Dommond Lonnie and Michael Wippler Nominated for Los Angeles Business Journal “Leaders in Law” Award

Dykema, a leading national law firm, is extremely proud to announce that Dommond Lonnie, Los Angeles-based Director of the firm’s Automotive Industry Group and newly elected Member of the firm's Executive Board Member (term beginning Jan. 1, 2021), and Michael Wippler, former Office Managing Member of Dykema's Los Angeles office and current member of the firm’s Executive Board, were each selected as nominees for the Los Angeles Business Journal’s annual “Leaders in Law” award. Both Lonnie and Wippler will be featured among other nominees in the November 16, 2020, edition of the Los Angeles Business Journal, followed by the November 30, 2020, edition profiling all the finalists and winners. In addition, they are invited to attend the publication’s virtual awards event on Wednesday, November 18, 2020.

Each year, the Los Angeles Business Journal recognizes both attorneys from law firms and general counsel. According to the publication, candidates in each category are recognized for exceptional legal skill and achievement across the full spectrum of responsibility, exemplary leadership as evidenced by the highest professional and ethical standards, and for contributions to the Los Angeles community.

Lonnie is a seasoned trial attorney who provides aggressive and innovative legal representation and advice for his clients in product liability, class action, commercial and toxic tort litigation. He has represented numerous domestic and foreign businesses and has substantial product liability expertise in crashworthiness, airbags/restraints, fires and suspensions/tires/rollovers, brakes and fuel systems cases. As an experienced litigator, Lonnie implements litigation and investigation plans and manages all aspects of litigation and pre-suit claims.

Outside of his practice, Lonnie contributes to the legal industry through various professional organizations, including the Society of Automotive Engineers, the American Bar Association, National Bar Association, Defense Research Institute, the Langston Bar Association, and the Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce which advocates and promotes the economic growth and development of African American business by focusing on the development of business opportunities, business alliances and legislative advocacy. He previously served as pro bono counsel for the Coalition to Abolish Slavery & Trafficking and the Alliance for Children’s Rights to assist with the adoption of foster children.

Lonnie earned both his J.D. and B.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Wippler’s practice focuses on business counseling, litigation, and negotiating and documenting business and real estate transactions. He has negotiated and documented real estate and business transactions in the United States, Europe, Latin America, and Asia and represents individuals and both publicly-traded and privately-held companies. Representative companies include an international contract manufacturer, an international construction company, a national real estate developer/property manager, an automobile manufacturer, and an international oil field service company.

Outside of his practice, Wippler serves on the Board of Directors for Celebrate Forever, a non-profit organization that works to be a premier provider of relationship education and social change. He previously served in the United States Naval Reserve, as an Arbitrator for the Los Angeles Superior Court, on the Board of the Hiller Aviation Museum, and as Corporate Secretary for the W.M. Keck Foundation. Additionally, he holds a Broker’s license from the California Bureau of Real Estate.

Wippler earned his J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, an Advanced Studies Certificate from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth (United Kingdom), and a B.A. from University of California, San Diego.