Mediator Resume

Cronin ADR, LLC – Managing Member

Arbitrator and Mediator

Managing Member, Cronin ADR, LLC, 2025-present; Partner, Smith Katzenstein & Jenkins LLP, 1994-2025; Managing Partner, Smith Katzenstein & Jenkins LLP, 2016-2021; Associate, Smith Katzenstein & Furlow, 1990-1993; Assistant City Solicitor, City of Wilmington, 1988-1990; Deputy Attorney General, State of Delaware, 1985-1988.

Over 35 years of experience in litigating cases in all of Delaware trial courts, the last 25 focused on employment litigation representing both employees and management. Extensive experience litigating wrongful termination cases involving both statutory claims (e.g., discrimination) and breach of contract claims. Also has substantial litigation experience involving non-competition agreements, trade secret claims and unfair competition claims in the Delaware Court of Chancery. In addition to litigation, also regularly provides legal advice and training to companies, executives and health care professionals regarding employment law issues. Practice is unique in Delaware in representing management and employees in equal measure and has been so for most of career in private practice. Has also handled other complex civil litigation including the defense of legal malpractice claims and insurance coverage disputes. Representative cases have included: Title VII retaliation; wrongful termination and defamation; breach of fiduciary duties and contractual claims arising from business dispute alleging unfair competition between former business partners; and non-competition agreement.

Has served as a mediator and represented clients in many mediations in a variety of cases, most involving employment and other commercial disputes.

Enforceability of non-competition agreements; evaluating wrongful discharge cases, including discrimination and contractual claims; reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

I believe that mediation requires a mediator to understand the strengths and weaknesses of both sides so as to assist them in seeing their cases more objectively. A mediator’s role is not to convince either side that they are wrong, but rather, to get them to understand their case from an economic perspective, while recognizing that emotional issues often impact a party’s ability to be objective. As a result, myapproach is to let the parties fully express their views about the case before trying to get them to focus on the economic obstacles to settlement.

Proficient with most online platforms popular for use in virtual hearings, including Zoom and Teams.

College of William & Mary School of Law (JD-1985); Clark University (BA, with High Honors-1981).

Admitted to the Bar: Delaware (1986); U.S. District Court: District of Delaware; U.S. Court of Appeals: 3rd Circuit; United States Supreme Court.

American Bar Association, Member, Labor and Employment and Litigation Sections; Delaware State Bar Association, Member, Labor and Employment and Litigation Sections.

State of Delaware and Western North Carolina.

Hourly Rate: $550.00 Daily Rate: Not provided Study Rate: $550.00/hr Cancellation: Not provided Cancellation Period: Not provided Comment: Reimbursement of costs incurred for online legal research.

English

United States of America

Asheville, North Carolina