Ed Kronk focuses his practice on commercial litigation, product liability defense and automotive regulatory compliance counseling. He has represented automotive suppliers in various courts, and in arbitrations, and has tried cases to conclusion in state and federal courts in Michigan, California, Utah, South Carolina, New Jersey, Nebraska and Mississippi. Mr. Kronk is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, and was named in “America’s Leading Business Lawyers – General Commercial Litigation” by Chambers USA, “Top Lawyers” by dBusiness, and “The Best Lawyers in America.” He is a graduate of The University of Michigan Law School (J.D., 1971).
Before joining Brooks Wilkins Sharkey & Turco, he was a shareholder at Butzel Long and had served as Co-Chair of the firm’s Litigation Department.
Recent Experience Includes:
- Counseling U.S. and foreign based automotive suppliers regarding NHTSA compliance and recalls
- Regional counsel representation of leading tire manufacturer in product liability/personal injury cases
- Representation of major Tier One automotive suppliers in litigation of price disputes involving potential manufacturing plant shut downs
- Representation of major Tier One automotive suppliers in arbitration and litigation of eight-figure warranty and recall disputes with automotive OEMs
- Representation of major Tier One automotive chassis component supplier in defense of ABS product liability litigation on national basis
- Obtained a summary disposition for the manufacturer in a product liability suit alleging a tire failure (Michigan)
- Obtained summary judgment for an automotive component supplier in product liability suit (Mississippi)
Bar Admissions:
- Michigan
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court Central District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court District of Nebraska
- U.S. District Court District of South Carolina
- U.S. Court of Appeals Federal Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit
Education:
- The University of Michigan Law School (J.D 1971), Ann Arbor, Michigan
- College of the Holy Cross (A.B. 1968, Major: Political Science), Worcester, Massachusetts
- Undergraduate studies included a year in Vienna, Austria.
Professional Associations:
- Member, Past President, Federal Bar Association, Eastern District of Michigan Chapter
- Member, Oakland County Bar Association.
- Member, Past President, Michigan Defense Trial Counsel
- Member, Products Liability Advisory Council
- Panel Member, Original Equipment Supplier Association (OESA)
Honors & Awards:
- Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
- "Excellence in Defense Award," Michigan Defense Trial Counsel, 2010
- "America's Leading Business Lawyers - Litigation: General Commercial", Chambers USA; From 2006 To 2012
- "The Best Lawyers in America"; From 1997 To 2012
- "Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit" dBusiness; From 2010 To 2012
- "Super Lawyer," Michigan Super Lawyers; From 2006 To 2012
Past Employment Positions:
Speaking Engagements/Authored Works:
- Panel member and presenter, Product Liability, NHTSA and Supply Chain Issues; Original Equipment Supplier Association (OESA)
- Substantial teaching experience with the Michigan Institute for Continuing Legal Education, including lecturing on product liability, federal civil practice and evidence, as well as participating as a faculty member in the ICLE trial advocacy program
- Faculty, National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA)
- Practice Manual for the United States District Courts, Eastern District of Michigan (Co-Editor, 1984 and 1987 Editions) Detroit Chapter, Federal Bar Association.
