Frank Manchisi focuses his practice on the defense of domestic and foreign manufacturers and insurance carriers. He helped build and now leads the firm’s highly regarded Product Liability, Prevention & Government Compliance practice. Frank has practiced at Wilson Elser throughout his career and served on the Executive Committee from 2013−2017.

For more than 25 years, Frank has served as national product liability counsel to manufacturers of boats and boat components. He also currently serves as national counsel to a U.S. manufacturer of swimming pool products and to a Japanese manufacturer of lathes and machining centers. In connection with these and other engagements, Frank has defended a range of products, including pleasure boats and components, swimming pools, water pumping systems, scuba diving equipment, machine tools, cranes, wire rope and cosmetics. He consistently has obtained favorable results for product manufacturers in cases in which he has been defense counsel of record.

Frank also frequently is retained by insurance carriers based in Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway to represent their insured manufacturers in U.S. lawsuits involving products made in Europe and sold in the United States. In such cases, he has achieved a track record of success in obtaining dismissals or summary judgment on lack of jurisdiction grounds and obtaining favorable results in those cases that could not be dismissed by motion. Frank also has counseled European insurers on various coverage issues, including crime insurance.

Frank has twice been named to the BTI Consulting “Client Service All-Star Team,” which recognizes a select group of attorneys each year who are identified by corporate counsel as leaders of client service excellence.

Representative Matters

Argued and won appeal before the Fifth Circuit on behalf of a houseboat manufacturer.
Won defense verdict in Texas state court on behalf of a manufacturer of steering systems for boats.
Won defense verdict in a marina fire case in the Southern District of New York.
Obtained summary judgment in Alabama state court in case in which plaintiff alleged that the propeller of a ski boat should have been guarded.
Obtained summary judgment on behalf of pool filter manufacturer on a successor corporate argument in Suffolk County, NY, state court.

Services

Admiralty & Marine
Europe
Germany
Product Liability, Prevention & Government Compliance
Canada

Admissions

Bars

New York, New Jersey

Courts

Supreme Court of the United States
Supreme Court of New Jersey
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York

Memberships & Affiliations

New York State Bar Association
Maritime Law Association
American Boat & Yacht Council, past member and director, Foundation Board, 1991-1995
National Marine Manufacturers Association

Awards & Distinctions

Named to BTI Consulting “Client Service All Star Team,” 2003 and 2004

Education

Fordham University School of Law, J.D., 1981
Fordham University, B.A., 1977

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