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 has served as Co-Chair of the firm’s Litigation Department.
- 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)
Education
- University of Michigan Law School ( J.D., 1971)
- College of the Holy Cross, (A.B., 1968)
- Undergraduate studies included a year in Vienna, Austria
Professional Associations
- Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
- Admitted, State Bar of Michigan
- Past President , Eastern District of Michigan Chapter of the Federal Bar Association
- Member, Metropolitan Detroit Bar Association
- Member, Oakland County Bar Association
- Member, American Bar Association
- Past President, Michigan Defense Trial Counsel
- Member, Defense Research Institute
- Products Liability Advisory Council
- "Excellence in Defense Award," Michigan Defense Trial Counsel (2010)
- “America’s Leading Business Lawyers - Litigation: General Commercial,” Chambers USA (2006-2010)
- “The Best Lawyers in America,” (1997-2011)
- “Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit,” dBusiness (2010-2011)
- “Super Lawyer,” Michigan Super Lawyers (2006-2010)
- 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.
- National Institute for Trial Advocacy faculty (NITA)
- Panel member and presenter for Original Equipment Supplier Association (OESA) programs related to product liability, NHTSA and supply chain issues.