John R. Trentacosta is a partner in the Litigation Department at Foley & Lardner LLP. John is actively involved in drafting and litigating contracts commonly used in the manufacturing and automotive industries. He frequently represents clients in supply chain disputes, particularly automotive and supplier-manufacturer disputes in the automotive and manufacturing industries. He is the former chair of the Detroit Litigation Department and founder/member of the firm’s Automotive Industry Team. He also is a member of the Commercial Transactions & Business Counseling and International Practices.
John R.Trentacosta是美国富理达律师事务所(Foley & Lardner)的合伙人，他是本所复杂供应链诉讼组的主席，底特律诉讼部门的前主席，本所汽车及制造行业团队的创始人和成员。他同时也是商业交易和业务咨询, 国际法部门的成员。
Trentacosta先生于1980毕业于乔治城大学法律中心，并以优异的成绩于1977年在密西根州立大学获得学士学位。
Trentacosta先生是密歇根州律师协会成员，并曾担任商法部门的主席(1995 – 96) 和商业法部门委员会成员(1990 – 95)。他曾担任美国统一商法典委员会主席(1987 – 98) 及自1997年以来计算机法律部门委员会成员。他也是美国律师协会，以及商业法律和诉讼部门的成员。
Trentacosta先生积极参与起草常用在汽车行业的合同。他还广泛参与涉及汽车问题,特别是供应商制造商纠纷的诉讼纠纷。
Trentacosta先生拥有超过30年的商业、合同和计算机诉讼经验。有在这方面出版过两本书。 他被认为是密歇根的涉及商业交易的美国统一商法典第二章的权威专家。2010年,他被任命为BTI的客户服务全明星律师,该荣誉由BIT的独立研究的客户提名，只有提供了绝对最好的客户服务的精英律师当选。另外Trentacosta已经被同行评为AV®卓越™, Martindale-Hubbell’s peer review rating system 中的最高表现级别，并获选包括进 2006-2008，以及2016年的密歇根超级律师®列表 Trentacosta 先生被列入于2006年版的钱伯斯美国:美国领先的商业律师,并被他的同行列入2010 – 2013 版在商业诉讼领域的美国最好律师®。他被密歇根律师周报评选为25位领衔律师之一，并在商业法律和商业诉讼领域由DBusiness杂志提名入2011年的顶级律师名单。
Trentacosta先生是一位受尊敬和多产的作者,他曾是“密歇根合同法”的编辑和贡献作者 (法律继续教育学院, 1998年)，“密歇根法律文件—统一商法典”的合著者和一般编辑 (律师合作出版,1995年)。
他还在关于美国统一商法典的问题和商业诉讼方面发表了多篇文章，包括：
- “你所不知道的…会伤害你”，制造业领导期刊（2014年4月）
- “无限期持续合同的风险和策略”，密歇根商法期刊 （2012年秋季）
- 知识产权拔河比赛”，供应管理内部，第22卷第4号 （2011年5月）
- “美国统一商业商法典2-615项下的商业无法实施和公平分配”，密歇根律师协会期刊 （2010年11月）
- “起草有效的担保条款”，供应管理内部，第21卷第8号 （2010年8月）
- “处理陷入财务困境的供应商”，材料处理管理 （2010年7月）
- “在困境中重组：成功合同谈判的策略”，非盈利世界，第28卷第3号（2010年五月六月）
- “更新：严重经济衰退时期对美国统一商法典下足够履行保证的需求”，密歇根商法期刊，第29卷第三期 （2009年秋季）
- “饱受诟病的采购订单：问题，策略和解决方案”，密歇根律师协会期刊 (2007年5月)
- “供应合同中的技术和知识产权”，OESA供应新闻 （2007年3月）
- “对美国统一商法典下足够履行保证的需求”，密歇根商法期刊，第23卷第1期（2003年春季）
- “违反合同情况下的损害赔偿”，密歇根律师协会期刊 （1997年10月）
- “密歇根法年度调查，商业交易和合同”，韦恩法律评论，第42卷第2A号（1996年）
- “密歇根法年度调查，商业交易和合同”，韦恩法律评论，第41卷第2A号（1995年）
- “美国统一商法典第二条下的合同的履行和违反”，密歇根律师协会期刊（1995年6月）
- “合同起草与诉讼问题”，密歇根律师协会（1993年7月）
- “与外部诉讼律师建立一个更有效率和效力的关系”，密歇根商法期刊，第十四卷第4期（1992年7月）
- “起草采购合同和其他销售文件”，密歇根商法七款，第十四卷第3期（1992年5月）
- “第二条 保证和保证免责声明”，密歇根律师协会期刊 （1991年3月）
- “UCC 2 302 商业环境下的显失公平”，密歇根商业法律期刊，第12卷第4期（1989年10月）
- “美国统一商法典 第二条法则下的最近的问题”，第6卷第2期 （1988年9月）
- “计算机供应商和客户之间的商业诉讼”，密歇根律师协会期刊 （1987年6月）
- “保护内审和披露中的关键性自我分析”，密歇根法律协会期刊（1986年8月）
由Trentacosta先生代理的典型案件包括：
- Whitesell Corporation vs. Whirlpool Corporation （美国密歇根西部地区法院） – 代表Whirlpool Corporation在涉及大约1亿美元的合同纠纷
- Intier Automotive Seating of America vs. Camaco LLC （仲裁）代表Camaco 在关于原材料价格上涨的汽车供应商的纠纷。为Camaco获得价值大约1千5百万的裁定。
- Nartron vs. TI Group Automotive （密歇根州法院）–代表TI汽车集团技术和商业秘密挪用索赔案件。索要赔偿总额1千5百万。获得了成功的商业解决方案。
- Hesco Corporation vs. Visteon Corporation （美国肯塔基州西部地区法院）– 代表Visteon超过2千万争议的有关合同和反垄断的案件。获得有利于Visteon的即决审判判决。
- American Axle vs. Visteon Corporation （仲裁和密歇根州法院）– 代表Visteon Corporation一系列总额超过7千5百万的合同纠纷案件。仲裁裁定获得寻求金额的一部分。
- Infinite Learning vs. Textron（密歇根州立法院和仲裁）– 代表Textron 总诉求超过1百万的诉讼。在审判直接判决中获胜。
- Powerhouse Marks vs. Wal-Mart（美国密歇根州东部地区法院）–代表Wal-Mart在Lanham法案4千8百万的商标侵权诉求。获得有利Wal-Mart的即决审判判决。
- Dow Chemical vs. General Electric （美国密歇根州东部地区法院）– 代表General Electric与Dow Chemical大约5千万的合同诉讼案件。案件在开庭审理第一周后获得有利解决。
- Whirlpool Corporation vs. Ispat Inland （密歇根法院）代表Whirlpool Corporation与其主要钢材供应商的9千万合同诉讼。获得防止Ispat Inland在双方供应合同下终止发货的禁令救济。该案件被《华尔街日报》报道。
- TI Automotive Group vs. Millennium Industries （仲裁）– 代表TI Automotive的合同纠纷。在仲裁程序中为TI Automotive获得大约1百万的裁定。
- Anson Stamping vs. Johnson Controls （美国肯塔基州西部地区法院）– 代表Johnson Controls的2千万合同纠纷。即决审判获胜。
- Miller Tool vs. Johnson Controls （美国密歇根州东部地区法院）– 代表Johnson Controls的1百万合同纠纷。在陪审团审判中为Johnson Controls 获得全额判决。
Representative Experience
John has handled complex contract, UCC, and supply chain counseling and multi-million dollar litigation for numerous automotive and manufacturing companies, including:
- Autoliv ASP, Inc.
- BorgWarner, Inc.
- Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
- Brose North America, Inc.
- Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc.
- Freudenberg North America
- General Electric Consumer & Industrial
- Harman International Industries, Inc.
- Hella Corporate Center USA, Inc.
- Inteva Products
- Johnson Controls, Inc.
- Kautex North America
- Kongsberg Automotive, Inc.
- Lear Corporation
- Nemak, S.A.
- Nexteer Automotive Corporation
- Pirelli North America, Inc.
- Textron Inc.
- TI Automotive
- Tower International
- Vari-Form Inc.
- Veoneer US, Inc
- Visteon Corporation
- Walbro LLC
- Whirlpool Corporation
- Williams International
- ZF Steering Systems LLC
Awards and Recognition
John was recently recognized by JD Supra’s 2022 Readers Choice Awards in the Transportation category as one of the top ten authors writing about transportation on JD Supra during 2021. John was also recognized by the National Law Review as a 2021 Go-To Thought Leader in the area of “Transportation Law.” In 2017, John was awarded the Stephen H. Schulman Outstanding Business Lawyer Award by the State Bar of Michigan Business Law Section. John was also named to BTI Consulting Group’s coveted Client Service All-Star Team in 2017. This honor is bestowed upon individual attorneys who deliver outstanding client service according to corporate counsel interviewed at large organization with $1 billion or more in revenue. John has over 35 years of commercial, contract, and supply chain litigation experience. Having published three books in this area, he is recognized as one of Michigan’s leading experts in Article Two of the Uniform Commercial Code involving commercial transactions. In 2010, he was named a BTI Client Service All-Star, an elite group of attorneys nominated solely and exclusively by clients in BTI’s independent study as delivering the absolute best in client service. In addition, John has been peer review rated as AV Preeminent®, the highest performance rating in Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ system and was selected for inclusion in the 2006 and 2008 – 2021 Michigan Super Lawyers® lists for business litigation. John is listed in the 2006 edition of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business and has been selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© since 2010 in the field of commercial litigation. He was named one of the 25 Leaders in the Law by Michigan Lawyers Weekly and also was named to DBusiness magazine’s 2011 list of Top Lawyers in the areas of commercial law and commercial litigation. For over 30 years, John has been recognized as an expert in automotive and manufacturing supply chain law, having published several books on the topic and lectured at universities in the US, Hong Kong, and Germany.
Affiliations
John is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and has served as chairperson (1995–96) and council member (1990–95) of the Business Law Section. He has served as chairperson of the UCC Committee (1987-98). He is also a member of the American Bar Association, Business Law and Litigation Sections.
Presentations and Publications
Books
A respected and widely published author, John has published four books in the areas of contract, UCC and supply chain law. These books include:
- Michigan Contract Law, Second Edition (Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 2013)
- Michigan Contract Law, (Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 1998)
- Michigan Legal Forms-Uniform Commercial Code (Lawyers Cooperative Publishing, 1995)
- Law of the Automotive and Manufacturing Supply Chain: A Handbook for Success (Foley & Lardner LLP, 2023)
Articles
John has also published numerous articles on UCC issues and commercial litigation:
- “Contracting for International Arbitration in the Global Supply Chain,” Michigan Bar Journal (September 2018)
- “Best Practices for Drafting Supply Chain Contracts,” Michigan Bar Journal (October 2017)
- “Warranty Dispute Litigation,” Michigan Bar Journal (January 2017)
- “Force Majeure Clauses: An ‘Out’ for Suppliers Facing Shortages and Supply Chain Disruptions from West Coast Labor Dispute,” Dashboard Insights (February 2015)
- “Disputes in the Manufacturing Supply Chain: A Primer on Warranty and Disclaimer Law,” Michigan Bar Journal (October 2014)
- “Risks and Strategies with Contracts of Indefinite Duration,” Michigan Business Law Journal (Fall 2012)
- “IP Tug of War,” Inside Supply Management, Vol. 22, No. 4 (May 2011)
- “Commercial Impracticability and Fair Allocation Under UCC 2-615,” Michigan Bar Journal (November 2010)
- “Drafting Effective Warranties,” Inside Supply Management, Vol. 21, No. 8 (August 2010)
- “Dealing with Financially Troubled Suppliers,” Material Handling Management, (July 2010)
- “Restructuring Contracts in Stressful Times: Strategies for Successful Contract Negotiations,” Nonprofit World, Vol. 28, No. 3 (May/June 2010)
- “Update: Demands for Adequate Assurance of Performance Under the UCC in a Major Economic Downturn,” The Michigan Business Law Journal, Vol. 29, Issue 3 (Fall 2009)
- “The Much-Maligned Purchase Order: Issues, Strategies, and Solutions,” Michigan Bar Journal (May 2007)
- “Technology and Intellectual Property in Supplier Contracts: Risks and Strategies,” OESA Supplier News (March 2007)
- “Demand for Adequate Assurance of Performance Under the UCC,” The Michigan Business Law Journal, Vol. XXIII, Issue 1 (Spring 2003)
- “Damages in Breach of Contract Cases,” Michigan Bar Journal (October 1997)
- “Annual Survey of Michigan Law, Commercial Transactions and Contracts,” The Wayne Law Review, Vol. 42, No. 2A (1996)
- “Annual Survey of Michigan Law, Commercial Transactions and Contracts,” The Wayne Law Review, Vol. 41, No. 2A (1995)
- “Performance and Breach of Contracts Under UCC Article 2,” Michigan Bar Journal (June 1995)
- “Drafting and Litigation Issues in Contract Formation,” Michigan Bar Journal (July 1993)
- “Establishing a More Efficient and Effective Relationship with Outside Litigation Counsel,” The Michigan Business Law Journal, Vol. XIV, Issue 4 (July 1992)
- “Drafting Purchase Orders and Other Documents of Sale,” The Michigan Business Law Journal, Vol. XIV, Issue 3 (May 1992)
- “Article 2 Warranties and Warranty Disclaimers,” Michigan Bar Journal (March 1991)
- “UCC 2302 Unconscionability in a Commercial Setting,” The Michigan Business Law Journal, Vol. XII, Issue 4 (October 1989)
- “Uniform Commercial Code Recent Issues in Article 2 Law,” The Michigan Business Law Journal, Vol. XI, Issue 2 (September 1988)
- “Commercial Litigation Between Computer Vendors and Customers,” Michigan Bar Journal (June 1987)
- “Protecting Internal Review and Critical Self Analysis from Disclosure,” Michigan Bar Journal (August 1986)
Academic Experience
John served on the Advisory Board for the Supply and Value Chain Center, Quinlan School of Business (MBA), Loyola University-Chicago.
John has lectured at major business schools, law schools and trade associations on legal issues and strategies in the manufacturing supply chain, including:
- Michigan State University Executive MBA Program
- University of Michigan School of Law
- Shue Yan University – Hong Kong
- Loyola University Quinlan School of Business
- Indiana University-South Bend
- Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA)
- National Association of Purchasing Managers (NAPM)
- Institute of Supply Chain Management (ISM)
Foley Partners Author Automotive and Manufacturing Supply Chain Handbook
Foley Automotive Report
