Dr. Nicholas Wittner

Professor

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Biography

Professor Nicholas Wittner has extensive experience in product liability law and litigation, having served 20 years as assistant general counsel at Nissan North America and 11 years at General Motors. He has managed complex nationwide product liability lawsuits and has been deeply involved in legal matters related to safety and environmental compliance across various regions. Professor Wittner is a recognized expert in autonomous vehicles and has actively participated in professional associations such as the American Bar Association, where he held leadership roles in the Section of Litigation and co-chaired the Products Liability Committee. He has contributed to the American Law Institute's Restatement of Products Liability and chaired the Product Liability Advisory Council. As a speaker, he has presented at numerous national conferences on legal issues surrounding advanced automated technologies. Academically, Professor Wittner has taught various courses related to civil procedure and product liability at Michigan State University College of Law, and he has published extensively on these topics. He earned his undergraduate degree with high honors from Michigan State University and graduated cum laude from Wayne State University Law School, where he was a member of the Wayne Law Review. His research interests and teachings focus on the intricacies of product liability law, including the challenges presented by autonomous vehicle regulation and international civil litigation practice.

Experience

Professor

2000-01-01 — Present

Michigan State University College of Law • East Lansing, MI

Teaching courses on product liability and civil procedures, focusing on practical skills and the latest legal developments.

Assistant General Counsel

1980-01-01 — 2000-01-01

Nissan North America • USA

Managed product liability litigation and compliance with safety and environmental regulations.

Executive Attorney

1969-01-01 — 1980-01-01

General Motors • USA

Oversaw nationwide product liability litigation and advised on complex legal matters.

Courses

Product Liability Law Practice Advanced Civil Procedure Automated Vehicles Law Advanced Product Liability seminar International Civil Litigation Civil Litigation for Foreign-Educated Lawyers

Requirements for Michigan State University College of Law

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.73
TOEFL
Listening
Required:17
Reading
Required:17
Writing
Required:17
Speaking
Required:17
Total
Required:79
IELTS
Listening
Required:6
Reading
Required:6
Writing
Required:6
Speaking
Required:6
Overall
Required:6.5
Duolingo
Overall Score
Required:110
Overall
Required:110
PTE
Listening
Required:48
Reading
Required:48
Writing
Required:48
Speaking
Required:48
Overall
Required:53
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from a 4-year accredited institution
Application Checklist
  • LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS) registration
  • LSAT Score (Valid within 5 years)
  • Official Transcripts
  • Personal Statement (2-3 pages)
  • Professional Resume
  • Two letters of recommendation (up to four accepted)
  • Application Fee ($75)
  • Character & Fitness Disclosures
Specialization Notes

The Juris Doctor (JD) is the primary professional degree. Admission is based on LSAT scores, academic record, and professional accomplishments. Median LSAT for Fall 2025 was 162.