Michael J. Wozny is a Shareholder in the Industrial and Consumer Product Liability Practice Group in the Philadelphia office of Lavin, Cedrone, Graver, Boyd & DiSipio. He concentrates his trial practice on the defense of automotive, industrial equipment, and consumer product liability cases. Mr. Wozny has significant experience in the representation of large corporations in complex cases with catastrophic losses, involving post-collision fuel-fed fires, rollovers, frontal, rear and side collisions; and airbag, restraint, glazing, vehicle structure, and seat design defect allegations. He defends contractual and warranty cases involving state and federal consumer protection statutes. Mr. Wozny also has experience defending various design and manufacturing defect allegations pertaining to a wide range of consumer products.

Mr. Wozny has successfully defended matters in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. Leading up to trial, Mr. Wozny effectively and efficiently plans overall case strategy/themes and develops them through calculated written and oral discovery. Mr. Wozny has conducted over 500 depositions of fact witnesses, including emergency responders, audible witnesses, visual witnesses, and damage witnesses. He has also deposed testifying experts, corporate designees, and party witnesses. Mr. Wozny works closely with party designees and expert witnesses in preparation for deposition and trial. He also has substantial experience with pleadings, propounding and answering written discovery, motion practice, presenting oral argument, and settlement negotiation strategy.

Mr. Wozny has been consistently recognized both in Pennsylvania and New Jersey as a Super Lawyer Rising Star. Michael has also successfully completed the International Association of Defense Counsel’s prestigious and intense Trial Academy.

Mr. Wozny is on the cutting edge of legal issues surrounding the development and introduction of autonomous vehicle technology. He has presented on several panels focused on autonomous technology and has authored the article, Defense Perspective on Autonomous Vehicle Design Defect Allegations and the Evolving Landscape: How Can a Thinking Vehicle Be Defective, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, June 14, 2017 at 101.

Mr. Wozny earned his Juris Doctor from Widener University School of Law in Wilmington, Delaware. While at Widener, Michael served as the 2006-2007 Editor-in-Chief of the Widener Law Review. He graduated in the top ten percent of his class, and received the Product Liability Certificate of Achievement. Michael received his undergraduate degree from Cabrini College in Radnor, Pennsylvania, where he graduated summa cum laude and received the Political Science Department Award.

Michael is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York state courts and the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey and the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Michael also sits as an arbitrator in the Philadelphia Compulsory Arbitration Program.

Examples of Mr. Wozny’s experience include:

Co-tried 5 week jury trial of a wrongful death matter involving fuel system design defect allegations in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania on behalf of a major automotive manufacturer, which resulted in a defense verdict.

Co-tried a 2 week jury trial in Ocean County, New Jersey on behalf of a major automotive manufacturer, which resulted in a defense verdict.

Successfully obtained summary judgment in a multi-plaintiff action involving warranty and consumer fraud allegations against a major automotive manufacturer.

Successfully argued for a non-suit during a Pennsylvania trial on behalf of a large automotive manufacturer.

Prepared and conducted multiple mock jury trials on behalf of manufacturer clients to evaluate case strengths and weaknesses in front of representative jury panels.

Successfully argued multiple strategic motions to transfer matters to more appropriate, defense oriented jurisdictions.

Successfully argued for the dismissal of an action based upon grounds of intentional spoliation of evidence.

Assumed lead attorney in the development and execution of a liability case against additional defendant, heavy construction contractor, in a strict liability action involving catastrophic injury in which plaintiffs’ demand exceeded $35 million. In this role, Michael overcame a late joinder issue, preempted an anticipated employer immunity defense, and withstood aggressive resistance throughout discovery.