Justin M. Croniser represents corporations, officers, and employees in complex commercial litigation and class-action litigation in state and federal trial courts throughout the United States. Justin handles a wide variety of litigation matters, including contracts, fraud, insurance bad faith, tort claims, business torts, and compliance with government regulations. Justin also has considerable experience in reviewing banks’ underwriting practices and procedures and evaluating claims made under closing protection letters (also known as CPLs and insured closing letters). Further, Justin counsels his clients on cybersecurity, data privacy, and data breach management issues.

Justin also has considerable experience in crisis management and communications from his prior work as a police officer and public information officer (“PIO”) for the Gallatin, Tennessee Police Department. Justin addressed all sorts of incidents in the city, from noise violations to an active shooter situation. As the department’s PIO, Justin handled media inquiries for the department, answering questions on topics ranging from crime prevention tips to bank robberies and murders. Justin was awarded the department’s Community Service Award in 2003.

• Represented Fortune 500 company in a week-long trial in Summit County, Ohio Common Pleas Court, involving allegations of mortgage fraud. Trial court granted a directed verdict to Fortune 500 company, resulting in a complete dismissal of all claims against his client.
• Represented title insurer in multi-million dollar class action lawsuit involving alleged violations of the State of Washington’s Consumer Protection Act in King County, Washington Superior Court. Trial court found title insurer not liable following three-day bench trial.
• Represented client in confidential investigation conducted by a state agency. State agency subsequently closed its investigation without filing charges or assessing any fine.
• Represented title insurers in two multi-million dollar lawsuits involving alleged breaches of closing protection letters in two Michigan state courts. Obtained favorable settlement for clients.
• Represented national real estate company in disputes with franchisees regarding unauthorized use of the company’s trademarks and violations of the franchise agreements. Obtained favorable settlements for client.
• Represented tool company in theft of trade secrets case where former employees took the company’s client lists and strategies. Obtained a permanent injunction prohibiting the former employees from utilizing the company’s client lists and strategies.
• Represented dental company in several cases involving non-compete agreements and theft of trade secret claims. Obtained favorable settlements for client.
• Counseled client on updating cybersecurity and data security policies and procedures in response to a vendor assessment conducted by one of the client’s main customers.
• Carter v. Welles-Bowen Realty, Inc., 735 F.3d 722 (6th Cir. 2013). The appellate court affirmed trial court’s decision that the defendants satisfied the safe harbor requirement of 12 U.S.C. § 2607 and that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s policy statement regarding affiliated business arrangements was not entitled to deference.

• Croniser Elected to Shaker Lakes Board
  October 13, 2017
• Croniser, Pascoe & Smola Elected to Partnership at Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP
  January 20, 2015
• Kelly Kosek and Justin Croniser Listed in “Going Places.”
  July 30, 2007