Thomas W. Cranmer is a trial lawyer who concentrates his practice in civil and criminal litigation. With more than 35 years of courtroom experience, his practice focuses on white-collar criminal defense, complex commercial litigation and “bet-the-company” litigation.
He is recognized as one of Michigans leading lawyers. He has been listed in the Top 10 Attorneys in every edition of Michigan Super Lawyers and he has been the highest, second highest or third highest rated attorney out of more than 44,000 Michigan attorneys for the past nine years in a row.
Since 2004, he has been recognized as a leading lawyer by Chambers USA, a referral guide to leading lawyers in the United States based upon the opinions of clients and peers. Chambers has noted that Tom is highlighted by commentators for his advocacy skills, courtroom presence, and “fantastic judgment” and as “a wonderful litigator who is very bright but practical in his advice”.
In 2015, he received the Excellence in Defense Award from the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel. He was also recognized by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as its Lawyer of the Year for 2014.
Prior to joining the firm, Tom served as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Oakland County, Michigan, and an Assistant Chief of the Criminal Division of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.
Tom has extensive experience as a leader and instructor of trial advocacy including teaching for one of the preeminent trial advocacy programs in the United States, the National Institute of Trial Advocacy. In addition, he has lectured and written on a wide variety of civil litigation, criminal law and evidence topics. He is a co-author of a Michigan treatise, Civil Trials and Evidence, a contributing author to Federal Civil Procedure Before Trial/Sixth Circuit, and he has served as an Adjunct Professor of Law for The Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School teaching Evidence.
Representative Matters
Law Firm Professional Malpractice Defense
Represented an AmLaw 200 firm in the successful resolution of a legal malpractice action related to a patent infringement lawsuit.
Healthcare Fraud – Criminal Litigation
Represented a healthcare CEO charged wth 128 counts of healthcare fraud, securing a not guilty verdict on all counts.
Healthcare Fraud – Criminal Litigation
Represented a nurse charged with healthcare fraud at trial and secured a directed verdict prior to the matter being submitted to the jury.
Perjury and Obstruction of Justice – Criminal Litigation
Represented an official of the United States Department of State for allegedly committing perjury and obstruction of justice in connection with the first post 9/11 terrorism trial in the United States, securing a not guilty verdict on all charges.
Patent Infringement Litigation
Represented a high technology corporation against a nine-figure patent infringement claim, successfully securing a no-cause verdict at trial.
Election Law Criminal Defense Litigation
Represented a client charged with violation of federal election laws, resulting in a not guilty verdict on all counts at trial.
Sanctions Violation Criminal Defense
Represented a university professor charged with violating sanctions against Iraq, securing a not guilty verdict on all counts at trial.
Class Action Litigation
Represented a Fortune 500 electronics manufacturer in the successful defense of a shareholder derivative claim.
Criminal Antitrust Investigation
Represented a national road construction company in connection with a federal criminal antitrust investigation, successfully convincing the Department of Justice not to seek an indictment.
Patent Infringement Litigation
Represented an automobile supplier in connection with a patent infringement claim, successfully securing an eight-figure damages settlement.
University Internal Investigation
Represented a major university in connection with an internal investigation into its athletic department.
Insurance Fraud Criminal Litigation
Represented a large national insurance company as a plaintiff in connection with allegations of insurance fraud and the submission of false claims.
Securities Criminal and Civil Litigation
Represented an officer of a Fortune 500 company in a securities action and parallel investigation by the United States Department of Justice and Securities and Exchange Commission successfully, convincing the government not to seek an indictment.
Civil RICO Litigation and Appeal
Represented a Fortune 100 company in a successful appeal of a civil RICO case before the Sixth Circuit en banc panel.
Shareholder Class Action Litigation
Represented a major financial institution in connection with a shareholder derivative claim and putative class action matter.
Involuntary Manslaughter Criminal Litigation
Represented an individual charged with involuntary manslaughter arising out of a trucking accident, securing a not guilty verdict at trial.
Pro Bono Criminal Law Representation
Represented one of two brothers falsely accused of felony murder, resulting in the ultimate dismissal of the charges after the client had wrongfully served more than 25 years in prison.
Tom has represented a broad range of corporations, partnerships, financial institutions and individuals in criminal and civil antitrust matters; intellectual property disputes; class action defense matters; income tax evasion; Medicaid, Medicare and healthcare fraud; Food & Drug Administration investigations; criminal OSHA, MIOSHA and state/federal environmental matters; Customs and Border Protection violations; bankruptcy fraud; mail and wire fraud; insurance fraud; bank fraud and embezzlement; defense contractor fraud; national security matters, securities fraud and matters with the SEC; public corruption; controlled substance and conspiracy matters; immigration matters, labor and employment litigation, ERISA litigation and police corruption.
He has extensive experience conducting internal corporate audits, independent audit committee reviews and corporate compliance programs.
He has also represented both attorneys and judges in proceedings alleging malpractice, professional or public misconduct.
Teaching:
Thomas M. Cooley School of Law, Adjunct Professor of Law, (teaching Evidence), 2005-2013
University of Detroit Mercy Inn of Court, 1996-present
Oakland County Bar Association Inn of Court, Founding Member and currently Emeritus Member, 2004-present
Honors:
Michigan Defense Trial Counsel, Excellence in Defense Award, 2015
Michigan Super Lawyers, Top 10 Michigan Super Lawyers 2006-present (#1 Michigan Super Lawyer, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014);#2, 2008 and 2012; #3, 2007 and 2015)
Best Lawyers in America:
Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense (White-Collar and Non-White-Collar), Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law; Litigation-Environmental; Litigation-Securities;
2009 Detroit area Bet-the-Company Lawyer of the Year;
2013 Detroit Criminal Defense: Non-White-Collar Lawyer of the Year;
2016 Troy Litigation – Securities, Lawyer of the Year
Michigan Lawyers Weekly, recognized as one of the 2014 Leaders in the Law and selected as the Lawyer of the Year in 2014. In 2007, also named as one of Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s Lawyers of the Year
Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Litigation in the highest category (Band 1), 2004-present; White Collar Crime & Government Investigations, 2008-present
Lawdragon 500, 2014-2015; Top 3000 2010-present
Benchmark Litigation, Guide to Americas Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys, 2008-present
The National Association of Distinguished Counsel, Founding Member 2015
DBusiness Magazine, Top Lawyers, Commercial Litigation, Non-White-Collar and White-Collar Criminal Defense 2011-present
Oakland County Republican Party, Practitioner of the Year, 2008
Crain’s Detroit Business, selected as one of Detroit’s Power Lawyers, 2008
Who’s Who in American Law
Who’s Who in America
Who’s Who in the World
Who’s Who in Detroit Business – Law, Crain’s Detroit Business, November 2005
Oakland County Bar Association’s Distinguished Service Award, 1996
Federal Bar Association’s Leonard R. Gilman Award, Presented to an Outstanding Practitioner of Criminal Law, 1995
Drug Enforcement Administration Award, 1981
United States Department of Justice Special Achievement Award, 1980
Professional Activities:
American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow, 2000
International Academy of Trial Lawyers, Fellow, 2000
International Society of Barristers, Fellow, 2003; Board of Governors and State Chairperson, 2012-2015; Program Chairperson, 2016
American Board of Trial Advocates, 2000; Michigan Membership Chairperson, 2010; Michigan Secretary, 2011; Michigan Treasurer, 2012; Michigan President-elect, 2013; President of Michigan Chapter, 2014
Litigation Counsel of America, Senior Fellow, 2007
The National Trial Lawyers, Fellow, 2009
State Bar of Michigan, President, 2005-2006; Statewide Access to Justice Campaign, Chairperson; Board of Commissioners, 1997-2006; Representative Assembly, 1986-1992; Chairperson, Standing Committee on Grievance, 1993-1997; Co-Chairperson, Awards Committee, 2007-2013; Law and the Media Committee, 2006-2012; Judicial Crossroads Task Force, 2010; Task Force on the Role of the State Bar of Michigan, 2014; Access and Affordability Committee of the 21st Century Practice Task Force, 2015
Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Board of Directors, 2010-present
Appellate Defender Commission for the State of Michigan, appointed member and Vice-chairperson, 2011-2014; Chairperson, 2015-present
Michigan State Bar Foundation, Board of Trustees, 2006-present
Federal Bar Association, Eastern District of Michigan; Chapter President, 1995-1996
Oakland County Bar Foundation, Board of Trustees, 1992-2012; President, 2002-2003; Trustee Emeritus, 2012-present
Oakland County Bar Association, Board of Directors, 1994-2003
Oakland County Criminal Assignment Committee, Co-Chairperson and Founding Member, 1996-1999
United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, Trustee, Historical Society, 2007-present; Local Rules Advisory Committee, 1989-1992; Special Committee on Review of the Local Rules, 1990-1991
Sixth Circuit Judicial Conference, Life Member, 1999-present
American Bar Foundation, Sustaining Life Fellow, 2005
Michigan State Bar Foundation, Life Patron Fellow, 1995
Oakland County Bar Foundation, Charter Fellow, 1992
American Arbitration Association, Hearing Panel Member, 1990-present
Prosecutor’s Foundation for Kids, Board Member, 2010-present
Oakland County Circuit and District Courts, Mediator, 1986-present
Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan, 1994-present
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 1986-present
United States Sentencing Commission, Practitioner’s Advisory Group, 2009-2011
Speeches:
“New Federal Rules For a New Frontier”, The Rutter Group, June 2016
Anatomy of a Trial, Consumer Bankruptcy Association Trial Skills Workshop, April 2015.
Corporate Counsel as Gatekeepers, Wayne Law Review Symposium, October 2015
Negotiating Plea Agreements in the Era of Advisory Sentence Guidelines, Wayne County Criminal Advocacy Program, August, 2015
“Ten New ‘Magic Tricks’ for Federal Practice 2015 Making Cases Disappear (or Not) in Federal Court”, The Rutter Group, June 2015
“Evidence Boot Camp,” Advanced Criminal Defense Practice Conference for the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan, November 2014 and May 2015
“Governmental and Internal Investigations: What In-House Counsel and Outside Counsel Need to Know,” State Bar of Michigan, Business Law Section, November 2014
“Brave New World of Federal Practice,” The Rutter Group, June 2014
“What Other ADR Tools Are in the Litigator’s Toolbox?” 13th Annual ICLE Advanced Negotiation & Dispute Resolution Institute, March 13, 2014
“Opening With Your Best Shot,” Michigan Defense Trial Council, June 21, 2013
“Getting In and Out of Federal Court: New Rules, New Solutions,” The Rutter Group, 2013
“How to Prepare Your Client to Testify at Trial,” Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan Masters Class, 2012
“Age-Old Ground Rules Have Changed!,” The Rutter Group, 2012
E-Discovery Update 2012 – ESI & the Government, Webinar, Institute of Continuing Legal Education, February 29, 2012
“Game Changers,” New Federal Rule Amendments and Cases, The Rutter Group, 2011
“Major Changes in Federal Practice,” The Rutter Group, 2010
Crime and Punishment: Legal Essentials for Physicians, Oakland County Bar Association-Oakland County Medical Society, 2009.
The Latest in Aggressive Healthcare Fraud Investigation and Law Enforcement, Miller Canfield, 2009.
“Prosecution of White Collar Crime,” Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants, 2009
“Revisiting Irving Younger’s Ten Commandments of Cross Examination,” State Bar of Michigan, Young Lawyers Seminar, 2009
“Home Run Motions in Federal Court,” The Rutter Group, 2009
“Criminal Law & Opening Statements,” State Bar of Michigan, Young Lawyers Seminar, 2008
“Recent Changes in Federal Rules of Civil Procedures and Local Court Rules,” The Rutter Group, 2008
“Federal Trial Practice,” The Rutter Group, 2004-2007
“Survival Skills in U.S. District Court,” The Rutter Group, 1995; 2003
“Conducting an Effective Cross-Examination,” Lorman Education Services, 2003
“Federal Civil Trials,” The Rutter Group, 2002
“A Day of Criminal Law in Genesee County: Issues in Sentencing and Criminal Practice and Procedure Update,” Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 2002
“Criminal Practice and Procedure Update,” Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 2002
“Federal Litigation a Cyberworld,” The Rutter Group, 2001
“What Makes Juries Listen? – Connecting With the Jury,” Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 2001
“Federal Rules of Evidence Complex Issues – Practical Solutions,” The Rutter Group, 1999
“How to Win Your First Jury Trial,” Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 1999
“Representing Criminal Defendants,” Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 1997
“Destination Federal Court,” The Rutter Group, 1996
“Evidence: Sharpening Your Direct and Cross-Examination Skills,” Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 1995
Publications
“Civil Trials and Evidence,” West Publishing, (2001) co-author with the Honorable Gerald E. Rosen, Honorable Kurtis T. Wilder and Rodger D. Young, Esq.
“Federal Civil Procedure Before Trial/Sixth Circuit,” Lawyers Cooperative Publishing, (1996) contributing author
“Federal Criminal Practice Rules,” James Publishing, Editorial Advisory Board (1996)
“How to Handle the Media in a High-Profile Case,” Ann Arbor Area Business Monthly, May 2005
“Safeguarding Your Company: Key Factors Influencing Sentencing of Business Organizations,” Midwest In-House, April 2005
“The Art of Cross-Examination,” Michigan Bar Journal, August 2013
Company Firm
Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone, P.L.C.
Firm Mailing
840 W Long Lake Rd Ste 150
Troy
Michigan
48098-6356
United States of America
Fellow Since
March 18, 2000
Practice Areas
- Antitrust
- Commercial Arbitration
- Commercial Litigation
- Criminal Defense
- Environmental
- Intellectual Property
- Professional Malpractice-Defense
- Securities
- Tax
Chapter
- Michigan
Contact Info