Office

Kalamazoo

Phone

269/553-3517

Fax

269/382-2382

Email

jdsmith@varnumlaw.com

jdsmith@varnumlaw.com

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Assistant

Kim Vander Weele, 269/553-3516

Product Liability Experience

Jeffrey Smith represents clients nationally in the defense of products and warranty liability, admiralty claims and complex litigation matters. His clients include many national and international product manufacturers, with a significant emphasis on the marine industry. 

Jeff's work with clients includes manufacturers risk prevention programs involving the integration of design, manufacturing and documentation processes.  Those programs are focused on finding ways to promote a manufacturer's place in the market by getting the next generation of products to the market ahead of the competition, while ensuring that the story behind the company and its products is documented and ready to be told.

Jeff also represents corporate and medical practice clients on health care and risk management issues.

Jeff is a member of the Defense Research Institute, the American Boat and Yacht Council and the National Marine Manufacturers Association's Business and Industry Risk Management Council. He has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for several years, in the areas of Litigation/Trial Services as well as Product Liability & Warranty Defense. He has an AV Pre-eminent Rating – the highest possible rating - by Martindale-Hubbell, the leading directory of attorneys in U.S. law firms.  His writings include Writing Corporate History – Documents and Their Impact, and the Michigan law section of the Defense Research Institute's Punitive Damages – a State-by-State Compendium.

Away from work, much of Jeff's time is spent on water skis or at the helm of his boat. Before going to law school, Jeff worked as a Marine Patrol Sheriff's Deputy.  Jeff has been a nationally ranked three-event water ski competitor for more than 25 years, and was a member of the U.S. Veteran Water Ski Team in 1999 and 2001. He serves both nationally and internationally as a water ski official, including appointment as Chief Judge at several world championships and international water ski competitions.  He was inducted into the Michigan Water Ski Association Hall of Fame in 2010.