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.

Representative 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

Honors And Awards

• Elected to Fellows of the American College of Trial Lawyers, 2005
• Listed in The Best Lawyers in America for Commercial Litigation 2002-2006
• Elected to Fellows of the American Bar Foundation, 1997
• Certified as a Fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation, 1993
• Named a Super Lawyer in the 2007 edition of Michigan Super Lawyers

Bar Associations

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), 1990-06
• 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

Presentations

• 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

Publications

• "Protecting Your Company From Product Recall Liability,” Fastener Technology International (Aug./Sept. 2002)
• "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)

Professional Affiliations

• Product Liability Advisory Council (PLAC)
  Elected 2005
  
• 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
  Member, West Michigan Honorary Committee
  

News

• 45 Warner Norcross Partners Rated Best Lawyers in America
• Douglas E. Wagner Admitted to the American College of Trial Lawyers

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