Michael Brady, Adam Ratliff and Brian Wassom Named to Crain’s Detroit Business 2025 Notable Litigators and Trial Attorneys

Notable Litigators and Trial Attorneys is comprised of individuals who have demonstrated involvement in significant litigation and trial proceedings. They serve in a senior leadership role at their company or organization, have at least a decade of experience in their field, and have demonstrated significant accomplishments within their industry or community. Honorees will be recognized in a special section of the March 31 print edition of Crain’s Detroit Business.

A seasoned litigator who has successfully represented business clients for over 27 years, Brady focuses his practice on supply chain litigation and counseling, representing automotive suppliers in contract negotiations, and supply chain disputes. He served as lead counsel in the landmark Michigan Supreme Court AirBoss case, which helped clarify suppliers’ contract rights. Brady is the executive partner of Warner’s Detroit office, where for the past four years he has led operations for 45 attorneys and 20 staff. He also co-chairs the firm’s Automotive Industry Group, providing strategic direction for the 70-plus statewide attorneys who serve more than 240 automotive supplier clients worldwide. Brady is immediate past chair of the firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution Practice Group.

Brady has been recognized for his work in commercial litigation by Best Lawyers in America© every year since 2015 and by Michigan Super Lawyers since 2009. He has frequently been included in DBusiness Top Lawyers and has been named in the publication’s Detroit 500 for the past three years. Michigan Lawyers Weekly named Brady among the 2022 Leaders in the Law.

He is a member of the American Bar Association, Federal Bar Association, State Bar of Michigan, and Oakland County Bar Association. Brady holds a bachelor’s degree cum laude from Western Michigan University and a law degree cum laude from University of Michigan Law School.

Ratliff is a trial and appellate litigator, focusing on complex and high-stakes commercial disputes. He often represents global automotive suppliers in international supply chain disputes. He has a successful track record briefing and arguing cases in state and federal courts of appeals throughout the country, including in the U.S. Supreme Court. Ratliff combined his appellate expertise with his deep knowledge advocating on behalf of automotive suppliers as counsel to the prevailing party in the Michigan Supreme Court 2023 AirBoss case.

Ratliff has been recognized by Best Lawyers® Detroit on its “One to Watch” lists for his work in appellate, criminal defense, and commercial litigation. He was included on the Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Star list for the past three years.

He is a member of the American Bar Association, State Bar of Michigan, Detroit Bar Association and Oakland County Bar Association. Ratliff holds a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and a law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School.

Wassom litigates disputes and counsels clients in matters of commercial branding, publicity rights, creative expression, and privacy. His practice serves businesses in many industries, winning significant and often ground-breaking litigation victories for his clients in federal and state trial and appeals courts across the country. He chairs Warner’s Emerging Media and Technology Industry Group and was instrumental in launching Michigan’s first business court. Wassom is also certified as an Artificial Intelligence Governance Professional and a Certified Information Privacy Professional.

Wassom is active in the digital media industry as a frequent speaker and writer who has published books and dozens of articles, essays and other contributions to noteworthy publications. He has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America© every year since 2011 and by Michigan Super Lawyers since 2013 after first appearing on its Rising Star list on three occasions. He has frequently been included in DBusiness Top Lawyers and has been named a Leading Trademark Professional by World Trademark Review.

He is active in leadership of the International Trademark Association and serves in the Federal Bar Association, American Intellectual Property Association and other professional groups. Wassom holds a bachelor’s degree from Wayne State University and a law degree magna cum laude from Case Western Reserve University.

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