Current Employment Position(s)

Partner

Lawyer Overview

Wayne Struble is well-versed in the trial and appeal of product liability claims against motor and recreational vehicle manufacturers.

At trial, he has defended General Motors, Ford, Honda, Polaris and other major manufacturers of on- and off-road motor vehicles against restraint system, rollover/roof crush, power steering, braking, cruise control, fuel system, steering and handling, sudden acceleration and other claims.

On appeal, Wayne has briefed and argued cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and several U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and state appellate courts, including the first appellate court case to hold that federal law impliedly preempts no-airbag claims against motor vehicle manufacturers.  He also has written several amicus curiae briefs on behalf of such organizations as the Product Liability Advisory Council (PLAC) and the Minnesota State Bar Association.

As a Minnesota State Bar Association member, Wayne has actively participated on several committees, including ones recommending changes to the Civil Jury Instruction Guidelines and establishing standards for judicial election campaign conduct.

Areas of Practice

• Appellate and Trial Support Practice
• Automotive
• Motorcycles, ATVs and Other Wheeled Vehicles
• Product Liability

Representative Clients

• Ford Motor Company
• General Motors Corporation
• American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
• Takata Corporation

Representative Cases

• Tunnell v. Ford Motor Co., No. 05-2112 (4th Cir. Aug. 1 2007)
• Olson v. Ford Motor Co., No. 06-1887 (8th Cir. Mar. 28, 2007)
• Jamison v. Ford Motor Co., No. 4220 (S.C. Ct. App. Mar. 19, 2007)
• Kosmynka v. Polaris Industries, Inc., 462 F.3d 74 (2nd Cir. 2006)
• Payne v. Ford Motor Co., 588 N.W.2d 927 (Wis. Ct. App. 1998)
• Hoffman v. Ford Motor Co., 587 N.W.2d 66 (Minn. Ct. App. 1998)
• Emmerich v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc., 1997 WL 428495 (Wis. Ct. App. 1997)
• Rodgers v. American Honda Motor Co., 46 F.3d 1 (1st Cir. 1995)
• Bittner v. American Honda Motor Co., 533 N.W.2d 476 (Wis. S. Ct. 1995)
• Bittner v. American Honda Motor Co., 511 N.W.2d 325 (Wis. Ct. App. 1993)
• Wattelet v. Toyota, 676 F. Supp. 1039 (D. Mont. 1987)
• Wickstrom v. Maplewood Toyota, Inc., 416 N.W.2d 838 (Minn. Ct. App. 1987)

Bar Admissions

• Minnesota, 1980
• U.S. District Court District of Minnesota, 1982
• U.S. Supreme Court, 1988
• U.S. Court of Appeals 2nd Circuit, 2006
• U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit, 2006
• U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 2006
• U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit, 2008

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Defense Research Institute, Inc.
• Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association
• Minnesota State Bar Association
• Hennepin County Bar Association
• Product Liability Advisory Council

Honors and Awards

• Leading American Attorneys

Classes and Seminars

• Federal Preemption, Minnesota Institute for Legal Education, 1997
• Seat Belt Evidence At Trial, Minnesota State Bar Association, 1997
• A Challenge to Change: Reshaping the Defense Lawyer's Role in the Development of the Common Law, Product Liability Advisory Council, 1998

Past Employment Positions

• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, Hon. Myron H. Bright, Law Clerk, 1980 - 1981

Education

• Washington University School of Law, St. Louis, Missouri, 1980
  J.D.
  
  Law Review: Editor-in-Chief, Washington University Law Quarterly
• Moorhead State University, Moorhead, Minnesota, 1977
  B.A.
  Honors: summa cum laude

Address

2901 North Central Avenue
Suite 1600
Phoenix, AZ 85012

Phones

602.643.2484

Faxes

602.248.0947

Emails

wayne.struble@phx.bowmanandbrooke.com

Websites

http://www.bowmanandbrooke.com