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Whitney V. Cruz

Partner
Phone:305-995-5609

Whitney Cruz has vast experience representing automotive manufacturers in complex product liability, toxic tort and warranty litigation. With more than 15 years of experience, she has gained recognition from her clients for her creative defense strategies and ability to develop evidence leading to dismissals and reasonable case resolutions. Whitney strives to resolve every claim for her clients in the most cost-effective and efficient manner possible, be it negotiating settlements or seeing a case through to trial.

Whitney has defended against numerous product claims alleging catastrophic injury and wrongful death. Her cases have covered a wide range of defect allegations such as rollovers, crashworthiness, handling and stability, unintended acceleration, roof structures, seat belts, air bags, steering systems, window glazing, fire origin, door latch integrity, lithium-ion batteries and advanced driver-assistance systems including autonomous technology and automatic braking systems. She has served as second-chair trial counsel in high-exposure product liability litigation and as first chair in warranty matters.

Whitney also represents automotive manufacturers in complex warranty and asbestos litigation, including both friction and non-friction products. Whitney has developed a strong reputation and working relationship with both sides of the warranty and asbestos bar as well as the judges assigned to handle these respective dockets throughout the State of Florida. 

Outside of the office, Whitney volunteers her time to represent children in foster care. As a pro bono attorney ad litem, Whitney zealously advocates for the interests of children in dependency cases.

 

Bar Admissions

  • Florida, 2004

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida

Education

  • University of St. Thomas School of Law, J.D., 2004

    cum laude

    St. Thomas University Law Review, Editor

    Moot Court

  • Florida State University, M.S., 2001

    magna cum laude

  • Florida State University, B.A., 2000

    cum laude

Professional Associations

    • The Florida Bar
    • Dade County Bar Association
    • DRI

Distinctions

    • The Legal 500
      —Named in Product Liability Defense: Automotive/Transport, 2023 – 2024
    • Super Lawyers Magazine
      —Florida Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, 2017

Recent News, Events and Blogs


Publications

  • "Cross-Examining a Plaintiff’s Historian," Co-Author, For the Defense, Defense Research Institute, March 2019
  • "The Future of Asbestos Litigation," Co-Author, For the Defense, Defense Research Institute, June 2017

Trial Experience

Trial Experience

CASE RESULTS DEPEND UPON A VARIETY OF FACTORS UNIQUE TO EACH CASE. CASE RESULTS DO NOT GUARANTEE OR PREDICT A SIMILAR RESULT IN ANY FUTURE CASE.

  • Riley v. Tesla: Catastrophic Injury – 2nd Chair, 2021, Southern District of Florida
  • Patrissi v. Toyota: Catastrophic Injury – 2nd Chair, 2011, Broward County, FL
  • Marrero v. Kia: Warranty Trial – 1st Chair, 2010, Broward County, FL
  • Gabaldon v. Mazda: Warranty Trial – 2nd Chair, 2007, Broward County, FL