Wendy Lumish

Wendy Lumish is a member of the firm's Appellate and Advance Motions practice group. Her primary focus is on legal issues and appeals in product liability, personal injury and medical malpractice cases. She represents manufacturers of multiple products including automobiles, asbestos-containing products, medical and pharmaceutical products and sporting goods. Wendy has extensive experience working on legal issues of national significance including the test of design defect, warnings, crashworthiness, the use and scope of expert testimony, the seat belt defense, punitive damages and class actions. As an active member of the Product Liability Advisory Council (PLAC) for more than 25 years, Wendy has written a number of amicus briefs and is a frequent speaker at meetings. Wendy was awarded the prestigious John P. Raleigh award in 2023 by PLAC.

Wendy's practice includes extensive participation at the trial court level in order to address legal issues and preserve error for appeal. In her role, she assists with general trial strategy, preparation of dispositive motions, motions in limine, expert motions and jury instructions. Wendy routinely attends trials to argue these issues. She also handles the post-trial briefing and argument.

Wendy is board certified in Appellate Practice by The Florida Bar. She is also a Fellow in the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers, an organization whose membership is limited to 500 members and is by invitation only.

Bar Admissions

Florida, 1981
New Jersey, 1983
Minnesota, 1996

Court Admissions

U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida

Education

University of Miami School of Law, J.D., 1981

cum laude
Lehigh University, B.A., 1978

summa cum laude

Professional Associations

The Florida Bar
—Appellate Section
Product Liability Advisory Council
American Academy of Appellate Lawyers
—Fellow
American Bar Association
—Litigation Section
—Tort and Insurance Practice Section Of Litigation
The Rosemary Barkett Appellate American Inn of Court, Member 2010 - 2018
Florida Standard Jury Instructions Committee, 2001 - 2009
Lawyers for Civil Justice
Dade County Bar Association
The Florida Third District Court of Appeal Historical Society

Distinctions

Product Liability Advisory Council
—Board of Directors, 2025 – 2027
—John P. Raleigh Award, 2023
—Distinguished Service Award, 2006, 2008
Chambers USA
—Named for Florida Litigation: Appellate, 2007 – 2024
Benchmark Litigation
—"Top 250 Women in Litigation," 2012 – 2014, 2016 – 2017, 2020
—Nominated for South Annual Awards “Woman Litigator of the Year,” 2012
—"Local Litigation Star," Appellate, 2012
Who's Who Legal
— International Who's Who of Product Liability Defence Lawyer, 2018 – 2024
The Florida Bar
— Board Certified in Appellate Practice
Best Lawyers In America
—Named in 2005 – 2016
Super Lawyers Magazine
—Florida Super Lawyers, 2006 – 2023
South Florida Legal Guide
—Top 100 in South Florida, 2009
Florida Legal Elite
—Listed, 2004 – 2008
Daily Business Review
—Most Effective Lawyer, Appellate, 2006
Attorney at Law, Miami Edition
—Named to "12 To Watch in 2012"
Martindale-Hubbell
—Rated AV-Preeminent
Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary, Practitioner's Reading Group - Nomination of Solicitor General Elena Kagan
Phi Beta Kappa

Recent Verdicts & Case Studies

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.

Case	Date	Practice	Industry
Moxley v. U-Haul Co. of Fla., 308 So. 3d 91 (Fla. 2d DCA 2019)	Dec 27, 2019
Auto Club Ins. Co. Of Florida v. Lewis, 285 So. 3d 383 (Fla. 4th DCA 2019)	Dec 13, 2019
MasTec v. Morakis, 288 So.3d 685 (Fla. 4th DCA 2019)	Oct 02, 2019
Dukes v. Michelin North America, Inc. and Takata Corp., 271 So.3d 980 (Fla. 4th DCA 2019)	Apr 04, 2019		Motor Vehicles
Muszynski v. Ford Motor Co., 262 So. 3d 749 (Fla. 5th DCA 2019)	Jan 22, 2019		Motor Vehicles

Recent News, Events and Blogs

Name / Date / Type	Practice	Industry
New Jersey Appellate Court Affirms Honda Summary Judgment Involving ADAS ‘Failure to Equip’ Claim January 2, 2025 Legal Alert	Product Liability Litigation	Motor Vehicles
Amendments to the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure Effective January 1, 2025 December 13, 2024 Legal Alert	Product Liability Litigation
Announcing Firm Leadership Updates for 2024 February 1, 2024 News
Wendy Lumish Presented PLAC's John P. Raleigh Award October 10, 2023 News	Product Liability Litigation
Recognition in Who's Who Legal: Product Liability Defence September 6, 2023 News	Product Liability Litigation

Speaking Engagements

“Amicus Program – 2023 Year in Review: Hot Topics, Developments and Emerging Issues,” Co-Presenter, PLAC 2024 Spring Conference, April 2024
"40 Years in Retrospect," Co-Presenter, PLAC Fall Conference, October 2023
“Preserving Fair-Trial Rights in the Time of COVID and Beyond,“ Co-Presenter, Washington Legal Foundation Webinar, March 2021
“Taking Action to Protect Fair Jury Trials Webinar,” Co-Presenter, PLAC Webinar Series, October 2020
"Juries & COVID-19: Stopping the Erosion of the Jury Trial," Co-Presenter, Webinar, July 2020
“Appellate Practitioners in the Trial Court - Making Your Record Appealing,” Speaker, Florida Bar Association Appellate Practice Section Webinar, February 2019
"Trial Preservation: The Dual Fight to Win at Trial and to Be Ready for an Appeal," American Bar Association Section of Litigation Appellate Practice Committee, April 2017
"Is Daubert Dead in Florida?," Product Liability Advisory Council Spring Conference, April 2017
"Recall Fallout – How Your Recall Has Repercussions at Trial and Beyond," Product Liability Advisory Council Fall Conference, October 2016
Seminar on Evidence, Guest Lecturer, University of Miami, March 2011 - 2016
"Make Your Record Appealing," Product Liability Advisory Council Fall Conference, October 2012
"Challenging the Warning Claim as a Matter of Law," Product Liability Advisory Council Fall Conference, October 2010
“Overhaul of Florida Standard Jury Instructions,” Product Liability Advisory Council Spring Conference, April 2010
"Florida Jury Instructions for Product Liability Claims and Defenses," Product Liability Advisory Council Fall Conference, September 2009
“A Closer Look at the Impact of State Farm v. Campbell,” Lorman Education Services, Punitive Damages in Florida, December 2003
"Common Strategies for Litigating Punitive Damage Issues," Product Liability Advisory Council Spring Conference, April 2003
"Panel Discussion: Emerging Issues in Tort Litigation,” FDLA Annual Meeting, August 2003
“Challenging the Warning Claim as a Matter of Law,” Product Liability Advisory Council, October 2000
“SUV Aggressivity,” Defense Research Institute, The Product Liability Seminar Automotive Products Specialized Litigation Group, February 1999

Publications

"Amendments to the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure Effective January 1, 2025," Co-Author, Legal Alert, December 2024
"Preserving Fair-Trial Rights in the Time of COVID and Beyond," Co-Author, Washington Legal Foundation, March 2021
"Florida Adopts Practical And Fair Summary Judgment Standard," Co-Author, Drug & Device Law Blog, January 2021
"FL Adopts Federal Standard in Summary Judgement," Co-Author, Legal Alert, January 2021
"Supreme Court Allows Discharged Jury to be Re-Empaneled," Co-Author, Client Alert, June 2016
“Preparing for the Appeal,” Product Liability Litigation: Current Law, Strategies and Best Practices, PLI Treatise, October 2009, updated through 2014
"Time For A Legislative Overhaul Of The Sunshine In Litigation Act," Co-Author, The Florida Bar Journal, May 2011
"The Third District Reaffirms the General Admissibility of "No Accident" Evidence," Client Alert, 2010
"The Third DCA Clarifies The Bounds of Opening Statements and Final Arguments," Client Alert, 2010
"Florida Supreme Court Approves New Standard Jury Instructions in Civil Cases," Client Alert, 2010
“Testing the Test―One Test Does Not Fit All,” Co-Author, For The Defense, December 2009
“A Lot of No Evidence is Still No Evidence” Co-Author, For the Defense, December 2006
“Warning! Failure To Read This Article May Be Hazardous To Your Failure To Warn Defense,” Co-Author, 27 Wm. Mitchell L. Rev., 439, 2000
“Kinney System Inc. v. The Continental Insurance Company: Forum Non Conveniens Revisited,” The Florida Bar Journal, 1996

Representative Cases

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.

Representative Appeals

Smith v. Lyles, 364 So. 3d 1123 (Fla. 6th DCA 2023). Negligence
Monserratt v. Tesla, Inc., 362 So .2d 216 (Fla. 4th DCA 2023). Punitive Damages
Klahn v. American Road Insurance Co., 299 So. 3d 1065 (Fla. 5th DCA 2020). Uninsured/underinsured motorist benefits.
McDuffie v. Uribe, 314 So. 3d 282 (Fla. 3d DCA 2020) evidentiary issues physicians(medical malpractice).
Moxley v. U-Haul Co. of Florida, 308 So. 3d 91 (Fla. 2d DCA 2019). (mitigation of damages).
Auto Club Insurance Co. of Fla. v. Lewis, 285 So. 3d 383 (Fla. 4th DCA 2019). (insurance coverage).
Dukes v. Michelin North America, Inc., 271 So. 3d 980 (Fla. 4th DCA 2019) Multiple evidentiary Issues (seat belt and tire).
Muszynski v. Ford Motor Co., 262 So. 2d 749 (Fla. 5th DCA 2019). Business records and expert fees (rollover stability and handling).
Cantrell v. Toyota Motor Corp., 2018 Ark. App. 335 (Ark. 2018). Multiple evidentiary issues (seat belt).
Faust v. Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, No. 3468 EDA 2015 (Pa. Super. Ct. May 24, 2017). Proper venue (airbag)
Speaks v. Mazda Motor Corp., 701 Fed. Appx. 663 (9th Cir. 2017). Jury Instructions (seat belt).
White v. Roehr, 2017 WL 1325893 (Fla. 2d DCA 2017). Jury selection (Medical malpractice).
Parker v. Continental Tire Co., 195 So. 3d 387 (Fla. 4th DCA 2015). Evidentiary issues (tire).
Plancher v. UCF Athletics Ass’n, Inc., Case No. 175 So. 3d 724 (Fla. 2015). Sovereign immunity (negligence).
Severino v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 179 So. 3d 329 (Fla. 2d DCA 2015). Personal jurisdiction (tire).
Great American Ins. Co. of N.Y. v. 2000 Island Blvd. Condo. Ass’n, 153 So. 3d 384 (Fla. 3d DCA 2014). Recusal.
Motelson v. Ford Motor Co., 24 N.Y.3d 1025 (N.Y. 2014). Application of zone of danger doctrine (roof).
Ford Motor Co. v. Stimpson, 115 So. 3d 401 (Fla. 5th DCA 2013). Fraud on the court, expert testimony and closing arguments. (unintended acceleration).
Chapman v. Ford Motor Co., 489 Fed. Appx. 999 (8th Cir. 2012). Fraud in product liability action (unintended acceleration).
McDuffie v. Uribe, 133 So. 3d 947 (Fla. 3d DCA 2012). Evidentiary issues, improper closing argument. (Medical Malpractice);
Mitsubishi Motors Corp. v. Laliberte, 52 So. 3d 31 (Fla. 4th DCA 2011). Evidentiary issues relating to testing and experts (seat belt).
Simon v. Maldonado, 65 So. 3d 8 (Fla. 3d DCA 2011). Jury selection, evidentiary issues, nonparty fault. (Medical malpractice).
Archbishop Coleman F. Carroll High School, Inc. etc., et al. v. Maynoldi, 30 So. 3d 533 (Fla. 3d DCA 2010). Duty of school to supervise non-school related activities; alcohol defense statute; admission of alcohol-related evidence.
Godfrey v. Precision Airmotive Corp., 46 So. 3d 1020 (Fla. 5th DCA 2010). Admission of other accidents; punitive damages (airplane engine).
Ford Motor Co. v. Hall-Edwards, 5 So. 3d 786 (Fla. 3d DCA 2009). Petition for writ of certiorari based on failure to comply with requirements for pleading punitive damages (rollover stability).
Ford Motor Co. v. Hall-Edwards, 21 So. 3d 99 (Fla. 3d DCA 2009). Sunshine in Litigation Act/confidentiality of documents (rollover stability).
Ford Motor Co. v. Hall-Edwards, 997 So. 2d 1148 (Fla. 3d DCA 2008). Attorney-client and work-product (rollover stability).
Cerasani v. American Honda Motor Co., 955 So. 2d 543 (Fla. 2007). Application of Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act to lessees.
Ford Motor Co. v. Hall-Edwards, 971 So. 2d 854 (Fla. 3d DCA 2007). Admission of other accident evidence and evidence of subsequent remedial measures (rollover stability).
Engle v. Liggett Group Inc., 945 So. 2d 1246 (Fla. 2006). Affirming in part and reversing in part, 853 So. 2d 434 (Fla. 3d DCA). Class certification, punitive damages and improper conduct of counsel.
Engle v. Liggett Group Inc., 945 So. 2d 1246 (Fla. 2006). Affirming in part and reversing in part, 853 So. 2d 434 (Fla. 3d DCA). Class certification, punitive damages and improper conduct of counsel(tobacco)
Schlicht v. Ford Motor Co., 924 So. 2d 826 (Fla. 5th DCA 2006). Jury instruction concerning seat belt defense (seat belt).
Grunow v. Valor Corp. of Florida, 904 So. 2d 551 (Fla. 4th DCA 2005). Relationship between product defect and negligence in product liability action arising from murder of a teacher by a student.(gun)
Ryder v. AT&T, Inc., 156 Fed. Appx. 292 (11th Cir. 2005). Sufficiency of evidence of willful and wonton misconduct and admission of expert testimony (breach of contract).
Tran v. Toyota Motor Corp., 420 F.3d 1310 (11th Cir. 2005). Proper test for design defect, ruling on expert and admissibility of testing (restraint system).
Force v. Ford Motor Co., 879 So. 2d 103 (Fla. 5th DCA 2004). proper test of design defect (seat belt).
General Motors Corp. v. Porritt, 891 So. 2d 1056 (Fla. 2d DCA 2004). Improper admission of demonstrative test and standard for admissibility of expert testimony (seat belt).
D’Angelo v. Fitzmaurice, 863 So. 2d 311 (Fla. 2003). (Amicus brief for Florida Defense Lawyers Association). Application of set-off and apportionment (medical malpractice).
Dourado v. Ford Motor Co., 843 So. 2d 913 (Fla. 4th DCA 2003). Limitations on admissibility of medical bills in a wrongful death action (seat belt).
Jimenez v. Ford Motor Co., 870 So. 2d 831 (Fla. 3d DCA 2003). Effect of parents’ comparative fault on minor’s negligence in failing to wear seat belt (handling).
Mason v. Ford Motor Co., 307 F.3d 1271 (11th Cir. 2002). Inconsistent verdicts and waiver issues (fire).
Scheman-Gonzalez v. Saber Manuf. Co., 816 So. 2d 1133 (Fla. 4th DCA 2002). Definition of design defect and defect by virtue of the failure to warn (tire changer).
D’Amario v. Ford Motor Co., 806 So. 2d 424 (Fla. 2001). The role of comparative fault in a crashworthiness case (fire).
Jackson v. General Motors Corp., 60 S.W. 3d. 800 (Tenn. 2001). (Amicus brief for Product Liability Advisory Council). Definition of design defect (seat belt).
Pirelli v. Jensen, 777 So. 2d 973 (Fla. 2001). Warnings (tire).
Ulm v. Ford Motor Co., 170 Vt. 281 (VT. 2000). Sufficiency of evidence, seat belt defense (seat belt).
Goulah v. Ford Motor Co., 118 F.3d 1478 (11th Cir. 1997). Jury instructions, comparative fault, destruction of evidence (rollover stability).
Olson v. Ford Motor Co., 558 N.W. 2d 491 (Minn. 1997). Interpretation of Minnesota’s seat belt gag rule (seat belt).
Kinney System, Inc. v. Continental Insurance Company, 674 So. 2d 86 (Fla. 1996) (Amicus brief for Product Liability Advisory Council). Forum non conveniens.
Ridley v. Safety Kleen Corporation, 693 So. 2d 934 (Fla. 1996). (Amicus brief for Product Liability Advisory Council). Application of seat belt defense.
Campbell v. Cutler Hammer, Inc., 996 F.2d 1164 (11th Cir. 1993), 646 So. 2d 573 (Ala. 1994). Application of comparative negligence in a products liability action (electrical equipment).
Snyder v. Volkswagen of America, Inc., 574 So. 2d 1161 (Fla. 4th DCA 1991). Summary Judgment (unintended acceleration).

Appellate Support at Trial

Hetsler v. Ford Motor Co. (Cir. Ct. Fla. 2024). Negligence.
Locy v. Ford Motor Co. (Cir. Ct. Outagami, WI 2022). Roof crush.
Tyler v. Ford Motor Co. (Cir. Ct. Kanawha Cnty, W. Va. 2022). Fire case
Sipes v. Ford Motor Co. (Cir. Ct. Fla. 2020). Manufacturing defect; Assist handle.
Sills v. Ford Motor Co., (USDC M.D. Fla. 2020). Restraint system.
Calhoune v. Ford Motor Co., (USDC S.D. Fla. 2019). Restraint system.
McDuffie v. Uribe, 314 So. 3d 282 (Fla. 3d DCA 2020) Medical Malpractice.
Salliotte v. Ford Motor Co., (Cir. Ct. Fla. 2018). Rollover stability and seat belt.
Georg v. Ford Motor Co., (USDC M.D. Fla.2017). Airbag.
Muszynski v. Ford Motor Co., (Cir. Ct. Fla. 2017). Rollover stability and handling.
Holley v. Ford Motor Co., (S.C. Ct. Common Pleas 2016). Benzene exposure allegedly from automotive products.
Hampton v. Ford Motor Co., (Cir. Ct. Fla. 2014). Asbestos.
Lucky v. Land Rover, (Cir. Ct. Fla. 2010). Roof.
Maynoldi v. Archbishop Coleman F. Carroll Highschool, Inc., et al., (Cir. Ct. Fla. 2011). School’s negligence.
Felipe v. Ford Motor Co., (Cir. Ct. Fla. 2007). Roof.
Hall Edwards v. Ford Motor Co., (Cir. Ct. Fla. 2005, 2011, 2012) (3 trials). Handling and stability, warnings.
Cabrera v. Eller Media Co., (Cir. Ct. Fla. 2005). Negligence.
Moore v. Honda, (Cir. Ct. Fla. 2004). Airbag.
Dourado v. Ford Motor Co., (Cir. Ct. Fla. 2002). Seat belt.
Holmes v. Ford Motor Co., (Cir. Ct. Fla. 2003). Rollover stability.
MCI Express v. Ford Motor Co., (Cir. Ct. Fla. 2003). Commercial claim related to alleged defects in trucks.
Rainford v. Ford Motor Co., (Cir. Ct. Fla. 2002). Child seat.
Jimenez v. Ford Motor Co., (Cir. Ct. Fla. 2001). Manufacturing defect.
Gary Robinson v. Ford Motor Co., (Cir. Ct. Fla. 2001). Rollover stability.
D’Amario v. Ford Motor Co., (Cir. Ct. Fla. 1997). Fire.
Sidran v. Dupont, (Cir. Ct. Fla. 1995). Chemical product.
DuPont v. Native Hammock Nursery, (Cir. Ct. Fla. 1993-94). Chemical product.
Far West v. Dupont, (Cir. Ct. Fla. 1992). Chemical product.
Robinson v. Ford Motor Co., (Cir. Ct. Fla. 1992). Rear center seat.
Martinez v. Ford Motor Co., (Cir. Ct. Fla. 1990). Seat belt design.
Wickham v. General Motors Corp., (Cir. Ct. Fla 1989). Glass top roof.
Pribisco v. Volkswagen of America, (Cir. Ct. Fla. 1986). Front end design.
Farkas v. Volkswagen of America, (USDC S.D. Fla. 1984). Front end design.
Finks Farm v. DuPont, (Cir. Ct. Fla. 1993). Chemical product.

Wendy F. Lumish

Bar Admissions

Court Admissions

Education

Professional Associations

Distinctions

Recent Verdicts & Case Studies

Case

Date

Practice

Industry

Recent News, Events and Blogs

Name / Date / Type

Practice

Industry

Speaking Engagements

Publications

Representative Cases

Representative Cases