Douglas E. Wagner

Partner | dwagner@wnj.com | V-Card Grand RapidsT 616.752.2130F 616.222.2130 Doug Wagner is a litigator with expertise in product liability defense, consumer product regulation and counseling, commercial contract, risk management and insurance coverage disputes. Mr. Wagner is the current Managing Partner of the Firm.

Doug Wagner is a litigator with expertise in product liability defense, consumer product regulation and counseling, commercial contract, risk management and insurance coverage disputes. Mr. Wagner is the current Managing Partner of the Firm.
  • Biography
  • Experience
  • News
  • Publications
  • Leadership
  • Speaking Engagements
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Industries

Practices

Education

  • Wayne State University J.D. 1976 magna cum laude
  • Albion College A.B. 1974 cum laude
  • University of Detroit

Courts

  • Michigan State Courts in 1977
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan in 1977
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit in 1981
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan in 1982
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas in 1995
  • Circuit Court, Cook County, IL in 1997
  • Circuit Court, Madison County, IL in 1998
  • U.S. District Court, District of Wyoming in 2002
  • Circuit Court, Greene County, MO in 2003
  • U.S. District Court, District of Columbia in 2005

Honors and Awards

  • Named a Top Litigator in Michigan by Benchmark Litigation, 2009-2010
  • Best Lawyers in America, Bet-the-Company Litigation and Commercial Litigation, 1995-Present
  • Named to Michigan Super Lawyers 2006-Present
  • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
  • Named as one of the Top 100 Michigan Super Lawyers 2009
  • Elected as Fellow of the Litigation Council of America, 2009
  • Elected to Fellows of the American College of Trial Lawyers, 2005
  • Elected to Fellows of the American Bar Foundation, 1997
  • Certified as a Fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation, 1993

Bar Associations

  • American Bar Association
  • Federal Bar Association
    Western District of Michigan, President (1995-96), Treasurer (1994-95)
  • State Bar of Michigan
    Standing Committee, United States Courts, President (1995-96)
  • Grand Rapids Bar Association

Teaching and Lecturing

  • Faculty Member, National Institute of Trial Advocacy, National Session held at University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, 1994, and at Midwest Regional held at Northwestern University and Loyola University, Chicago, Illinois, 1987-05
  • Visiting Law Faculty, Trial Techniques, Emory University School of Law, 1996
  • Member, Steering Committee and Faculty, Hillman Advocacy Program (Trial Skills Workshop sponsored by the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan), 1990-09
  • Hillman Advocacy Program Chairperson, 1993 and 1994
  • Instructor on topic of “General Motion Practice” for the Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 1994
  • Lecturer on “Pretrial and Discovery Procedures” for the Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 1981

Experience

  • Chief trial counsel for Monsanto Company in case of Stahl v. Monsanto Company, obtaining defense verdict in case alleging product defects in the astroturf installation at the Pontiac Silverdome
  • Product liability counsel for Hart & Cooley, Inc., involving multimillion-dollar recall of a vent pipe product, as well as the defense of multiple lawsuits alleging wrongful death  
  • Counsel for Amway Corporation in class action litigation involving an alleged product defect in water treatment systems
  • Counsel for GR Spring & Stamping, Inc., in a lawsuit involving claim for reimbursement of automotive recall expense
  • Statewide representation of Georgia-Pacific Corporation in toxic tort cases arising from exposure to formaldehyde contained in plywood used to construct mobile homes, as well as several other personal injury, wrongful termination and government contract litigation matters  
  • Litigation Counsel for Upjohn Company in product liability cases involving the prescription sleep medication Halcion®, as well as two significant environmental cases  
  • Trial counsel for Whirlpool Corporation in product liability cases involving home appliances
  • Counsel for Velsicol Chemical Corporation, responsible for handling defense of dozens of toxic tort, product liability cases arising from exposure to PBB  
  • Trial counsel for Consumers Energy Corporation in cases alleging damage to dairy farm from "stray voltage"
  • Trial counsel for Hart & Cooley, Inc., of Holland, Michigan, in 9-million-dollar insurance coverage dispute against Wausau Insurance Companies arising from flood damage
  • Consultant and monitoring attorney for many business clients with regard to CPSC reporting responsibilities, product liability issues and risk management  
  • Arbitrator and Mediator for Federal District Court, Western District of Michigan, 1986 to Present; certified as a Facilitative Mediator by the Federal District Court, Western District of Michigan in 1995

News

Publications

  • "Tough times offer some lessons for businesses," quoted in Detroit Free Press, 2/20/2011
  • "The Court of Law vs. The Court of Public Opinion: Considerations for Winning in Both," Trial Practice (Fall 2003) and Minority Trial Lawyer, Spring/Summer 2004
  • "Protecting Your Company From Product Recall Liability,” Fastener Technology International, Aug/Sept. 2002

Professional Affiliations

  • Product Liability Advisory Council (PLAC) (2005-09)
  • Grand Rapids Inns of Court
    Founding Master (1995)

Community Affiliations

  • Leadership West Michigan
    2004
  • The Right Place Program
    Member, Board of Directors (Jan. 2006-Present)
  • Inforum - a Professional Women's Alliance
    Member, West Michigan Honorary Committee
  • D.A. Blodgett - St. John's
    Homes and Hope for Children since 1887; Member, Advisory Board (2012-Present); Board of Directors (Jan. 2009-Dec. 2011)

Speaking Engagements

  • "Business Development," hosted by Wayne State Law Alumni Association, June 12, 2012
  • Various demonstrations at trial practice teaching programs including direct and cross-examinations of lay and expert witnesses, final arguments and opening statements
  • Seminar presentations on product recalls, product regulation, insurance coverage disputes, and commercial contract issues to various trade and professional associations and companies, including the Precision Metalforming Association, The International Fasteners Institute, the Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Spring Manufacturers Institute
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