Justin M. Croniser

Partner

Cleveland, OH
D 216.329.0104
justin.croniser@fmglaw.com

Education

  • J.D., Vanderbilt University Law School
  • B.A., The University of Toledo, magna cum laude, with college and departmental honors

Interdisciplinary Teams

Class Actions

Overview

Justin M. Croniser is a Partner in the Cleveland office and represents corporations, officers and employees in complex commercial litigation and class-action lawsuits in state and federal courts across the United States, as well as in arbitration proceedings. With extensive litigation experience, Justin has worked with clients in a wide range of industries, including cryptocurrency exchanges, healthcare insurers and title insurance companies. His practice spans claims involving breach of contract, fraud, insurance bad faith, torts, business torts, noncompete agreements and regulatory compliance.

Justin has served as in-house counsel on secondment for a commercial real estate owner with properties nationwide. During that six-month engagement, he managed a diverse caseload, including pre-litigation demands and lawsuits filed against tenants in courts across the country.

He is a trusted resource within the firms where he has practiced. Justin has served on recruiting and pro bono committees and mentored new associates. He chaired one firm’s recruiting committee for four years and its pro bono committee for three years.

Before practicing law, Justin served more than eight years as a police officer and dispatcher. His background in law enforcement, including work as a public information officer, provides a strong foundation for handling contentious disputes, aggressive opposing counsel and crisis communications.

Bar Admissions

Ohio

Publications & Engagements
Representative Cases & Clients
  • Represented Fortune 100 healthcare insurer in series of payer-provider disputes involving thousands of medical claims. Claims were brought involving hospitals in four different states.
    • Represented Fortune 500 company in a week-long trial in Summit County, Ohio Common Pleas Court, regarding mortgage fraud claims. Trial court granted a directed verdict to his client, resulting in a complete dismissal of all claims.
    • 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 nationwide realtor in disputes with franchisees regarding unauthorized use of trademarks and franchise agreement violations. 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 held that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s policy statement regarding affiliated business arrangements was not entitled to deference.
Awards and Recognition
  • Best Lawyers – 2024