Photo of Krista L. Lenart

Krista L. Lenart Member

Areas of Practice

Industries

Bar Admissions

  • Supreme Court of the United States, 2019
  • Michigan, 1999

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, 1999
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan, 2001
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, 2020
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit, 2004
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit, 2004
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 8th Circuit, 2012
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit, 2012

Education

University of Michigan, J.D., cum laude

Bowling Green State University, B.Mus., summa cum laude

Bowling Green State University, B.A., summa cum laude

Krista L. Lenart, Office Managing Member of Dykema's Ann Arbor, Michigan office, practices civil litigation with an emphasis on class action defense, complex litigation, product liability litigation, and appeals. Ms. Lenart has defended numerous class actions in state and federal courts throughout the country, including multidistrict litigation matters, involving products ranging from motor vehicles to consumer financial services. Ms. Lenart has also defended dozens of product liability suits in state and federal courts, including matters involving motor vehicles, helicopters, food service equipment, medical devices, and pharmaceutical products. Ms. Lenart has appellate experience in the Michigan Court of Appeals and Michigan Supreme Court, as well as in various Federal Circuit courts. Ms. Lenart also has extensive experience in probate litigation, land use litigation, commercial litigation, and education law matters.

While in law school, Ms. Lenart was an associate and a contributing editor of the Michigan Law Review. She was the Editor-in-Chief of the Law School student newspaper, The Res Gestae.

Significant Recent Decisions In Class Action And Product Liability Matters:

  • Daniel, et al., v. Ford Motor Company, No. 2:11-02890 WBS EFB, E.D. Cal. (2018). Jury verdict for defendant automaker in certified consumer class action claim that all class vehicles had a rear suspension design defect that led to premature tire wear.

  • Oom v. The Michaels Companies, Inc. et al., 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 112113 (W.D. Mich. July 19, 2017). Class allegations stricken in putative nationwide class action involving alleged deficiencies in provision of custom framing services.

  • Hevey v. Ford Motor Company, No. 2:12-cv-14257-JAC-RSW (E.D. Mich. Aug. 21, 2013). Complaint dismissed in putative class action involving alleged difficulties with towing vehicles.

  • Smith v. Stryker Corp., 2011 WL 445646 (Mich. App. Feb. 8, 2011). Affirming trial court’s grant of motion for summary disposition in defendant’s favor in product liability lawsuit involving pain pump.
  • Peter v. Stryker Orthopaedics, Inc., 2009 WL 235639 (E.D. Mich. Jan. 29, 2009). Summary judgment granted to defendant in product liability lawsuit involving prosthetic knee replacement.

Significant Other Decisions:

  • HDC, LLC v. City of Ann Arbor, 675 F.3d 608 (6th Cir. 2012)
  • Bennett v. America Online, Inc., 2007 WL 2875169 (E.D. Mich., Sept. 28, 2007)
  • Sweet Air Investment, Inc. v. Kenney, 275 Mich. App. 492 (2007)
  • Karpiuk v. Myers, 2006 WL 2271122 (Mich. App., Aug. 8, 2006)
  • Metro Charter Academy v. Grand Valley State University, 2005 WL 2016750 (Mich. App., Aug. 23, 2005)
  • Advanced Strategies in Defending Class Action Litigation: Unresolved Issues in Consumer Product Class Action Litigation
    November 15, 2016
  • Advanced Strategies for Defending Product-Related Class Action Litigation, Chicago, Illinois
    October 15, 2014
  • Class Actions in the U.S. and Canada, Joint Conference of the Alaska, Canada and Washington Defense (Defence) Bar Associations, Victoria British Columbia
    July 11, 2014
  • Use of Experts, Litigation Boot Camp: Basic Training for Every Litigation Lawyer, ICLE (with Andrew J. McGuinness)
    March 2004
  • Section 504 vs. The IDEA in Michigan, Lorman Education
    January 2004
  • Discipline of Students With Special Needs in Michigan, Lorman Education
    July 2003
  • Individuals With Disabilities Education Act in Michigan, Lorman Education
    April 2003
  • Section 504, Lorman Education
    January 2003
  • Individual Education Plans and Placement Issues in Michigan, Lorman Education
    December 2002
  • "Doing Business in the U.S. and Canada"
    November 2013
    DRI's For The Defense
    http://www.dykema.com/news-item-Three-Dykema-Litigators-Co-Author-Article-on-Class-Action-Risks-in-US-and-Canada_11-2013.html
  • "Methodology is the Key to Exclusion of Expert Testimony: Allgood v. General Motors" (Co-authored with Margaret A. Costello)
    February 2007
    v.22 W.L.F. Legal Backgrounder

Memberships & Involvement

  • Board of Directors of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Ann Arbor, Member
  • Washtenaw County Bar Association
  • State Bar of Michigan
  • State of Michigan Attorney Discipline Board, Hearing Panelist

Community/Civic Activities

  • Ypsilanti Symphony Orchestra, Member
  • Recognized by The Legal 500 United States for Transport: Rail and Road – Litigation (2019)