News and Insights

Dykema Achieves Top National Ranks in Automotive, Cannabis, and Native American Law in Legal 500 U.S. 2025

Firm Receives 22 Individual Attorney Recognitions

Press Releases

6.11.25

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that the firm’s Automotive Product Liability and Class Action Litigation; Automotive and Transportation; Cannabis; Gaming and Native American Law, and Appellate and Critical Motions groups are recognized by the Legal 500 United States 2025 (The Legal 500). Dykema was ranked as one of the top 11 firms nationally in four categories. In addition to the practice rankings, Dykema attorneys received 22 individual recognitions.

For 34 years, The Legal 500 has analyzed the capabilities of law firms across the world, with a comprehensive research program revised and updated every year to bring the most up-to-date vision of the global legal market. The Legal 500 assesses the strengths of law firms in more than 150 jurisdictions. The rankings are based on a series of criteria and highlight the practice area teams that are providing the most cutting-edge and innovative advice to corporate counsel. The research is based on feedback from 300,000 clients worldwide.

As identified by The Legal 500 categories, the following Dykema attorneys and practices were recognized:

Product Liability, Mass Tort And Class Action - Defense: Automotive/Transport

Band 1 – Top 5 Firm Nationally

Dykema Gossett PLLC is a nationwide leader in automotive product liability and class action defenses, representing manufacturers and suppliers in high-stakes, often nationally significant litigation and regulatory matters. The practice’s attorneys have defended claims including wrongful death, defect, property damage, and recall cases, while the firm’s experience encompasses critical automotive components such as airbags, seatbelts, fuel systems, and AV technologies. The firm represents a highly distinguished client roster, including Ford, Honda, and Bosch. Recent significant matters for the firm include advising Nissan North America in a three-week jury trial, with the jury returning a defense verdict avoiding over $750m in sought damages. The firm have also represented General Motors in a product liability case where the plaintiff claimed severe chemical burns from a defective knee airbag. The court granted GM’s motion for summary judgment, dismissing the case before trial. The firm’s bench of trial lawyers includes Bloomfield Hills-based practice leader Brian Smith, who focuses on catastrophic injury and class action defense, handling cases nationwide, while Ann Arbor-based John Thomas brings great experience in appeals and complex litigation, including successful class action trials. Minneapolis-based Michael Carey, co-leader of the electric and autonomous vehicles practice, advises on risk mitigation for advanced mobility technologies. As the firm's litigation director also working out of Bloomfield Hills, Michael Cooney is a seasoned trial attorney defending product manufacturers in class actions, intellectual property, and product liability cases nationwide. Dallas-based Deron Wade is an accomplished trial lawyer who represents clients in courts, multidistrict litigation, defending automotive manufacturers in product liability and mass tort claims. Ann Arbor-based Krista Lenart has defended class actions involving product defects, unfair practices, and constitutional violations in federal and state courts.

Hall of Fame (Only 7 Lawyers Nationally)

John Thomas

Leading Partners (Top 11 Lawyers Nationally)

Michael Carey
Michael Cooney
Deron Wade

Next Generation Partner (Only Lawyer Nationally)

Krista Lenart

Key Lawyers

Brian Smith

Testimonial

“Dykema is superior in their understanding of key issues, diligence in performance, deposition preparation, discovery production, sourcing and coordinating with experts, case strategy, and overall legal advice. We have also been able to call on experts in multiple offices to assist in key aspects of the case, which has been incredibly helpful. On the support side, their billing department has been excellent, quickly addressing any issues; their technology support has been outstanding as we have navigated eDiscovery and transfer/access of data issues, and their legal assistants have been top notch. Would highly recommend.”

“Mike Cooney has keen legal insight and in-depth automotive industry knowledge that is unparalleled. Brian Smith has been Mr. Cooney’s right-hand man, managing the day-to-day logistics and responses required, making sure deadlines are met, progress is communicated, and the litigation machine is on task. Mr. Smith has been invaluable in his coordination of experts and review of plaintiff’s claimed experts.”

Rail And Road - Litigation And Regulation

Band 2 – Top 10 Firm Nationally

Laura Baucus, based in Detroit, heads the automotive and transportation offering at Dykema Gossett PLLC, which is turned to by clients for its experience in high-stakes litigation pertaining to catastrophic accidents, property damages, recalls, product liabilities, and a gamut of class actions. The team is also experienced in franchise, distribution, and other salient issues for dealers. Based in Detroit, Lisa Brown has great experience in representing automakers and manufacturing companies in supply chain pre-litigation and commercial litigation regarding terminations, claims, plant closures, and other areas. Michael Cooney and Los Angeles-based Dommond Lonnie are key members of the team for product liability issues involving fuel systems, vehicle stability, and emission systems, among other issues. Michael Carey is a port of call for EV and autonomous vehicle-related matters, while Tamara Bush is retained by trailer, forklift, car, and other manufacturers for contract performance and business tort disputes.

Hall of Fame (Only 4 Lawyers Nationally)

Dommond Lonnie

Leading Partners (Top 12 Lawyers Nationally)

Lisa Brown

Next Generation Partner (Only 11 Lawyers Nationally)

Daniela Gonzales Aldape
John Black

Leading Associates (Only 4 Lawyers Nationally)

Samantha Hughes

Key Lawyers

Laura Baucus
Tamara Bush
Michael Carey
Michael Cooney

Native American Law

Band 2 – Top 7 Firm Nationally

The group at Dykema Gossett PLLC is well-versed in advising Native American tribes and businesses on advisory and contentious mandates involving gaming and commerce. Core areas of expertise include advising on land-to-trust and gaming eligibility applications, petitions for federal acknowledgement, and the negotiation and approval of development and management agreements, tribal-state gaming compacts, and financing agreements. Leadership of the practice is shared between Lance Boldrey and Jason Hanselman, both of whom are based in Lansing, Michigan. Boldrey specialises in advising tribes, developers, banks, and other non-tribal businesses on transactional work, financings, and administrative law matters. Hanselman, for his part, majors on obtaining licenses and negotiating agreements between consultants, developers, management companies, and tribes. Also noted are Courtney Kissel, who is a key contact for tribal trust and reservation land issues; and litigator Erin Sedmak, who handles federal disputes involving tribes.

Leading Lawyers (Top 5 Lawyers Nationally)

Lance Boldrey

Key Lawyers

Jason Hanselman
Courtney Kissel
Erin Sedmak

Cannabis

Band 3 – Top 11 Firm Nationally

Representing cannabis industry clients from across the U.S., the… Dykema Gossett PLLC team has in-depth knowledge in securing brand sponsorship arrangements, managing trademark applications, and overseeing M&A transactions. The practice is equally strong on the litigious side, predominantly focusing on tax exemption claims and restraining orders relating to company sales, while co-head Lance Boldrey specializes in licensing and regulatory matters. The other practice head, John Fraser, is an expert in negotiating and drafting cannabis-related capital raises, and Cheyenne Benyi understands the intricacies of the local and state laws governing Michigan cannabusinesses.