Bert Donovan is a trial lawyer and counselor who specializes in complex commercial litigation, product liability, and regulatory compliance. He has successfully represented and counseled clients in hundreds of automotive supply chain disputes. Mr. Donovan was selected a “Top Lawyer,” and “Super Lawyer,” and is listed in “The Best Lawyers in America,” in Product Liability, Business and Commercial Litigation, and Personal Injury Litigation, respectively. He is a graduate of Notre Dame Law School (J.D., 1991).
Before joining Brooks Wilkins Sharkey & Turco, he was a shareholder at Butzel Long and co-chair of that firm’s Global Automotive Practice.
- Regional counsel for leading tire manufacturers in tread separation and other catastrophic personal injury cases
- Representation and counseling of suppliers in hundreds of automotive supply chain disputes
- Lead supplier counsel on several bet-the- farm OEM/Tier I warranty, recall and program termination disputes with demands up to $500M
- Representation of major Tier One automotive chassis component supplier in defense of ABS product liability litigation on national basis
- Counsel to the OESA Chief Purchasing Officers' Council
- Advising Tier I suppliers and start-up electric vehicle and commercial heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers on FMVSS and NHTSA regulations, reporting and certification obligations and options
Education
- Notre Dame Law School (J.D., 1991)
- Concannon Programme of International Law in London, England (1990)
- James Madison College at Michigan State University (B.A., 1987)
Professional Associations
- “The Best Lawyers in America,” (2010, 2011)
- “Super Lawyer,” Michigan Super Lawyers - Business and Commercial Litigation (2008-2010)
- “Top Lawyer,” dBusiness (2011)
- Admitted, State Bars of Michigan and California
- Member, American Bar Association
- Managing editor of the OESA N.A. OEM Production P.O. Terms and Conditions Comparative Analysis (2009 and 2010 editions) and contributing author of the “Warranty, Recall, Product Liability and Indemnity sections.”
- “Recalls and Emerging Regulation: Backlash, Risks and Responses from the Industry’s Perspective,” KPMG Legal Share Forum in January 2011
- “OEM Warranty Programs: Trends, Troubles and Tactics,” Original Equipment Suppliers Association in September 2010
- “The Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010: Issues, Risks and Responses from the Suppliers Perspective,” OESA Legal Issues Council in June 2010
- “Adequate Assurances and Payment Terms: Facts and Myths,” OESA in February 2009
- “Lessons Learned and Key Concepts to Consider in the Selling Process,” OESA Legal Issues Council in December 2007
- “From the Supplier’s Perspective: Preparing for Warranty, Recall and Product Liability Litigation,” ICLE in June 2007