Overview
Bryan Cermak is a trial lawyer and a former General Counsel for an international, publicly traded company. He knows his way around a courtroom as well as the nuances and day-to-day business and legal needs of corporations. Combining these experiences in his practice in Foster Swift’s Southfield office, Bryan litigates business disputes and other commercial and complex cases, and he serves his corporate clients as a comprehensive legal, risk management and business advisor.
Litigation
Bryan has litigated and tried cases across the country, including notable past roles as National Trial Counsel for the Herr Voss Corporation and Midwest Trial Counsel for Harley Davidson. He relishes a good argument and taking on the investigative approach necessary for successful outcomes.
His broad litigation experience includes negligence, breach of contract, construction, personal injury, fraud, product liability, employment, business disputes, and malpractice. His appellate experience includes the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit as well as the Michigan Court of Appeals.
Bryan’s focus is and always has been obtaining the best results for his clients, and they consistently thank him for his personal attention and commitment to their cases.
Business Law, Corporate Counsel & Business Advisor
As General Counsel for the KUKA group of businesses (robotics & systems) in the Americas, Bryan managed its legal department involving ten companies in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Brazil. His leadership experience includes managing business and legal risk, executive management, strategic and board advising, corporate governance, audits, compliance, civil litigation, contract negotiations, and cross-border transactions.
Bryan loves leveraging his in-house experience to assist mid to large corporations with their complex legal matters.
He is equally passionate about using his business and legal knowledge and skills to guide newer companies as they begin to grow. Such companies don’t often have access to the lessons learned by somebody else and mistakes at this stage can be fatal to a business. Bryan fills this need and helps his clients learn from his experience.
For all of his business clients Bryan offers preventive law services. Preventive law is a proactive approach to legal issues that seeks to identify and address potential legal problems before they arise. It involves taking steps to prevent legal disputes and minimize legal risks, rather than simply reacting to legal problems after they occur. By reviewing corporate contracts, policies, and procedures Bryan is able to identify potential areas of legal liability and taking helps his clients to take the steps necessary to mitigate those risks.
Over the years, Bryan has been a community leader and served on countless boards and associations. Practical lessons learned in these roles also help his clients advance in their endeavors.
Honors & Recognitions
AV® Preeminent™ Martindale-Hubbell
America’s Top 100 Attorneys®
Avvo Clients' Choice Award 2019
Avvo Top Contributor Award 2016
Affiliations
Memberships & Affiliations
Professional Affiliations
- Michigan State Bar Foundation
- Fellow
Communications
Publications
- Michigan Supreme Court Announces Seismic Shift in Premises Liability Cases, Insurance Regulatory News E-blast, August 2, 2023
News & Events
Speaking Engagements
- Best Practices to Avoid Legal Consequences for Parents & College Bound Students, Second Wednesday Sessions, July 10, 2024
- Navigating Legal Challenges for Parents & College Bound Students - Part Two, Michigan Business Network, July 9, 2024
- Navigating Legal Challenges for Parents & College Bound Students - Part One, Michigan Business Network, July 4, 2024
News
- Brantley and Cermak Named Fellows of the Michigan State Bar Foundation, Michigan State Bar Foundation, September 11, 2024
- Prepare Your College Student for a Smooth School Year Free of Legal Challenges, Meltwater Global Newswire, July 22, 2024
- Are You Prepared? New Video Series Exposes Potentially Devastating Legal Challenges for Young Adults & Their Families, EIN Newswire, November 21, 2023
- Litigator Joins Foster Swift Law Firm in Southfield, Detroit Legal News, April 12, 2023
Media
Practice Areas
Education
University of Toledo College of Law, J.D., 1980
Baldwin Wallace University, B.S., 1977
Bar and Court Admissions
Michigan
Ohio
U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan