Charles J. Cronan IV (Mike)
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.
Hospital/Medical Staff Credentialing and Peer Review Issues
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
Managing Partner, 1994-97
Health Care Service Group, Past Chair
Office of General Counsel
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)
cum laude
University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law
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Editor in Chief, Journal of Family Law
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Delta Theta Phi, Outstanding Senior Award
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Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society
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Outstanding Navy Graduate
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Naval Institute Award
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Reserve Officers Association Award
Wesleyan University
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.
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.
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®(2007-24)
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 (2004-23)
Benchmark Litigation Magazine, Litigation Star (2008, 2009, 2013-25)
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)
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.
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.
. . . one of the greatest resources we have . . . value his counsel on a wide variety of matters.
. . . an outstanding litigator who is fantastic in the courtroom.
. . . an incredibly safe pair of hands.
Benchmark Litigation 2025 Honors 14 Stites & Harbison Attorneys
The 2025 edition of Benchmark Litigation names 11 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys as “Litigation Stars” and three as “Future Stars” in Kentucky. The guide honors the firms and attorneys who have demonstrated the ability to consistently handle complex, high-stakes cases in multiple jurisdictions.
Chambers USA Honors 25 Stites & Harbison Attorneys for 2024
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Chambers USA selected 25 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in Kentucky and Tennessee for inclusion in their 2024 guide. The Chambers USA guide ranks the top law firms and leading attorneys in the United States.
Kentucky Super Lawyers® Honors 49 Stites & Harbison Attorneys for 2024
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The 2024 edition of Kentucky Super Lawyers® recently honored 49 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in the Covington, Frankfort, Lexington and Louisville, Ky., offices. The publication named 35 attorneys to the Super Lawyers® list and 14 attorneys to the Rising Stars® list.
Benchmark Litigation 2024 Honors 14 Stites & Harbison Attorneys
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The 2024 edition of Benchmark Litigation names 11 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys as “Litigation Stars” and three as “Future Stars” in Kentucky.
Stites & Harbison, PLLC Lawyers Named to 2024 Best Lawyers® Publications
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Stites & Harbison, PLLC is pleased to announce that 101 of its lawyers are included in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.
Chambers USA Honors 25 Stites & Harbison Attorneys for 2023
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Chambers USA selected 25 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in Kentucky and Tennessee for inclusion in their 2023 guide.
Kentucky Super Lawyers Honors 49 Stites & Harbison Attorneys for 2023
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The 2023 edition of Kentucky Super Lawyers recently honored 49 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in the Covington, Frankfort, Lexington and Louisville, Ky., offices. The publication named 37 attorneys to the Super Lawyers list and 12 attorneys to the Rising Stars list.
Benchmark Litigation 2023 Honors 15 Stites & Harbison Attorneys
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The 2023 edition of Benchmark Litigation names 12 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys as “Litigation Stars” and three as “Future Stars” in Kentucky. The guide honors the firms and attorneys who have demonstrated the ability to consistently handle complex, high-stakes cases in multiple jurisdictions.