Mike Cronan is a Senior Member and former Managing Partner (1994-1997) of the firm. His practice focuses on civil litigation, with emphasis on business and complex litigation, health care law, and alternative dispute resolution.

Capabilities

Practice Areas

Appellate Advocacy Arbitration, Mediation & Alternative Dispute Resolution Business Litigation Class Action, Mass Action & Multi-District Litigation Franchise & Distribution Health Care Health Care - Litigation & Investigations Health Care - Regulatory & Compliance Health Insurance & Managed Care Intellectual Property Litigation Litigation & Appeals Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Litigation Professional Liability Litigation Trade Association Law

Recent News, Articles & Speaking Engagements

Data Breach: Understanding the Risk and Managing a Crisis

Joint presentation by Stites & Harbison and Marsh, Kroll, Stites & Harbison Conference Center, Louisville, Ky., September 21, 2010

Commentary: Comments on social media

Medical News, April 2010

Hospital/Medical Staff Credentialing and Peer Review Issues

Kentucky Health Law, co-author, et al., 5th ed. (2009)

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Recent Assignments

Co-counsel for plaintiff in a successful federal district court Lanham Act lawsuit for infringement of a registered trademark and false designation of origin

Representation of an international company on equipment obsolescence and product liability issues

Conducts internal investigations, reports findings, and provides recommendations to clients relative to the risk of liability to an organization and/or its individuals

Representation of hospital medical staffs and physicians in peer review matters, including successful defense affirmed on Sixth Circuit appeal involving a physician's antitrust lawsuit challenging hospital's denial of his clinical privileges

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Bar Admissions

Kentucky

U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky

Firm Leadership

Managing Partner, 1994-97

Health Care Service Group, Past Chair

Office of General Counsel

Memberships

American Health Lawyers Association

American Bar Association, Health Law Section

American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow

American Society of Medical Association Counsel

Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel

Louisville Bar Association, President, Executive Committee

Kentucky Bar Association

Defense Research Institute

Judicial Nominating Commission for the 30th Judicial Circuit

Kentucky Defense Counsel

Kentucky Bar Foundation, Fellow

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, Life Member

Louis D. Brandeis American Inn of Court, Masters (2018-19 program year)

Community Involvement

Rotary Club of Louisville

GuardiaCare Services, Inc., Chairman of the Board (2001-04)

Holy Spirit Church, President, Parish Council (2000-03)

Citizens for Better Judges, Attorney Steering Committee (1983-Present)

Medical Foundation of the Jefferson County Medical Society, Community Advisor (1983-2006)

Education

J.D., 1970

cum laude

University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law

• Editor in Chief, Journal of Family Law

• Delta Theta Phi, Outstanding Senior Award

• Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society

• Outstanding Navy Graduate

• Naval Institute Award

• Reserve Officers Association Award

B.A., Government, 1967

Wesleyan University

Speaking Engagements and Publications

Over the past 25 years, Mr. Cronan has made dozens of seminar presentations and has written numerous articles and other publications relating to litigation and health care law. He has contributed to chapters in three editions of the University of Kentucky publication, Kentucky Health Care Law.

More Than Stites & Harbison

After graduating from law school in 1970, until 1974 when he joined Stites & Harbison, Mr. Cronan served as a Lieutenant, Judge Advocate General's Corps, USNR, at the law center for the Eleventh Naval District, San Diego, California, and in the Office of Staff Judge Advocate, Commander Cruiser Destroyer Forces, Pacific. Civic and community involvement includes the Rotary Club of Louisville; GuardiaCare Services, Inc. (Chairman of the Board, 2001-2004); Holy Spirit Church (President, Parish Council, 2000-2003); Citizens for Better Judges (Attorney Steering Committee, 1983-Present); and, Medical Foundation of the Jefferson County Medical Society (Community Advisor, 1983-2006), president and member of the executive committee of the Louisville Bar Association, 2012-present. A former volunteer firefighter for many years, Mr. Cronan has a passion for antique fire engines and is the proud owner of a 1956 Maxim Pumper which resides in its own fire house adjacent to his garage.

Accolades

Martindale-Hubbell^® AV-Preeminent^® Peer Review Rated

Best Lawyers in America^®, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Health Care Law, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants (1993-2021)

Best Lawyers in America^®, Louisville Area Lawyer of the Year in Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants (2019)

Best Lawyers in America^®, Louisville Area Lawyer of the Year in Bet-the-Company Litigation (2009, 2013, 2015)

Best Lawyers in America^®, Louisville Area Lawyer of the Year in Health Care Law (2011, 2014)

Kentucky Super Lawyers^®(2007-22)

Kentucky Super Lawyers^®, Top 50 Attorneys in Kentucky (2007-20)

Kentucky Super Lawyers^®, Top 10 Attorneys in Kentucky (2007-19)

Chambers Global, "The World's Leading Lawyers," Leader in their Field (2010, 2011, 2012)

Chambers USA, "America's Leading Lawyers for Business," Litigation: General Commercial (2004-22)

Benchmark Litigation Magazine, Litigation Star (2008, 2009, 2013-23)

Business First of Louisville, Partners in Health Care (2006-2013) (for his vital work for the health care industry)

Louisville Magazine Top Lawyers (2013-16)

Testimonials

“

Charles Cronan is described by peers as "fantastic lawyer and a very talented litigator."He maintains a fantastic reputation for his broad commercial litigation practice and offers particular expertise advising on matters relating to the healthcare industry.

- Chambers Commentary (USA), 2020

“

First-rate. . . "maintains a stellar reputation for his expertise in complex disputes and enjoys a particularly fine track record for his work on healthcare litigation.

- Chambers Commentary (USA), 2016

“

. . . one of the greatest resources we have . . . value his counsel on a wide variety of matters.

- Best Lawyers, client comment

“

. . . an outstanding litigator who is fantastic in the courtroom.

- Chambers USA

“

. . . an incredibly safe pair of hands.

- Chambers USA

Contact Resources

Charles J. Cronan IV (Mike)'s PDF Charles J. Cronan IV (Mike)'s Contact VCF