ABOUT
History & Experience
Jerome (Jerry) A. Galante has over 40 years of experience representing and advising clients in several industries and has specializations in forestry equipment, construction, industrial machinery, and consumer products, among other sectors. In addition to legal consultation, Mr. Galante's deep industry expertise enables him to advise clients on business, product, and safety matters within his industries of focus.
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Mr. Galante advises product manufacturers, suppliers, general contractors, and subcontractors on business matters and commercial litigation. Mr. Galante's legal experience concentrates in the areas of product liability and construction litigation and encompasses a wide range of complex, general litigation in both state and federal courts. Mr. Galante also has working knowledge and application of American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and other product design standards.
Education & Admissions
Michigan State Bar
1981
Michigan State University
College of Law
J.D. 1981
Michigan State University
with Honors
B.S. 1977
PROFILE
Professional Affiliations
Federal Bar Association (Since 1981)
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Emmet County Bar Association
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Oakland County Bar Association
State Bar of Michigan
(Litigation Section)
American Bar Association (Litigation Section)
American Board of Trial Advocates
Defense Research Institute
International Association of Defense Counsel
(Board of Directors, 2004-2007)
International Association of Defense Counsel Foundation Board (President, 2001-2003)
Past Community Involvement
Detroit College of Law Alumni Association
Michigan State University Alumni Association
Oakland County Young Lawyers Association
Chair, 1986-87
Member, 1981-87
Serves as Arbitrator and Mediator
Representative Client Work
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National trial counsel for a leading woodchipper manufacturing company.
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National trial counsel for leading woodchipper manufacturer in product liability litigation and safety design issues for over 26 years
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Mr. Galante works closely with this client to assure its woodchipper product line exceeds every safety design standard and are the safest tree care products available.
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Former national trial counsel for a national security and investigative services company
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General counsel for a national manufacturer of gymnastics equipment
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Safety counsel for a national manufacturer of boats
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Tried over 100 cases to jury verdict
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Represents a manufacturer of an electrically-propelled scooter that allegedly failed, causing the user to fall off the scooter and sustain injuries
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Defended a manufacturer of a cautery tool that was used during surgery to an infant. The infant was under a steri-drape with pure oxygen flowing when the cautery tool ignited cotton and, combined with the pure oxygen, caused significant burns to the infant.
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Defended a large general contractor in a suit for breach of contract and ethnic discrimination by electrical subcontractor involving claims in excess of $2 million. The jury returned a verdict of no cause for action after a six-week trial.
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Defended a bridge and road improvement contractor in a personal injury suit where a road worker lost both legs and numerous other injuries, including 65 surgeries; defended to jury verdict after five-week trial.
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Represented the manufacturer of a patient lift device that was involved in an accident while transferring a patient from a wheelchair to her bed. A component part of the lift allegedly failed, dropping the patient on the floor.
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Represented the cryosurgery device manufacturer of a nitrogen freeze gun in a claim involving surgery on an expensive race horse that allegedly resulted in nerve damage
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Defended a Michigan township in binding arbitration involving claims by a general contractor for equitable adjustment exceeding $2 million
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Defended a demolition contractor to jury verdict of no cause for action in a $1.5 million property loss case
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Defended the manufacturer of an infant recliner that was used in a crib contrary to warnings and instructions, causing the suffocation death of an infant
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Defended to jury verdict of no cause for action six different personal injury construction cases for a local excavating and road-resurfacing contractor
Notable
Cases
Woods v Bacharach Instrument Co., 89-CV-70405-DT (E.D. Mich.) [One plaintiff died and another suffered burns to 60 percent of his body. Claim for defective manufacture of a combustible gas/oxygen meter used to measure fumes inside a large paint tank. No cause for action as to both plaintiffs. Case published in The National Law Journal as one of the top 10 defense verdicts in the country in 1992.]
Rupersburg v Connelly Crane, et al C/A No. 02-045346 NO, consolidated with C/A No. 00-023553 NO (6th Cir. 2004) [Construction accident involving a large crawler crane. Electrician working at ground level hit by falling 22-pound guardrail, which fell from ninth floor of high-rise building. Plaintiff awarded $8,200,000 against general contractor and sub-contractor. Mr. Galante’s client, Connelly Crane, received a no cause for action.
Honors &
Recognitions
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Best Lawyers in America® for Personal Injury Litigation (Copyright 2019 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, SC), 2008 - 2020
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Leading Lawyer in Personal Injury Defense Law: General / Products Liability Defense Law, Leading Lawyers Magazine Michigan, 2015
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Martindale-Hubbell’s highest rating-AV Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated
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Michigan Super Lawyer in Personal Injury Litigation: Products, Michigan Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters publication, 2006 - 2011, 2013 - 2018
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Top Lawyer in Personal Injury Litigation, dbusiness Magazine, 2014 - 2015
PUBLICATIONS & LECTURES
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Frequent Lecturer on Contractor Risk Management for Major Construction Companies
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Contributing Editor, “Privacy Project” vols. I, II and III, International Association for Defense Counsel, 2004-2007
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"Legal Issues and Strategies Every Contractor Should Know" Lecturer and Author, Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants, November 17, 2006
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"Accident Reconstruction Experts; Defense Use of Biomechanical and Human Factors Experts", Lecturer and Author, Michigan Law Update seminar for Chicago based insurance claim representatives, 2003
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“The Professional as a Witness” (Architects, Engineers and Contractors), lecturer, International Association of Defense Counsel, La Quinta, CA (2001)
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"Expert Discovery: What Is and Isn’t Protected by the Attorney Client Work Product Privilege,"Lecturer and Author, International Association of Defense Counsel, La Jolla, CA (1998)
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"Keeping the Lid on the Liability Case in Construction Disputes," Lecturer, Michigan Concrete Association (1994)
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"Defense Damage Experts - Helpful Hints for Preparing and Using Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists and Economists as Defense Experts in Personal Injury Claims," Lecturer, Michigan Defense Trial Counsel Annual Winter Meeting (1995)
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"Issues to Consider Before and After Agreeing to Alternative Dispute Resolution in Construction Cases," Lecturer and Author, International Association of Defense Trial Counsel, Denver, Colorado (1994)
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"Practicing Law in a Large Law Firm," Lecturer, University of Detroit School of Law (1984)
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"Practicing Law in a Large Law Firm," Lecturer, Detroit College of Law (1982)