Atty. David J. Gass
David J. Gass is an experienced trial lawyer who represents clients in a wide variety of complex commercial and general civil litigation in state and federal courts.
Profile Summary
About David J. Gass at a glance
David J. Gass is a business, product liability, litigation, and civil rights attorney based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, practicing at Miller Johnson PLC. Educated at Harvard University (J.D., 1982). Recognitions include Lawyer of the Year — Bet-the-Company Litigation (Grand Rapids) (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Bet-the-Company Litigation (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation (2026). Serves clients in Grand Rapids, MI and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- David J. Gass is an experienced trial lawyer who represents clients in a wide variety of complex commercial and general civil litigation in state and federal courts
- He has a strong record of successful results
- Mr. Gass’s litigation experience has been remarkably varied, but generally focuses on complex commercial cases
- He has successfully tried many cases to judges, juries, and arbitration panels
- His expertise is not confined to any specific subject area
- rather, his expertise is in the advocacy of complex issues in an understandable and persuasive manner, using the latest technology
- Mr. Gass has represented clients in the following types of disputes: insurance coverage, contract, unfair competition/trade secrets, real estate, legal malpractice, tax, employment, media/first-amendment defamation, product liability and professional liability
- In Mr. Gass’s litigation practice, he represents plaintiffs and defendants, individuals and corporations, in prosecuting and defending a wide variety of commercial cases
- He has represented a Fortune 500 company since 2003 in insurance coverage, product liability, and contract litigation
- More than 50 percent of his practice is in federal court, primarily in the Western District of Michigan
- Honors, Professional Affiliations and Activities Mr. Gass is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers
- He is named as a “Super Lawyer” in Business Litigation since 2006 and to their “Top 100 Lawyers” in Michigan on six occasions including 2014, 2015 and 2016
- He was also named to the Top 50 Michigan Business Super Lawyers List for 2014
- He is listed in “The Best Lawyers in America®” Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, First Amendment Law, and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
- He is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation and the Michigan Bar Foundation
- He is also a Life Member of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals
- Mr. Gass is President of the Historical Society for the Western District of Michigan
- He is a past President of the Western Michigan Chapter of the Federal Bar Association
- He is a Faculty Member and a former Chair of the Hillman Advocacy Program of the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan
- He is former chair of the Miller Johnson’s litigation section and former member of the management committee
- Education Mr. Gass received his law degree cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1980
- He received his undergraduate degree, with high distinction, from the University of Michigan in 1977, with majors in Economics and English
- He is licensed to practice law in Michigan and Massachusetts (inactive) and is admitted to practice in all Michigan state, federal, and appellate courts
Practice Areas Explained
David J. Gass's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases David J. Gass handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.
David J. Gass is one of 452,854 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Michigan →
David J. Gass is one of 60,257 product liability attorneys indexed nationally. Browse product liability attorneys in Michigan →
Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.
David J. Gass is one of 409,070 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Michigan →
Civil rights attorneys for discrimination, police misconduct, constitutional rights, and civil liberties cases.
David J. Gass is one of 63,079 civil rights attorneys indexed nationally. Browse civil rights attorneys in Michigan →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Michigan
Practicing law in Michigan. Legal matters in Michigan are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Grand Rapids are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Michigan state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Michigan brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Michigan courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Michigan attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Grand Rapids or all attorneys in Michigan.
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