Mark H. Verwys

Mark H. Verwys is the managing partner of the firm’s Grand Rapids office. A successful trial attorney, he focuses his practice on the areas of products liability, professional liability, negligence, construction law, complex commercial litigation and alternative dispute resolution.

Mr. Verwys is a frequent lecturer on construction contract issues. An honorary member of the Construction Owners Association of America, Mr. Verwys has previously served on its national contract drafting committee and as its associate general counsel.

Mr. Verwys is certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, and as an ICLE-trained general civil mediator in multiple Michigan circuit courts and in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan.

Representative Client Work

• Serves as national product liability defense counsel for a major manufacturer of recreational marine outboard engines and sterndrives, and as special counsel to other manufacturers of similar products for selected issues on a regional basis
• Has been admitted to practice in seven Federal courts and trial courts in seven states
• Has tried dozens of cases to jury verdicts in multiple jurisdictions, with a success rate for represented clients of over 90 percent
• Has argued before multiple appellate courts, with a success rate for represented clients of over 82 percent 
• Has prepared numerous contracts for the successful design and construction of hundreds of millions of dollars in commercial and governmental projects

Representative Published Appellate Cases

• RVP v Furness Golf Construction, Inc., (Mich App 2004) (unpublished)
• Roskam Baking Co. v Lanham Machinery Co., 288 F3d 895(2002)
• Dominguez v Lanham Machinery Co., Inc., 288 F3d 895 (2002)
• Gray v Meijer, Inc., 295 F3d 641 (2002)
• Ryan v Brunswick Corp., 454 Mich 20; 577 NW2d 541 (1997)
• Denison v Brunswick Corp., 454 Mich 881; 562 NW2d 200 (1997)
• Huhn v DMI, Inc., 454 Mich 880, 562 NW2d 198 (1996)
• Kintigh v Abbott Pharmacy, et al, 445 Mich 861; 519 NW2d 156 (1994)
• Riley v Brunswick Corporation, Mercury Marine Division, 441 Mich 880; 491 NW2d 595 (1992)
• Mann v G & G Mfg., Inc., 900 F2d 953 (1990) 498 US 959; 111 S Ct 387; 112 L Ed2d 398 (1990)
• Terhaar v Hoekwater, 182 Mich App 747; 452 NW2d 905 (1990)
• Wiegerink v Mitts and Merrill, 182 Mich App 546; 452 NW2d 872 (1990)
• McCarty v Sisters of Mercy Health Corp., 176 Mich App 593; 440 NW2d 417 (1989)
• Fryover v Forbes, 433 Mich 878; 446 NW2d 292 (1989)
• Grier v Sherill Machinery Co., 175 Mich APP 655; 438 NW2d 280 (1989)
• Omega Const. Co., Inc. v Altman, 147 Mich App 649; 382 NW2d 839 (1985)
• Sentry Ins. Co. v National Steel Corp., 147 Mich App 214; 382 NW2d 753 (1985)
• Trident Marine Const., Inc. v U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, 766 F2d 974 (1985)
• Guerrero v Schoolmeester, 135 Mich App 742; NW2d 251 (1984)
• Omega Const. Co., Inc. v Murray, 129 Mich App 509; 341 NW2d 535 (1983)
• Armand v Territorial Const., Inc., 414 Mich 21; 322 NW2d 924 (1982)
• Smith v Sentry Insurance Co., 76 Mich App 663; 257 NW2d 210 (1977)

Professional Certifications 

• FAA Private Pilot, Instrument, Single Engine-Land (1976-2001)

Professional Affiliations

• Grand Rapids Bar Association
• State Bar of Michigan 
• Michigan Defense Trial Counsel Association
• Christian Legal Society
• Defense Research Institute
• Federal Bar Association – WD MI 

Public Service 

• United States Marine Corps Reserve (1970-76)
• United States Army Reserve (1977-79)

Academic Positions

• Adjt. Professor: Trial Advocacy, Thomas M. Cooley Law School (2003-2006)
• Instructor: Construction Law, Davenport College (1974-1982)

Community Involvement

• Christian Learning Center Foundation (Board of Directors, 1997-2004)
• Silver Lake (Cannon Township) Association (Board of Directors, 1991- present); (President, 2002-present)
• Construction Owners Association of America (COAA) (1994- present); (Associate General Counsel, 2001-2003); (National Contract Drafting Committee, 1998-2003)
• American Boat & Yacht Council (1990- present)
• Calvary Church Chancel Choir (Board of Directors, 1987-1992)
• Senior Neighbors of Kent County (Board of Directors, 1994-2001)
• Dispute Resolution Center of Western Michigan (Volunteer Mediator, 2002- present)

Publications and Lectures

• “Construction Contract Clauses Owners Love and Hate,” Associated General Contractors (October 2003)
• “Introduction & Organizational Overview: New COAA Owner-CM At-Risk Agreement,” COAA Conference (May 2003)
• “Introduction & Organizational Overview: New COAA Owner-CM At-Risk Agreement,” COAA Conference (December 2002)
• “Top Ten Contract Provisions You Need to Include in Your Project Documents and Why,” COAA Conference (May 2002)
• “Comparing and Contrasting COAA’s Contracts to the AIA Industry Standard Documents,” COAA Conference (November 2000)
• “COAA Contract Documents Forum,” COAA Conference (May 2000)
• “Introduction & Organizational Overview: New COAA Owner-Design Professional Agreement,” COAA Conference (November 1999)
• “The Economic Loss Doctrine In Litigation: Is Your Project ELD Compliant?” COAA Conference (May 1999)
• “The Spearin Doctrine: What It Is And What To Do About It,” COAA Conference (May 1999)
• “Emerging Issue Forum - The Economic Loss Doctrine In The Construction Arena,” COAA Conference (November 1998)
• “Pro-Owner Indemnities - What They Are, Why Owners Prefer Them, And How To Negotiate Them,” COAA Conference (September 1997)

News

• Plunkett Cooney Attorneys Named 2007 Michigan 'Super Lawyers'