Bryan Cermak

Overview

Bryan Cermak is an experienced AV-rated trial lawyer in our Southfield office and a former General Counsel for an international, publicly traded company. He knows his way around a courtroom as well as the nuances and day-to-day business and legal needs of corporations. Combining these experiences in his practice, Bryan litigates business disputes, and other complex litigation matters, and he serves his corporate clients as a comprehensive legal, risk management, and business advisor.

Litigation

Bryan has experience litigating and trying cases across the country, including notable past roles as National Trial Counsel for the Herr Voss Corporation and Midwest Trial Counsel for Harley Davidson. He relishes a good argument and taking on the investigative approach necessary for successful outcomes. His broad litigation experience includes negligence, breach of contract, construction, personal injury, fraud, product liability, employment, business disputes, defamation, and malpractice. His appellate experience includes the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit as well as the Michigan Court of Appeals. Bryan’s focus is and always has been obtaining the best results for his clients, and they consistently thank him for his personal attention and commitment to their cases.

Business Law, Corporate Counsel & Business Advisor

As General Counsel for the KUKA group of businesses (robotics & systems) in the Americas, Bryan managed its legal department involving ten companies in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Brazil. His leadership experience includes managing business and legal risk analysis, executive management, strategic and board advising, corporate governance, audits, compliance, civil litigation, contract negotiations, and cross-border transactions. Bryan’s deep understanding of risk management allows him to help clients navigate complex legal and business challenges, minimizing risk while optimizing their operations.

Bryan enjoys leveraging his in-house experience to assist mid to large corporations with their complex legal matters. He is equally passionate about using his business and legal knowledge and skills to guide newer companies as they begin to grow. Such companies don’t often have access to the lessons learned by somebody else, and mistakes at this stage can be fatal to a business. Bryan fills this need and helps his clients learn from his experience.

For all of his business clients, Bryan offers preventive law services. Preventive law is a proactive approach to legal issues that seeks to identify and address potential legal problems before they arise. It involves taking steps to prevent legal disputes and minimize legal risks, rather than simply reacting to legal problems after they occur. By reviewing corporate contracts, policies, and procedures, Bryan helps businesses minimize liability and navigate potential risks, including in areas related to insurance and defense.

Over the years, Bryan has been a community leader and served on countless boards and associations. Practical lessons learned in these roles also help his clients advance in their endeavors. Bryan is the host of the Life, Law & Lessons web series where he tackles real-life scenarios and provides practical legal advice on Foster Swift’s YouTube channel.