For over 30 years, Bruce A. Truex has provided exceptional legal expertise to businesses across Michigan on a wide range of commercial issues. Mr. Truex possesses vast experience in state and federal courts. He has successfully handled claims involving Uniform Commercial Code, contract disputes, sales commission, warranty, Consumer Protection Act, and commercial construction. Hundreds of businesses have benefited from his abilities, inside and outside the courtroom. Mr. Truex has been with Secrest Wardle since 1976. He became a Partner in 1984 and a Senior Partner in 1988. He currently serves as President and Co-Managing Partner of the Firm. Mr. Truex is Chair of the Firm’s Commercial and Business Law Practice Group. He is also Chair of the Firm’s Employment and Intellectual Property/Advertising Injury Practice Groups and a member of the Firm’s Construction Practice Group.

Mr. Truex defended a notable Uniform Commercial Code case involving a claim for $57,000,000 and the management of six million documents. He has also defended sales commission claims for national and international manufacturers, and advised companies on the necessary documentation to avoid or minimize these claims. Contract claims have involved oral, written, and implied agreements involving agents, partnerships, LLCs, and corporations. Mr. Truex is general counsel for Nexteq, LLC, a gas chromatographic equipment distributor. Smart Business Detroit published an interview of Mr. Truex addressing trade secret protection titled, “Protect Yourself – How Important are Trade Secrets To You?”

Mr. Truex was selected by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as one of 20 Go To Business Lawyers for 2020. From 2018 to 2022, Mr. Truex has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© and for 2022 has been listed in in the Insurance Law, Litigation – Insurance, Prersonal Injury Litigation – Defendants, and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants categories in Troy, Michigan. He has received an AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell for the past 18 years. Mr. Truex was named to Super Lawyers Magazine’s list of Michigan Super Lawyers in 2006, 2007, and 2009 through 2021. He was also named to dbusiness Magazine’s list of Top Lawyers in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2021 in the Environmental Litigation category. Additionally, Mr. Truex was named to the list of Leading Lawyersˢͫ  in 2017, 2021 and 2022. Hour Detroit selected Mr. Truex as a Top Attorney for 2020. Mr. Truex is also an active member of the Council on Litigation Management.

Mr. Truex earned his Juris Doctor from Wayne State University Law School (cum laude) and received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Western Michigan University, majoring in Personnel Management (cum laude, Omicron Delta Kappa). He also graduated from the Insurance Counsel Trial Academy. He is admitted to practice law in the State of Michigan, United States District Court, Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan, Eastern District of Wisconsin, and United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

Mr. Truex is an active member of the following associations:

• American Bar Association – Environmental Litigation and Business Law Sections
• State Bar of Michigan – Environmental Litigation, Intellectual Property Law, and Negligence Law Sections
• International Association of Defense Counsel
• Defense Research Institute
• Michigan Defense Trial Counsel
• Claims and Litigation Management Alliance

Bruce A. Truex is highly experienced in providing legal services to clients in the construction industry. He has expertly represented entities in complex commercial construction matters as well as personal injury lawsuits for over 30 years. Additionally, Mr. Truex is proficient in dealing with industry standards governing construction safety, best practices, and environmental regulations affecting job sites. Mr. Truex has been with Secrest Wardle since 1976. He became a Partner in 1984 and a Senior Partner in 1988. He currently serves as President and Co-Managing Partner of the Firm. Mr. Truex also acts as Chair of the Firm’s Environmental and Toxic Tort, Product Liability, Commercial and Business Law, and Intellectual Property/Advertising Injury Practice Groups.

Mr. Truex notably defended a construction defect lawsuit concerning the reskinning of a 40-story building. This case involved the management of six million documents and a demand of $57 million. He has also successfully represented clients in personal injury construction cases involving falls, crush injuries, and a failure to follow applicable statutes, regulations, and standards. Additionally, he has defended contractual disputes between owners, general contractors, and sub-contractors as well as claims for indemnity. He recently resolved a multi-million dollar contractual dispute with a construction defect claim involving the owner, general contractor, architect, engineer, and nine subcontractors.

From 2018 to 2022, Mr. Truex has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© and for 2022 has been listed in in the Insurance Law, Litigation – Insurance, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants categories in Troy, Michigan. He has received an AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell for the past 18 years. Mr. Truex was named to Super Lawyers Magazine’s list of Michigan Super Lawyers in 2006, 2007, and 2009 through 2021. He was also named to dbusiness Magazine’s list of Top Lawyers in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2021 in the Environmental Litigation category. Additionally, Mr. Truex was named to the list of Leading Lawyersˢͫ  in 2017, 2021 and 2022. Mr. Truex is also an active member of the Council on Litigation Management. He serves as general counsel for Nexteq, LLC, a gas chromatographic equipment distributor.

Mr. Truex earned his Juris Doctor from Wayne State University Law School (cum laude) and received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Western Michigan University, majoring in Personnel Management (cum laude, Omicron Delta Kappa). He also graduated from the Insurance Counsel Trial Academy. He is admitted to practice law in the State of Michigan, United States District Court, Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan, Eastern District of Wisconsin, and United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

Mr. Truex is an active member of the following associations:

• American Bar Association – Environmental Litigation and Business Law Sections
• State Bar of Michigan – Environmental Litigation, Intellectual Property Law, and Negligence Law Sections
• International Association of Defense Counsel
• Defense Research Institute
• Michigan Defense Trial Counsel
• Claims and Litigation Management Alliance

Having managed the Firm’s Employment Law Practice Group since its inception, Bruce A. Truex has a wealth of experience providing legal solutions to businesses’ employment issues. Mr. Truex has handled state and federal discrimination claims involving age discrimination, sex discrimination, at-will employment/wrongful termination, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Mr. Truex has been with Secrest Wardle since 1976. He became a Partner in 1984 and a Senior Partner in 1988. He currently serves as President and Co-Managing Partner of the Firm. Mr. Truex also acts as Chair of the Firm’s Commercial and Business Law and Intellectual Property/Advertising Injury Practice Groups.

Mr. Truex is the author of “Michigan Employer’s Guide: Hiring, Managing & Terminating Employees.” He also presented and co-authored, “A Small Business Needs Employment Practices Liability Insurance,” at Farm Bureau Insurance Company’s Annual Michigan Sales Meeting. An interview of Mr. Truex addressing trade secret protection was published in Smart Business Detroit under the title, “Protect Yourself – How Important are Trade Secrets To You?”  He was interviewed again in November 2009 by Smart Business Detroit, which published his comments in an article titled “Layoff Litigation-How To Avoid Discrimination Litigation When Downsizing.”

From 2018 to 2022, Mr. Truex has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© and for 2022 has been listed in in the Insurance Law, Litigation – Insurance, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants categories in Troy, Michigan. He has received an AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell for the past 18 years. Mr. Truex was named to Super Lawyers Magazine’s list of Michigan Super Lawyers in 2006, 2007, and 2009 through 2021. He was also named to dbusiness Magazine’s list of Top Lawyers in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020 and in 2021 in the Environmental Litigation category. Additionally, Mr. Truex was named to the list of Leading Lawyersˢͫ  in 2017, 2021 and 2022. Mr. Truex is also an active member of the Council on Litigation Management. He serves as general counsel for Nexteq, LLC, a gas chromatographic equipment distributor.

Mr. Truex earned his Juris Doctor from Wayne State University Law School (cum laude) and received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Western Michigan University, majoring in Personnel Management (cum laude, Omicron Delta Kappa). He also graduated from the Insurance Counsel Trial Academy. He is admitted to practice law in the State of Michigan, United States District Court, Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan, Eastern District of Wisconsin, and United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

Mr. Truex is an active member of the following associations:

• American Bar Association – Environmental Litigation and Business Law Sections
• State Bar of Michigan – Environmental Litigation, Intellectual Property Law, and Negligence Law Sections
• International Association of Defense Counsel
• Defense Research Institute
• Michigan Defense Trial Counsel
• Claims and Litigation Management Alliance

Bruce A. Truex has actively defended toxic tort and pollution cases at the trial and appellate level for over 25 years. Mr. Truex has successfully handled environmental claims involving lead, mold, underground storage tanks, metalworking fluids, Freon and formaldehyde, as well as waste site and CERCLA claims. He has also defended numerous pollution and toxic tort class actions involving claims of personal injury, real and personal property damage, mental anguish, and diminution of real property arising from the alleged emission of chemicals, pollutants, vapors, and contaminants from processing and manufacturing facilities. Mr. Truex has been with Secrest Wardle since 1976. He became a Partner in 1984 and a Senior Partner in 1988. He currently serves as President and Co-Managing Partner of the Firm. Mr. Truex also acts as Chair of the Firm’s Environmental and Toxic Tort and Product Liability Practice Groups. While managing the Firm’s Environmental Practice Group, attorney Truex gained extensive experience in handling mass litigation, including computerized case management and electronic discovery.

Mr. Truex has represented a major insecticide and pesticide manufacturer in state and federal courts throughout Michigan for over 20 years. He has served as a member of the Midwest Environmental Claims Managers Association (MECA), and presented an informative lecture titled, “Investigation and Defense of Lead Paint Claims,” to this group. He wrote and presented, Introduction to Mold, and is the author of Mold Caused Neurological Injuries: Fact or Fiction, A Change In The Wind A $1,000,000 Welding Rod Verdict. He is co-author of Practical Aspects of Handling Mold Claims. Mr. Truex has authored numerous seminar materials in the areas of environmental law, product liability, and toxic tort. He has also served as a lecturer and moderator at the Institute of Continuing Legal Education’s Product Liability Seminar and has been a Mediator for the Wayne County Mediation Tribunal.

From 2018 to 2022, Mr. Truex has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© and for 2022 has been listed in in the Insurance Law, Litigation – Insurance, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants categories in Troy, Michigan. He has received an AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell for the past 18 years. Mr. Truex was named to Super Lawyers Magazine’s list of Michigan Super Lawyers in 2006, 2007, and 2009 through 2021. He was also named to dbusiness Magazine’s list of Top Lawyers in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020 and in 2021 in the Environmental Litigation category. Additionally, Mr. Truex was named to the list of Leading Lawyersˢͫ  in 2017, 2021 and 2022. Mr. Truex is also an active member of the Council on Litigation Management. He serves as general counsel for Nexteq, LLC, a gas chromatographic equipment distributor.

Mr. Truex earned his Juris Doctor from Wayne State University Law School (cum laude) and received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Western Michigan University, majoring in Personnel Management (cum laude, Omicron Delta Kappa). He also graduated from the Insurance Counsel Trial Academy. He is admitted to practice law in the State of Michigan, United States District Court, Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan, Eastern District of Wisconsin, and United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

Mr. Truex is an active member of the following associations:

• American Bar Association – Environmental Litigation and Business Law Sections
• State Bar of Michigan – Environmental Litigation, Intellectual Property Law, and Negligence Law Sections
• International Association of Defense Counsel
• Defense Research Institute
• Michigan Defense Trial Counsel
• Claims and Litigation Management Alliance

Over the past 20 years, Mr. Truex has defended a wide range of intellectual property and advertising injury claims in all state and federal courts in Michigan. These cases have involved intellectual property issues such as copyright, trademark, trade dress and trade secret disputes, as well as advertising injury actions involving defamation, false advertising, and comparative advertising. Mr. Truex serves as President and Co-Managing Partner of Secrest Wardle and currently acts as Chair of the Firm’s Intellectual Property/Advertising Injury, Commercial and Business Law, Employment, Environmental and Toxic Tort, and Product Liability Practice Groups. He is also a member of the Firm’s Construction Practice Group.

Among the most significant copyright cases Mr. Truex has successfully defended was a $40 million lawsuit that was settled for a nominal figure while motions for summary disposition were still pending. He has also successfully defended various trademark, trade dress, and service mark actions, including a $20 million lawsuit filed by a major automobile manufacturer. Mr. Truex has defended trade secret lawsuits that include cases of misappropriation of trade secrets and proprietary information, violation of the Uniform Trade Secrets Act, and breach of confidentiality agreements.

In addition to defending actions in the courtroom, Mr. Truex advises the Firm’s clients regarding the selection of trademarks and service marks and prosecutes trademark registrations. He assists clients in avoiding trade secrets litigation by drafting employee agreements and preparing policies and procedures that protect confidential information. Mr. Truex authored and presented, “Intellectual Property Aspects of Automotive Design,” to HYUNDAI’s engineers and designers in Pasadena, California. He was interviewed by Smart Business Detroit, which published his comments in an article titled, “Protect Yourself – How Important Are Trade Secrets To You?”  Mr. Truex is general counsel for Nexteq, LLC, a gas chromatographic equipment distributor.

From 2018 to 2022, Mr. Truex has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© and for 2022 has been listed in in the Insurance Law, Litigation – Insurance, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants categories in Troy, Michigan. He has received an AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell for the past 18 years. Mr. Truex was named to Super Lawyers Magazine’s list of Michigan Super Lawyers in 2006, 2007, and 2009 through 2021. He was also named to dbusiness Magazine’s list of Top Lawyers in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020 and in 2021 in the Environmental Litigation category. Additionally, Mr. Truex was named to the list of Leading Lawyersˢͫ  in 2017, 2021 and 2022. Mr. Truex is also an active member of the Council on Litigation Management.

Mr. Truex earned his Juris Doctor from Wayne State University Law School (cum laude) and received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Western Michigan University, majoring in Personnel Management (cum laude, Omicron Delta Kappa). He also graduated from the Insurance Counsel Trial Academy. He is admitted to practice law in the State of Michigan, United States District Court, Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan, Eastern District of Wisconsin, and United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

Mr. Truex is an active member of the following associations:

• American Bar Association – Environmental Litigation and Business Law Sections
• State Bar of Michigan – Environmental Litigation, Intellectual Property Law, and Negligence Law Sections
• International Association of Defense Counsel
• Defense Research Institute
• Michigan Defense Trial Counsel
• Claims and Litigation Management Alliance

For over 30 years, Bruce A. Truex has successfully defended product liability actions in all state and federal courts in Michigan. He has tried lawsuits alleging design defects, manufacturing defects, failure to warn, improper labeling and warnings, and violations of safety statutes and industry standards. In addition to his trial successes, Mr. Truex has resolved numerous product liability cases through alternative dispute resolution, arbitration, and facilitation. His vast experience encompasses lawsuits involving a wide variety of products, including industrial equipment, air bags and seat belts, pesticides and insecticides, aerosols, consumer products, toys, flammable products, construction materials, and automotive parts and accessories. Mr. Truex serves as President and Co-Managing Partner of Secrest Wardle. He currently serves as Chair of the Firm’s Product Liability, Commercial and Business Law, Employment, Environmental and Toxic Tort, and Intellectual Property/Advertising Injury Practice Groups. He is also a member of the Firm’s Construction Practice Group.

Mr. Truex has also advised businesses and organizations on how to minimize liability through the proper use of labels and warnings. He presented a seminar titled, “Issue Recognition – Products Liability Claims,” and has served as a lecturer and moderator for the Institute for Continuing Legal Education Product Liability Seminar. He co-presented, “Developing an Effective Litigation Plan For Your Company,” in Taipei, Taiwan, to various Asian product manufacturers. Mr. Truex also serves as general counsel for Nexteq, LLC, a gas chromatographic equipment distributor.

From 2018 to 2022, Mr. Truex has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© and for 2022 has been listed in in the Insurance Law, Litigation – Insurance, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants categories in Troy, Michigan. He has received an AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell for the past 18 years. Mr. Truex was named to Super Lawyers Magazine’s list of Michigan Super Lawyers in 2006, 2007, and 2009 through 2021. He was also named to dbusiness Magazine’s list of Top Lawyers in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020 and in 2021 in the Environmental Litigation category. Additionally, Mr. Truex was named to the list of Leading Lawyersˢͫ  in 2017, 2021 and 2022. Mr. Truex is also an active member of the Council on Litigation Management.

Mr. Truex earned his Juris Doctor from Wayne State University Law School (cum laude) and received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Western Michigan University, majoring in Personnel Management (cum laude, Omicron Delta Kappa). He also graduated from the Insurance Counsel Trial Academy. He is admitted to practice law in the State of Michigan, United States District Court, Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan, Eastern District of Wisconsin, and United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

Mr. Truex is an active member of the following associations:

• American Bar Association – Environmental Litigation and Business Law Sections
• State Bar of Michigan – Environmental Litigation, Intellectual Property Law, and Negligence Law Sections
• International Association of Defense Counsel
• Defense Research Institute
• Michigan Defense Trial Counsel
• Claims and Litigation Management Alliance