Matthew G. Berard

Matthew Berard focuses his product liability litigation practice on automotive, autonomous vehicles, commercial, aviation, and drone law. As an FAA certified private pilot, he leverages his flight knowledge and technical training to defend major product manufacturers in complex product-related claims. Matthew represents clients in litigation arising from personal injury, product defect, property damage, premises liability and an assortment of other claims. He defends the design and manufacture of motor vehicles and components such as airbags and seat belts as well as defending autonomous vehicle manufacturers in product liability litigation. In his practice, Matthew has experience in federal, state, and multidistrict litigation including bench and jury trials, arbitrations, conducting depositions of critical fact and expert witnesses, arguing dispositive motions, guiding clients through settlement conferences, as well as developing cost-effective litigation strategies. Matthew has successfully briefed and argued challenges to personal jurisdiction in various state and federal courts on behalf of foreign product manufacturers. His background also includes defending insurance companies in various coverage disputes. Matthew advises businesses and product manufacturers with respect to commercial drone operations, certification processes, and FAA regulations. Matthew also participates in many aviation-centered legal organizations and authors articles addressing issues with respect to personal jurisdiction, aviation, and drone law. He served as the Senior Judicial Court Clerk for the Honorable Shalina D. Kumar in Oakland County Circuit Court for nearly five years while earning his undergraduate and law degree. Bar Admissions Michigan, 2013 Illinois, 2013 Indiana, 2014 Massachusetts, 2014 Missouri, 2019 Ohio, 2019 Court Admissions U. S. Supreme Court U. S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit U. S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit U. S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit U. S. District Court, District of Colorado U. S. District Court, District of Massachusetts U. S. District Court, Central District of Illinois U. S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois U. S. District Court, Southern District of Illinois U. S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana U. S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana U. S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan U. S. District Court, Western District of Michigan U. S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri U. S. District Court, Western District of Missouri U. S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio U. S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio U. S. District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania U. S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin Education University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, J. D., 2012 ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition, Fourth Best Brief, 2012 ABA Tort, Trial and Insurance Practice Section Law Student Writing Competition, First Place, 2011 Patrick A. Keenan Memorial Appellate Advocacy Tournament, First Place, 2011 Book Award; Insurance Law, 2011 Oakland University, B. A., 2009 Professional Associations Defense Research Institute —Aviation Law Committee, Chair, 2023 - 2025 —Aviation Law Committee, Vice Chair, 2021 - 2023 —Aviation Law Committee, Programming Chair, 2019 - 2021 —Aviation Law Committee, Annual Meeting Chair, 2018 —Publications Chair, 2015 - 2018; Membership Chair, 2014 - 2015 Distinctions The Legal 500 —Named in Product Liability Defense: Automotive/Transport, 2022 - 2024 Bowman and Brooke Trial Skills College —Outstanding Team Performance, 2020 —Outstanding Cross Examination of a Defendants Expert, 2020