- AREAS OF PRACTICE:
- Product liability
- Indemnity
- Employment
- General liability
- Premises liability
- Construction
- Automobile negligence
- Toxic torts
- Environmental
- Superfund
- Contracts
- Trade secret
- Medical malpractice
- Hospital liability
- Drug liability
- EDUCATION:
- University of Detroit School of Law (J.D. cum laude, 1952)
- University of Detroit (B.S., Accounting and Economics, 1950)
- BAR ADMISSIONS:
- State Bar of Michigan (1952)
- United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals
- United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
- United States District Court, Western District of Michigan
- United States District court, Alaska
- EMPLOYMENT:
- Associate Attorney at Alexander, Cholette, Buchanan, Perkins & Conklin (1952-1961)
- Partner at Alexander, Buchanan & Conklin (1961-1969)
- Founding partner at Harvey, Kruse & Westen (1969)
- President at Harvey Kruse (1976 –1986)
- Continue as full-time employee of Harvey Kruse, P.C., practicing in both trial and appellate areas.
- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:
- Martindale Hubbell rated AV
- Who’s Who in the World
- Who’s Who in America
- Who’s Who in American Law
- Who’s Who in the Midwest
- The Best Lawyers in America
- University of Detroit Law Alumni Association
- 1989 Outstanding Alumnus Award
- Neuromuscular Institute – Humanitarian Award 1988
- EXPERIENCE:
- Many of the appellate decisions in Michigan Court of Appeals, Michigan Supreme Court and Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals bear his name as counsel for the successful defendant.
- Since the firm’s founding in 1969, has been assisted by the lawyers in our firm and helped train them to become outstanding trial lawyers. The favorable results in litigation over many years would not have been possible with out the help of these young men and women.
- REPRESENTATIVE CLIENTS:
- Chemical Products: Amoco, Ashland, Detrex, Shell, and Mobay
- Drug Products: Ciba-Geigy, S.J. Tutag, Rowell Laboratories, Moore, and Olin Automobiles: Ford Motor
- Cranes: Harnischfeger, FMC, Koehring, Manitowac, and Bucyrus Erie
- Conveyors: Link-Belt
- Lawn Mowers: Snapper, AMF and Kut-Kwic
- Fork Lifts: Clark Equipment
- Power Presses: Press Brakes, Minster Press, Federal Press, and U.S. Industries
- Tires and Wheels: B.F. Goodrich, and Ford Motor
- Milling Machines: Stuart Bolling Company
- Pneumatic Cylinder: Miller Fluid Power Company
- Hospitals: Crit endon, Martin Plan, and Providence
- Farm Equipment: Textron, New Idea, and Allied
- Controls: Allen Bradley and Clark Controller
- Contractors: Barton-Malow, Turner Construction, and Greenfield Construction Company
- Employment: Stroh Brewery, and Hilton Hotels
- Toxic Tort and Environmental: Detrex Chemical Products
- Insurance Companies: Insurance Company of North America (CIGNA), Liberty Mutual, Employers of Wausau, Travelers, Lumbermans Mutual, Farmers, Farm Bureau, Aetna, Amerisure, Catholic Mutual, Cuna Mutual, and many others
- Municipalities: Allen Park and Van Buren Township
- MEMBER:
- State Bar Association of Michigan
- Negligence Section – Past Chairman
- American Bar Association
- International Association of Defense Counsel
- Product Liability Advisory Council
- Association of Defense Trial Counsel (Director, 1966 – 1967)
- American Judicature Society
- American Bar Endowment
- Fellow Michigan State Bar Endowment
- Sixth Circuit Judicial Conference – Life Member
- University of Detroit President’s Cabinet (past member of Executive Committee)
- Ave Maria College, Trustee
- Michigan Catholic Radio, Co-founder
- Gabriel Richard Historical Society, Past Member Board of Directors
- MILITARY SERVICE:
- United States Navy (World War II, 1944 – 1946)
- First in class, Signal School, Armed Guard School
- Philippine Liberation Ribbon
- Pacific Theatre Ribbon
- Good Conduct Ribbon
