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Thomas P. Branigan 
Detroit, Michigan
Managing Partner
phone 248.687.5316
fax 248.743.0422
email tom.branigan@det.bowmanandbrooke.com

Tom Branigan is a trial lawyer who has spent his entire legal career in the court room engaged in trials and litigation involving a broad range of issues on behalf of a variety of clients ranging from some of the world's largest publicly traded companies, product manufacturers, financial institutions and franchisors to private individuals seeking to right a wrong. His practice is primarily focused on the defense of complex product liability matters involving catastrophic exposure and complex commercial cases and business disputes.

 

Tom is rated AV by Martindale Hubbell meaning he is preeminent in his field.  In 2006 and 2007, Tom was named a Super Lawyer by the vote of his peers in Law & Politics magazine. In 2002, he was recognized by the National Law Journal as one of America's top forty trial lawyers under age 40. Tom has tried scores of cases in both state and federal courts and he has acted as lead trial counsel in many diverse venues including Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia. A list of Tom's trials is available upon request.

 

Tom is the co-author of a handbook entitled: Michigan Product Liability and Automobile No-Fault Reform Legislation and numerous articles related to his practice. He has been a guest speaker for Bar organizations, businesses, community organizations and law students.

 

While Tom's clients include major manufacturers like General Motors, Ford, Isuzu, BMW, Mazda, he has represented other major companies, such as Beal Bank, Beal Service Company, Compuware, Toro, 4 Winns Boats, Chris-Craft, Sharp Electronics, Subway Sandwich Shops and Wagner Spray-Tech Corporation. He is also a mediator for the Oakland County Circuit Court and a member of the firm's Executive Committee.

Areas of Practice:
Automotive
Business, Commercial and Financial Litigation
Construction and Industrial Equipment
Dealer and Franchise Litigation
Product Liability
Bar Admissions:
Michigan, 1988
Illinois, 2000
Ohio, 1999
U.S. Supreme Court, 2004
U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 1996
U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit, 2002
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan, 1988
U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan, 1991
U.S. District Court District of Utah, 1995
U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 2000
Education:
Michigan State University College of Law, East Lansing, Michigan, 1988
J.D.
Law Review: Editor-in-Chief, Detroit College of Law Review, 1987 - 1988


Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, 1985
B.A.


Published Works:
Franchisors Must Follow New Rules Effective July 1, 2008, The Detroit Legal News and Oakland County Legal News, July 11 and 18, 2008


Trade Secrets - At Risk Now More Than Ever, In-House Defense Counsel Quarterly, Summer, 2007


Dealing with Patents in Product Liability Trials, Co-Author, 2004


Michigan Product Liability and Automobile No-Fault Reform Legislation, Co-Author, 1996


Defending Seat Belt Buckle Inertial Unlatch Claims, Michigan Defense Trial Counsel, Summer, 1994


Truth or Consequences, Philadelphia Newspapers v. Hepps, Det. C.L. Rev., 1219, 1986


Classes/Seminars Taught:
Speaker, Young Lawyers Trial Techniques Seminar, The Defense Research Institute, 1993 and 1994


Andrews Automotive Litigation Reporter - Courses, Lecturer


Defending the Product During and After the Manufacturer's Mea Culpa, American Bar Association, Section of Litigation, 2001


Honors and Awards:
Named in the Legal 500 United States 2008 Edition


Named a Super Lawyer by Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine, 2006 - 2008


The National Law Journal's "40 Under 40", 2002


William P. Finch Evidence Award, 1988


Louis J. Colombo Award, Detroit College of Law Class of 1988


Who's Who in the World


Who's Who in America


Who's Who in American Law


Who's Who in Finance and Business


Professional Associations and Memberships:
Chicago Bar Association


Defense Research Institute


Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association


Michigan Chamber of Commerce


Michigan Defense Trial Counsel


Oakland County Bar Association


Society of Automotive Engineers


Birth Information:
1963, Detroit, Michigan

From boardroom to courtroom