Jill M. Wheaton, based in Ann Arbor, is a Dykema litigator involved in high-profile appellate work, commercial litigation and products liability defense. She is the leader of the Firm's Appellate Practice and Product Liability and Class Action Litigation Practice nationwide.

In addition to handling or assisting in matters on appeal in which Dykema represented the client at the trial court level, Ms. Wheaton is often called on to enter the case for the first time on appeal in all parts of the country. In such cases, she has repeatedly obtained reversals of adverse decisions, or sustained favorable rulings. Ms. Wheaton is a leader of the appellate law community, as indicated by her professional associations, awards and speaking engagements.

Ms. Wheaton has handled many high profile cases. In recent years, she has obtained review by, and favorable decisions from, the Michigan Supreme Court in 5 cases — Covenant v. State Farm, Sauerman v. Residential Funding; Kim v. JP Morgan Chase; LaFontaine v. Chrysler Group; and State of Michigan v. CVS Caremark, et al. She has represented Fortune 500 clients in commercial and products liability appeals in Michigan, California, South Carolina, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Missouri and Pennsylvania; and numerous federal circuit Courts of Appeals.

Significant client representations in the products liability arena include her defense of Stryker in cases involving medical device product liability claims. Finally, Ms. Wheaton is an experienced trademark and Lanham Act litigator, representing many corporations in successful efforts to fight and stop infringers.

Ms. Wheaton has been recognized as one of the "Top 25 Michigan Women Business Lawyers" as well as one of the "Top 50 Women Michigan Lawyers" by Michigan Super Lawyers, has been named one of the Best Lawyers in America^© for Appellate Practice and Commercial Litigation for many years, and was on the inaugural list of Crain's Notable Women Lawyers in Michigan. She received Dykema's Pro Bono Award in 2017.

Bar Admissions

Michigan

New York

Education
University of Michigan, J.D., cum laude University of Michigan, B.G.S.

• Member, District Character and Fitness Committee, Michigan State Bar of Board Examiners
• Defense Research Institute
• State Bar of Michigan, including Committees on Appellate Practice, Negligence Law
• American Bar Association, including Committees on Litigation and Appellate Practice subgroup, Intellectual Property Committee

• 2004 - Network of Trial Law Firms Supercourse - "How to Assess and Improve Your Chances of Success on Appeal"
• 2003 - Dykema Gossett Litigation Group Seminar - "Recent Significant Decisions"
• 2001 - Network of Trial Law Firms Supercourse - "Litigation Avoidance By Contract"
• 2001 - Dykema Gossett Litigation Group Seminar for In-House Counsel - "Boilerplate - Why The Fine Print Really Matters"
• 2001 - Lorman Educational Services - "Taking and Defending Effective Depositions"
• 2000 - Dykema Gossett Litigation Group Seminar for In-House Counsel - "Protecting Confidential Information - Agreements Which Courts Uphold"

• U.S. Supreme Court Clears the Way for Visually-Impaired to Sue Over Allegedly Inaccessible Websites and Apps

  By Jill Wheaton |October 2019

• 1993 - Japanese Trade Magazine "United States Patent Litigation Strategy"