Ben Crump Winning the - Florida State University College of Law

aviation cases for Cronin in association
with the fi rm—suits against major aircraft
manufacturers and operators from
accidents in places as far ranging as Spain
and Afghanistan. These cases have been
widely reported by the Associated Press,
The Washington Post, The Army Times and
Stars and Stripes, as well as by media in
his hometown of Jacksonville.
Demonstrating his long-term commitment
to this area of legal practice, in
May of 2005 Cronin became one of fewer
than three dozen Florida attorneys who
carry the distinction of being Board Certifi
ed in Aviation Law by The Florida Bar.
Cronin joins fi rm partner Spohrer, and
Florida State law school graduates Chad
Roberts, ’91, and Ed Booth Jr., ’81.
Parallel Focus on
Medical Malpractice
Though aviation law continues to be
a strong concentration for him, Cronin
has built a parallel practice in medical
malpractice—both military and civilian.
His service background led to and
informs his advocacy on behalf of Navy
families who have suffered loss or injury
due to military medical negligence. This
work has been covered by the Associated
Press, profi led in the Navy Times and
was at the core of an investigative series
published by the Florida Times-Union
in Jacksonville. Cronin’s track record of
success and his reputation for going the
distance for these clients continues to
bring him new cases.
Aviation attorney Sean
Cronin at the investigation
of a crash involving
families of his clients
While the number of attorneys in
Florida focusing on medical malpractice
shrinks due to tort reform, Cronin’s
practice continues to grow. He is doggedly
determined to advocate on behalf
of people injured by civilian doctors and
hospitals and approaches the challenges
inherent in these cases with the same
laser focus and steady discipline instilled
in him during his military career. In fact,
‘I wanted to bring my advanced
knowledge of aviation safety to assisting
people who were injured or suffered loss
in the absence of that safety.’
in 2005, Cronin obtained a jury verdict of
$7.165 million in a case against Ormond
Memorial Hospital.
The law fi rm recognized Cronin’s successes
in both aviation law and medical
malpractice in 2003 by making him a
partner. When asked how he has accomplished
so much in what, in the legal fi eld,
is a short time, he said: “ I had the benefi t
of being fairly mature when I came to the
law—my military training and being a
father both made serious contributions to
that. Equally important has been the fi rm
I was fortunate enough to join; the level
of cases they undertake and the powerful
mentoring of Bob Spohrer and Woody
Wilner has been invaluable to my growth
and success as a trial attorney.”
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FSU LAW ■ SPRING 2006