Fresard to Lead Discussion of Automotive Safety Developments in Hybrid and Electric Vehicles

DETROIT—Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced that Fred Fresard, Member in its Automotive Industry Group, is scheduled to speak at DRI Strictly Automotive Seminar, the definitive national seminar devoted to advanced topics regarding the defense of automotive product liability litigation, which will be held in Dearborn, Michigan on Sept. 15-16.

Leading practitioners from across the country, in-house counsel from numerous domestic and international automotive manufacturers, and the foremost experts who provide litigation support and testimony, will congregate at the DRI Strictly Automotive Seminar to discuss recent trends and developments in automotive product liability litigation. Fresard will speak on “Battery Electric Vehicles: Design Considerations and the Auto Industry’s Role in Educating Occupants, Pedestrians and Emergency Responders About Potential Risks Unique to High-Voltage Vehicles” with Glenn Jackson from General Motors on Sept. 16. With sales of hybrids, plug-in hybrids and all-electric vehicles growing every year, plaintiffs’ attorneys are sure to pursue new theories of product liability against automakers when these vehicles are involved in accidents. Specifically, Fresard and Jackson plan to address the following issues during their presentation: 

• The significant steps taken by automakers to protect individuals before, during and after battery electric vehicle crashes. 
• High-voltage design considerations and emergency responder education programs that are just some of the automotive industry’s efforts to reduce the risk of injury in accidents involving these popular vehicles. 

Fresard focuses his practice on product liability and other high-stakes litigation involving significant damages and complex technical issues. He has particular experience managing litigation for large automotive OEMs and suppliers and heavy equipment manufacturers in Michigan and nationwide, and has tried numerous cases across the nation against some of the country’s top trial lawyers. Fresard is a member of the Defense Research Institute, where he’s a frequent speaker and active committee member. He is listed in The Legal 500 United States (2008-2010) and has been named a “Super Lawyer” by Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine (2007-2010). Additionally, Fresard received the Pro Bono Service Award from the Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association in 2005. Dykema has one of the most extensive automotive legal practices in the United States, regularly representing automotive companies headquartered throughout the world. Its Automotive Industry Group counsels key industry players including Tier 1 suppliers and OEMs in mergers and acquisitions, in a broad array of automobile product liability, commercial and supply chain management litigation, in class action litigation in the most challenging jurisdictions, and before the U.S. Department of Transportation, NHTSA and other federal and state departments and agencies.