Michael Crosner was a founding partner of Crosner Legal and an accomplished, highly skilled litigator who spent decades trying cases alongside some of the best lawyers in the country. Remembered for his sharp wit, eloquent words, and deep compassion, Michael’s legacy remains the foundational bedrock of the firm today.
Born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, Michael’s strong work ethic and deep empathy for everyday people began early. Growing up, he worked in his father’s steel drum barrel factory alongside the floor workers, eventually watching the factory unionize. During his high school and college years, he also worked at a psychiatric facility, spending his days interacting closely with both patients and staff. These formative experiences ingrained in him a profound respect for workers’ rights and a deep, intuitive understanding of the human condition.
This immense empathy translated into a brilliant legal mind capable of instantly identifying when people had been wronged. Among his many achievements, he possessed an uncanny ability to sniff out novel legal issues, notably originating and litigating one of the first retaliation verdicts in California in association with the esteemed Greene Broillet & Wheeler firm.
Michael’s legal career was defined by a fearless willingness to take on any challenge. Transitioning from his early role as a city attorney into private practice, he handled a vast array of complex matters—from criminal defense and probate to family law and immigration. A true fighter for his clients, his early career even included petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court for a writ of certiorari in a complex 1971 immigration appeal. His reputation for handling difficult legal issues earned him a unique arrangement with the City of Santa Monica, where he was trusted to handle their appellate matters, including high-profile First Amendment and obscenity cases throughout the 1970s.
Groomed to be a formidable presence in the courtroom, Michael was deeply respected by his peers and co-chaired trials with legendary advocates, including the late Charlie O’Reilly. Michael ultimately found his true calling in personal injury law. Driven by an innate desire to protect those in need, he loved helping people from all walks of life, fighting for them both inside and outside the courtroom. Known for his tenderness and thoughtful delivery, Michael had a rare superpower: the ability to connect with nearly anyone and make them feel like the center of his world. Whether offering legal advice, personal guidance, or simply a good laugh, he was a dependable advocate and confidant to many.
Despite his passion for the law and his formidable skills as a litigator, Michael deliberately chose to keep his practice small—operating primarily as a solo practitioner or with a single partner—so he could remain deeply present for his family. In 2013, he recognized a new opportunity to build a law practice with his son, Zachary Crosner. To fulfill their shared dream, Michael humbly entered an entirely new field of law.
He fully immersed himself in the work: learning complex class action law, traveling to every deposition, and attending every mediation. Everywhere he went, whether in California or traveling to other states, he earned the deep respect and friendship of mediators, co-counsels, and adversaries alike. Working side-by-side, Michael and Zach crafted their ideal law firm brick by brick. Through this process, he taught Zach not only how to be a better lawyer, but a better man.
Although Crosner Legal grew into a much larger multi-state practice than his previous solo endeavors, Michael was fiercely dedicated to ensuring the firm never lost its soul. He remained closely involved in all aspects of the practice, making sure that their core principles, ideals, and close-knit culture remained intact, always treating the expanding team like an extension of his own family. As the firm became highly accomplished, Michael never sought praise or accolades for himself; his greatest desire was simply to watch his son shine.
Michael passed away in 2023. Up until the very end, he and Zach shared an incredibly rare and profound bond, living as neighbors and working together daily. A true man of character, Michael was a mentor, a pillar of strength, and a brilliant legal mind whose rigorous standards and unwavering integrity continue to guide Crosner Legal every day.