valuable industry expertise,’ Dykema Gossett PLLC regularly represents automotive OEMs and automotive industry suppliers in a range of high-stakes class action, product liability and toxic tort cases. Derek Whitefield in Los Angeles was retained by Autoliv to handle a product liability case in Minnesota involving catastrophic injuries. The firm has industry experts across an expansive national network, with names to note including James Feeney, who is based across the Bloomfield Hills and Los Angeles offices; product liability head Terri Reiskin in Washington, D.C.; Laura Baucus in Bloomfield Hills; Ann Arbor-based Jill Wheaton; and Krista Lenart; and Tamara Bush in Los Angeles. Detroit-based Michael Cooney and Dommond Lonnie in Los Angeles jointly head the practice group.