Areas of Practice
Industries
Bar Admissions
- Michigan
- New York
Court Admissions
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 8th Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 4th Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 3rd Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 2nd Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan
Education
University of Michigan, J.D., cum laude
University of Michigan, B.G.S.
Jill M. Wheaton, based in Ann Arbor, is a Dykema litigator involved in high-profile appellate work, commercial litigation and products liability defense. She is the leader of the Firm's Appellate Practice and Product Liability and Class Action Litigation Practice nationwide.
In addition to handling or assisting in matters on appeal in which Dykema represented the client at the trial court level, Ms. Wheaton is often called on to enter the case for the first time on appeal in all parts of the country. In such cases, she has repeatedly obtained reversals of adverse decisions, or sustained favorable rulings. Ms. Wheaton is a leader of the appellate law community, as indicated by her professional associations, awards and speaking engagements.
Ms. Wheaton has handled many high profile cases. In recent years, she has obtained review by, and favorable decisions from, the Michigan Supreme Court in 5 cases — Covenant v. State Farm, Sauerman v. Residential Funding; Kim v. JP Morgan Chase; LaFontaine v. Chrysler Group; and State of Michigan v. CVS Caremark, et al. She has represented Fortune 500 clients in commercial and products liability appeals in Michigan, California, South Carolina, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Missouri and Pennsylvania; and numerous federal circuit Courts of Appeals.
Significant client representations in the products liability arena include her defense of Stryker in cases involving medical device product liability claims. Finally, Ms. Wheaton is an experienced trademark and Lanham Act litigator, representing many corporations in successful efforts to fight and stop infringers.
Ms. Wheaton has been recognized as one of the "Top 25 Michigan Women Business Lawyers" as well as one of the "Top 50 Women Michigan Lawyers" by Michigan Super Lawyers, has been named one of the Best Lawyers in America© for Appellate Practice and Commercial Litigation for many years, and was on the inaugural list of Crain's Notable Women Lawyers in Michigan. She received Dykema's Pro Bono Award in 2017.
Experience
- Appellate work in numerous courts, both state and federal, in matters running the gamut from products liability to taxation, as well as amicus curiae briefs for trade associations, bar association groups and charitable organizations.
- Products liability defense in numerous class action lawsuits, including hip implants, drug pricing, breast implants, anti-psychotics, latex gloves, blood factor concentrate, as well as individual cases involving numerous pharmaceuticals, infant formula, scalpels and syringes, heart catheters, IV technology, chainsaws, chemicals and others.
- Prosecution and defense of commercial breach of contract matters involving trade secrets, covenants not to compete, leases, sales representative agreements, purchase and sale agreements, and stock option agreements, among others.
- Defense of First Amendment and libel matters.
- Defense of medical malpractice and nursing malpractice actions, including the defense of suits against the American Red Cross.
Seminars & Speeches
- September 15, 2020
- September 17, 2019
- Taking it Up: Applications to the Michigan Supreme Court, Moderator, 2019 Michigan Appellate Bench Bar ConferenceMarch 28, 2019
- Women’s Leadership Forum: Rainmakers, Panelist, Women’s Bar Association – Oakland RegionOctober 11, 2018
- September 18, 2018
- And Now, The Law, 2018 ABA Emerging Issues in Motor Vehicle Product Liability Litigation SeminarApril 5, 2018
- Mock Appellate Argument: Sports Gambling Case, Featured Advocate, 2018 DRI Trial Tactics SeminarMarch 15, 2018
- August 15, 2017
- Certification of Issues from Federal to State Courts, DRI Appellate Advocacy SeminarMay 2017
- Appellate Decisions of Note, ABA Seminar on Automotive LitigationApril 2017
- July 19, 2016
- March 15, 2016
- Effective Appellate Motions Practice, 2014 Defense Research Institute Appellate Advocacy SeminarJuly 2014
- Winning Litigation - The Masters Speak, Michigan Defense Trial Counsel - Annual Meeting and Conference, Oral Argument Example, Crystal Mountain, MichiganJune 2013
- Recent Decisions of Interest to the Corporate Practitioner, 2012 Defense Research Institute Appellate Practice Seminar
- To Appeal or Not to Appeal, 2012 Network of Trial Law Firms Supercourse, Scottsdale, AZ
- The Ins and Outs of Interlocutory Appeals in Federal Court , Organizer and Presenter, 2012, Michigan State Bar, Appellate Practice Section
- Sixth Circuit Appellate Practice - Everything You Always Wanted to Know But Were Afraid to Ask, Organizer and Presenter, 2008, Michigan State Bar Appellate Practice Section
- Protecting and Enforcing Intellectual Property Rights, 2007 Network of Trial Law Firms Supercourse, Pebble Beach, CA
- How to Assess and Improve Your Chances of Success on Appeal, 2004 Network of Trial Law Firms Supercourse, Miami, FL
- Litigation Avoidance By Contract, 2001 Network of Trial Law Firms Supercourse, Palm Beach, FL
- Taking and Defending Effective Depositions, 2001 Lorman Educational Services, Detroit, MI
Publications
- Spring 2020Appellate Issues
- "Motion Practice," Chapter 8 Michigan Appellate HandbookJanuary 2014ICLE
- "One of These Things is Not Like the Other—Interlocutory Appeals in State and Federal Court,"February 2013Michigan Bar Journal
- "The Who, What, When, Where and Why of Appellate Specialists"February 2008Michigan Bar Journal
News
- September 17, 2019
- May 29, 2019
- October 10, 2018
- March 15, 2018
- September 12, 2017
- September 2017
- August 18, 2017
- February 22, 2017
- November 2, 2016
- July 19, 2016
- March 17, 2016
- February 9, 2015
- February 4, 2015
- Will Serve One-Year Term Corresponding to 2013-14 Bar YearDecember 2, 2013
- Helps Clients—from Automotive to Consumer Goods, Security Alarms to Financial Services—Earn Important Victories in Key JurisdictionsSeptember 16, 2013
- Twenty-Three Other Dykema Lawyers Identified as Rising StarsSeptember 5, 2013
- With Three Fellow Panelists Will Address Challenges and Opportunities of Embracing ChangeApril 9, 2013
- December 28, 2012
- March 23, 2012
- July 25, 2011American Bar Association
Alerts
- October 8, 2019
- March 7, 2014
- December 2011
Press Releases
- September 18, 2020
- 18 Attorneys Earn “Lawyer of the Year” HonorsAugust 20, 2020
- August 22, 2019
- 18 Attorneys Earn “Lawyer of the Year” HonorsAugust 15, 2019
- May 29, 2019
- May 2, 2019
- September 7, 2018
- 13 Attorneys Earn “Lawyer of the Year” HonorsAugust 15, 2018
- May 30, 2018
- December 11, 2017
- September 5, 2017
- 10 Attorneys Receive “Lawyer of the Year” HonorsAugust 15, 2017
- April 24, 2017
- 8-0 Decision clears the way for disabled children to seek justice in their educational systemsFebruary 22, 2017
- November 2, 2016
- September 1, 2016
- 14 Attorneys Receive “Lawyer of the Year” HonorsAugust 15, 2016
- Dykema Pro Bono Client Was Banned From Bringing Service Dog to ClassJune 28, 2016
- September 8, 2015
- 12 Attorneys Receive “Lawyer of the Year” HonorsAugust 18, 2015
- Secures a $2.13 million attorneys’ fee award for client Alarm Detection Systems, Inc.February 19, 2015
- November 20, 2014
- September 2, 2014
- Firm Receives 10 “Lawyer of the Year” HonorsAugust 18, 2014
- Nearly One in Four Dykema Practitioners Earn Distinction; Seven Merit “Lawyer of the Year” HonorsAugust 16, 2013
- Dykema strategically proves that a fire protection district cannot monopolize the industry and prevent fire alarm monitoring services from doing businessAugust 1, 2013
- October 11, 2012
- More Than One in Four Dykema Practitioners Earn DistinctionAugust 23, 2012
- September 9, 2010
- January 25, 2010
Memberships & Involvement
- State Bar of Michigan, Appellate Practice Section, Past Chair
- Member, ABA Council of Appellate Lawyers Executive Board
- American Bar Association, including Committees on Appellate Practice and Tort Litigation
- Defense Research Institute, including Appellate Practice Committee
- Michigan Appellate Bench-Bar Conference Planning Committee
- Michigan Supreme Court Historical Society, Board of Directors
Awards & Recognition
Recognized in the Crain's Detroit Business special report, "Notable Women Lawyers in Michigan 2017"
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© for Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, and First Amendment Litigation, 2013-Present. Copyright 2015 by Woodward/White, Inc., Aiken, SC
Recognized by The Legal 500 United States for Transport: Rail and Road – Litigation (2018-2019)
Named to the Class of 2015 Leaders in the Law by Michigan Lawyers Weekly
Recognized in Michigan Super Lawyers® for Appellate, Civil Litigation Defense, Personal Injury - Products: Defense, 2008-Present
Member, American Institute of Appellate Practice
Named one of the Top 25 Women Business Michigan Super Lawyers® and Top 50 Women Attorneys in Michigan in 2016-2020
Trial Lawyer Honorary Society, Member of Litigation Counsel of America
Named a Top Lawyer by dbusiness Magazine for Appellate Practice and Commercial Litigation, 2015 & 2018
Named a Michigan Leading Lawyer in the areas of Civil Appellate, Commercial Litigation and Products Liability Defense Law by the Leading Lawyers Network, 2014-2017. Law Bulletin Publishing Company
Recipient of Martindale-Hubbell® AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rating